Who killed whom in Indian Politics?

Perhaps language and use of words in politics is at its lowest ebb. Again a word is nightmare of political discourse these days after’ intolerance’ has slumped. Vendetta is in the air. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi accuse Government of Vendetta. CPI says there is no room for Vendetta in politics. Many believe that vendetta is permanent feature of Indian politics whenever a change takes place in central or state government. The new incumbent takes revenge from the previous ruling party. Three days of legislature have been washed out in debating Vendetta.

Nobody seems to analyze its etymological connotation and what this means. The word has Italian origin and reflects common practice in Italy to take such revenge in continuous fight of two groups. Dictionary meaning of the word is ‘bitter family feud’ if family of a murdered person seeks revenge the murder by killing slayer. This obviously refers to revenge of one’s own murdered person. That would mean if the slayer is Congress then BJP is indulging in vendetta. But whom did Congress kill? Perhaps no one in Congress will accept that any one of them has done such harm to BJP when they were in power. But label of vendetta is used freely against government which means clear acceptance that in past such harm has been caused by those who charge the government of doing such harm to them now.  Right word for Congress to use in the circumstances would be ‘persecution’ as they seem to have feeling that they are being hunted. But such a wrong word being freely used by them could also mean an unconscious acceptance of guilt especially due to Italian origin and its symbolic depiction of Italian influence on the party.

The public discourse has deteriorated to such an extent that lies or absurd charges are being routinely made against each other by the political parties. Perhaps it was Harold Laski the famous writer of Grammar of Politics who said that word democracy has lost meaning like a hat that has lost its shape since it worn on different heads. Similarly now intolerance and vendetta have lost their meanings as those who use these mean something different and are simply mouthing it to find convenient labels. That is why FIR are registered against Hudda Government they also cry vendetta as they have convenient label. In logic this is called’ call a dog mad and kill it’ fallacy.

Worst use of words in politics is made by Kejriwal and if any one can give competition to him it is Lalu Prasad of RJD. When recently their was CBI raid on his office he started yelling ‘My office has been raided’, the worst misuse of words came when he tweeted to CM Bengal’ Mamta di it is undeclared emergency’. He did not leave the matter there but went ot accuse PM of being liar and psychopath. He was virtually bordering on the symptoms of hysteria. The sane public could ask him if he is shouting so much of emergency how he outside free to make such noise? Had it been so he would have been muffled and no media would report his ‘wolf cry’. Instead of questioning him media mostly reported him word by word as if he is reading from Bible and each word is sacrosanct. The same Mamta di who had jailed a Professor for mere posting her cartoon on internet gave full support to him and raised vendetta in Parliament through her MPs. Where was their tolerance then? Kejriwal  has virtually mastered the art of distorting words, misusing these, or making wild allegations against each person whom he chooses. Even he called  Pranab Mukerji with such words. Now he  tells media that a CBI officer told him that they have brief from PMO for nabbing all opposition leaders. When CBI asked him to name the officer he just keeps shut. Unverifiable statements to garner support and make the opponent weak are very common for CM who does not know that he is a responsible constitutional authority. He should honor the mandate of his electorate and also those of the country. His language is worse than that of a street vendor and not of a responsible CM. Will come sense prevail on politicians to at least to use proper correct and decent language?

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

Our Democracy becoming horrid hooliganism

 Barricades have been  erected around the speaker of Lok Sabha dias that had not happened for last fifty years, it is a serious issue to ponder on at national level. Surprisingly it is the  very elected members of legislature, who are making it horrid  in quality of debate and conduct and  are not bothered about it .They are busy in spending their time on non issues like intolerance which has been finally nailed by the Chief Justice of India when he said that when there is rule of law and independent judiciary in the country how can there be intolerance and no one need to fear. Of course he too admitted that this matter is politicized. But what was the form of protest in legislature? Paper balls were thrown on speaker, rushing to well became a rule and in other legislatures even chairs have been hurled and minor scuffles are not unknown. Even BJP is not blame free in this as they set the tradition of holding the house to ransom when they did not have majority.  The limits of tolerance have shrunk for the opposition too who took to the task its member who wrote an article about the powers of Rajya Sabha.  He was chastised and the house showed no tolerance to him.

What was this intolerance after all? During Bihar elections every party showed its rude conduct. But worse even Bollywood joined it after the awards were returned by the literary intellectuals. What went wrong with Shahrukh Khan who too made such noise during the elections? Barely the din subsided that those who were interested to perpetuate it brought Amir Khan who too complained of intolerance and even used his wife’s shoulders to fire his shot that there can be thinking to leave the country. Was it so bad? What went wrong with Khans to make this noise when they were prized heroes of the people and no one booed them? Paul Johanson, who researched the lives of Intellectuals, comes to conclusion in the book Intellectuals that are relevant even today” Discount their verdicts on political and important events”. He writes ‘ one of the principal lessons of our tragic century be ware of intellectuals, Taken as a group they are ..They serve those whose approval they seek..Worst of all despotism is tyranny of their ideas ”No wonder nearly 80% people in all surveys have given the verdict that there is no intolerance. But three days of Parliament are lost in it.  The conduct of Parliamentarian and our system is becoming day by day rowdy both in the centre and states. Narendra Modi rightly said that the democracy runs with consensus and not voting by majority which is last option. But whre is the sign of consensus even on national issues that are holding up development?

I remember the days when I was in Indian Institute of Public Administration New Delhi completing my course and as a part of our studies we were taken to Parliament to understand the functioning of the highest body of legislation. When we were in Visitors gallery I heard with rapt attention a logical and lucid debate being initiated by veteran Ashok Mehta, a Socialist leader. Socialists were in minority and Congress had overwhelming majority. In the course of his speech some interruptions were made by the Congress MPs and Speaker admonished them. Ashok Mehta said what I remember still distinctly” Let me complete my speech and if you want after wards you can demolish me”. The MPs however still persisted and in the din he was not audible. At this moment the leader of the house late Jawaharlal  Nehru got up and chided his members and asked them to maintain peace so that the speaker can complete his speech. Thereafter there was complete pin drop silence.  This was my first glimpse of graceful conduct and behavior of our highest law making body when the members were law abiding.

Now situation has completely changed and no one is bothered about the prestige of the leader of the house or Prime Minister. Consequently the behavior and conduct of the members of house have become worse than school urchins. This conduct of rowdies is now being televised to the whole nation. It has vitiated the atmosphere of public discourse and the language of every other person. One session was completely washed up in acrimony. More is likely to happen. What is worse is that some word of act is objected as opposition members find fault with excessive zeal and then they start demanding he sacking of Particular Minister. If the treasury benches do not see eye to eye with this proposal the house is stalled. Speaker of the house appears helpless in maintaining decorum and things go haywire. Result is that important legislation covering the development and advancement of the nation are getting scuttled. No one seems concerned with the wider and broader implications. It is high time all parties realize that ethics of maintaining decorum in the respective houses is honored and hooliganism is firmly stopped. Democracy is certainly not anarchy.

Bus Stop

First Passenger: Our Hockey team has done great performance in winning Bronze medal after thirty three years.

Second Passenger: At least Ache din have dawned on our Hockey if not for all.

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

Degeneration of intellectual climate in India

Everywhere there are signs that our thinking and feeling on issues of national importance is getting vitiated day by day. Politics is worst contributor to this intellectual pollution. What happened in recent Bihar election was a demonstration of name calling and washing soiled cloths in public. No one is untarnished in this dirt of slanderous and vicious language full of damaging one or the other. Even outside the sphere of politics, literary and journalistic parleys were also full of stink that emits from such tasteless language.

AAP led this march to using slanderous and mudslinging words. Congress too joined in by atrocious conduct in Parliament and outside. BJP  joined in by unstoppable blabber that damaged the harmony and peace of nation. To shout ‘Modi ji jid chodiye police mujhe de dijye’ was not address of a CM to PM. Lalu’s Pishach and Shairtan was too coarse as his Modoa in rustic language. Nitish led with his false compaign of Bihari DNA that was never questioned by Modi. Modi too used sarcastic and repeat abuse in the manner that was not desirable of a PM of the country. Rahul telling people that Modi was selling their land to friends was too Kiddush and too caricaturist.

This followed the two events Dadri and Mumbai ink throw case. Worse riots had taken place earlier in Muzzafar Nagar  but one Dadri murder, unjust and condemnable, was blown to national centre stage. How many times leaders of various parties had experienced shoe being thrown on them and ink or acid being thrown but no national outrage too place. Since Bihar elections were approaching this was the moment that every one tried to bake his bread. Sudhir Kulkarnai brought the former Minister of Pakistan to release his book and Shiv Sena protested by ink thrown on him. He did not wipe it out and kept it as a souvenir to stand before cameras and project it as intolerance. Sartaj Aziz Pakistani former  Foreign Minister came to India to tell how foolish was handling of 26/11 when Manmohan singh after delayed response decided to do nothing against Pakistan and chose diplomatic option that never yielded results. Was this climate of sound intellectuals discourse when all of a sudden chore was being played to corner Narendera Modi for offences that he was not responsible? But a crucial election was due and even writers joined in to return rewards for their imagined intolerance in the country. Even Shah Rukh Khan came from the blues to condemn intolerance and that too before elections. When President of India and objective commentators like Narynswami of Infosys alluded to intolerance they lent credibility to such hallucinations being promoted in atmosphere of distrust.

They were talking all kind of stories as if in a concerted plan to condemn PM at tense times of election that happened to be worse war like situation. What was the duty and role of writers and media in such times of confusion that they should have led the readers to light and tell the facts but more of distortion or abuse was propagated than painting the correct perspective. Sonia Gandhi had the credit of rarely indulging in such false allegations as many were blabbering.

Factually speaking no act of intolerance were widely prevalent in India. Dictionary defines intolerance as ” inability to tolerate the existence of opinion or behavior that one dislikes or disagrees”. No one even those who were calling names to PM was arrested or detailed or questioned by the Government agencies for such acts. No book was banned by the Government and no media channel or paper was questioned nor any one was trying to censor internet. Where the hell was the intolerance? The fact is the Salman Rushdie’s book was banned by earlier Government and Modi did nothing but he too indulged in intolerance talk forgetting that he was virtually banned from Literary Festival in India by earlier regime and not Modi. Riots and rapes had come down in statistics compared to previous year. No one was threatened but there were a few pointers that gave rise to provide fodder for such intolerance talk. BJP and its other outfits had many members talking without taking care of peace and harmony in society. These lose canons were individuals but should have been restrained as the Government certainly has to be responsible for creating a cordial atmosphere. Modi should have restrained such talk by his irresponsible leaders. Second failure was inability of the Government to project facts and denials of false talk by effective agencies. Information and Broadcasting Ministry was a failure and it did not communicate facts effectively.

The net result was that a false intolerance climate was sought to be created by determined opposition sponsored people or other dissenters, who did not expect any further patronage from this government having been denied of plane load of holiday makers on foreign joints. But it was for PM and his Ministers to strongly rebut the false propaganda and also present before nation a graceful and dignified conduct in spite of provocations. There is need for national reconciliation in order democracy to function and winning election is not enough ensuring peace and goodwill even with opponents the job of winners.

Bus Stand-First Passenger: Why Rahul and Modi go abroad so often?

Second Passenger: They go out to ease their tensions at home.

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

Defeat of Development and Triumph of communalism in Bihar

No one including all surveys and channels could forecast correctly the outcome of Bihar election that JDU+ will get two third majorities in its victory. Some Channels even announced victory of BJP+ while the counting was on. Forenoon what showed BJP’s lead turned just upside down in the afternoon. Only one survey AXIS fore cast that JDU+ will get 170 but it was brushed aside and not aired. I was also proved wrong and my estimates went hay wire. It is time to rethink and reinvent the system of forecasting as it is a major disaster in forecasting. Even in USA there is debate on the ways of increasing accuracy and phone surveys are more and more becoming difficult as people have switched over from land line to mobile. Whatever be now damned forecasts the fact is that the JDU+ is in power and has decisively won  and virtually butchered NDA.The greatest shock is that Lalu Prasad who is convict in corruption case and not able to fight election, has virtually emerged as the king maker since has  got more seats than JDU who could get 71 while in previous elections they had 117. It is lalu who scored phenomenally against all expectation and my in accurate but logical thinking that he should lose heavily. On the other hand he got maximum. It is not a rational vote but it is effective vote and the dream of Bihar to achieve new hights of development stands demolished by the caste and communal deivide. It is national loss.

No doubt BJP made disatserous mistakes. Important leaders of the party made statements harming Modi in the run for victory in Bihar. There  is no doubt therfe was internal sabotage in the party itself. But it was weaknesss of a disciplined party that no one bothered for the leadership and indulged in total nonsense . If they were trying to match the opponents and outdo Lalu they failed, as Lalu could go nastier and carried the rustic card to justify whatever he did. Being an astute politician he used Bhagwat” remark about review of reservation to target NDA and to emphatically frighten Biharis that reservation is in danger. This was lethal threat for the masses and BJP tried to explain it away but no one listened. He was wrongly being charged for remark about beef eating that went to fetch him all Muslim votes .Amit Shah’ s Diwali in Pakistan if they lost  utterance added more Muslim votes  to kitty of Lalu. Loose cannons of BJP became fodder for lalu who too was known to use filthy language but he found more of it  in enemies camp that people did not digest.

On the results day event was general conclusion that Bhagwat+ combined yadav -Muslim votes brought down the citadel of Narender Modi.  Added to this Modi himself gave up corruption free development debate to polarizing communal attempt by invoking Muslim reservation voiced by so called secular parties. This did not get him Hindu votes but more Muslim votes went to his opponent. Hindu votes did not polarize that was being attempted by beef posters as that was stuck in caste matrix.  Lalu successfully sold backward and forward debate using Bhagwat and other issues. A corrupt leader on bail, and who had brought jungle raj to Bihar, became the victorious king maker. To quote apt comment of Tavleen Singh It was victory of past over future. The agenda of good goverfnence and corruption free development got no champions as even Modi  gave in to communalism.

The result of election may be touted against Modi rhetoric but in any country where democracy is strong pluralistic paradigm prevails. Earlier governments in centre did not have their rule in all states and opposition regional parties reigned earlier too but climate is vitiated by debased debate this time and it needs strong communication of facts to clean the rumor full climate, Even In United States all states are not won by the President’ party but they have strong Constitutional base to continue without much road blocks . In our country we will have to rethink and rightly the thinking public is now talking of Presidential system and it is time to change the system where a determined opponent group does not block the functioning of the Parliament. But even if Modi is blocked on passing the bills inspite of massive national verdict in his favor there is enough in the ambit of government that central government can do to take the country forward. BJP must reinvent its strategic orientation. To me there are two lessons: First that democracy and pluralism have won but the system to change existing blocking of national body functioning by minority needs rethinking of model of governance. Second lesson is that Corruption free development must continue in the spheres where it is still amply possible and it should take the centre stage even if the jolt in one state should not deter reforms and progress.(Prof NKSingh ex chairman IAA

Lalu may prove to  be savior of BJP in Bihar elections

Bihar election is at the last leg and many forecasters have stopped making any announcements as they are waiting for 8^th November with baited breath. I may be treading on a risky path but in my past experience I was proved only wrong in Delhi elections.

Let me first explain that all surveys are faulty as the method of coversion of votes is a black magic. Many times wrong questions are asked. In Bihar Nitish has done well to captures already hostile media that was waiting to see when Modi gets trounced. As a result of it many surveys start with no face of Modi and how popular is Nitish. It needed no survey to know and announce that Nitish has been most popular leader but the real issue was in spite of that will his party win? The real issue went sidetracked in the din of Nitish Nitish chanting by media. The survey results also showed in half that he is winning and another half that NDA is winning. After second phase many started anticipating problems with Modi. No doubt Modi faced an uphill task as he was fighting clever and complex leaders of a state that has unfathomable labyrinth of castes and classes. The perpetuation of caste politics was also promoted by the political parties in the past since independence by giving in to caste consideration without trying to change the scenario to more urgent issues of development. Nitish to some extent and Modi with all his vigor tried to bring issues economic backwardness and hence need for job creation and education to the fore. Nevertheless NDA too catered to Caste politics as Manjhi , Kushwaha, and Paswan were out and out caste representatives. Lalu was blatantly Yadva- Muslim formula inventor and followed it diligently. It is, however, doubtful if he succeeded as the issues of dire needs of education health jobs and power supply were too real to be ignored. Forecasting of such an imbroglio is a difficult job.

Modi faced perhaps a herculean task that was made worse by his own colleagues and party rather than outside opposition. His own supporters uttered words and made statements  that directly hurt his compaign. Worse his past colleagues like Shatrugan Sinha,Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shori and others who were frustrated due to being deprived of a Ministers. Job made ridiculous noises at the time of electioneering. Again unnecessary and untimely debate on beef and reservation was not needed but no one bothered for his difficult challenge and their party interest. One wonders what were those ensuring party discipline were doing.

Of all Lalu Prasad had maximum negative factors in his score. Consider these:

1.     He was convicted for corruption and was not able to fight

2.     His wife and daughter lost elections in Parliamentary polls recently

3.     His past record of Jungle raj stuck to him and was vigorously propagated by Modi

4.     He openly complained of thin attendance in his rallies

5.     His son Tapasvi  a candidate was hounded out of booth by the people and shown on Channels

6.     He mostly behaved as a clown rather than a responsible leader and made intemperate remarks about Moduva as he called Modi in derogatory manner.

7.     He openly appealed to caste politics

8.     Empirical research shows his jungle raj no one wants in Bihar and in fact his association with Nitish damaged Nitish too who accepted him in his dream of becoming CM if not PM

Considering this it is not foreseen if he will score much and he has bargained for 101 seats he will get very low number. Whatever channels may forecast considering his caste base he is likely to be greatest loser. After all with his caste base his wife and daughter loost too. That shows the mood of Bihar. His loss will be major gain of NDA and poses a hope for them.

If previous Parliamentary polls are any indication the same converted to MLA constituencies gives figure of 188 to NDA which is comfortable majority and best performance.  But taking into account that local matters differ from national issues and many developments have taken place in the intervening period, I have done careful assessment and that shows NDA will get around 123 in worst scenario and 152 in best scenario.

Let us wait for 8^th to see the final outcome. I trust I will not be as wrong as some surveys might turn out in the end.

Bus Stand

First passenger: Thieves are so bold in Himachal that they burgled the house of CM. Why are they not trying PM house next?

Second Passenger: Perhaps they are afraid that he may not start with them Choron pe charcha.

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

Serious security issues in handling terrorism

What has happened in Mumbai during Book release of Khurshid Mohammed Kassuri and black painting of face of Sudhendera Kulkarni has caught the attention of the media and has been splashed across the nation but what the book contains and how it exposes hallowed security system of India is not noted by majority of the media and news channels.

Kasuri’s  book in more than nine hundred pages does not reveal much of what Pakistan is doing or its diplomatic strategies and policies. On the other hand it shows detailed exposure of India’s porous security system and lack of leadership in making decisions on crucial matters in time. It is difficult to authenticate the facts as narrated by him but since these are in print and in public domain it is ipen top those who are mentioned in the book to vouch for it or to contradict it. So far nothing has come oput to rebut him.

Kasuri tells a very poignant story of vacillation and unpreparedness of Indian government in tackling 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai.Kasuri’s version can be summarized in following words; First meeting took place With Pm on 28thNovember. Manmohan Singh, A.K.Antony, National security adviser M.K.Naryanan Chiefs of Intellegencve Bureaue and Raw, Chiefs of Navy, Air, and Dy Chief of Army( as Chief was away on foreign tour) . First alternative response to Pakistan considered was cold start  that is like parapheral attack and it was discarded as the Dy Chief of army wanted to wait for the return of the Chief on foreign tour. Naval action was not conceived as Naval Chief said they are not ready. Already Intelligence agencies were livid with Navy for not intercepting the boats carrying terrorists when they were aware that boat off Karachi port were coming and Raw was informed by CIA.

Next Air Chief was ready for selected targeting terror camps but wanted exact coordinates. Intelligence had no idea about it and Air force did not want to hit civil population. Covert operation was also discarded as India lacked capability.  All the five alternatives were suggested by civil officer and not by forces and these were stated to be focused on Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

He expresses surprise that all options were suggested by civil experts and nothing from uniformed forces. Finally all were discarded although in the beginning of the meeting all wanted to punish the attackers’ bases as it was confirmed later also that Pakistani citizens were carrying out the attack on the Hotel Taj.

Finally India opted for diplomatic alternatives and perhaps cancelled cricket match. The entire narration is serious indictment of India and its government on an issue for which the public outrage was boiling at that time. Any sensible citizen would hang his head in shame on this account unless it is false as still no confirmation or denial has come but it is in the book in black and white without any contradiction. It raises also many serious issues:

First how Pakistan knew all this and how details were available about the top secret meeting of India to enemy country or its former Minister. When a country was facing emergency why after even two days when the operation was on. Army chief was not called and meeting held without him? When he attended meeting on 2^nd December the situation was no different.

Why only civil personnel were suggesting strategies and army or navy and air force had no ideas to deal with the situation? Why no creative plan was not explored or developed to take Pakistan by surprise?

In two serious cases of security violations first the hijacking of Indian Airlines plane when Atal Behari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister and on terror attack of 26/11 the Indian response was late and also very laid back and devoid of guts or courage. They failed to learn any lesson from Israel and other nations who have done much better handling of emergency situations like this. Handling of Hijacking was also disaster as were bargained very costly exchange of terrorists with release of passengers and air craft. Plane should have been stormed at Amritsar but entire delay and inexperience of people handling it spelled doom.

It is important to review the entire security preparation and learn lessons from these two serious mishandled terrorists’ intrusions in our security shield.

Bus Stop

First Passenger: Why these Shiv sainks are behaving in rowdy manner and scuttling cricket match?

Second Passenger: They are imitating the behavior of MPs in Parliament.

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

Congress must save itself to preserve democracy

The star of Congress is sinking but it needs to revive its libido to keep the ideals of democracy intact in the nation as it can only be a true and good opposition that is a sine qua non for the soul of our political structure as envisioned by the framers of constitution. Although constitution itself needs an independent and non political review to attune it to the goals of prosperity by diminishing poverty and inequality as well as growth to meet the demands of new world order. In this context to renew the spirit of healthy debate and mass contact to reflect their aspirations are unshakable routes.

Congress is not the only party to perform the role of good opposition as neither left nor regional outfits have the vision of future of this country. Left itself is vanishing with a few pockets of influence. AAP is emerging as a substitute for Congress but that is what will spell disaster of anarchism with manipulative and unethical politics. This has become pretty clear with the working of AAP in last few years and dwindling governance of Delhi. As Captain Amrinder Singh and Bajwa have already read the writing on the wall that they have competition with AAP that will fight to capture space from them and could be major hurdle in their recapturing Punjab power. Same has happened in Delhi. Congress needs to strongly etch out its identity as the party of Gandhi Patel and Nehru.

Congress has made a blunder in aping BJP to stall the parliament and oppose everything that NDA wants to do . It is painting the party as anti development and not a good role for a constructive and responsible opposition. It is true that it has received heavy drubbing in Parliament Polls and got only 44 seats in a parliament of more than 500. But should act gracefully to accept the mandate of the country and work to change the route it followed which led to disaster. First of all it has to remove the stigma of scams and corruption which has tarnished its record of governance. It must now set its house in order and remove all those CMs and leaders who are tainted. This operation clean up must send a message that Party means business and is earnest to be real follower Gandhi Nehru tradition. It need not compete with BJP to say they too are corrupt or they too were stalling parliament but its must set its own model and clean image as a responsible opposition that can emerge as the majority next time. Even Robert Wadra should be asked to take a back seat and not bask in lime light.

Next big task before Congress is to set its organization in order that has been butchered and deformed by the corrupt and ambitious leaders. The poison of corruption and money power has been injected vein deep in the cadres and those who are honest and clean get elbowed out by the money power. It needs heavy surgical operation to restore its health. Any sick person need to flush out his poison and toxic element. Now the party has nothing to lose but its shackles to use words of Marx as it is already being wiped out and Bihar will not give it much hope. It should go for a  major and drastic overhaul. Sonia Gandhi has no threat as no one has staked claim to leadership and no one could do so as long as dynasty has the control. No competent leader is in sight to replace the dynasty.

Congress should draw out a fresh and new agenda for action as simply countering Modi is not a positive and long term success mantra. Once the grass root cadres, cleaned and revitalized, start work with masses it will slowly regain their confidence. There is no instant solution and Party should not seek miraculous cure. Patient and long term revival is the only route but strategy and direction has to be clear.

Rahul must be briefed well and trained to avoid wearing mantle of Aristotle when talking to folks as when he says Poverty is state of mind etc. He must be given sensible and logical scripts and act as the humble soldier of the party rather than Don Quixote. By euphemism or denigrating words he cannot capture the imagination of masses as they would like to think of him as nice young man and not such wily and scornful person as he is posing for the sake of opposing NDA at any cost. For reinventing Congress the party should avoid aping AAP or Modi as both have their own way but he must chose fresh and new direction rather than doing what they do .Gandhi was original and so were leaders who made a mark in politics although they learn from all successful models but not blindly copy them. Let be humble soldier leading lone a battle for truth in Congress rather than a spoiled child image.

Bus Stand

First passeger: Anurag Thakur again hit sixer by successful IPL match in Dharamshala. What will Congress do?l

Second Passenger. They will soon do Hawabazi by paragliding .

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

Privileges for exemption from security at airports  must go

Recently government has taken a sloppy and bungled decision after one and half year  to remove Robert  Vadra from the list of people who are exempted from frisking check up at airports. This has raised the debate on why should such privileges be granted to any one if security is top priority for the Government. India is a land of privileges and display VIP- status- on- the sleeve culture. Everyone who has some position wants to display that he is above others. There is virtually a scramble for Red lights on the vehicle so that he is not checked anywhere. Even Panchayat pradhan have put up boards on the cars to display their status. This is a new caste system and the guarantee in the constitution that all citizens are equal is flouted every day in one or the other manner. Still we are a democratic country with a constitution that is egalitarian and guarantees all rights of freedom and equality to us. We witness everyday on roads caravans of cars rushing in at top speed following a VVIP. Roads are jammed with such people as citizens are stranded and see them in awe. Why should there be any discrimination between ordinary citizens and some specially decorated people? Is it not a new caste system?

When I was Chairman of the Airports Authority there was a short list but even then  I know one civil aviation minister, who was in z security status, insisted that he should be checked as security is for everyone and security must do its duty. Now we have 33 categories of people who are exempted from the check. No where in the world such situation exists. It could be surprise for many in India to know that in Britain except royalty no one is exempted from check. Even the Prime Minister goes through pre embarkation check. India US aviation security group has already suggested for curtailing Indian list and it could be under consideration but the present scenario is unprecedented in a country where security is top priority due to strong possibility of air sabotage.

Once I asked my son who was an NSG commando and later raised a company in Kargil war, who can we trust for security. His answer was crisp ‘No man can be fully trusted. ‘Then?’ I asked him. He said ‘we can only fully trust a dog or amachine’. It set me thinking and I found that a lot of progress has been made on cyber security and different techniques like biometrics that can ensure security. This can obviate whole rigmarole of rough and shoddy hand frisking by the security jawans. In Gatwick airport when biometric was introduced 3000 passengers could go secured without even boarding pass in  minutes. Dublin introduced secure gates biometrics and 1000 passengers were cleared in 7.5 minutes. San Francesco could catch a woman with fake documents also. We should, therefore. Go in for mechanized checking with cyber means. But our primitive thinking does not want to give up hand frisking and rough shaking the person and are not prone to acceptance of high tech security.

Till we bring in cyber security we should make the present system more benign and civilized by discrete body scanning. Security that does its duty at airports should be specially trained for courtesy and discretion. At the same time these 33 categories should be reduced to three. First it should have President, Prime Minister and Chief Justice. These are heads of Republic, Executive and judiciary. Second Category should be Head of Governments and Chief Justices of state in their own state airports only. Third should be Foreigner diplomats or Foreign eminent guests as cleared by External Affairs and internationally awarded persons like Nobel eg  Dalai Lama or others as cleared by Home Ministry. No more exemptions should be allowed and all Ministers and officials including governors should go through the checks except in the own states.

Similarly there should be executive lounges for which all should pay except special room for the Heads of central/state Government. Airports should become business like and efficient without leaving the trace of aristocracy for status display privileges.

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

Teachers must introspect and lead a change in society

Recently we have celebrated Teacher’s day with great fan fare and gaiety. I got a few dozen greetings from the students who remembered me but was it the only spirit of the day? To celebrate a day once a year is the western tradition but it certainly is reminder of people who we tend to forget. Once my boss in Montreal where I was working with UN agency said while laughing that “these people celebrate mother’s day once in a year but when I go to Punjab and I do not meet my mother even for a day she gets angry and when I meet her next time she says in Panjabi” main kya mar gayen hain’. For Indians everyday is mother’s day. It is truer for a teacher as his teaching is constant and not merely when he gives lecture.

Teacher imparts guidance to the students not simply by class room sermons but by actual living to his credo and transmitting his values to the pupils. India had great tradition of learning and teaching. Our five thousand years old scriptures speak for it as Upanishad and Gita are dialogues between teachers and taught. When I wrote my  book ‘Dialogues with Yeti’ I chose to adopt dialogues as the essence of imparting the core of my thinking and learning in that form. Book starts with the story of Nachiketa who when asked by father to go to Yama waits on the great teacher death. After fasting for long that pleases God of death who asks him what does he want? Nachiketa says he wants to learn the secret of life and death. Yama offers him pleasures and wealth of the world but the young man rejects all to choose knowledge of Brahamn. Yama is made to teach him. It is in the form of his dialogues with Nachitketa. I was invited two years back by Hindu University to deliver a key note address in one of the international seminars. On the dais I realized that speakers from different countries of the world had power point presentations but I was as usual, going to deliver extempore presentation. I began my presentation with a brief observation that I have not brought any power point presentation but I have some power full point. The house burst into spontaneous applause. I adopted dialogues and extempore presentation to delineate my thinking. Next day it was prominently covered in Press. I always maintain and also tell other teaching community that a teacher must speak from heart and not only mind. You can speak from heart only when you have abundantly learnt the lessons of life and absorbed your research within you. Buddha and Shankerachaya did not carry notes and power point with them yet they could change the world. I still remember my Professor of Philosophy who made great impact on us sometime by dramatically presenting ideas.

A teacher must know what his approach to teaching and care for the participants by ensuring good transfer of knowledge and attitudes. I asked my granddaughter Diva in Delhi,to tell me what she considers as most important quality of a teacher. She promptly said’’ A teacher must understand the students”. A ninth class student enlightened me and I found this the key element. Understanding involves empathy which makes a teacher to place himself in the place students and go deep in knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the taught .It  is not  sympathy that is simple feeling for someone. The child felt that teachers do not give adequate time to listen to the students and their problems. A good teacher knows himself and the students. I, therefore, advocate and practice participative teaching and not simply reading and assigning home work as I was told many teachers do .A Teacher must build the students as creative makers of future India. Narendra Modi is one PM who is a great teacher and on teaching day he displayed his acumen. What he says is worth remembering that a teacher never retires as he continues to learn and teach. Teacher must take deep interest in acquiring and imparting knowledge and to understand a student he must know his aptitude and capacity to guide him for reaching his optimum achievement. A good teacher inspires his students and makes impact on their psyche as early age is best to acquire positive attitude.

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

Book Review of Jagdish Prakash poetry

Book Review

Poet of love and pathos

A Tempest in Silence By Jagdish Prakash translated by Prof Muhammad Sanker

Publisher Nale e dil publications Lahore, Pakistan

Bazgasht (Return of a wanderer)

When two countries are beset with terrorism and border strife Jagdish Parkash has written these poems that seem to emit a message of love and peace to those who are fighting for political gains.These two books depict the silence of tempest as reflected  by the caption but also these two books are tribute to the sensitive poetry of an Indian poet in Urdu that challenge many established notions of writing ghazals of sharab and saqi only. His achievement in raising a flag of love in Pakistan  and message of friendship and common heritage between two countries are epic of harmony. Though tormented within in separation love or turbulence of romantic vibrations in his heart, he follows his path of ekla chcalo re. He bemoans passing phase of turmoil , Aaj ka daur nahin kal ke zamane ka hisab/ AArzi waqt se sadion ko na tolo logo. I think there is no better message of love for two countries who have become oblivious to  weigh the common culture of two countries .

To me he looks alien in the land of existentialism.in  vain search of  Picasso or when he runs after Bulleh Shah’s Ki jana main kaun. He is at his best at  home turf when he depicts the lyrical beauty of nature or a damsel ‘larazte reshmi hathon ka mausam/ kahan hai un mulakaton ka mausam ‘. Another Yeh hawa pee ke chali hai teri khashboo ki shrab/ Id hawa ko meri sanson main bhataak jane do ;.His feelings and sense of loneliness have pathos that are missing in contemporary Indian urdu poetry. ‘Kisi daman ki panahon main simatne ke liye/ kin mahazon se main lota hoon use kaya maloom’. Or kisi ne yaad kiya tab bhi ham bahut roye/ Jo usne tham liya tab bhi ham bahut roye’.

Winner of three Urdu Academy Awards he is one Urdu poet in India who has made a  mark in Pakistan and other countries where Urdu is read. 

Self glorification of leaders when public pays

Much before commercialization began with the reforms of Narsimah-Manmohan time Indian culture placed value on humility and moderation in advertising one’s own credentials and achievements at the expanse of the public exchequer. I have no quarrel with Political parties who spend a lot of money to promote their leaders as the money is not from public exchequer but private donations. Government that collects funds from public by taxation has no right to spend it on its own leader’s self promotion. The money is meant for expenses of development and services to citizens who have been taxed. Lately this race for self aggrandizement by PM CMs and even minor functionaries like local bodies, have crossed all limits. The latest addition to this is Kejriwal’s unabashed publicity and even telling distortions to the public at the Government expenditure. He has budgeted 550 crores whereas previous government spent 24 crores. Delhi is bombarded with his self praise and casting aspersions at the other leaders or central government.

How this ruthless ‘pehle main’ sloganeering has caught the imagination of leaders and how they have disaster of blitzkrieg hitting the walls, roads and media with hoardings of their own praise? Before commercialization which began with opening of economy and rat race, there was competition but decent publicity of what the leaders is and what he claims he will do. But there was no such blatant ‘Main hi main’ .We were taught in homes that we should not thrust ourselves forward and we should respect others and we should not claim we are best that others may say. When I topped the examination in graduation and post graduation I was overjoyed but did not hit the streets with ‘Hi I am the top. My colleagues came rushing to me when I topped in Indian Institute of Public administration with a question how I did it. I merely smiled and told them ‘yar aise hi’. I did not say that I deserved as I am best. There was a degree of modesty that went with the culture of ‘Pehle aap’. I got a jolt when I started hearing children talking of ‘I am the best ‘.I soon learnt that actors and actresses in Movies or outside claiming ‘I am the best’. Political leaders beat them with pushing miles forward by splashing the roads with their claims to immortality.

Thousands of crores are being spent on inaugurations and functions of Government where CMs just appear for a short time and they receive applause.

UPA government spent 143 crores for only remembering their dead leaders. Last three years central government spent 30 crores in remembering Mahatma Gandhi and Ambedkar. Also at the same time it spent 22crores on Nehru-Gandhi family. Commemorating dead is also for political gain. Fortunately Supreme Court is putting some restrictions but not adequate enough to ban it. But it clearly said that public funds cannot be used for creating personality cult of leaders.

I travelled thousands of miles in China on roads last year but came across not a single hoarding showing their leaders except there were road signage. In our country some time inside the states there are no signs or are hidden behind hoardings of CMs. Travelers need signage but that is no one’s concern, rather    futile thanks giving or inconvenience regretted boards are put up on raods which are full of pits. No hoardings of leaders have been seen by me in Europe. It is sign of our primitive development and poor work culture which need to be redirected to more work rather than sycophancy. Leaders themselves should stop it but they see themselves everywhere and feel pleased with it.

Bashir badar rightly reminded such self obsessed politicians

’ Ae khuda mujhko na aisi khudai de

/ Jab apne siva koi na dikhai de.

Bus Stand (contributed by Ram Lubhaiya)

First Passenger: State government passed in Budget session that contract employees of five years service will be regularized but six months have passed and they are not paid. Ministers/MLAs raise their own salaries by 60% but they don’t pay poor employees.

Second Passenger: This how Government is recovering the loss.  They want to squeeze out teachers, clerks.

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

India need not hanker after talks with Pakistan

Why should India run after Pakistan for talks ? They say for good relations and to stop terrorism and border intrusion. It will never be achieved with Pakistan as those 66% people surveyed in India too feel there is not hope for it. Sartaj Aziz has shown true colors by threatening that they are a nuclear country. Pakistan will not give up its terror agenda as it is criminal enterprise to use the words of V.S.Naipal.The survival of Pakistan is not due to its economic or military power but its ability to convince the international community that it has enough terror explosive and if world wants to control it they should pay for it. Obviously they get aid on the pretext of eliminating terror and divert it to defense to torture India on its borders or through sending directly or indirectly jehadis. Will they sign agreement with Narender Modi for suicide and nab all terrorists they are harboring? It is now also clear that Dawood Ibrahim wanted for Bombay terror attack is also coolly relaxing at Karachi home. So was Osama Laden in his safe heaven with wives watching erotic CDs. US may give warnings as recently hinted but it is all in vain since Pakistan knows that they need it for dealing with problems created and likely to be created in Afghanistan. Pakistan has very deep labyrinthine strategy like a glacier which is only visible in small surface but underwater in its massive underbelly.

Pakistan wanted to steer clear of this bilateral meeting from very beginning. As soon as the date was announced the firing started and terrorist attack took place. The questions meeting Kashmiri terrorists were an excuse. When there is democratically elected Government who were these separatist chosen by Pakistan representing? Who had elected them? These self-styled leaders have been given undue weightage by all governments in India due to their nuisance power. People Pakistan in a poll too stated that meeting was more important than meeting separatists. While Pakistan press has criticized India for not allowing the talks to go on and even one paper declaring that it is clear stand against India , Indian papers response is interesting. Hindi and other Language papers sharply criticized Pakistan for backing out but English media papers have taken a hazy middle path some thinking more maturty needed on both sides and others hoping for resumption soon.

India needs to control strongly its internal security and defense. We have to put up with occasional firing on border and explosions in the sensitive areas. All this is costly business of high tech equipment and espionage that can be learnt from Israel and used for internal defense. There is no purpose of asking Pakistan to stop it as they will not push button to stop it. If they agree they will utilize the non-state actors alibi and continue to bleed the fringes or sensitive areas of India. They will also subvert the development of Indian industry and technology. All intrusions on border need retaliating with force so that the attackers pay a price.

As was expected some media and opposition critics were constantly needling the process but it was baffling why the BJP leaders themselves were bragging or blowing their own trumpet differently and there was no discipline. No doubt Shatragun Sinha is an actor and was doing his antics what happened to Yashwant Sinha who too started lamenting that he was not made Minister and offered unsolicited advice on the proposed meeting. Disgruntled leaders of BJP have not been shown the red flag to stop such talks when crucial events are scheduled like election or bilateral talks. They seem to be living in their own paradise. While Shanta Kumar was silenced many others continue to voice their frustration.

India should stop hoping in near future any fruitful dialogue with Pakistan on security or terror but it can open private channels for people contact as trade, commerce and social meeting of art literature, sports and culture. It will build confidence as public on both sides is friendly on individual level. Mr Anuag Thakur should forget that Pakistan will hand over Dawood for a cricket match. There is no use waiting for Pakistan to fall in line with expectations of India as they have their own compulsions and goals which they will pursue at any cost. It also furthers their jehadi agenda and clandestine operation in Afghanistan or butchering citizens of Blochistan. People to people, non-government contact be made open but with proper security check. It is possible as population of Pakistan is not hostile to Indians on personal level and there is mutual desire to know and meet each other. This could ease avoidable tensions between two countries.

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

Leaders of nation without responsibility

It is strange that while everyone is supposed to have duty and responsibility for the salaries paid to one but a Member of Parliament has no duty or responsibility as indicated by the Government since no provision exists in the Constitution about it. This was the information given to RTI activists by the Secretariat. But how they are law unto themselves when everyone has some indication of what one is supposed to do and for which one is accountable?

Recent logjam in Parliament when both houses remain paralyzed has raised many pertinent questions about the role and responsibility of the law makers. For this stalemate both parties are responsible as earlier BJP too indulged in similar tactics to hold the house to ransom when UPA was in power. Many informed critics say that the government is getting taste of their own medicine. But looking at it from the view point of national interest both wrong do not make one right. It is not only sheer waste of time and money it is biggest fraud played on nation by the politicians when they are paid high remunerations and perks and they do nothing to further the economic and social progress of the nation and simply heckle each other.HT survey of Indian readers showed that 84% respondents feel that the deadlock will hurt economy of the country. 74% voted for suspension as positive step to change the situation. Nevertheless Congress is unmoved for all these days and the kind of conduct shown by all members is condemnable as we are regressing in our standards and norms of dignity.

India is  paying these legislators fabulously and considering the economic conditions of poor this is offensive to treat their representatives so lavishly. Each MP costs 1,40,000(total with free perks and other facilities cost 35 lakh perannum) in salary prior to pending revision besides lucrative pension even if the service is one day. They have frèe medical and travel in train and air.  Their average salary is 68 times of what an average person earns and Lalu Yadav had already demanded 500% increase in this. Even small state legislature like Himachal that is highly under debt pays 1.5 lakhP.M. to legislatures while most of the CMs are getting near once lakh, except P.M. who is getting 50,000 under revision and Mamta who receives meager 8000 per month.  It is national crime to pay so much to these people who have no duties and responsibility and can afford to be absent any time. Three things are must First is ‘No work No pay’ must be applied to them as it is applied to all other working people. Second their remunerations should be decided by independent commission not by themselves. Third they should be barred from any other business or job. In Switzerland all the law makers are professional or working people who get free holidays during the sessions to attend to work. In UK there is independent commission to fix their salaries.

When the disruptions of Parliament for which no right has been conferred on the law makers in the Charter of the country, are condemnable it is necessary to have a code of conduct for the member in the house. Speaker of Rajya Sabha has no powers like the Lok Sabha to take action and  even the need to have an upper house consisting of those who have lost the elections is not very justified. Originally it was for the eminent persons of science and scholars or artists or seasoned wise thinkers of political party but now it is simply a house of those who  lost the elections. Even then there is nothing wrong in nominating political people with high esteem in the public life but the way it is composed and acts as break on the Government without acting as check and balance as in US constitution is worth debating again.

Bus Stand

First passenger: My son failed in all admission tests for high institutions and I want him to earn a lot of money. What to do ?

Second Passenger: Ask him to join politics.

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

Delhi governance is turning a joke

Every day there is one more trick played by the Government of Delhi and it has gone to an extent to turn Delhi into a laughing stock. The Chairperson of Women Commission is appointed by Arvind Kejriwal and she goes to office to find it locked. Same happened to Head of Anti Corruption Bureau when appointee of one or other found the room locked. We have also seen how the appointment of Chief Secretary that was officiating in nature was turned into political muscle flexing by AAP. Lt Governor has made it clear that all appointments are within his purview but it has no effect on AAP despite clearing Home Ministry circular and Court order to clear appointment of Meena the nominee of the LG and also refusal to stay the circular of Home Ministry. Court too is doing piecemeal justice but what is needed is to make it clear who is who in the capital of India. No salaries were being paid to cleaning workers of Delhi as AAP did not release funds for the Municipal Corporation that was controlled by BJP. Delhi witnessed most unclean conditions and finally court ordered to release funds and clear the junk.

AAP if suffering from delusion that after their thumping victory in election they are all powerful and that is why Kejriwal recognizes people not less than Narender Modi. He should also see the plight of Modi who has similarly a thumping majority in Parliament after election but he is finding himself at receiving end as he has to work within a Constitution. He cannot say I have been voted by majority and I don’t recognize others who did not get mandate. The problem of democracy is that it is not one man show. Within his own political party Kejriwal can act as dictator as he did in throwing out Prashant Bhushan and Yogener Yadav etc but when it is dealing with duly elected central government he has to work within a constitutional framework. Sometime one wonders if he has read the constitution under which he took oath and was expected to safeguard.

The problem is that our Constitution has become obsolete in many ways but in this case it has become the hurdle in the way of Kejriwal exercising his will. There was no problem in managing Delhi as a Union terriroy as other 5 others are being managed besides Pandichery that has the same provision as Delhi but no problem. In the same provision 69 amendment enacted to the Constitution Delhi was given along with Pondicherry a special privilege to be a hybrid –mid way between the full statehood and the union territory: a kind of quasi or semi state that had powers in many fields to manage the city except in regulating land, law and order and central officers. Like unlettered men Kejriwal and his followers pose that such provision does not bar them from still exercising these powers. Many governments since 1991 have ruled in Delhi including by BJP when Congress was in power in Centre but there was no problem as they knew they have to operate within the law.AAP refuse to act under the legal umbrella and that is why there is charge that they are anarchists which some of them do not deny. But using a democratic framework and getting elected under the same they refuse to abide by it when it does not suit them. His dilemma is also that he is chief minister yet he is not due to fragile constitutional balance.

Recently an ad compaign for enhancing image of Kejriwal worth more than 560 crores was released where it says’woh preshan karte rahe/ham kam karte rahe . A case if filed against him and Supreme Court has asked centre’s response. But interestingly the petitioner says who are  Woh?  Court who have jailed his ministers or opposition or who? Such self promotion is done by other CMs too and that needs to be curbed strictly as it wastes public money. If Delhi becomes full state and police is under him any day a central minister could be raided for a flimsy charge. The national capital of the country must remain under the central government otherwise it could be destabilization of the Republic itself. It is high time to abolish article 69 concerning special provision for Delhi .

Bus Stand

First Passenger: Why AAP says ‘woh preshan karte rahe hum kam karte rahe?

Second Passenger: It is better if they change it to ‘Woh preshan hote rahe / Hum sab se larte rahe ‘

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

Modi ushering in knowledge revolution unless officials scuttle it

The changes in technology were initiated by Rajiv Gandhi and many strides were taken by India in the field of information technology. But never before an organized large project to cover entire country with its links to rural areas was undertaken. The Digital India project launched by the Prime Minister is so vast that it covers the country and all professions to bring transformation. It is bound to change the face of the country. A large population is still not aware of this project and there is need to communicate it to all up to grass root level in local languages and pictographs so that ordinary people and masses understand these as these are bound to touch and change their lives. Salient features of this project are given below to make it simple enough for every one too understand.

It is a large umbrella which covers many subprojects and it can be gauged from this fact that it will create 18lakh jobs by investing 4.5 lakh crores in various tasks and activities. Finally DI will create 5 crore jobs when complete.Top business men like Chief of Reliance, Wipro, Tata  and other corporate who were present at the time of launching have committed to put in the money and manage their own areas .

Basically the project and subprojects will give unlimited access to information to the citizens. For enabling it 2.5 lakh villages will be provided broad band access,2,5 lakh schools and universities will have wi fi connections.National fiber network will be laid in 7 lakh Kilometer. One crore students will be trained to work on Business process outsourcing projects and hence BPO will open up jobs in the hinterland and rural India as the jobs that are done in cities with high cost can be done on cost effective manner in rural side where costs are low.Moreover vast network being available where there is no access it will give total connectivity to villages.

I will give three examples to explain how it will benefit common man.

First case is that villagers have to go to Government officials’ time and again and produce ID, Land certificate, ration card etc. There will be a locker in the programme where everyone can store these documents including passports. No paper will need to be produced as any document could be checked on the mobile of the user. For various job with government it will be possible to do e business through digital access rather than running after government offices time and again. It will save harassment of the people and everything could be processed electronically.

Second example is My governance project that will enable anyone to participate in Government decision making and give suggestions which will be considered by the officials and action taken. It will encourage innovative ideas and participation making country truly democratic. Even grievances and complaints will be processed in this manner without running to the functionaries.

Third example is marketing and agriculture uses. When any crop is being sold prices can be checked to the advantage of the farmer. Even advice of experts on farm production can be sought. Recently I saw a video on the net when one could see villagers who  a windmill locally made by following the principles of toy of fan type used by children. This wind mill without electricity is drawing water from well to irrigate the fields. This inexpensive innovation could be replicated by hundreds of farmers but they, not having the access, cannot see it . When internet connectivity is available they can see it and make it.

It is, however, highly dependent on officials of different departments and BSNL functioning effectively which has to provide large network and efficient working of its apparatus. It is very doubt ful if ehy can do it looking to their existing performance standard and sarkari type working. PM will have to use drastic step to make them efficient otherwise whatever the plans if there is no working tele services it will fail. I will quote personal experience when living in remote village I wanted Wi fi connection and BSNL promised to provide me. I deposited my money but after one and hald year they told me that it is not possible as their contractor has run away on nonpayment and I was given half the money I deposited. When questioned they told me that other half has been spent on their labour. When the job was not done why charge me? I asked but was told that is their rule. If this goes on how will digital India work?

It is very ambitious and laudable project and first time such a project at massive scale has been launched and it can do a lot of good to elevate our living. But the biggest hurdle will be the bureaucracy and its red tape as even when ther is transparency if basic things don’t work it could collapse like house of cards. I am sure necessary safeguard are being taken but the scale of operation is so huge that unless some one like Azim Premji takes charge of things at infrastructure level other thing would not work.

Bus Stop

First Passenger: I am working so hard for my political party but it is very difficult in Himachal Pradesh to be famous.

Second Passenger: It is easy; let your enemies make a CD of your gossip you will instantly join list of top ten leaders of the state.

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

How I barely escaped arrest in Emergency

Emergency is again in news though I had developed forced amnesia for it as it was a harrowing experience and I wish we do not face it ever again in future. When emergency was declared I happened to be in Delhi and had a meeting with Secretary steel  Wadud Khan a power ful head of the steel ministry who had many fresh ideas to reform the entire steel production and I worked for Steel plant of Bhilai. Mr Khan was known as Steel Mughal and his  house was virtually in  backyard of the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at 1 safdarjung lane whereas Mrs Gandhi lived in 1 Safdarjung Road. He graciously offered me a toast and tea but asked me as to what we can do to implement twenty point programme. I was just not prepared for this and it took sometime when he asked me that I should meet Mohammed Yunus who was Special envoy of the PM and try to arrange some programme for Sanjay Gandhi. There were some good points in the programme and I liked the discipline punctuality etc as also the tree plantation . Even Vinoba ji called it anushasan parv. Khushwant Singh and JRD Tata had supported it. Next day I walked into South block and faced an awe inspiring office of the Special Envoy, who sat a few rooms away from PM. Yunus was a tall man with aquiline nose resembling Abdul Ghaffar Khan known as frontier Gandhi . I heard he was related to him. He asked me if we can do a big programme on the twenty points that was the bible of emergency. I had given it some thought and told him that we will plant one lakh trees on the high way and invite Sanjay Gandhi to open the plantation. He asked me if we can do something on family planning etc but I got out with one commitment and he agreed.

When I returned to the steel plant , as I alighted from plane in Raipur, I was told that a non bailable arrest warrant under Defence of India Rules was issued and  waiting to be served on me .I learnt that as I was Personnel Manager of Steel plant I was ex officio President of an employee cooperative which had unauthorisdely stored rice. It was raided and sealed and warrant issued against me.  I merely headed as PM of the plant in ex officio capacity and since I  had responsibility of welfare of the employees I held the post. Rice was stored for 50,000 workers of the plant in case of drought and scarcity. I did not even know it but it was meant for employees and not me. I was advised by legal officers of the plant that I should escape to Delhi as no bail is possible and try to wriggle out of it. I also learnt that District officer whose nephew had been rejected by me for not meeting merit was the cause of teaching me a lesson. This is how whatever Sanjay Gandhi did, many officials exceeded the limits to settle personal score.

I became a fugitive during those days and checked in Lodhi Hotel in New Delhi and I was advised not to reveal my address to people in the steel plant otherwise a police party could trace me. My two children and wife were at Bhilai town and suffered agony and anxiety although they knew that I had done no wrong and will finally be free. But the night mare of those days sometime haunts me still as you did not known what could happen to you under the draconian regime. Everyday arrests were being made and all leaders of opposition and even social activists were jailed.

I met again Wadud Khan who was surprised and told me it is state matter and not in central government sphere but he will speak to CM Shyama Charan Shukla. I promptly headed to him as he happened to be camping in Delhi. Shayma Charan was a swab and decent politician who after hearing the story was angry and issued orders to withdraw the case. I suffered in this episode and lost sleep of many nights but developed good friendship with Shukla family and could forget my program of felicitating Sanjay Gandhi. If emergency meant arbitrariness of power I quietly exited from joining the campaign

When I returned to steel town the news had spread like wild fire that I was no longer a wanted offender. Some of my friends laughed but I had suffered sleepless nights and on the top of it the concerned district official called me very politely and asked me if he could just meet me any time that I agreed although I did not want to see his face. He came and said he had to do it as emergency orders needed the action on illegal storage of food products. I did not want to contest him and told him to forget it but remember that we work in democracy and not autocratic regime.Greatest draw back of emergency was unfettered powers were misused by many to meet their own ends

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

Tourism and Aviation need a new vision in India

Tourism and aviation need new Vision in India

India, everyone claims, has great scope and potential of Tourism and aviation and culture which are interwoven and related to common missions. Tourism is also most important driver of growth and job creation. Growth of tourism depends on functioning of entire circuit of foreign marketing, availability of flights and entire gamut of reception and hospitality. We have to make policies not in compartments but holistically so that all these sectors are knitted in single mission of promoting tourism in the country. It is depressing to analyze and realize that the country has lagged behind in this vital area and is doing much below the expectations. It needs policy formulation and redirection of the sector with vision and innovation.

Let us consider following dimensions of our performance:

1.     In Global competitiveness report we are at the rank 55 out of 144 countries  while countries like Barbados, Chile, Tunisia and such others are ranked above India. China gets 55 million tourists and we get hardly 6million.

2.     India is ranked 7^th in cultural and heritage tourism resource, but it is at the bottom  of ten countries who have high tourism for heritage and cultural tourism by World Economic Forum.

3.     The shortage of rooms and high incidence of tariff is attributed to high taxation of 16% on room 16% on food and 23% liquor. China has flat 5% in each sector and Thailand and Singapore 7% in three areas.

4.     Hotel accommodation is in short supply and for enhanced tourism considering hotel as export industry could help

Let us consider following in aviation sector which is in worse situation:

1.     According to ICAO $100 spent on aviation gives benefits worth $325 and 100 jobs. We have grown from 1990 when we had 100 aircrafts to 735 in 2010 yet our aviation performance is poor. Air India the national carrier has already incurred loss of 1100 crores.

2.     Indian airlines all combined are not able to use more than 40% capacity of seats allocated to them in foreign flights. All three airlines of India are wasting capacities and seats.

3.     Gulf sector airlines are dominating aviation in India carrying 8-5 million passengers.

4.     Rules which limit foreign flying to  Indian airlines who have been functioning for 5 years and have 20 aircrafts also are impediment in growth.

5.     In spite of dramatic though late improvements in airports that  are good , city side management of the airports needs much more improvement.

6.     The connectivity of difficult terrain sites like Himachal and North east have not received much attention.GPS landing could be introduced to reduce costs of airport and flying for passenger in such small strips.

7.     The small city connectivity by small airlines in hub and spoke model could only achieve it and promotion of small airlines especially with likely development of an indigenous plane of 60seats could help. Nepal is an example of more than 30 airports airstrips where the tourist network of the country and movement is woven by such concept.

8.     Perspective planning on network of air ports like airstrips with small aircrafts as perfected by Nepal could bring more connectivity.

Biggest issue is that thought process and policy making needs to be broad based and limited to department al thinking. Professionals and experts who are outside the pay roll of government sector and who could offer expertise based on experience and skill should be utilized.

FACT  is the first independent private think tank that shall try to fill the gap in officialdom’s file based thinking and needed global creative planning. New areas like cultural discoveries, medical tourism, educational/ philosophical/ yoga packages, art tourism, innovative ideas must replace worn out Incredible India byline.

Government and industry along with the users must join hands to create new policies and paradigms of development and it should not be left to monopoly of a few in corridors of Udan mantralya.

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