An election according to former election commissioner T.N. Session is choosing the bad from the worst. And in case of Bihar, it has always been about supporting the powerful tyrant to ensure security. In a land, infamous for dacoits, scams and everything wrong an election does little to help the chaos. As the JDU lead alliance of Bihar government approaches its 60th month in power, Bihar is gearing up for the battle in its backyard in the month of October.
A clear majority for power is not really a possibility in any elections in India, alliances are just a way of life in the Indian polity, and so are ideological rifts causing the alliances to break. No party would be in a position to contest or claim single majority on the 243 seats in the state elections. But Nitish Kumar the much needed messiah for Bihar’ economic growth has in someway started to revolutionize the economy thus promising stability for the state and his government after the dark ages of Lallu clan’s rule on Bihar. Investors seem to consider Bihar as a option, a probability which was negligible till a few years ago. Eminent industrialist Anand Mahindra has lauded Nitesh’s efforts to revive the Biharian economy. The streets are safer, dacoits and gang lords are either shot down or contest polls from their barracks in state jail. All seemed going good until June 13 when all hell broke loose on the alliance.
BJP’s Patna rally witnessed an unprecedented support for their prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi (http://lifemyteacher.blogspot.com/2010/07/re-building-house-piece-by-piece.html). BJP saw a real chance at taking up the mantle and squeezing the last drop out of the alliance; meetings and reactions followed. With both the parties locking horns it was left to the senior leaders such as Sharad Yadav from JDU and Lalkrishna Advani to come out from the Delhi headquarters of the BJP after weeks of negotiation to announce the unity within the alliance. Congress on the other hand had already smelled blood. Even though “Maya Raj” Uttar Pradesh was an ideal platform for the congress prince to launch his blitzkrieg, an opportunity to conquest on a state which is third largest contributor of MP’s to the Lok Sabha was too good to ignore. The congress could use every Lok Sabha seat in its bid to centre in 2013 elections when the prince would lead the party in the battle fray.
It is also important for Congress to win the Bihar seat as a developed state would ensure drop in immigration of local population to developed Congress lead states such as Maharashtra, New Delhi etc. where local population is infuriated with the continuous influx of these immigrants. Immigration has caused severe problems leading to rise in crime, per capita population and stress on civic amenities in these states. The fissure in Sena – MNS fractions demolished the strength of Sena-BJP alliance in Maharashtra resulting in a Congress win in the state elections in November last year. The Congress would be hoping for a similar splinter in the BJP-JDU alliance this time around. After all we learn from our mistakes and we convert our mistakes into lessons. One such lesson that we learned from our history is – “Divide and rule”.
Only time would tell if Congress reigns in Bihar or would Nitish get his due credit and an extension to continue his work.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Current Affairs
When analyzing any situation one should always try to notice
“What one cannot see, rather than what can be seen”
Attending the FM’s speech on the discussion regarding inflationary trends in India’s economy, which was expected to be the juiciest bite in this parliamentary season. I must admit I was a little disappointed by the opposition’s paltry crack at bringing the house down. It wasn’t Pranabda’s explanation on international economic pressures which lead to rise in domestic price rise/ or the effects of US subprime lending crisis which culminated in “thus the reason for domestic inflation…” After moving a united adjournment motion on price rise issue, the uproar during explanation was pitiful.
Another policy decision coming out late last night was the status on FDI in multi-branding retail sector. Bharti one of India’s premium business houses and a leading teleco struggled for over 18 months to launch their pioneer outlet in a JV with international retail giant Wal-Mart. Now they plan to extend the total no. to over 20 in a year’s time alone, before close competitors French retailer Carrefour and British firm Tesco finalize their entry plans.
India allows 100% foreign investment in wholesale and 51% in single-brand retailing, but none in multi-brand retail. Last month, the Department of Industrial Promotion and Policy sought comments from various stakeholders on different aspects of the subject through a discussion paper posted on its website. It’s not just the retail attraction though. Cash-and-carry is a big business in itself. About 30% of the country's total production of fruits and vegetables is wasted every year because of inadequate cold storage and transport facilities. Reckons K Rajagopalan, chief executive officer, Retailers Association of India, "By bringing in specialized experts into the supply chain, wastage can be reduced by 15%. Moreover, since there will be less people in the chain, economies of scale for a modern retailer will increase, giving a further boost to operating margins." The wastage currently estimated at Rs. 63,000 Crs could be brought down to half in a few years through infrastructure & supply chain management development.
Experts believe though generation ‘Y’ is the target consumer for these retail giants depending on ‘bulk buy- bulk sale’ & consumer’s plastic money buying power, the local baniya days aren’t over yet for some years atleast.
I would still prefer going to the baniya shop down the street to buy fresh loaf of bread…
“What one cannot see, rather than what can be seen”
Attending the FM’s speech on the discussion regarding inflationary trends in India’s economy, which was expected to be the juiciest bite in this parliamentary season. I must admit I was a little disappointed by the opposition’s paltry crack at bringing the house down. It wasn’t Pranabda’s explanation on international economic pressures which lead to rise in domestic price rise/ or the effects of US subprime lending crisis which culminated in “thus the reason for domestic inflation…” After moving a united adjournment motion on price rise issue, the uproar during explanation was pitiful.
Another policy decision coming out late last night was the status on FDI in multi-branding retail sector. Bharti one of India’s premium business houses and a leading teleco struggled for over 18 months to launch their pioneer outlet in a JV with international retail giant Wal-Mart. Now they plan to extend the total no. to over 20 in a year’s time alone, before close competitors French retailer Carrefour and British firm Tesco finalize their entry plans.
India allows 100% foreign investment in wholesale and 51% in single-brand retailing, but none in multi-brand retail. Last month, the Department of Industrial Promotion and Policy sought comments from various stakeholders on different aspects of the subject through a discussion paper posted on its website. It’s not just the retail attraction though. Cash-and-carry is a big business in itself. About 30% of the country's total production of fruits and vegetables is wasted every year because of inadequate cold storage and transport facilities. Reckons K Rajagopalan, chief executive officer, Retailers Association of India, "By bringing in specialized experts into the supply chain, wastage can be reduced by 15%. Moreover, since there will be less people in the chain, economies of scale for a modern retailer will increase, giving a further boost to operating margins." The wastage currently estimated at Rs. 63,000 Crs could be brought down to half in a few years through infrastructure & supply chain management development.
Experts believe though generation ‘Y’ is the target consumer for these retail giants depending on ‘bulk buy- bulk sale’ & consumer’s plastic money buying power, the local baniya days aren’t over yet for some years atleast.
I would still prefer going to the baniya shop down the street to buy fresh loaf of bread…
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Essence of an Ocean - What's Delhi all about?
One of my favourite grandma tales I heard during my vacations as a 5 year old was that of - The cave frog. As all good stories would start this one too started with “Once upon a time…
Once upon a time there lived a frog in a deep dark cave in the corner of a jungle. The frog lived in a colony of other smaller creatures which thrived on the pond formed perennial drops of water dripping from the crack in the caves ceiling. What set this frog apart was his sheer size and loud crocks. It was only a matter of time before he was crowned the king of the pond. His passion for his people and his just behavior soon made him popular amongst his subjects. Soon enough the now King Frog had the urge to expand his reign. Soon he set out in search other ponds within the cave and beyond for he knew that he as the strongest creature he had ever seen.
A day into his leap and jump journey into the cave, he came across strange creature hanging from the ceiling of the cave, there were blind but flew without bumping into anything as he crocked. He came across small creature which looked tiny and helpless but were fatally venomous. Few days after he had started he finally came to a place where there was no darkness; this alien land was filled with large creatures who could stomp his little frame into dust. Over the period of next few days he roamed through the jungle learning the way of the alien land, where lions ruled the jungle not by power, but by dynasty. Much larger elephants and giraffes feared the large mane animal, he saw ponds which were larger than his entire cave and seemed to have no end at all. The creatures in those ponds were large reptiles with massive jaws and teeth.
Convinced that there is little space for him to rule this land filled with killer claws, giant jaws and thick skins the frog went back to his dark dingy cave pond, to spend the rest of his life ruling the people that loved him and dreaming of ruling the alien land he visited every now and again.
The way I heard this story 20 years ago made me feel cozy and comforted helping me slide off to sleep listening to the frogs return to a life with his loved ones. But as I retrospect on the story, I have a completely different perspective on the moral of the story. The frog’s failure to adapt to the circumstances/ respond to the change in surrounding and a catastrophe of ambitions of the amphibian creature has a contradictory effect on my sleep.
On a more practical note, one might compare the story to that of Maharashtra’s politburos who have not tried staking their claim on the Delhi throne since the battle at Panipath. A barrage of bureaucrats and officials flood the government machinery from this western state of India, leaders like Yashwantrao Chavan, Shankarao Chavan have played an important part in assisting the governing of the republic. There is a widespread perception of language barrier being detrimental to the chances of the Shivaji inheritor’s incapability of hoisting the Maratha flag in the PMO. Maharashtra Sadan on the junction of Copernicus road in Delhi is an important source of power for any ruling party in the Lok Sabha, but the through the years, Delhi ‘Taqat’ has been able to keep the Maratha strongmen to act as second fiddle.
We could easily measure up the Maharashtra political scenario to our beloved frog story as Political stalwarts from the region have always enjoyed monopolized majority in their constituencies, making safe heavens for their parties or the Oceanic grandeur of the All India Congress Committee.
Marathi (by Marathi I mean everyone residing in Maharashtra) Members of Lok Sabha from the AICC who are fortunate enough to make it to the list of the few who occupy portfolios in the government functionary always seem to loose their way. The unceremonious sacking of Shivraj Patil during one of India’s worst terror attacks or the power crisis faced during smiling Minister Shri. Sushil Kumar Shinde’s tenure are just a few such examples. Employees, Employers, professionals, leaders, academicians etc. etc. from Maharashtra have always found it difficult to find a place which houses India.
Maharashtra came close to shattering this physiological block of the ‘Delhi mirage’ when the Maratha strongman from Baramati almost got the better of the UPA alliance in the 2004 elections. As a youth leader Mr. Pawar once had the opportunity to meet the Iron man of Indian Industry Mr. J.R. D Tata.
JRD used the following sentence to describe the young politician –
“One day, this young boy will become the Prime Minister of India”
2009 elections showcase a contrast result to rising image of NCP and with it the hopes of Maharashtra’s claim on the epitome of power in India. However, the new cabinet included 4 members of parliament from Maharashtra, which reiterates the state’s importance in the nation’s ‘power’ equation, pun intended. What is in store for the people of Western Ghats, called ‘Ghaties’ is a mystery which only time will solve.
What increases my curiosity is a question that popped into my brain as I sat down with this subject, is it Marathi that cannot handle Delhi or is it Delhi that cannot handle Marathi. Either ways the city of that is the heart of the Indian republic is elusive to the Marathi.
Once upon a time there lived a frog in a deep dark cave in the corner of a jungle. The frog lived in a colony of other smaller creatures which thrived on the pond formed perennial drops of water dripping from the crack in the caves ceiling. What set this frog apart was his sheer size and loud crocks. It was only a matter of time before he was crowned the king of the pond. His passion for his people and his just behavior soon made him popular amongst his subjects. Soon enough the now King Frog had the urge to expand his reign. Soon he set out in search other ponds within the cave and beyond for he knew that he as the strongest creature he had ever seen.
A day into his leap and jump journey into the cave, he came across strange creature hanging from the ceiling of the cave, there were blind but flew without bumping into anything as he crocked. He came across small creature which looked tiny and helpless but were fatally venomous. Few days after he had started he finally came to a place where there was no darkness; this alien land was filled with large creatures who could stomp his little frame into dust. Over the period of next few days he roamed through the jungle learning the way of the alien land, where lions ruled the jungle not by power, but by dynasty. Much larger elephants and giraffes feared the large mane animal, he saw ponds which were larger than his entire cave and seemed to have no end at all. The creatures in those ponds were large reptiles with massive jaws and teeth.
Convinced that there is little space for him to rule this land filled with killer claws, giant jaws and thick skins the frog went back to his dark dingy cave pond, to spend the rest of his life ruling the people that loved him and dreaming of ruling the alien land he visited every now and again.
The way I heard this story 20 years ago made me feel cozy and comforted helping me slide off to sleep listening to the frogs return to a life with his loved ones. But as I retrospect on the story, I have a completely different perspective on the moral of the story. The frog’s failure to adapt to the circumstances/ respond to the change in surrounding and a catastrophe of ambitions of the amphibian creature has a contradictory effect on my sleep.
On a more practical note, one might compare the story to that of Maharashtra’s politburos who have not tried staking their claim on the Delhi throne since the battle at Panipath. A barrage of bureaucrats and officials flood the government machinery from this western state of India, leaders like Yashwantrao Chavan, Shankarao Chavan have played an important part in assisting the governing of the republic. There is a widespread perception of language barrier being detrimental to the chances of the Shivaji inheritor’s incapability of hoisting the Maratha flag in the PMO. Maharashtra Sadan on the junction of Copernicus road in Delhi is an important source of power for any ruling party in the Lok Sabha, but the through the years, Delhi ‘Taqat’ has been able to keep the Maratha strongmen to act as second fiddle.
We could easily measure up the Maharashtra political scenario to our beloved frog story as Political stalwarts from the region have always enjoyed monopolized majority in their constituencies, making safe heavens for their parties or the Oceanic grandeur of the All India Congress Committee.
Marathi (by Marathi I mean everyone residing in Maharashtra) Members of Lok Sabha from the AICC who are fortunate enough to make it to the list of the few who occupy portfolios in the government functionary always seem to loose their way. The unceremonious sacking of Shivraj Patil during one of India’s worst terror attacks or the power crisis faced during smiling Minister Shri. Sushil Kumar Shinde’s tenure are just a few such examples. Employees, Employers, professionals, leaders, academicians etc. etc. from Maharashtra have always found it difficult to find a place which houses India.
Maharashtra came close to shattering this physiological block of the ‘Delhi mirage’ when the Maratha strongman from Baramati almost got the better of the UPA alliance in the 2004 elections. As a youth leader Mr. Pawar once had the opportunity to meet the Iron man of Indian Industry Mr. J.R. D Tata.
JRD used the following sentence to describe the young politician –
“One day, this young boy will become the Prime Minister of India”
2009 elections showcase a contrast result to rising image of NCP and with it the hopes of Maharashtra’s claim on the epitome of power in India. However, the new cabinet included 4 members of parliament from Maharashtra, which reiterates the state’s importance in the nation’s ‘power’ equation, pun intended. What is in store for the people of Western Ghats, called ‘Ghaties’ is a mystery which only time will solve.
What increases my curiosity is a question that popped into my brain as I sat down with this subject, is it Marathi that cannot handle Delhi or is it Delhi that cannot handle Marathi. Either ways the city of that is the heart of the Indian republic is elusive to the Marathi.
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