PM's meet with Editors - An ultimate embarrassment to the Nation

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in his interview with television editors, has clarified his stand on many important issues.

As any responsible citizen of this country, I too was anxious so as to what our PM has to say on the series of scams which have been making headlines.  I was happy for the fact that our PM has finally decided to break his silence once for all, but after following his interview (line by line), I wish, he remained silent.  Read on.

A quite a few questions were raised regarding the allocation of the 2G spectrum, well, quite expected, as it happens to be the biggest scam in the history of independent India.  The PM was asked “why Raja was appointed as the Telecom Minister for the 2'nd consecutive term, despite the fact that the PM himself had warned Raja in November 2007 to consider auction of the 2G spectrum, for which he didn't bother to respect”.  Extremely valid question indeed, but the PM's response was outlandish.

His response goes like this "I would like to mention that we are a coalition government.  In a coalition government, you can suggest your preferences but you have to go by what the leader of that particular coalition party ultimately insists.  And Mr. Raja was the choice of the DMK party.  I did not feel that I had the authority to object to Mr. Raja’s entry".  

The PM has made it explicit, that a coalition Govt had to run with compromises.  That essentially means, though the constitution of India says that it is the Prime Minister who decides on who gets into the Cabinet, in practice, it is the coalition party leaders who actually take the final call.  And the PM does not have the authority to intervene.  The PM has also said "Licenses was not a matter which got referred to me or to the Cabinet, that was the decision exclusively of the telecom minister Raja" and that, he absolutely had no say on that matter. WOW, I am impressed, Mr. PM.

The next question was "Would you concede the fact that there are a lot of corrupt people in your government and you are not able to act against and that led you to believe that enough is enough?"  Upon taking this question, the PM did not deny the existence of corrupt people in his government, rather he said "I think in a coalition government there is a coalition dharma and obliviously the things are not entirely the way I would like them to be" which means, the PM accepts the fact that there are a lot of corrupt, tainted people in his Govt, but he cannot do anything about it.  Well, Mr. PM, I thought that the Prime Minister of India is the Head of the Union (Federal) Government and the PM’s office holds the highest rank, thanks for having opened my eyes.  I think its high time we re-write our books on Indian Civics.

And here comes the best of it all, when asked about the revenue loss to the Govt on account of underpricing the 2G spectrum, the PM said "We subsidise the price of kerosene to an extent which is greater than many other subsidies, that imposes burden on our oil marketing companies, should we say then that because we give subsidy for kerosene sales under public distribution, that there is loss of revenue." WOW, WOW, WOW, Mr. PM, what an astounding comparison, I am dumbstruck, to be hearing those words from a Cambridge / Oxford educated, acclaimed Economist. 

Mr. Manmohan Singh, you have played a Karunanidhi by comparing the under pricing of 2G Spectrum with Govt subsidy on Fertilizer, Kerosene and Gas.  Now you are a perfect Congress politician Mr. PM.

He has categorically said that "there are serious corruption allegations, but I cannot do anything about it (as he feels he doesn’t have the authority to do so), but no matter what, I will continue as the Prime Minister.  This is the gist of the interview given by our honorable Prime Minister to the Television Editors.

Isn't it an ultimate embarrassment..??

Your thoughts and comments are invited.

Jai Hind.

Andhaadhi - My Emotions and Experience​..

The below post is all about my emotions and experience with Team “Andhaadhi“, well to know what “Andhaadhi” is all about, please follow the link  below.

http://hari-bala.blogspot.com/2011/02/andhaadhi-search-and-wait.html

Read this post when you are are relatively free.

WOW WOW WOW.. What a TEAM, what a sense of accomplishment, what a collective sense of responsibility, what sincerity and amount of dedication, what an amazing involvement, my goodness.  I still remember, it just stated from nowhere, it feels so great to the extent that I am falling short of words to express my state of mind.  I could just feel the rush of adrenalin when I look back the work we have been doing since we conceptualized "Andhaadhi".  The biggest take away from a personal standpoint is that, “if we are sincere in what we do today, eventually, tomorrow by design shall get better”.

Well, I have been getting mixed response since we released Andhaadhi, most of them being positive.  To be extremely frank, I am just indifferent, the feel of having been a part in itself makes me feel on top of the world.  Yet another learning happens to be, "When we do something for the sheer pleasure of doing it, the end result and response actually doesn't matter".

I, beyond doubt, believe that I have made a handful of friends for life.  Usually, I kind of build a wall around myself, till today my best friends, with whom I am actually myself (without a mask), with whom I am as comfortable as I am with myself are my high school buddies, which necessarily means that close to a decade I haven't let anyone to break into my wall.  Never imagined in my imaginable dreams that I could get so close to a bunch of few, I mean, I am just unable to assimilate.

How many sleepless nights with Aadi, Yesh and Thenga.. It just happened, it cannot get better guys, the genuine attitude and truthfulness in our expression is what in my opinion, drew us close.  It is a unique chemistry that we share as a group and with each other individually which is unexplainable.  There were times where we had strong views, on the endless list of topics we discussed, yet I could sense honest respect for the other person’s point of view, in-spite of the fact that we agreed to disagree.  Man, this just does not happen with anyone and everyone, I say, we were destined to meet, necessarily for a cause, which I (We) are yet to discover in full.

Aadi, yaen machan da nee, never thought Andhaadhi would drag us so close than ever before, I have always enjoyed your company, it has become an addiction I must say :P, but as said, not every addiction is objectionable.  There is absolutely nothing on earth that we hadn't discussed as yet, if you still feel that something escaped our radar, drop in right away :-).  Economics, Politics, Philosophy, Music, Movies, Girls, Relationships, Life, Love, Lust, Finance, Investments, Higher studies, Career, Cricket, Cooking, Eating, Bull shitting and damn what not.  Love you dude.  I am sure our relationship would travel places.  I am just myself when I am with you, I feel exceptionally comfortable while sharing my thoughts with you, I could speak to you as I would speak to myself :-), read it once more if you didn’t get. 

Yesh, you are such a casual guy man, I find you extremely sincere but never serious.  You just came close to my heart on the day when we had a brief chat at my terrace, on listening to what you had been through in life to be where you are today.  I have never seen you saying NO to any suggestion, you have the patience to listen to people which makes the other person feel so important which eventually increases his level of importance and commitment.  You are full of fun even otherwise; I could not hold myself back from laughing even now when I think of the late night walks with you and Aadi :D, Aadi, you know what I am saying right :D.  Yet another remarkable characteristic in you is that, you happen to be an extraordinary motivator, you can just get the motor running even when the batteries are completely dried :-), you never let us down.  You stood by my side to take full responsibility for the criticism and didn't hesitate to give complete credit for the appreciation, and such are the traits of an astounding leader I see in you.  Buddy, it was sheer pleasure, for having worked with someone like you, in your future projects, even if I have no role to play, just call me, without a thought I shall join you to do whatever I can :-).  

Karthick, well, if I have to explain Karthick in one word, I would call him a GENIUS, you are gifted with super-high intellect man.  Your intellect, coupled with the inquisitiveness to learn across fields, drives me nuts, you have an extreme eye for detail, and I will have to learn hell a lot of things from you right from Economics to Movies to philosophy and what not.  As you quite often say, there are a lot of factors which drag us close, a special mention to our interest in Economics, I was quite taken aback when I saw an Engineer speaking the language of an Economist and I was extremely excited for the fact that I have got someone to discuss, share, research in the field of Economics.  Well, not to mention, your poetic sense is something to be treasured and nurtured, there are a few lines which I would like to quote here which induced me to fall in love with your words.

பாவையின்  பேரெழிலே - எந்தன்

ஆவலை தூண்டியதால்

காதருகே காதலை சொல்லி

கன்னத்தில் முத்தம் இட்டேன்.

நாணத்தால் துளைக்கப்பட்டு  - வெட்கத்தை  உடுத்திக்  கொண்டாள்.

கனியோடு பால் கொண்டு வந்தவள்

உடலோடு உறைந்து என் உயிர் கொண்டு சென்றாள்.

Oh my goodness, what an amazing aesthetic sense you possess.  We coming together for Andhaathi, shared interest in economics & politics, geographical proximity, Temenos & Azure strategic partnership, I don’t feel all this could happen without a "Specific Mandate".  Miles to go before WE sleep :-) let me just repeat your words “we both, working together on Andhaadhi & Temenos and Azure working together on Banking... Something is in store for this partnership.. Let’s move forward”.

Any day, anything, just count me in.

Sriimathy, what an amazing girl you are, just loved your casual attitude, the manner in which you gelled with the team is just amazing, and I have absolutely nothing to complain.  Most of the girls are irritable, especially when surrounded by gang of guys, and a selected few would always want to be pampered (cry for attention), I have come across such instances not once, but many a times, but you proved to be different from the rest.  Though we hardly have any interest in common, though we have not been talking much, though we have been pulling our legs throughout ;-), though we really don't know each other much, we do share an excellent rapport and mutual respect.  Loved your calm, composed, good-natured attitude and not to mention, admired your flawless singing.  Unnoda kannathula anda kuzhi, avlo azhagu :-), myself and Adi used to discuss, oru ponnu epdi irrukanum nu oru payyan aasa paduvano, nee apdiye irrukae.  I hope and pray the almighty that you must get an excellent man in your life, who deserves you in true sense.

Well team, I know this is quite a long mail; by my conscience didn’t allow me to remove a single word.  Once again, I thank Yesh and Karthick for the once in a lifetime opportunity, I feel extremely proud and privileged for having been a part of this fabulous team and for having accepted me with all my limitations.

P.S - I am half asleep, please excuse me for mistakes if any, romba naal kazhichu, yen manasu vittu pesirkaen.  

Love you all.

With tons of Love,

Hari

"Andhaadhi​" - A Search and a Wait

Hi Friends,

 

I would like to share the link of our short film "Andhaadhi". Would like to have your honest reviews so that it will help us improve.

http://vimeo.com/19628645

Alternate Link

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xgx3op_andhaadhi-a-search-and-a-wait_shortfilms

About the movie

Weekend Productions presents "Andhaadhi"

 
The title 'Andhaadhi' is inspired from Abirami Andhaadhi written by Abirami Bhattar.  Andhaadhi is a form of poem where the last word of a stanza is the same as the first word of the next stanza. Our protagonist's journey starts with a wait. This wait ends in a search. The search again ends in a wait. Will this wait again end in a search?

Please share the link with other like minded friends as well.

Just a thought..

அழியா ஆன்மாவை அம்மணம் செய்து,
அழியும் உடலுக்கு அலங்காரம் சேர்க்குமாம் பேய்கள்..!!

The euro area's debt crisis

The Euro Zone’s bail out  strategy to tackle it’s sovereign debt crisis is failing, indeed miserably.  A scheme was introduced in order to help the countries that otherwise cannot borrow at tolerable interest rates (due to high sovereign debt), well that did lower the risk but failed to eliminate the risk that the insolvent country may default for want of short term funds.  The only viable option that can visibly have a positive impact is to restructure the insolvent country’s national public debt.  As old debts are refinanced by issuing new treasury bonds (which is nothing but a result of the increased budget deficits), it will eventually result in increase in the share of such country’s debt held by official sources.

Now economists’ and noble laureates debate amongst themselves whether to restructure the debts of insolvent countries, if so, when? Sooner or later? The right indicator to determine whether  or not actually a debt burden is too heavy to borne is the public debt-to-GDP ratio. Most (so called) rich economies in the West which includes euro area’s most troubled (Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain) have large budget deficits which have been ever increasing, more so because it has been the model for their economic prosperity, which is tried, tested and practiced for decades. The larger question is, how huge the debt burden would be when their respective economies stabilize, say in 5 years time.

The Economist magazine has estimated the likely burden for the four most beleaguered euro-zone countries, taking into consideration assumptions about growth and interest rates. Because of the fact that all four countries suffer from lack of competitiveness, a recovery in real GDP in the face of fiscal austerity will probably require a drop in wages and prices. For that reason, it has been assumed that nominal GDP falls before recovering to its 2010 level.

(Source: The Economist)

Experts say that it would take five years of tax increases and spending cuts for each country to reach a primary budget surplus without taking into account their interest burden on public debt. 

In the above mentioned table, we can notice that Greece ends up with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 165% by 2015. Ireland’s projected burden is 125%, Portugal’s 100% and Spain’s 85%.  Only Japan which was driven by massive Govt spending (an explicit way to copy the West model which ultimately didn’t work) has a larger burden than Greece, but Japan is comfortably placed since it sits on huge pile of liquid assets and extremely healthy domestic savings, almost 90% of its public debt is held by domestic savers.  For a small country like that of Greece, a debt-to-GDP ratio of 165% is unbearable, amidst the fact that it’s domestic savings being negligible, well, the bubble can’t grow any longer.

Spain though looks comfortable, is a probable solvent. It’s projected debt burden is comparable to that of today’s Germany and France which are considered safe. On the other hand, Ireland and Portugal look as if they are comfortable, in the sense that a public debt in three figures might be tolerable at interest rates of 4% or so, but would be too costly to bear at today’s bond yields which is somewhere in between 9% to 11%.

If we look at the debt-to-GDP ratio of Greece (165%), we could comfortably conclude that it is better to restructure or write off debts which are unbearable, sooner than later. Greece is under compulsion to halve its debt burden to say 80% from current astronomical levels in order to enter the comfort zone.

To conclude, sovereign default by a rich country like that of Greece could be shocking but feasible. Questions like when and how they would write off or restructure to bring the debt levels to halve of what it is now (projected) remains unanswered. It is for the (so called) intellectuals and economists to devise and execute strategies accordingly, who invariably happen to be the “architects” (if I could call so) of this great economic soup.

Does Dr. Manmohan Singh deserve the tag Mr. Honest?

I could not restrain from writing a commentary on this topic. The Congress has been hiding all the scams that it has been accused of behind the face of our Honorable Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who as you would expect enjoys a clean image, as he is perceived to be. The UPA government has been very successful in doing so, the list of scams include but does not restrict to the Sashi tharoor and his IPL controversy, Common Wealth Games, Adarsh housing society, the much talked 2G and other issues of national interest like soaring Inflation, deregulation of oil price, Maoism, Chinese infiltration, Pakistani Terror Camps, so on and so forth.

All the scams and concerns were hidden behind a ceiling, which is nothing but our Prime Minister’s Mr. Clean, Mr. Honest image.  But considering the recent developments, unfolding of 2G spectrum outrage and the prime minister’s reaction, response to the Supreme Court has provoked me to write on the topic, "Does Prime Minister Manmohan Singh deserve the tag Mr. Honest?"  Read on..

Well, many of us feel that Manmohan Singh is a honest man, as long as he does not benefit personally, whether or not he allowed crooks like Raja to loot precious resources of the country like the 2G Spectrum. But permitting crooks to loot the nation’s resource is not the sign of any man who claims to be honest or clean and in my opinion he is culpable as well.

The Congress might put forth it’s defence that it has to stick on to it's Coalition Dharma to avoid elections mid way, but every right thinking man would adhere to the standpoint that no amount of coalition compulsion can justify permitting such a mammoth loot of nation’s resource.

It is not so that the entire misappropriation of the spectrum took place without the knowledge of the prime minister, time and again Raja has been claiming via the media that the PM is fully aware of whatever he has done. On November 1, 2007, the then Union law minister H R Bhardwaj replying to the Department of Telecommunications recommended an empowered group of ministers (eGoM) and getting legal opinion of the attorney general. The finance ministry had also recommended an eGoM. Raja wrote to the prime minister objecting to an eGoM stating it was not an inter-departmental issue. The PM kept quiet or rather batted for Raja ignoring Bhardwaj and the recommendations of the finance ministry.

On May 2010, when the PM made a rare public appearance while addressing a press conference marking the 1st anniversary of the UPA-II, Manmohan Singh gave a clean chit to Raja by stating that the minister had followed the procedures and everything was done in accordance with the rules. He said, “What the minister did was to implement a policy that was already in place. It would have been unfair to new entrants if a new yardstick is used. You have to look at it in proper perspective.” He said that the watchdogs — the TRAI and the telecom commission — had both approved the policy on the 2G auctions and since complaints were received, the CVC and the CBI were looking into it.  He added, “If I come to know that there is any involvement at any level, we will take action.” When he said this, spectrum corruption was very much within his knowledge.

Now looking at the CAG, it has clearly indicted Raja on several grounds, ineligible applicants, not fixing 2008 prices and ignoring recommendation for an eGoM are some of them.  Any individual with a rational, sound mind would know that several facts go against Manmohan Singh.  The most important of it is the petition filed by Subramanian Swamy in Nov 2008 seeking sanction to prosecute Raja (Please note that it requires the PM’s sanction to prosecute a cabinet minister).  The PM neither accept nor reject the petition filed by Swamy, he has been sitting on it all these days which is why the Supreme Court has questioned the PM for alleged inaction.

After all, what Manmohan Singh could do is to make the Attorney General Goolam E Vahanvati represent him in the Supreme Court in place of Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium.

Secondly, the PM had the CAG interim report in his hand by April, 2010. The interim report, as Swamy says, is no different from the final report because CAG was not convinced with the answers given to their queries.

Thirdly the PM himself has been shielding Raja all these days. Raja has carefully built his defence. The PM has written to him in November 2007 suggesting that the entry fee be revised considering innumerable applications and auction be followed.  Raja replied to him on the same day that it was capricious to follow the auction method and that he preferred the 2001 price.  The prime minister has acknowledged the letter but did not write back opposing or supporting Raja’s views.  That gave Raja a strong handle to go about saying that the prime minister knew everything and he had informed Manmohan Singh the procedures he followed.  Why did the PM not stop the telecom minister? His own Ministry of Finance has objected to the price and the procedure. The high-powered telecom commission was not consulted at all.  Now, evidence of several officers having protested may surface but they were all within the knowledge of the people involved, and certainly in the knowledge of the prime minster.

Above all came the master stroke, PJ Thomas who has been facing corruption charges was appointed as the chief of the Central Vigilance Commission (The CVC) which is a watchdog agency. This yet again has attracted severe criticism from the Supreme Court.  The Apex court has asked the Government to explain the procedures followed for appointment of the CVC.

All the above cited reasons will make every right thinking citizen of this country to contemplate the question “Does Prime Minister Manmohan Singh deserve the tag Mr. Honest?”

Jai Hind.

As always, your comments and thoughts are welcome.

A Perspective on CASTEISM vis-à-vis Cultural Nationalism

I never wanted to write something on caste until a friend of mine was discussing with me that she isn’t able to convince her parents on her marriage plans as the one she wanted to marry belongs to a different caste. Well, to be very frank this is not something unusual in today’s society. Therefore I made a sincere attempt to understand how the caste system evolved over a period of time and how it is interpreted rather misinterpreted by today’s social order by and large.

Read on..

Although many Hindus subscribe to the belief that one is born into a certain caste, this belief is not supported by their scriptures (Holy Books). The caste system in India has degenerated into a system falsely recognizing men born in Brahmin families as Brahmins, even though they don’t exhibit the qualities of Brahmins. This has caused so many problems and I say with conviction, most of it is “Self Imposed”.

Let us try and understand the Castes’ i.e. “Varnasrama Dharma” as explained by Lord Krishna, the creator himself..

Brahmanas – Are the ones who possess and practice “Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness”.

Ksatriyas - “Heroism, power, determination, resourcefulness, courage in battle, generosity and leadership are the natural qualities of work for the ksatriyas”.

Vaisyas - “Farming, cow protection and business are the natural work for the vaisyas”

Sudras - Are those “who offer their labor and service to others”.

Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita that “I created the castes, the caste system is created by me through the distribution of Gunas (tendencies, qualification or quality) and Karma (action, deed, work), meaning that according to what we do in this world here, so will our character be. Though I am the Creator of these things, do not think that I am partial, that I am taking sides, that I am performing actions; I am beyond the Gunas”.

According to Lord Krishna different people with different skill sets and qualification are categorized to perform their respective duties for the betterment and welfare of the society. But please note that the same lord Krishna mentions in the Gita that CASTE as explained above is not by BIRTH but by QUALIFICATION and WORK.

It was natural that a child born in a Brahmin family would be accustomed to the environment and naturally acquires the qualities to become a qualified Brahmin, likewise same was the case with Ksatriyas, Vaisyas and the Sudras. However no one could stop a Sudra from becoming a Brahmin if he desires to be so, of course after acquiring the necessary traits and qualification to become a Brahmin.

Let me try to explain this with a small example, let us assume four different professions in the society, Advocates, IAS officers, Doctors and Chartered Accountants. An advocate’s son or a Chartered Accountant’s son does not automatically qualify to step into their father’s shoes just because of their birth in respective families, if they wish so, they need to qualify themselves by clearing the necessary exams, internships, practice etc. The same way, a Doctor’s son can always aspire to become an IAS officer or a Chartered Accountant.

Now over a period of time, if all the IAS officers decide to make their children IAS officers, all the Judges decide to make their children Advocates and be obstinate that they would get their children married only to families which practice the same profession as theirs’ will that be fair? NO right, which is what, is happening in today’s India.

The qualities of a Brahmin are clearly explained in the Bhagavad-gita:

samo damas tapah saucam

ksantir arjavam eva ca

jnanam vijnanam astikyam

brahma-karma svabhava-jam

“Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness–these are the natural qualities by which the brahmanas work.”

These days, the samskaras (Hindu Rites) are generally not performed or not properly performed and the gurukuls, the training schools for the boys, are no longer in operation. So there is generally no training or practice. Therefore these sons of Brahmins who have no brahminical training have to be called “dvija-bandhus” or friends of the Brahmins. Unless they actually have the qualities of Brahmins and work as Brahmins they can’t be called a Brahmin, the same is applicable to the other three castes as well. You may even be qualified as a lawyer educationally but if you don’t practice, if you don’t work as a lawyer, no one will accept you as a lawyer.

A self proclaimed Brahmin or a Ksatriya for that matter (Just because his or her forefathers were once Brahmins and Ksatriyas), who neither posses the qualification nor the qualities to become one, feels hesitant to get their children married to ones who belong to some other caste, say Sudra or Vysya for no reason. It’s nonsense isn’t it?

Even during the period of Vedas, there were no restrictions in inter caste or inter societal marriages, it was left to the discretion of the individuals and there are ample evidences to support this fact. Let us take our very own Ramayana, Rishi Vishrava, the father of Ravana who was born to the great Rishi Pulastya (who was one amongst the 7 Sapta Rishis) got married to Kaikesi, who was born to an Asura King Sumali. We know the story of Rishi Vishwamitra who was once a Ksatriya Emperor who later became a Brahmin sage, a Brahma Rishi in fact who are considered to be members of the highest class of Rishis. These are just a few well known examples from the Puranas, as there are umpteen of them.

Let us truly introspect ourselves; the self proclaimed so called Brahmins, Ksatriyas, Vysyas, Sutras and thousands of communities which fall under these four categories, think that they are more sanctified than Rishi Vishrava, Brahma Rishi Vishwamitra or the Lord Krishna himself, If so, I am sorry to say, they must be making a complete fool out of themselves.

Mahakavi Bharathi, although born into an orthodox Brahmin family, gave up his own caste identity. One of his great sayings (Jathi irandozhiya verillai) which meant, 'There are only two castes in the world: one who is educated and one who is not. Once he said that he would be the happiest person on earth if his daughter gets married to a harijan.

We have very high regard for Mahakavi Bharathi and his poems; we sing his songs but neither understand its substance nor practice it in our lives. It’s high time that we wake up to the reality; it is not Lord Krishna or the Bhagavat Gita which says NO to inter caste marriages but our very own FEAR of rejection, dejection in family and societal circle which ultimately compels us to say NO. We are a part of the same Society which we fear to, be the change, the society would perfunctorily accept the change.


The concept of ‘cultural nationalism’ enjoins upon the adherents of different faiths in India to respect, and take pride in the common unifying culture of our ancient land while celebrating its many diversities.  Let us respect our rich culture and tradition our forefathers have left behind, let us take pride that we belong to this nation which is as diverse as the universe itself, let us esteem our rare and unique Vedas & Upanishads. Let us NOT get LOST by marginalized thoughts and emotions on castes which is relatively a recent development in our long standing history.

The need of the hour is CULTURAL NATIONALISM and not CASTEISM.

Jai Hind.

Note – I have referred to many websites, journals, blogs on Hinduism, Ramayana and the Bhagavat Gita, therefore I do not claim the above post as a result of my own, original thought process. This is just an expression of my perspective and how I look at the caste system.

Your comments and thoughts are most welcome.