WORLD IS WATCHING

A very interesting article has been published in THE NEW YORK TIMES regarding Indian Elections. It shows as to how does the world, especially the west, looks at us as a Super nation...We are a class apart. Only we, the people of India can make our democracy stronger............................................


It is truly the greatest show on Earth, an ode to a diverse and democratic ethos, where 700 million + of humanity vote, providing

their small part in directing their ancient civilization into the future. It is no less impressive when done in a neighbourhood which

includes de-stabilizing and violent Pakistan, China, and Burma. Its challenges are immense, more so probably than anywhere else,

particularly in development and fending off terrorism – but considering these challenges and its neighbours, it is even more

astounding that the most diverse nation on Earth, with hundreds of languages, all religions and cultures, is not only surviving, but

thriving.


The nation where Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism were born, which is the second largest Muslim nation on Earth; where Christianity

has existed for 2000 years; where the oldest Jewish synagogues and Jewish communities have resided since the Romans burnt their 2Nd

temple; where the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile reside; where the Zoroastrians from Persia have thrived since being

thrown out of their ancient homeland; where Armenians and Syrians and many others have to come live; where the Paris-based OE CD said was

the largest economy on Earth 1500 of the last 2000 years, including the 2Nd largest only 200 years ago; where 3 Muslim Presidents have been

elected, where a Sikh is Prime Minister and the head of the ruling party a Catholic Italian woman, where the President is also a woman,

succeeding a Muslim President who as a rocket scientist was a hero in the nation; where a booming economy is lifting 40 million out of

poverty each year and is expected to have the majority of its population in the middle class, already equal to the entire US population, by 2025;

where its optimism and vibrancy is manifested in its movies, arts, economic growth, and voting, despite all the incredible challenges and

hardships; where all the great powers are vying for influence, as it itself finds its place in the world.


Where all of this is happening, is India, and as greater than 1/10 of humanity gets ready to vote, it is an inspiration to all the World.


— V Mitchell, New York,NY

let us CHANGE INDIA for INDIA OF TOMORROW.

posted......31/05/09

B K Chowlaa

GOOD- COMPANY

Dr Manmohan Singh giving away award to Mr B.K.Chowla

Photograph which would make anyone happy and proud.

I had the opportunity of receiving an export award at the hands of Dr Manmohan Singh.

It was one of my proudest moments .It was a big day.

let us CHANGE INDIA for INDIA OF TOMORROW

posted.....28/05/09

B K Chowla

INFRASTRUCTURE-PROBLEMS AT CROSSROADS

I have just returned after a three day visit to a small town in UP (name is being withheld).

If one wants to see the changing and determined India, one needs to go to some of these small and developing towns. This is where one will see the real focus and the ongoing progress being made by the aam aadmi in spite of complete indifference of the State, almost non-existent infrastructure, bad roads, power cuts, water scarcity etc.

The railway station had a very strong branding of Vodafone. Most of the people in town do own a mobile set. In the market place, in a corner, the various mobile cos have installed their Charging stations with their respective logos. There was a time when one could see a charging station at the Airports only.Demand has been created. When I think of mobiles....I think of only two names...Rajeev Gandhi and Sam Pitroda.
This town does not have power for about 8-10 a day (any surprise).I visited a self-employed person who did make a passing reference to the power shortage but goes about his work and has ten computers/laptops in use running on inverters. He was clear, if one wants to succeed in the present form of (non) governance, the only way out is to stop complaining and get on with the job.He says there is no point showing a mirror to the blind.

Computers again reminded me of.... Rajeev Gandhi.

A car cannot enter the little congested by-lanes, but in those insignificant small shops in the by-lanes one can get Coke, Pepsi, Kurkure.Demand has been created.
Most of what has been said above has one common factor...all the products/services are those of private sector.
Now, for some anti-climax. I have been prescribed two very common medicines (1) vitamin C and (2 )Pentacid.Both these medicines were not available in the store I visited.
There hardly is any health care facility available in the town. Since we know the condition of the health care in the country, it is not surprising that smaller towns are worse off.

Ministry of health at the centre is expected to ensure availability of basic facility in the country. Instead what do we have,the health minister playing politics with the appointments in the hospitals, worrying about SRK smoking in public, worrying about Bachchan’s poster with a cigar. Instead, he should have ensured that medicine cos make available the essential medicines all over and arrange basic health care facilities so that the medicines get prescribed and consumed, that being the basic rule of business.
This also proves a point that the private sector is very aggressive,efficient,accountable and,responsible.May be, public sector should outsource some of their jobs to pvt cos so that country need not carry the burden of inefficient and non-performing babus.

Prof.R.K .Mishra,Dir of Inst of Public Enterprises once said “IAS officers project themselves expert in everything, their concern and focus on their own career is very high, are self opinionated, power hungry, shrewd and manipulative, procedure and rule focused,arrogant,inaccessible,judgemental,critical of others by concentrating minor details of others. They are very low on positive traits such as commitment to organization, trustworthy, risk taking, contentiousness, informativeness and creativity. They are the lowest visionaries and considered to be no change agents and very poor at public policy, analysis and design.”

Someone somewhere has to explain the reasons as to why is the infrastructure in such bad shape that women have to stand in Q to collect water, children have to sacrifice their studies due to power cuts for hours together. What moral authority a State Govt has to be in power if it cannot provide the minimum basic needs? How can the CM even think of living in centrally air-conditioning and water his/her bungalows while children are dying of heat at 43 c and with non availability of potable water supply. Instead of sacking Babus from the areas where Ms Mayawati has lost elections, she should be sacking the babus who have failed in doing their job.
Now, the time has come when all the ministers and babus have to be made accountable, else they should be sacked or voted out.

Surprisingly, NGOs make so much of noise when it comes to taking on a cause which takes them to the TV studios,but would look the other way when it comes to the just cause of the poor and needy.

We... You...Me...Us... them...All of us will bring about a change.

let us CHANGE INDIA for INDIA OF TOMORROW

posted.....25-05-09
author.....B K Chowla

INDIAN GOONDA LEAGUE

Results of the elections for the 15 th Lok Sabha have been announced.
We are all happy that we will have a stable Govt.
Besides this, different people would be happy for different reasons.

Personally, I am happy that most of the Goondas have been voted out, or shall I see booted out, even though they had the tickets and support of the major political parties.

Some of these names may ring a bell. There was a time when these candidates had the guts, support and the following to get elected while in jails. And they did.

Munna Shukla, Rama Singh, Zakir Khan,Mohd Taslimuddin,MAA Fatmi,Prabhunath Singh,Mukhtar Ansari,Afzal Ansari,Atiq Ahmed,Rizwan Zaheer,Anna Shulkla,D P Yadav,Guddu Pandit.
Then there are some who had fielded their wives....Suraj Bhan(veena devi),Mohd Shabuddin(heena sahib),Anand Mohan(lovely anand)Pappu Yadav(ranjeeta ranjan).They all lost, and we won.
Defeat of these Goondas is not because of the political parties, it is despite them. All the parties had given tickets to the Goondas because they had the “win ability”

So, in such case how did these jokers lose elections?
The credit goes only and singularly to the determination and maturity of the electorate.
Also while on the subject, credit must be given to anyone who started the campaign...NO CRIMINALS...................

Hopefully, parties have learnt the lesson and will not give tickets to Goondas in future elections....be it Panchayat, Municipal, State or Lok Sabha.

Times are changing and hopefully so are the mindset of the politicians. This elections,Goondas have been booted out and if the present lot in the Govt do not perform, should also be voted out.
Message is loud and clear....performs or perish.

This can only happen if...we...you...me ...them...us...all of us are alert and perform our part of duty as well.

let us CHANGE INDIA for INDIA OF TOMORROW

posted.....24/05/09

author.....B K Chowla

INDIA........1835

Britishers had a field day in India.It will be very interesting to read and analyse an address in the British Parliament.


Lord Macaulay’s address to the British Parliament on the 2 nd Feb 1835

“I have travelled across the length and breadth of India and I have not seen one person who is a beggar,who is a thief, such wealth I have seen in this country. Such high moral values, people of such calibre, that I do not think we would ever conquer this country, unless we break the very backbone of this nation, which is her spiritual and cultural heritage and therefore, I propose that we replace her old and ancient education system, her culture, for the Indians all that is foreign and is British is good and greater than their own, they will lose their self-esteem, their native culture and they will become what we want them,..........a truly dominated nation.”

After reading this (in) famous speech, we surely know the character of our British rulers.
What we, the Indians, must ask ourselves, weather we have maintained our status in the world,weather in terms of education,culture,self-esteem do we still have the kind of standing the West was so jealous of.?

OR

All of that has been watered down?

Will we again be called SONE-KI-CHIDIYA or would be happy be ruled (not governed) by ruthless and useless netas?

Ask yourself.

let us CHANGE INDIA for INDIA OF TOMORROW

posted....18/05/09
author.....B K Chowla

CHANAKYA'S QUOTES

CHANAKYA'S QOUTES...

Quotes from Chanakya .Considering the political class in India ,we have to learn from Chanakya.>

"A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and> Honest people are screwed first."> Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC 75 BC )"

Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous."> Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC -275 BC)

"The biggest guru-mantra is: Never share your secrets with anybody. ! It> will destroy you."> Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC )

There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no> Friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth."> Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC -275 BC)

"Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions -> Why am I doing it, What the results might be and Will I be successful.> Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions,> go ahead.

">Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC"As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it."> Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)

"Once you start a working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't> abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest."> Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC )

"The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind.> But the goodness of a person spreads in all direction."> Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC )

"citizens never support a> weak company and birds don't build nests on a tree that doesn't bear> fruits."> Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC )

"God is not present in idols. Your feelings are your god. The soul is your> temple."> Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC )

"A man is great by deeds, not by birth.">>>>> Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275BC )

"Never make friends with people who are above or below you in status.> Such friendships will never give you any happiness."> Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC )

"Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years. For the next> five years, scold them. By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a> friend. Your grown up children are your best friends."> Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC )

"Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind> person."> Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC )

"Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected> everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth."> Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC )

let us CHANGE INDIA for INDIA OF TOMORROW.

posted.....12/05/09
author...B K Chowla

MEDIA (not) REPORTING

Media is a strong pillar in a democracy it is generally said. One important politician recently called some of the electronic media as news traders and news manufacturers. I do not subscribe to these views completely at the same time, in my opinion, media is not playing the positive role it is expected to. It can and should cover news which is of importance to the common man, communicating the problems to the state on behalf of the common man. Instead what do see and hear, TRP chasing news restricted to political power centers, a bit of bollywood and limited time for cricket (not sports)

100cr people can form their opinion, can be opinion formers and can gain knowledge on various subjects. (Politics is not the life of the country—some even hate it)
In my view, some of the issues /topics that media, especially electronic should keep the viewer informed are those which touch the common man on day to day living.
Like
Recently, Justice Katju in his order has directed the centre to constitute a committee to conduct SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH to solve problem of water shortage in the country. It further says” You have no right to be in office if you can not provide water”, says Justice Katju while issuing directions to the Govt. After 62 yrs, the SC has been compelled to issue such direction. Should this not be reported to the viewers as it could change the life of millions of citizens when they get water?

Centre was, earlier directed by the SC to implement Police reforms. Should not the viewer be informed of the progress as it concerns the common man in his day to day living? Read Mr Ved Marwaha’s interview in Tehlka of 25/04/09 on his experience during 1984 anti-Sikh riots. We will realize why Police reforms are foremost for us and who is holding them back.

In 2005, Govt had imposed an educational cess of 2%.Fine, as long as it would benefit those who needed it most. It is estimated that the total revenue collection has been over Rs 1 lakh crores.It would help if the viewers are informed as to what additional schools, colleges and facilities have been established since the introduction of educational cess as it is a matter of Rs 1 lakh crores tax payers money. In fact it will add to the credibility of the Govt if such figures are tabulated. Why not? You may like to read an article by Prof. Anil Sadgopal.”politics of education” in Sunday India 4-10 May issue.
Prohibition of child marriage act was notified in yr 2006.Inspite of this act being in force, hundreds of child marriages have been reported in Rajasthan. Should such acts not be reported so that corrective steps are taken and people at large are made to understand the implications?

Healthcare is important factor in our daily life. Unfortunately, it is far from comparable to any developing country in the world. Emergency Medical Services is a part of the same sector and the Ambulance service falls under EMS. Govt ambulances in the city lack the basic facilities, even though there are laid down guidelines. Media should be highlighting the facilities or lack of those and make people aware. This is the condition when most of the private hospitals have been allotted land on throw away rates (?) with a condition that 10-20% beds will be reserved for the poor. We all, including, the media is aware of the facts but they refuse to expose the culprits.

Post 26/11, media should bring out the facts if the police is still holding Lathis or there have now got improved version of weapons. They should also interview those who lit candles on the Gateway to check if they all voted. My gut feeling is that they did not.

Every week-end we hear breaking news about inflation. People understand MEHNGAI and not inflation. If the % rate of inflation is falling, why are the prices of wage goods like vegetables are sky-rocketing?Nimbu is at Rs 90/ per Kg. This needs to be explained to those who understand Mehngai.

I have mentioned very few examples. The idea is to reach out to the common man as he/she is the one who suffers the most. And of course establish the credibility of the media.
Instead of repeatedly showing and discussing Shah Rukh Khan’s new vanity van on most of the news channels, I wish some of the above subjects were covered and social messages were relayed. In my opinion, reaching out to the common man is more important than showing and discussing the making of SRK van, its bathroom, sitting area….who is interested. I am not.
Media has a social responsibility which it must fulfill.

let us CHANGE INDIA for INDIA OF TOMORROW

posted........07/05/09
author........B K Chowla

KASAB....A MEDIA HERO

Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorists of 26/11 is unfortunately being a hero by the media.
The charges against Kasab are well known and are being dealt with as per the law of the land.Fortunately,no one,the world over has ever doubted the cerdibility of the India judiciary.He is getting a fair trial.

In the foregoing,I can not understand the reasons as to why is the media,especially electronic,is hell bent upon making Kasab media created hero.Why can he not be left alone to face the fair trial in the normal course?There are hundreds of trials being held on day to day to basis which do not get the essential attention.So,why this extra attention on Kasab?When I say please leave him alone, I mean just do not report the avoidable.
Was it essential to report and that too as HEADLINES and BREAKING NEWS the stupid wish list of Kasb comprising of his tooth paste,perfume,permission to walk in the veranda.
Is it a national news that Kasab is minor or not?Who cares?Why can we not wait for to give a judgment on this issue?In any case it can not be a part of HEADLINES and BREAKING NEWS.
My point is,why is the media giving importance to a silly man and to his age and to his toothpaste,who ruthlessly killed innocent,unarmed men women and children for no reason on this earth except hate.Knowingly or otherwise,he is going to be a media created hero for no reason.
Such high pitch coverage by the media as breaking news for TRP race does create heroes and at the same time it does charge avoidable emotions of a certain section of
society.How can we forget those who lost there relatives? They are the ones who also watch the same news bulletins covering Kasab.
My suggestion to the media is that they should actually black out and STOP reporting Kasab trial.Let the trial be over and let the world report India judiciary's unbiased attitude.
Please do not make him a hero,lest we all regret it the day we have another Afzal Guru
in the making.With our political compulsions,I fear history repeating itself.

let us CHANGE INDIA for
INDIA OF TOMORROW

posted......02/05/09
author.....B K Chowla