Asserting its bogus claim citing territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, China has rejected the award given on July 12,2016 ,by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, on South-China Sea.

Will the US, India, Bangladesh, Srilanka, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Japan ,put together, take it lying down?

South Asia,it seems, is heading for a show-down.

The situation in Kashmir has reached a flash point.

The ISIS and other terror organizations are ready to strike the US, India, UK, and other western countries, anytime, anywhere.

China seems unstoppable.

The US's image will be dented unless coercive steps are taken.

A small spark could trigger a world war.

It is time to promote unrest in Baluchistan, Sindh and POK. 

Is humility becoming an inherent part of Govt communications?

At least,so it seems.

All sanctions are issued on behalf of the President of India.

The President is always ecstatic.

May God bless Him.

But, when," The President is PLEASED to DISMISS X Y Z ", it hurts.

Should not the President feel " SORRY " in sacking or ordering someone's hanging ?

Colonial,sadistic mindset.

Something should be done about it on the analogy of CBDT.

ARPG wing headed by PM Modi may kindly take the call.

Thanks CBDT for small mercies.

Thanks to Income Tax deptt for modifying their Scrutiny notices to the assessees.by adding a dose of humility.

Phrases like : "for your kind information","yours faithfully" etc will ,no doubt, enhance the feel-good factor of the frightened assessees,temporarily though.

Honest tax-payers will be treated at par with celebrities Lalit Modi, Vijay Mallya and hundreds others of their ilk.

But, there will be no exemption from detailed scrutiny of returns.

"Meethi Churi "

TV channels continuously flashing the intelligence alert 24x7 :" Al Qaeda plans to target senior IAS and IPS officers." Totally fabricated. A media circus, at best, to please the top bureaucracy. Let no one fool the gullible public without making a reality check. The self- generated controversy is revived at regular intervals by vested interests. 

The terrorists are not bothered about the elite organized services. 

They target the poor public, base camps, nuclear reactors, airports, schools, hospitals for wreaking maximum damage and create maximum scare.

The IPS officers already enjoy security cover. at home. Tents pitched outside their homes for providing 24x7 security, sticks out like sore thumbs. The armed guards in absence of regular toilets make a nuisance of themselves besides being deployed on domestic chores. This is the hard reality. Let us face facts.

Presence of armed guards at homes of IPS officers, does not enthuse officers of other Services in the neighborhood. Absence of status symbols is taken as an affront. 

It is ultimately the common man who bears the brunt in absence of general security and becomes a victim of falling police/public ratio.

Security cover must be "job-specific ", not " Services- specific".

PM Modi must see through the game of bureaucracy.

The media is flashing the alert 24x7 :" Al Qaeda plans to target senior IAS and IPS officers."

A totally fabricated " alert " to fool the public.

Here is a reality check.

The IPS officers already enjoy security cover. at home.

Pitching tents for security personnel 24x7 ,sticks out like sore thumbs, This does not enthuse officers of other  Services in the neighbourhood.

Who would not wish to have status symbols. 

It is the common man who bears the brunt and need protection.

He becomes a victim of falling police/public ratio.

Security cover must be "job-specific ", not " Service- specific" PM Modi must see through the game.

The Cabinet reshuffle is long over due. Performance appraisal by PM Modi is underway.

Who will assess Arun Jaitley's performance as in-charge of three  ministries-- Finance, I&B and Corporate Affairs with sidekick MOSs in all the three.

Jaitley ,it is believed, has been largely responsible for slowing down investigations of UPA's scams and return of black money from abroad.

This has brought disrepute to PM Modi.

Is Modi bereft of competent people to divest Arun Jaitley of two portfolios including the I&B ? 

One gets the impression that the Media is being manipulated in a subtle way Jaitley's performance has been lacklustre.

Though knowledgeable and gifted with oratorial skill, he is pompous. ponderous and didactic in approach.

But, apoor administrator.

PM Modi will realise his mistake,soon.

The “selfie” controversy surrounding the Rajasthan women’s commission demonstrates its total insensitivity to women’s plight. Time for a reality check.

National and States Commissions for Women with statutary backings have become parking lots for sycophants of the ruling political dispensations. Their Chairperson and Members enjoy government perks at tax payers’ expenses. Endowed with insatiable appetite for publicity, they behave like publicity seeking moral police. 

Thanks to Media for exposing their lackadaisical,  functioning.  The commissions’ findings , one suspects, are influenced  by political outrage  rather than facts of the matter. 

 Their performances are not subjected to public scrutiny. Zero accountability.  These bodies are a drain on public exchequer, misused as  political instruments for settling scores with adversaries.

Should not these be scrapped ? 

Way back in Jan 2012,the Indian Express sought to " alert " the country about an alleged army coup in Delhi. 

Later, the same newspaper and some journalists sent a legal notice to a magazine and some journalists, claiming damages of Rs 500 crores.

The present status of the case.is not known.

Strangely, neither have Retd. General V K Singh ( now a minister) nor the aggrieved journos resorted to legal action even after the passing away of Late Vinod Mehta.

Will the truth of the " mysterious" coup be ever known.?

It was a grave conspiracy hatched by the dirty tricks department of the Congress having a bearing on the national security.

The country is curious to know the truth.

Will PM Modi take appropriate action to get the matter investigated.?

Salman Khan courts controversy.

If, he does not, the controversy chases him.

Refuses to learn from mistakes.

His remark on rape victim ,was unwarranted and reprehensible I do not mean to trivialise his folly.

But, a word of apology from him , could have set the entire controversy at rest.

The public has better things to do in life than waste time on high decibel, meaningless TV debates. 

Two large bindi-on-forehead panelists on TimesNow TV, over-acted and over-reacted, last night. 

Why, not ? It feels great to be seen on TV.

Arnab Goswami,the anchor-cum-panelist, had to beat a hasty retreat.

At least, so it seemed.

Media hype.

I preferred watching a Pakistani serial on Zindagi channel.

Salman Khan courts controversy.

If, he does not, the controversy chases him.

Refuses to learn from mistakes.

His remark on rape victim ,was unwarranted and reprehensible I do not mean to trivialise his folly.

But, a word of apology from him , could have set the entire controversy at rest.

The public has better things to do in life than waste time on high decibel, meaningless TV debates. 

Two large bindi-on-forehead panelists on TimesNow TV, over-acted and over-reacted, last night. 

Why, not ? It feels great to be seen on TV.

Arnab Goswami,the anchor-cum-panelist, had to beat a hasty retreat.

At least, so it seemed.

Media hype.

I preferred watching a Pakistani serial on Zindagi channel.

It would be preposterous to re-name Lutyens Delhi’s Akbar Road as Maharana Pratap Road. MOS( MEA) Gen V K Singh’s suggestion in this regard, betrays lack of maturity. His proximity to RSS earned him ministerial berths for diverse portfolios. But, his performance has been uninspiring. 

Branding Akbar as non-secular, would be a travesty of history. Bypassing him as part of medieval history would not be in country’s interests.

There are several roads including the ones named after dynasties, crying to be re-christened. Sample these. Race course road, Moti Lal Nehru Marg ,Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Marg, Teen Murti Marg, Rajesh Pilot marg,PM Modi would be committing a political harakiri,if, he follows RSS’s  dictats of roads re-naming spree in the name of religions.

As a senior citizen,may I urge the Union Health Minister to constitute squads of Officers for conducting surprise checks at CGHS dispensaries and hospitals in Delhi and see how poor patients and senior citizens are maltreated. Some processes could be outsourced to avoid harassment. Doctors could be transferred from VIP dispensaries to outlying areas with larger concentration of retired CGHS beneficiaries.

Delhi CM Kejriwal’s  stern warning to Delhi’s bureaucracy : “Officers must follow govt orders or, else go to Centre or resign “ (TOI ’ April 20,2016 ), is  disturbing , betraying  his  authoritarian  mindset. Contrast this with PM Modi’s pep talk to central government bureaucrats on the Civil Services Day ( April 21,2016) and awards for outstanding works. Sample CM Kejriwal. He could have exhorted  the bureaucrats  on similar lines, instead of issuing a veiled threat to them from a public platform. Reprehensible, unwarranted and unbecoming of a politico holding the high office of Chief Minister.

The CEO , no doubt, is entitled to have its team of trusted  ( Read as  pliable ) bureaucrats for implementing its policies.  All States of the Union of India and UTs face this problem. They do not often succeed  in getting  officers of their choice from  Central government. But, issues are  sorted out through discussions keeping in view the transfer policies and other considerations. Consultative mechanism rather than confrontationist approach is the mantra to overcome differences of opinions and arrive at a consensus. The issues are not Delhi-specific. 

A humane approach always works. But, this is alien to Kejriwal’s genre. As a control freak, egoistic , endowed with  ’  holier than thou ’ attitude  with cravings for cheap publicity, he has harmed Delhi’s interests  at the cost of  tax payers’ money. Bureaucrats’ selections are merit-based unlike  the political class. They are supposed to be politically neutral. Kejriwal’s lousy outburst against Delhi bureaucrats( even out of desperation) is not acceptable in a civilized society. He has made a joke of himself.

Unethical banking practices are not new. Bank nationalization in 1969 did not reduce corruption. State control encouraged giving loans on oral orders of successive ruling dispensations, influential politicians, corporate houses, bankers and bureaucrats.The current scam came to light after the Supreme court took suo motu cognizance of a media report and discovered that bad debts (Rs 1.14 lakh crores) were secretly written off by 28 state-owned banks (between 2013 and 2015) flouting all norms and without taking stake-holders into confidence. The common perception was that the corruption ,was at its zenith during the later part of UPA misrule.

India is not a banana republic.The scams cannot take place without the active collusion of top bank executives , politicians and bureaucrats who influence banks to give loans to would be defaulters.The Supreme court bench headed by CJI, slammed RBI and castigated public sector banks for loan waiver spree as defaulters keep leading a “lavish lifestyle”.

Spilling the beans, former Dy Governor RBI called the write-off a big scam. Top state-owned lender the SBI attributed this to the “discretionary power of its committee”. Other banks blame it on their Management committee, Board of Directors, Executive committee etc.All banks have sought exemption from disclosures of defaulters’ names ,citing Section 8(1) (d) of RTI Act. RBI and other banks express inability to reveal names of loan defaulters citing “ fiduciary relationship” with clients, commercial secrecy, trade secrets, intellectual property, adverse impact on economy and so on. Preposterous, simplistic and absurd explanation to cover-up unethical practices. Details of all defaulters must be kept in public domain as it involves mindboggling loss of public exchequer. This could not have been possible without kickbacks.The corrupt beneficiaries have been dodging investigations in the past due to absence of written orders. Seize all records. Show- cause RBI’s and state-owned banks’ executives, MOF’s bureaucrats , interrogate them and record their testimonies. Due to country-wide ramifications of the scam , let investigations be carried out by the court-monitored CBI.

Many indians are not aware of the growing turmoil in Balochistan and grave human rights violations by the Pakistan army. The situation might reach the flashpoint, soon. The media is not Let me come straight to the point. The recent meeting of Hurriyat leaders with Pakistani officials in Delhi must prompt India to re-visit its candyfloss foreign policy towards Pakistan. Recall Sharm-el-Sheikh fiasco.The mention of Balochistan in the Joint Statement of the then PMs-- Dr Manmohan Singh and Yusuf Raza Gilani -- at Sharm El Sheikh in 2009, had created a huge furore in India and the same was interpreted as India’s surrender to Pakistan. A serious blunder and utter foolhardiness on part of UPA government, it was. I have checked records. The BJP , as part of the Opposition, had in 2009, stoutly condemned UPA’s stand. It is now BJP’s turn to correct the perspective. Let India extend full support to the liberation of Balochistan . This would be a matching response to Pak's explicit support to the Hurriyat leaders. The US, though sympathetic to Baloch cause, continues to extend financial assistance to Pakistan to counter the growing Chinese primacy in the region- through construction of Chinese assisted Gwadar port and the Makran highway project. But,this should not deter us.

The Balochistan Liberation Army, Lashkar-e-Balochistan and the Baloch Liberation United Front are the militant groups, ready to wage a full-scale war against Pakistan army . There is a long pending grievance against the Pakistan central government which is systematically suppressing development in Baluchistan to keep the poor Balochis under its thumb.Against this background, the country has the right to know : What will be India’s stand, in case, the Balochi separatists , on the analogy of Bangla Desh war, declare themselves independent from the clutches of Pakistan. Will India stand by Balochistan —militarily and diplomatically? If ,yes, let India be ready for taking pro-active steps.

Subcontracted some of their abusive tactics to groups with no official accountability.

Armed with sophisticated weaponry/Security personnel, including police, army and paramilitary Yoga guru Ramdev's Haridwar-based Patanjali Yogpeeth campus may soon get permanent security cover of paramilitary CISF, a facility extended to only a handful of private entities such as Infosys till now.

Ramdev, who has set up a business empire worth thousands of crores of rupees in personal care and food products sector, is himself a 'Z' category protectee of central paramilitary forces.

Officials said a security audit and survey is currently on at the facility in the holy Uttarakhand town and it is expected that the government will deploy a squad of armed commandos. It would act as 'quick reaction team' against any terrorist attack and "the logistics bill" is to be footed by the private enterprise.

"The access-control to the large facility would be rendered by private security guards deployed already on the campus while CISF could give a shield against any terrorist attack like incident," they said.

The survey by a special team of Central Industrial Security Force experts has been ordered after central security agencies suggested the 'Patanjali Yogpeeth' facility may be vulnerable to sabotage activities.

The campus hosts facilities for Yoga and also has infrastructure to manufacture ayurvedic medicines and FMCG products.

In June, the food and herbal park campus was provided with a platoon strength (about 35 men) CISF security cover on a temporary basis after some clashes broke out here.

"The proposed cover of the central force will be on a 24X7 basis and will respond to any incident like terror attack. The commandos deployed for such tasks are armed with sophisticated weapons and communication gadgetry and the logistics bill is footed by the private enterpise," they said.

 The practice of abusing the Army, the commandos , para-military forces, police etc for guarding private functions and the manufacturing units owned by spiritual gurus, is a huge departure from the prescribed mandates.Erection of infrastructure by a spiritual organization on the river beds of Yamuna in Delhi has  generated the unsavoury controversy, justifiably so, as it meant blatant waste of tax-payers money. A spiritual guru who owns a business empire worth thousands of crores of rupees, in personal care and food products sector, is himself a 'Z ' category protectee of central paramilitary forces. Now, his manufacturing hub near Hardwar, involved in the  manufacture of ayurvedic medicines and FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) products, is likely to get a permanent security cover of paramilitary CISF. In these circumstances, how could the common man feel secure in the worsening law and order situation? There is a huge shortage of security personnel. Is it the business of  Govt of India to provide shield against terror attacks at the tax-payers cost ? 

Consider police to people ratio in India.  Three cops for every VIP and one cop per 761 people.  Re-imbursing expenditure does not justify providing a security cover to a  private campus or person with  no strategic threat ,is condemnable. The cases  strategic sectors in  Bangaluru, Mysore and Pune,  Refinery and Petrochemicals in Jamnagar and the Coastal Gujarat Power ,in private sectors, are to be treated  different  on  re-imbursement basis.

Pakistan's JIT has visited India for intelligence gathering rather than investigating Pathankot.

All members are allegedly the ISI sleuths. None from investigation.

Granting JIT " limited access ",is baffling.

It is either FREE access or NO access.

Investigations have gone for a six.

India plays a perfect host with its candyfloss diplomacy.

Who is calling the shots ?Is it PMO,NSA, MEA or the Cabinet committee on Security?

Or, is it the US pressure?

What will be the impact on the morale of the indian Armed Forces' morale ? 

Were the implications assessed before allowing JIT from Pakistan.

Were the Armed forces Chiefs taken into confidence ?

A chance visit to JNU.

We may not agree with its ideological over-reach, treading into 

prohibited areas of " sedition and separatism ", but JNU seems to be 

the most liberated spot in the groves of academia. 

Also called the hot bed of the left-wing activists.

A far cry from the traditional centres of learning in India.

Though students are easily mainstreamed,giving them a long rope, would be disastrous,if, past experience is any guide..

Checks are necessary to preserve the youth's potential.

Once, reined in and nurtured in careful hands,they could shape into wonderful politicians, more mature than the present self-seeking political class..

Ms Shehla Rashid of Kashmir ,Vice President of JNU students union,seems balanced in contrast to loose cannons like Kanhaiya Kumar,,Anirban and Khalid et al.

All should all be kept under the radar.for not going astray.

The go-slow approach by present dispensation in investigating UPA's multiple scams  is baffling. Delay is criminal that could snowball into a NDA’s scam. It smacks of a secret deal .Hence,the need to take these forward to logical conclusion. In case of pendency , the  court should be requested for early hearing. It will be meaningful to seek CJI’s intervention. The remedies must be availed of to prevent miscarriage of justice. The progress of each case should be kept in public domain for public scrutiny.. The honest tax payers are entitled to know the extent of looting of public funds and what penalty has been imposed on the offenders. 

The UPA’s scams (2004- 2014)read like rule book of fraudsters. One loses the way while counting zeroes in loss figures,stunned by the audacity and brazenness with which former ministers flouted rules to enrich themselves ,their kins and cronies.Action may be taken on following points :- (a) strengthen CBI’s manpower strength by filling vacancies; (b) fix a time frame to complete investigation by the Supreme court-monitored SITs; ( c) Living long adjournments by courts be banned by the CJI.The defence will always try to derail and delay cases in courts.

Media’s ostrich-like approach and the studied silence of the colluding political class , is all very intriguing. Even the Judiciary did not provide a solution matching the gravity of situation. Giving controversy a quiet burial is the last thing that one would expect from Supreme court, the champion of transparency. 

One wonders whether NJAC, since quashed by the Hon’ble Supreme court, would have acted differently. Madras HC Judge’s misdemeanour was serious. Sample a few misconducts. Hurling abuses at CJ Madras HC , staying  his own transfer orders to Kolkatta issued by SC, issuing notice to CJI, ordering Madras Police Commissioner to file FIR invoking SC/ST Act alleging caste bias.

As per media reports,the Judge has since joined the Calcutta HC. All the same,the unsavoury experience has shaken   people’s faith in Judiciary. The Judge, no doubt, has tried to wriggle out of controversy citing causes like mental depression, frustration, work pressure etc.What is the guarantee that the misbehavior is not repeated? But, one may ask whether a person with such a mercurial temperament, is fit to hold the high office of a Judge in a High court? Will a civil servant meet the same fate under the principle of Equality before the Law 

Media’s ostrich-like approach  and the studied silence of the colluding political class , is all very intriguing. Even the Judiciary did not provide a lasting solution matching the gravity of matter. Giving the controversy a quiet burial is the last thing that one would expect from Supreme court, the champion of transparency. One wonders whether NJAC, since quashed by the Hon’ble Supreme court, would have acted differently. Madras HC Judge’s misdemeanour was quite  grave. Sample a few misconducts. Hurling abuses at CJ Madras HC , staying  his own transfer orders to Kolkatta issued by SC , issuing notice to CJI, ordering Madras Police Commissioner to file FIR invoking SC/ST Act alleging caste bias. As per media reports,the Judge has since joined the Calcutta HC. All the same,the unsavoury experience has shaken   people’s faith in Judiciary. The Judge, no doubt, tried to wriggle out of controversy citing causes like mental depression, frustration, work pressure etc. But, one may ask whether a person with such a mercurial temperament, is fit to hold the high office of a Judge in a High court? Will a civil servant meet the same fate under the principle of Equality before the Law ?

Art of Living Foundation would host a world culture festival in Delhi on March 12-13, 2016, in which around 3.5 million people from 155 countries are expected to participate.

Thousands of musicians and dancers are expected to perform on a stage that will be spread in around seven acres, set amid 300 acres of Delhi's Mayur Vihar,

The stage is being erected by damaging Yamuna bed.

A GOI committee headed by Secy, Water Resources, has opposed the move. as it will cause ecological damage.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped a fine of Rs 140 crore on the Foundation.

Despite this, the work is going on full steam.

Should not the Supreme court take suo moto cognizance and issue notices to all concerned.

But, who knows, many judges ( retd or serving ), central ministers, Opposition leaders could be participating in the fest.

PM Modi is also likely to join the festivities.

Sheer waste of money on an event that does not help the poor and down-trodden in the country.

An exercise in self-advertisement.

Will the Foundation pay the fine? 

or

Will the authorities waive the fine?

India is facing cross-border terrorism in J &K  due to proxy war  by ISI- trained fidayeens. 

As always, India refuses to be aggressive. It is reactive ( Mooh-tor jawaab ) not, pro-active. Our soldiers are being martyred, but the government remains on the backfoot.There is a need to re-visit India’s Pakistan policy.

It is time to turn the heat on Baluchistan and help its liberation. Let India engage with Afghanistan, Iran and even Israel as strategic partners. This will divert Pakistan from its evil designs on Kashmir.

China would not risk joining the fray for safeguarding its heavy investments in India.

Let India move forward or else, continue to suffer stoically. 

Breaking taboos, celebrating Holi by Vrindaban widows, is a path breaking event.

A peaceful and subtle sociological revolution seems to be taking place, pregnant with many possibilities..

Females' entry into sanctum sanctorum of hindu temples , could be around the corner, despite stiff opposition by the self-proclaimed thekedars of Sanatan Dharma.

May be Bhumata Brigade's attempt at entering the prohibited inner sanctum of the Shani Shingnapur temple, could succeed, if, wisdom dawns on high priests.

Indian muslim women might feel motivated to assert their right to enter dargahs like the Haji Ali's stand the scrutiny before the Court of law. The law makers are expected to take the initiatives to remove the anomaly in the context of the doctrine of "Right to Equality before the Law ".

Jat reservation violence, JNU anti-national violence, Fidayeens’ attacks in Kashmir, political rhetorics , PM’s  non-stop tours , sermons, quota-based politics, cynicism, scepticism, distrust, mistrust

I am confused about patriotism,  anti- nationalism , or just being anti- establishment.

Am I blessed to be a proud Indian ? 

I am on way to renouncing nationalism and all its symbols:  flags, pledges of allegiance, anthem.

I want to be a citizen of the World. 

The on-going Jat agitation in Haryana is bound to escalate to other states. Reminiscent of Mandal violence.

Having acquired wealth during the Green Revolution and political power through elections, the OBCs demanded more share in country’s administrative apparatus, especially in higher rungs of bureaucracy..

The Machiavellian V P Singh accepted Mandal Commision's recommendations to gain primacy in politics but at cost of country's unity.

Now, the Jat Mahasabha wants reservation out of 27% OBC quota..

The Gurjars are also demanding privileged treatment.

Both, OBC and Jat communities are affluent, educationally and socially more advanced.than many general categories.

Reservations kill the notion of meritocracy.

They bring inefficiency and mediocrity.

They promote further casteism.

Why can't poverty be the sole criteria for reservation ?

FOR HOW LONG WILL INDIA CONTINUE WITH RESERVATION BASED ON ENDOGAMIC SOCIAL GROUPS IN THE GARB OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION ?

One is not clear about the guiding principle  of "Liberalistion of  legal Profession in preference to its commercialisation ",as stated in the article.

The profession is purely commercial-- providing legal services for a price,not pro bono.

What will be the actual impact on indian lawyers in concrete terms ?This needs to be clarified.

Also, will the cost of litigation in India go up with the entry of foreign Law firms ?What will be the gain to them ?

I take it that the foreign firms will engage indian lawyers and pay them for services.

Why did the BCI oppose the move in the past ?

In 2010 (UPA-II) a consortium of 17 banks led by SBI, lent Rs 7,000 crores to Vijay Mallya ostensibly to overcome financial crisis. The banks have been able to recover only a fraction. Rest is waiting to be written off as bad debt. All at cost of tax payers.

Self-respecting farmers unable to repay loans, are committing suicides. The filthy-rich hate to commit suicides as they can manage by manipulating. It is an open secret that loan was granted on orders from the high and mighty in Delhi, bypssing the standard operating procedures. No safeguards.

The CMDs and Boards members who sanctioned the loan, have not even been show-caused, let alone arrested. All were rewarded with post-retirement placements by UPA-II .

Vijay Mallya, the king of Good Times is privy to all those who helped him.

He has photographic and other documentary evidences confirming lavish hospitality enjoyed by the politicos, bureaucrats, bankers, the journos and other high and mighty of the Congress party.

Arrest Vijay Mallya and his son immediately.

Truth will come out in no time.

Why is Modi sarkar scared to initiate action ?

Degenerating into UPA-III, perhaps.

Topics on Ethics, Vigilance, Anti- Corruption, CBI,CVC etc will now be added to universities curricula.

Objective as vague as the scheme:--

.Creating awareness about corruption.

Character building (of JNU like super heroes and their teachers)

Though well-intentioned, will this help in realising the stated objectives ?

If corruption could be removed this way, teachers and babus as warehouses of knowledge, would have been the most honest.

But, are they ? Hon'ble exceptions apart ?

Unintended benefits will accrue to civil services aspirants,alone in preparing for exams.

Corruption will re-appear with vengeance in new avtaars and with new players, better equipped to break rules and stay honest.

Anti- graft agencies are here forever.

When PM Modi said that the Indian muslims could not fall prey to the jehadis, he was spot on.Reasons are not far to seek? A majority of Indian muslims follow Sufi – strain of Islam. They worship Nizamuddin Aulia and Moinuddin Chishti ,who are  revered in equal measure by the hindus. All are grounded in India’s history of harmony, tolerance, mysticism and diversity.india is a land of paradoxes.Modi is  well-intentioned. His honesty, integrity , sense  of nationalism and patriotism  cannot be questioned. The key to his success , however, is not to prioritize what he has on schedule but in scheduling his priorities.

Raising incendiary slogans against India, supporting Kashmiri azaadi , eulogising terrorist Afzal Guru as a martyr, by groups of left wing students of JNU is reprehensible. We normally hear such provocative slogans as part of post-Friday-prayers ritual in Srinagar. Never, in Delhi. JNU is not a "disputed" territory. It never had a history of raising slogans like: “Kashmir ki Azaadi tak jung rahegi, jung rahegi”. Undoubtedly, the right to “ Freedom of Speech”,was misused and abused. The ubiquitous posters pasted across JNU campus inviting others to join the protest march against the "judicial killing of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhatt”. It is a fashion in JNU campus to inflame passions by making provocative slogans to incite fellow students. One hopes, invoking Section 124-A of IPC (sedition) in FIR by Delhi Police stands the scrutiny in court of law. Attempts will be made ( with covert support of some political parties ) to get the FIR quashed. Be that as it may, India cannot remain a mute bystander. All this seems part of a larger conspiracy hatched by enemies within, with secret support of the ISI and its moles. The crisis may escalate. The sensitive spots must remain under IB’s scanner leaving no room for complacency. The Media ( both Print and TV) must act responsibly and refrain from giving undue publicity to the traitors who are responsible for the mess.

Raising incendiary slogans against India, supporting Kashmiri azaadi , eulogising terrorist Afzal Guru as a martyr, by groups of left wing  students of JNU is reprehensible. We normally hear such provocative slogans as part of  post-Friday-prayers ritual in Srinagar. Never, in Delhi. JNU is not a  "disputed" territory. It never had a history of raising slogans like: “Kashmir ki Azaadi tak  jung rahegi, jung rahegi”. Undoubtedly, the right  to “ Freedom of  Speech”,was misused and abused. The ubiquitous posters pasted across JNU campus inviting others to join the protest march against the "judicial killing of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhatt”. It is a fashion in JNU campus to inflame passions by making provocative slogans to incite fellow students. One hopes, invoking Section 124-A of IPC (sedition) in FIR by Delhi Police stands the scrutiny in court of law. Attempts will be made ( with covert support of some political parties ) to get the FIR quashed. Be that as it may, India cannot remain a mute bystander. All this seems part of a larger conspiracy hatched by enemies within, with secret support of the ISI and its moles. The crisis may escalate. The sensitive spots must remain under IB’s scanner leaving no room for complacency. The Media ( both Print and TV) must act responsibly and refrain from giving undue publicity to those responsible for the mess.

I was pleasantly surprised to recently bump into a retired union Secretary,some 80+, I felt sorry for his frail frame and losing eyesight.

I pray for his good health.

It took me down the memory lane.

A Baghdadi in his demeanour...

Quick-tempered. 

Irascible, at times.

File throwing was a past time.

No mercy.

Senior officers used to shudder in his presence.

Fiercely cruel to the " laggards".

Never appreciative of good work..

It was humanly impossible to work at his speed.

The joke about him was that he always wanted "TODAY's" jobs to be completed " YESTERDAY.".

ADVISORY

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The civil servants instead of getting panicky, must be ready for such occupational hazards. 

The Supreme Court after reversing Kerala High court orders, had stayed disciplinary proceedings (initiated by Kerala government) against a 1998 batch IAS officer, B Ashok. This will have serious repercussions on civil services. The officer, in an article published in 2013, had supported the then Gujarat chief minister (now PM Modi)’s visit to a function in Kerala—something, the state government had opposed ostensibly on extraneous considerations. The civil servant is expected to be politically neutral. Contributing an article against state govt’s decision, in print media was not permitted save with prior approval of competent authority. The officer could have expressed his opinion independently and fearlessly on official files instead of through a newspaper article. The State govt was within its legitimate right to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the officer for violation of Conduct Rules. GOI should take a holistic view to avoid embarrassment. The decision would boomerang unless remedial measures are taken by GOI. How would it react if its officers start opposing its policies in newspaper articles, promoting chaos and impacting governance adversely?

DOP&T as nodal authority, is expected to move the case forward to logical conclusion by filing SLP in the  Apex court with  prayer for reviewing its verdict.

Controversial baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is competing with 

Ramdev’s Patanjali brand in capturing India’s multi-crore food industry of swadeshi and organic products like noodles, honey, rice, toothpastes, biscuits and hundreds such products.

Asha Ram was the pioneer in this Make-in -India sector. Presently in jail for indulging in illicit practices.

Some babas have amassed huge wealth by way of tons of gold, solitaires,cash etc in their hideouts.Some have been charged with hiding black money as custodians on behalf of political parties, business houses, builders etc.

Do these babas enjoy the covert blessings of the RSS and its fringe right wing outfits ?

At least,so,it seems.

Bearded babas masquerading as spiritual gurus- turned- entrepreneurs, seems a recent phenomenon,

This curious blend of spiritualism and materialism, was alien to ancient and medieval India.

The law of the land is incapable of handling such anomalies and inconsistencies in the system.

MERA DESH MAHAAN.

Controversial baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is competing with 

Ramdev’s Patanjali brand in capturing India’s multi-crore food industry of swadeshi and organic products like noodles, honey, rice, toothpastes, biscuits, oil, shampoo and hundreds such products.

Asha Ram Bapu was the pioneer in this Make-in -India campaign. Presently, in jail for indulging in illicit and immoral practices.

Some babas have allegedly amassed huge wealth by way of tons of gold, solitaires,cash etc in their hideouts.Some have been charged with hiding black money as custodians on behalf of political parties, business houses, builders etc.Beyond the income tax scanner.

One Rampal Maharaj of Hissar, Haryana , was arrested for owning an arsenal of lethal weapons and hideouts for keeping unaccounted wealth.

Also ,in jail or bail.

Do these babas enjoy the covert blessings of some fringe right wing outfits ?

At least,so,it seems.

Bearded babas masquerading as spiritual gurus- turned- entrepreneurs, seems a recent phenomenon,

This curious blend of spiritualism and materialism, was alien to ancient and medieval India.

The public is confused,whom to join ?

How will their murky dealings help us in getting moksha from the endless cycle of birth and death? 

The law of the land is incapable of handling such anomalies and inconsistencies in the system.

But, I am sure the Intelligence Bureau maintains detailed dossiers on each one of them - whether dead or alive- and their illegal activities.

Don't forget,the babas and their worthy desciples constitute potential vote banks.

MERA DESH MAHAAN.

Governance in Uttar Pradesh has been yadavised.

Decisions taken by the family concern owned by Mulayam Singh Yadav..

CM Akhilesh Yadav is reportedly mild mannered but totally inassertive.

His relatives, ministers and SP goondas don't listen to him.

The bureaucrats and Police officers are incapacitated for decision making without having a sense of the political class.

Land/ house grabbing, extortions, robberies are common.

FIRs are not registered without a heavy price.

The local Media has been paid and silenced.

It files biased and glowing news reports as instructed by the local SP leaders and their goons.without reality checks.

Muzaffarnagar massacre.

Child killed in a celebratory fire in Shaamli by SP goons.

Mainstream media was manhandled today at Shaamli Every time I visit my native place, I return more dejected.

UP IS PAST REDEMPTION.

NO HOPE.

David Headley @ Dawood Geelani,is now an american citizen,sorry, terrorist of Pakistani origin.

A foreign terrorist-turned-approver.

Having turned an approver in 26/11 attack on Mumbai,his deposition in the court through video conference,has legal validity in Indian and possibly American courts.

But,these are bound to be rubbished by Pakistani courts.as soon as fresh dossiers are sent.to Pakistan.

Headley's revelations about 26/11, are mere reiteration of disclosures to NIA in 2010.

Being in public domain, Headley's ongoing deposition should not shock India.

What next ? Will Pakistan hand over Hafiz Saeed, Lakhvi, Maulana Masood Azhar and others to India for criminal trials?

No way. Will big players like the US, Russia, UK and France intercede in India's favour ?

China's belligerant neutrality is a foregone conclusion. What is the option ,if international pressures fail to move Pakistan ?

India that has to be pro-active instead of waiting for the next attack after Pathankot.

That may be in the pipeline, considering the number of suspects being arrested every day from across India .

The South Block mandarins should not treat India as a banana republic.

Failure of India's candyfloss diplomacy,is becoming increasingly evident.

Will India take lessons from history before it repeats itself ?

Freedom of speech is all very fine.But, one cannot pardon Kanhaiya Kumar for his lumpen, anti-national and seditious rhetorics. People also condemn lawyers’ lawless behavior inside the court. Here are Some excerpts from Supreme court’s orders:-

 "We are also informed that there is a possibility of a large gathering of various groups including the students and political parties at the Court when the matter is taken up. We are inclined to agree with such anticipation and we, therefore, deem it appropriate to direct the Commissioner of Police, Delhi to take such appropriate measures as he may deem fit to maintain the law and order situation in accordance with law.”

Two moot questions: Who ordered Delhi Police’s supreme inactivity while mutely watching lawyers bashing the accused inside the court? Does violation of SC’s orders, as above, not constitute Contempt of court,one wonders? While issuing contempt notice to the lawyers, the Delhi’s Police Commissioner was not even summoned Merely, a report was called from DP.

Why, this dichotomy in approach?

Today  ( Jan 23) is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s Jayanti. 

A historic day when some of Netaji’s files will be de-classified by PM Modi.

The digital version will be put in public domain.

Initially, kept under the wrap during the Nehruvian era and  subsequently ordered for status quo by successive Congress governments.

Motive was clear? 

Nehru-Gandhi's genetic weakness for publicity; giving undeserved credit to Nehru; sidelining Netaji’s role in freedom struggle. All for perpetuation of  dynastic rule.

The history hitherto taught in schools and colleges, has been part of a well-planned  Nehruvian conspiracy.

It was twisted,tampered and manipulated by paid agents.

Netaji was always portrayed as a terrorist.

Thank PM Modi for his efforts in de-mystifying the death mystery of Netaji.

Only limited documents could be be released today. 

The sensitive ones,presently,in IB’s custody should also be released without delay.

And, what about “ classified” docs still in possession of  Russia, Japan, Germany and UK ?These must also be de-classified for a holistic perspective.

Truth has to be revealed in totality, not in parts.

What prompted the paranoid Nehru to order snooping of Netaji’s kins during his lifetime and thereafter by his daughter?This raises suspicion on his intentions.

Mukherjee committee’s Report,should be the bottom line.

Hon’ble Supreme Court recently stayed disciplinary proceedings     ( initiated by Kerala government) against a 1998 batch IAS officer, B Ashok. 

The officer had, in an article published in 2013, supported the then Gujarat chief minister (and current Prime Minister) Narendra Modi’s visit  to a  function in Kerala, something which the state government had opposed.

Supreme court's verdict over-riding  High court orders, will have far-reaching repercussions.

An officer is supposed to be politically neutral. Writing an article for or against a politician or its ideology, in the print media was strictly prohibited save with prior approval of competent authority.

The State govt was  within its right to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the offender for violation of Conduct Rules.

The matter calls for filing an SLP in the Apex court with prayer to review its decision.

DOP&T as nodal agency may take the initiative,even though the article had favoured PM Modi,who is the minister -in-charge of the deptt.

I pity Yugpurush CM Kejriwal & Co, for its lack of performance due to in-experienced, confrontational mindset, pretty weird.

Most people who claim to be forward-looking, hide behind the curtain of imagined fears and the baggage of biases and prejudices.

Suffering from Persecution complex,ink throwing is labelled as an attempt to murder allegedly by Modi sarkar.

The psychiatric disorder is more serious than constant coughing.

Blame game is manifestation of frustration. No wonder, Kejriwal calls PM Modi a psychopath.

A convoluted character,his chatukars might stage-manage a fake attack.

Sorry, my imagination is running riot.

The AAP party requires psychiatric intervention in public interest.

Just, a suggestion in public interest.

Choice is His.

The juvenile rapist Bill passed by Parliament will not mitigate crimes due to several unanswered questions like : (a) Whether to continue with the Juvenile Justice Board; (b) where to lodge the juvenile rapists- in jails with adults or in juvenile homes; (c) Quantum and type of of punishment- whether chemical castration for juveniles and 25 to 30 years of imprisonment for adults ; (d) Why were questions of giving retrospective effect to legislation and extension of detention of Nirbhaya’s rapist , not debated by Parliament in terms of Supreme court’s latest verdict/ observations in the same case? Release of rapist would force Nirbhaya's parents to live in constant fear of being attacked .

The rapist will also live under threat of public lynching due to extreme rage and contempt against him. Psychotic conditions could trigger suicidal tendencies in juvenile offender. One hopes, the President of India would order a review of the Bill by addressing these concerns before according his assent to enact the law.

The Division Bench of Supreme Court partly upholding a decision of Kerala High Court, has held that" :--

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" the Public Service Commissions (PSCs and UPSC ) are within purview of the RTI Act and are bound to provide scanned copies of answer sheets of the written test, copy of the tabulation sheet and other information sought by a RTI applicant under under RTI Act, 2005 ".

* * * 

An important step towards transparency.

The fiduciary relationships between the Commissions and Examiners remains protected.Thank God, re-valuation of answers ( both Objective and Open-ended) is not ordered.

But, the decision will throw up immeasurable workload on PSCs, UPSC and cognate recruitment bodies.

But,no one could or should prevent the failed or even successful candidates from seeking the desired information and /or documents.

Entropy will continue to increase in the system.

DOP&T is expected to take the call.

Jallikattu continues despite illegitimacy Watching traditional game of Jallikattu is more meaningful  than repeatedly watching the back-profile of the hypocrite Kejriwal on TV on Odd- Even formula.

The moron sought to cover his face but used his name and voice to evade Supreme court's contempt. 

A clear violation of Supreme court's verdict by misusing public money for partisan purpose and personal promotion. 

Will someone file a complaint in SC seeking Contempt of court proceedings against the lawbreaker ?

The media report of income tax raids on  a prominent Group having  a chain of hospitals  across the country, was noteworthy.  Why have other private sector hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres etc been left out?  All have a soft underbelly. Dens of black money generation, public looting, fleecing of the poor, vulnerable patients are galore. The practice of needlessly retaining patients after recovery for inflating the bill ,is widely prevalent. Such looting does not take place in government hospitals. As a   CGHS pensioner, I can cite number of cases where cash-rich private patients are given preferential treatment over CGHS counterparts.