I am a common Indian who has never been a member of any organization like RSS but has always felt that country deserves better governance then provided by the Congress. So when Janata Party came into power, my hopes soared for a little while only to be dashed by couple of egotist oldies. Then came BJP led NDA. By and large they provided far better governance then the Congress but faltered on two crucial issues, first they ignored rural areas and second they compromised very easily. Just think of surrender at Kandhar, unilateral closure of strategic options by limiting conflict to LoC at Kargil and so-called PARAKARAM (mobilization against Pakistan in 2001).
I thought last nine years in opposition would have given enough time to BJP to mull over their flaws and get over them. But now I realize that these flaws are not superficial, rather these are flaws of character and hence remain forever. Let me illustrate with two examples. First one concerns RSS. Congress and their supporters in media have been hurling an `accusation’ at Ann Hazare that he is ‘`supported’ by RSS. Now Anna Hazare has reacted to this `accusation’ as if his ethical standards have been challenged and he has gone to great lengths to distance himself from RSS by (a) claiming that he has no links with RSS and (b) by heaping unfair criticism on Gujarat CM. Now apparently Mr Anna Hazare is being disingenuous because he has never asked RSS to not support his movement for Lokpal. Rather he and his team went to BJP HQ to seek support of party for Lokpal Bill knowing fully well that BJP leaders are also members of RSS. Second how can Anna Hazare pander to Congress and their friends in media by accepting that RSS untouchable when it is a legally formed social organization. But that is for Mr Anna Hazare to decide. My issue is with BJP. All of their leaders claim links with RSS, then why are they not rising to its defence when it is being painted as some kind of leper by Congress and this is being more-or-less endorsed by Anna Hazare. Second is about Modi. We all know that he arouses extreme emotions, but he is CM of a BJP Government. He has won two consecutive elections but when he is called a Dictator by a panelist on TV show, the BJP MP present keeps quiet. Apparently for reason!
These two examples show that Kandhar, Kargil and Parakaram were not aberrations, rather they were pointers o fatal character flaw in current BJP leadership, which puts personal interests ahead of loyalty and committment. RSS who created BJP can be left to wolves, Modi can be allowed to be hounded but the photogenic `Deer’s’ and `Does’ who appear regularly on TV and are good debaters (talkers) in the Parliament can pursue their agenda of power at all costs. But will the people accept. I do not think Deer and Doe ever became acceptable Kings and Queen. Why? Because in time of danger they abandon their kith and kins.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Death of Probity and Ethics
On 19/04/11 the CBI raided Office of Cantonment Executive Officer of Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) and some builders. It found prime-facie cases of collusion between the two for illegal constructions within Cantonment limits and registered FIRs.
The whole episode was extensively reported in local media on 20/04/11. Next day, that is, on 21/04/11 local media including local editions of Indian Express and Deccan Chronicle reported that as per their sources nearly 80 per cent of buildings are illegal in the Cantonment, wherein the Engineer Department of SCB and local politicos have colluded over last few years to perpetuate this gigantic scam. Earlier Airport Authority of India’s clearance for multi-storey construction was mandatory and that acted as a check on depredations of corrupt SCB officials and greedy builders. This check was lifted after the Hyderabad Airport was moved from Begumpet (located in Cantonment) to new Samshabad Airport and the scam picked up momentum.
Modus-operandi was very simple.
• Step 1. Cantonment Executive Officer and elected members of SCB collude to get permission for building from SCB. Objections by the Military Members (if any) are bulldozed).
• Step 2. Permission given for construction of building strictly within rules.
• Step 3. Builder commits violations in terms of excess covered area and addition of extra floor.
• Step 4. SCB issues notice on paper.
• Step 5. Notice is not followed through.
• Step 6. No follow-up report is ever presented to SCB. Even if the President SCB (who is a military officer) asks for progress, he is either given wrong information or plain-simple ignored.
• Objections of local military units/ officials on security and hygiene ground ignored.
It will be seen that on 22/04/11 the local media carries no (NO) report of this scam. Why? Because they have been fed a preposterous lie, that is, since 80 per cent of buildings can be taken as illegal, nothing much can be done now. Logic is twofold. (a) You cannot demolish such a huge number of buildings where innocent people have invested their life’s earnings and (b) violations on such a large scale prove that rules are inherently out-dated. Then why do we want to destroy Adarash in Mumbai?
This unethical argument seems to have been bought by the media. Because we have heard and accepted this argument ad-infinitum in past too. Trains are stopped and buses burnt with no adverse consequences for the rioters because they are supposedly fighting a wrong. Illegal colonies are regularised with disastrous consequences for urban infrastructure because where will the poor go! Inaction or acquiescence in such cases lets the selfish politico and bureaucrat get away with poor governance and corruption. Net result is that we are becoming a country of gated communities where the well-off live in hostile co-existence with neighbouring slums and commuting between cities has become movement from one bypass to other bypass.
While in civil side we have this ability to ghettoise. What will happen to military if cantonments are allowed to become playground of corrupt officials and builders. Advent of these corrupt has already led to neutralisation of military in all Cantonment Boards. To start with the life in a cantonment revolved around military. The civil segment was in support of and supported by the military. Now the situation has changed. Needs of ever increasing civil segment are driving growth of urban ghettos deep inside Cantonments. These ever expanding sprawls are clashing with and inhibiting genuine military needs. Firing Ranges are closed because civil buildings have come up around them. Training Areas have become segmented by roads criss-crossing to connect adjoining urban sprawls. Internal roads of Cantonment meant for military traffic are monopolised by heavy through-traffic causing delay and accidents to military movements.
Cantonments are being destroyed as a military sinecure we know. Thus today Indian Army is travelling longer distances and stays out for longer period from home station to avail limited training areas. With the Army men away for months to far-off training areas and cantonments becoming a bastion of anti-social elements, the families left behind in Cantonments are exposed to all kind of depredations. This sense of insecurity destroys the morale of troops.
It is a well-known fact that today Indian military in general and Army in particular is facing a huige problem of encroachments and illegal activities inside Cantonments. More and more of its time and manpower is getting diverted towards guarding it precious assets. Such an Army cannot train well and an untrained army is nothing but an armed mob which will never be able to fight a resolute and well trained enemy. Our own history tells us this. British established their empire in India with Indian Troops. The only difference between the Armies of native princes and the British Indian Army was quality of training and discipline. Hence it is necessary that the violators of Secunderabad are not allowed to get away with this scam.
The whole episode was extensively reported in local media on 20/04/11. Next day, that is, on 21/04/11 local media including local editions of Indian Express and Deccan Chronicle reported that as per their sources nearly 80 per cent of buildings are illegal in the Cantonment, wherein the Engineer Department of SCB and local politicos have colluded over last few years to perpetuate this gigantic scam. Earlier Airport Authority of India’s clearance for multi-storey construction was mandatory and that acted as a check on depredations of corrupt SCB officials and greedy builders. This check was lifted after the Hyderabad Airport was moved from Begumpet (located in Cantonment) to new Samshabad Airport and the scam picked up momentum.
Modus-operandi was very simple.
• Step 1. Cantonment Executive Officer and elected members of SCB collude to get permission for building from SCB. Objections by the Military Members (if any) are bulldozed).
• Step 2. Permission given for construction of building strictly within rules.
• Step 3. Builder commits violations in terms of excess covered area and addition of extra floor.
• Step 4. SCB issues notice on paper.
• Step 5. Notice is not followed through.
• Step 6. No follow-up report is ever presented to SCB. Even if the President SCB (who is a military officer) asks for progress, he is either given wrong information or plain-simple ignored.
• Objections of local military units/ officials on security and hygiene ground ignored.
It will be seen that on 22/04/11 the local media carries no (NO) report of this scam. Why? Because they have been fed a preposterous lie, that is, since 80 per cent of buildings can be taken as illegal, nothing much can be done now. Logic is twofold. (a) You cannot demolish such a huge number of buildings where innocent people have invested their life’s earnings and (b) violations on such a large scale prove that rules are inherently out-dated. Then why do we want to destroy Adarash in Mumbai?
This unethical argument seems to have been bought by the media. Because we have heard and accepted this argument ad-infinitum in past too. Trains are stopped and buses burnt with no adverse consequences for the rioters because they are supposedly fighting a wrong. Illegal colonies are regularised with disastrous consequences for urban infrastructure because where will the poor go! Inaction or acquiescence in such cases lets the selfish politico and bureaucrat get away with poor governance and corruption. Net result is that we are becoming a country of gated communities where the well-off live in hostile co-existence with neighbouring slums and commuting between cities has become movement from one bypass to other bypass.
While in civil side we have this ability to ghettoise. What will happen to military if cantonments are allowed to become playground of corrupt officials and builders. Advent of these corrupt has already led to neutralisation of military in all Cantonment Boards. To start with the life in a cantonment revolved around military. The civil segment was in support of and supported by the military. Now the situation has changed. Needs of ever increasing civil segment are driving growth of urban ghettos deep inside Cantonments. These ever expanding sprawls are clashing with and inhibiting genuine military needs. Firing Ranges are closed because civil buildings have come up around them. Training Areas have become segmented by roads criss-crossing to connect adjoining urban sprawls. Internal roads of Cantonment meant for military traffic are monopolised by heavy through-traffic causing delay and accidents to military movements.
Cantonments are being destroyed as a military sinecure we know. Thus today Indian Army is travelling longer distances and stays out for longer period from home station to avail limited training areas. With the Army men away for months to far-off training areas and cantonments becoming a bastion of anti-social elements, the families left behind in Cantonments are exposed to all kind of depredations. This sense of insecurity destroys the morale of troops.
It is a well-known fact that today Indian military in general and Army in particular is facing a huige problem of encroachments and illegal activities inside Cantonments. More and more of its time and manpower is getting diverted towards guarding it precious assets. Such an Army cannot train well and an untrained army is nothing but an armed mob which will never be able to fight a resolute and well trained enemy. Our own history tells us this. British established their empire in India with Indian Troops. The only difference between the Armies of native princes and the British Indian Army was quality of training and discipline. Hence it is necessary that the violators of Secunderabad are not allowed to get away with this scam.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VETERAN AND SERVING SOLDIER: ALTURISTIC OR OPPORTUNISTIC
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VETERAN AND SERVING SOLDIER: ALTURISTIC OR OPPORTUNISTIC
In closed world of service messes and clubs, it is common to hear gin- guffawing oldies talk of unbreakable bond which is supposed to exist between the serving and veterans. This refrain reaches crescendo during the regimental reunions, where the veterans congregate from far and wide for a three to five day, all-expense paid, sojourn and go back after lecturing the serving on their duty to look after the veteran.
Nearly all of the veterans of this variety have moved far away from their root to settle in colonies and AWHO complexes which have mushroomed all around major cantonments. These ghettos (yes, all are walled and gated) are the sinecure from where these pensioners to sally forth into nearest military area for a game of golf or round of drinks at Club, both maintained through a net of subsidies from ventures run by various military establishments.
These so-called veterans, are today one of the well-off segment of citizenry. Their old age related issues are reasonably well looked after. Children have moved on and are making a life of their own. This state of bliss leaves a whole lot of time in the hands of the veteran, which is utilised in inside the cantonment, visiting offices, golfing and so on. To indulge in his degenerative pass-time the veterans demands unrestricted right to enter the military areas at will with no consideration for genuine military needs of security and training or respect for office work. If some military officer shows a disinclination to allow the military area as a playground to these worthy-veterans, a chain reaction sets-in. The sequence of even runs as follows:-
• Remind the serving that one day they will also become veteran and need all the subsidised goodies and privileges now being enjoyed by the present set of veterans. If this lure does not work;
• Hit the serving at emotional plane by accusing him of attempting to break the `unbreakable bond’. In other word being `unfaithful’. If this also does not work;
• Work the network by contacting some high and mighty, who may be asked to put the serving in their place. If that also fails;
• Threaten to approach the media and other such agencies and expose the serving for being unlawful and undemocratic. If that also does not work;
• Use the contacts in civil world to approach the local politicians to pressurise the serving.
Seeing such selfish conduct of so-called veterans who demand all sorts of privileges in name of their past sacrifices (mostly imaginary) some of you may wonder as to how can these oldies brought-up in old-army value system can behave in such selfish manner. My answer is that actually there are no old-army values for these parasites and they have a track record of selfish behaviour.
• First they ditched their near and dear ones early in life by delinking from the `family’ early in life and later sealed the divorce by settling far away from their native place.
• Second every `reunion’ is a reminder of their selfishness. They never contribute anything positive. Sole aim of their coming to the bash is to have a holiday.
• Third, their loyalty to the military station they are latching-on is solely based on the facilities and subsidies they can get.
Do not be taken-in by glib talk of these self-serving. Real veterans are those who are giving back to society through self-less social work.
In closed world of service messes and clubs, it is common to hear gin- guffawing oldies talk of unbreakable bond which is supposed to exist between the serving and veterans. This refrain reaches crescendo during the regimental reunions, where the veterans congregate from far and wide for a three to five day, all-expense paid, sojourn and go back after lecturing the serving on their duty to look after the veteran.
Nearly all of the veterans of this variety have moved far away from their root to settle in colonies and AWHO complexes which have mushroomed all around major cantonments. These ghettos (yes, all are walled and gated) are the sinecure from where these pensioners to sally forth into nearest military area for a game of golf or round of drinks at Club, both maintained through a net of subsidies from ventures run by various military establishments.
These so-called veterans, are today one of the well-off segment of citizenry. Their old age related issues are reasonably well looked after. Children have moved on and are making a life of their own. This state of bliss leaves a whole lot of time in the hands of the veteran, which is utilised in inside the cantonment, visiting offices, golfing and so on. To indulge in his degenerative pass-time the veterans demands unrestricted right to enter the military areas at will with no consideration for genuine military needs of security and training or respect for office work. If some military officer shows a disinclination to allow the military area as a playground to these worthy-veterans, a chain reaction sets-in. The sequence of even runs as follows:-
• Remind the serving that one day they will also become veteran and need all the subsidised goodies and privileges now being enjoyed by the present set of veterans. If this lure does not work;
• Hit the serving at emotional plane by accusing him of attempting to break the `unbreakable bond’. In other word being `unfaithful’. If this also does not work;
• Work the network by contacting some high and mighty, who may be asked to put the serving in their place. If that also fails;
• Threaten to approach the media and other such agencies and expose the serving for being unlawful and undemocratic. If that also does not work;
• Use the contacts in civil world to approach the local politicians to pressurise the serving.
Seeing such selfish conduct of so-called veterans who demand all sorts of privileges in name of their past sacrifices (mostly imaginary) some of you may wonder as to how can these oldies brought-up in old-army value system can behave in such selfish manner. My answer is that actually there are no old-army values for these parasites and they have a track record of selfish behaviour.
• First they ditched their near and dear ones early in life by delinking from the `family’ early in life and later sealed the divorce by settling far away from their native place.
• Second every `reunion’ is a reminder of their selfishness. They never contribute anything positive. Sole aim of their coming to the bash is to have a holiday.
• Third, their loyalty to the military station they are latching-on is solely based on the facilities and subsidies they can get.
Do not be taken-in by glib talk of these self-serving. Real veterans are those who are giving back to society through self-less social work.
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