Saturday, December 31, 2011

Death & the New Year day


Celebration of first of January as the dawn of a new year is not an Indian tradition, even though it is becoming popular now. Yesterday being the end of the year 2011, I thought that one more year of my life has ended, bringing death closer.

So I did something today, which I have been planning to do for quite some time - visited the nearby cremation ground. Of course I, like every one of us have visited the cremation grounds on the deaths of close ones. But the visit of today was different.

I thought that when I die and my dead body is brought here, I wont be able to see the place. So why not go and see the place before hand and familiarise myself with the place?

Somehow I was hoping to find the cremation ground empty on this Sunday morning. But no- there were two pyres already burning and the third one was being got ready. The third dead body was placed on the ground, and freed from the ropes which had tied it tightly to the bamboos. The dead man’s face, God rest his soul in peace, looked surprisingly calm.

In ancient Egypt, life after death was an important part of life. The Egyptians believed that life after death was the greatest accomplishment of all. They would spend a good deal of their life time preparing for moving over from life to death. But we in India consider it a bad omen even to talk of death, let alone prepare ourselves for facing it.

So I think today I have taken my first step towards preparing for facing death – not out of fear or out of any religious compulsion, but with cool calm.

I do hope that I am able to retain this composure when death actually comes.

Let me end with the following lines written by John Donne:

“Death be not proud

Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow...”

(Text and photos by KJS Chatrath)

"Yatras helped me serve India better"- Shri LK Advani

"Yatras helped me serve India better" - said Shri LK Advani at the Hindustan Times Summit in New Delhi on 3rd December, 2011.

Imagine if all the Indians took off on 'yatras' how wonderfully well India would be served!

A shop in Orcha, Madhya Pradesh


(Photo by KJS Chatrath)

Friday, December 30, 2011

We are proud of you Mr. Sridharan!

The 'metro man' Mr. E. Sridharan is retiring today at the age of 79.

You have made us all Indians proud Mr. Sridharan. Thank you, Sir.

2 Battalions move in to guard murrahs (buffaloes)

Two battalions- one from the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) and another from the Haryana Armed Police have arrived in the districe (Rohtak, Haryana)to counter rise in number of stolen cattle......(Extracted from 'Battalions move in to guard murrahs', The Times of India, December 31, 2011)

Anna who?

Anna?
Anna who?

Janam samjha karo

With the passing of the Lokpal Bill by the Lok Sabha, one issue stands settled - it is the will of the citizens of India, as represented in the Parliament, that is supreme and NOT what the self appointed leaders of the so-called civil society (Hazare-Bedi-Kejrival-Hegde, Bhusahan & Bhushan) may want....

Janam samjha karo....

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

‘Incredible India’ or ‘Incomparable India’?

I saw huge advertisements in the newspapers dated 20th December, 2011 announcing the launch of Clean India Campaign by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. It also had the slogan ‘Incredible India’ in english and ‘Atulya Bharat’ in hindi. The publicity done by the Department under this slogan has won appreciation both in side the country and abroad.

But I have a doubt here. I think that the english and hindi words used in this slogan refer to different aspects so let me share it with you for your views and advice.

‘Incredible’ means something which is hard to believe. On the other hand the english meaning of ‘atulya’ would be ‘incomparable’ and not’ incredible.’ Is this translation just a matter of oversight by the Ministry of Tourism or am I just nitpicking on semantics….

Page 10 news...

One knows about the front page news and the Page 3 news but what are the Page 10 news? This needs a little explanation.

Since long I have admired 'The Hindu' for its weighing the importance of news. One rarely sees any screaming headlines on its front page. Both the choice of national, international and regional news as well as the font size of the headings on the front page are restrained and according to me, judicious.

Let us take the example of the front page of today's issue of Delhi (Mohali) edition of this paper. The main headline reads "Cabinet clears Lokpal Bill draft" and the second headline is "Citizen'scharter Bill tabled in Lok Sabha." The three other major news on the front page relate to the Gita translation controversy, rift between Raja and Mathur, a major fire in Kolkata factory and Rajasthan High Court's verdict in Pakistani national's case.

But what about Mr. Anna Hazare's announcement to go on fast, one might ask? No, it did not find place on the first page of the Hindu. It is mentioned in a small column on page 10 of the newspaper. And of course in my quick reading of the newspaper, I could not find any mention of the pronouncements, annoncements or tweets of Ms. Kiran Bedi, Mr. Arwind Kejriwal, Mr. Prashant Bhushan etc.

Thank you Hindu for putting the news in their right perspective. One hopes that the electronic media too would take a cue and show more moderation in its choice and coverage of news.

In praise of Mr. Arvind Kejriwal

Just switched on the tv and was greatly impressed to see Mr. Arvind Kejriwal addressing a press conference. No, no, no - not with what he was saying but with his new looks....

He has put on smart specs, has resized his moustaches and has perhaps changed the way he combs his hair...

The overall impact is that now he is looking even more impressive than before...

If only he would speak less...

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Alas! it is a real fake....


During my visit to Chennai last week, I made a lazy round of the Marina beach. There were a number of stalls selling colourful plastic knick-nacks. I did something which I should not have done - tasted some freshly fried assorted pakoras. A few metres away, I saw a long line up of the cut-outs of celeberities, ranging from the politicians to film stars to cricketers. The photographer was doing a brisk business taking snaps of young people with the cut-outs of their choice. Last year I had got a photo taken doing a 'namaskar' to the great Amma.

This year I did something different. I chose to get a photo taken with the cut-out of Deepika Padukone. The fake photo is yours to see.

I must confess that I am quite impressed with this photo. I think I managed to get just the right expression for the occassion- a mixture of mischievous joy and at the same time a realisation of doing something which a person of my age is not supposed to be doing. May be I should be doing the role of heroine's goody-goody, old balding, greying father in some movie.

Are you listening Karan Johar?

Saturday, December 17, 2011

http://fiftyplustravels.com/

Please do take a look at my new website: http://fiftyplustravels.com/: (My earlier blog www.fiftyplustravels.blogspot.com is getting subsumed in my new website

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Oh NO, not another fast by Mr. Anna Hazare!

If the Parliament decides to pass a Lokpal Bill which takes into acount all the wishes of Mr. Anna Hazare, then how will Mr. Hazare and his closest aides keep them selves busy in future?

Monday, November 28, 2011

Water bottle bulb...

I tried again with a reflecter...no luck...perhaps the sun rays are not direct enough.

Let me end this experiment by taking refuge in Tennyson's words (with a little modification and lots of apologies):

'Tis better to have tried and lost
Than never to have tried at all.

Bali Yatra

More on India and Indonesia. Those thinking of visiting Indonesia may like to know that the island of bali had old trading links with India- especially with Orissa.

In olden times, merchants from Orissa used to trade with South-East Asian countries- including what is now Indonesia. And whatever items they brought from those places after trading Oriya goods used to be put up for sale in the then capital city of Orissa-Cuttack. People from all over the state and beyond used to come to Cuttack to buy these items. The festival of Bali Yatra which is now celeberated is in continuation of this old history and tradition. It is held every year in the month of November on the banks of the river Mahanadi. On this day paper boats are floated in the river as a token of the maritime voyages of the past.

Water bottle bulb...

I had missed out on one component- the reflecter....would try again tomorrow

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Light by the bottleful ... in continuation of my blog dated 25th November

Must share what I have been doing. I went shopping and got a small packet of bleaching powder. Finding empty plastic water bottles in the house was no problem. I put three table spoonfuls of this powder in one bottle and four tablespoons in the second. Filled up both bottles with clean water. Tightly screwed the caps and hung those at different spots- each spot getting direct sunlight.

Alas nothing happened - no light, no refraction.

I must have made some mistake- either the quantity of bleaching powder used was more/less than required or my choice of spots was wrong....I dont know

Anyway I plan to retry again today.

PS. Friends (?) have already started making fun of me saying that I have been taken in by some prankster...

Friday, November 25, 2011

Indonesia & Hinduism

Every year a Hindu festival called 'nyepi' or day of silence is celeberated in Indonesia. It is one of the national holidays in that country.

I have not heard of such a day of silence being observed in India. Have you?

Light by the bottleful

The article in today's Hindu "Light by the bottleful" deserves a read.

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/article2657221.ece

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Wayanad Tea County



I would share the following with my friends:

"Wayanad Tea County is a resort owned by Priyadarshini Tea Estate pioneered with an endeavour to expand our tribal welfare activities. The income received from this resort is utilized to provide daily mid day meal to about 200 tribal workers of Priyadarshini Tea Estate. We invite you to contribute to our mission by choosing Wayanad Tea County as your choice for your vacation/ tour to Wayanad. Retiring to the comforts of this elegant resort situated in the midst of 130 acres of tea plantation will, for sure, be a rejuvenating experience especially for a family or a group. At Wayanad Tea County, the management and staff are committed to providing quality service to all the guests. Personal care and assistance is our forte. Welcoming you to cherish the environs of our endearing resort

With regards,

S.Harikishore, IAS
Sub Collector, Wayand &
MD, Priyadarshini Tea Estate

Address:

Wayanad Tea County
C/o Priyadarshini Tea Estate
Pancharakolli, Mananthavadyhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Wayanad 670 645
Kerala India

Mob : 9847117200
Email: contact@wayanadteacounty.com
Phone: 04935-274592
http://www.wayanadteacounty.com/index.html"

DISCLAIMER: Readers are advised to double check the above information before taking any decision. This blog is in no way responsible and the information above is being shared only for the convenience of the readers.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Thus Spake the Gandhian....

Drunkards should be flogged, says Anna (Source Z news)

Sorry Mr. Comptroller & Auditor General, Sir

The Comptroller & Auditor General has been in the news since the last few months for his tough revealing reports. Bravo, Sir.

So when I read the following in The Times of India (November 19, 2011), I felt uneasy.

CAG hauls up museum for irregularities: New Delhi: In a severe indictment of the functioning of National Museum (NM), CAG in its draft report has pointed out a series of anomalies like deviation from its core function to wide spread irregularities including holding back the retirement benefits of its employees.

Unlike museums all over the world, NM does not have the policy* of rotating art objects for display. Out of its collection of 2.06 lakh art objects, only 7178 have been displayed. Even in labels, in names and descriptions of displayed objects, there were spelling mistakes.*”
(*Emphasis supplied)

The first paragraph sounds fine though we do not know the details. But it was the second paragraph which made me turn to my copy of the Constitution of India. I reproduce below the relevant Article of the Constitution laying down the duties and powers of the CAG.

“149. Duties and Powers of the Comptroller and Auditor-General
- The Comptroller and Auditor-General shall perform such duties and exercise such powers in relation to the accounts* of the Union and of the States and of any other authority or body as may be prescribed by or under any law made by Parliament and, until provision in that behalf is so made, shall perform such duties and exercise such powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and of the States as were conferred on or exercisable by the Auditor-General of India immediately before the commencement of this Constitution in relation to the accounts of the Dominion of India and of the provinces respectively.” (*Emphasis supplied)

A simple reading of this constitutional provision makes one to believe that the CAG is to deal with matters relating to the “accounts of the Union and the States.” It therefore flows that he does not have powers to enter/comment on the field of policy making. It is in this background that one is totally confused to notice CAG commenting on the “policy of rotation of art objects”? Clearly the periodicity at which sculptures are to be rotated in the National Museum does not come within the purview of the CAG and is better left to the National Museum authorities and the government.

Similarly it is difficult to appreciate the constitutional authority correcting English spellings (of the type mentioned in the newspaper report) since it does not come under the purview of Article 149 of the Constitution as it is not a matter relating to the accounts of the Union and the Sates!

Sorry Mr. Comptroller & Auditor General,Sir, I am not with you on these two points.

My new website: www.fiftyplustravels.com

My website on travel suggestions for fifty-plus is getting operationalised in a day or two: www.fiftyplustravels.com.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

God doesnt need big places of worship... ...

The Honable High Court of Bombay recently held that "God doesn't need big places of worship". Its Division Bench explained that "People are interested in building places of worship. But God is never interested in huge worship places. He is satisfied with a small place also..."*




Source: The Times of India, October 31, 2011

An actor couple of yester-years...

An actor couple of yester-years has become parents of a baby girl.....so what? is that news?.....yawn....

Monday, November 14, 2011

Sorry, Rock Garden is not a guest house

"Nek chand staying in Rock Garden" says a headline in the Times of India. It is reported that his personal house is under repairs and so he requested Chandigarh Administration to allot him a house temporarily for 6 months. Not getting any such allotment he has moved to the Rock Garden along with his wife.

I dont think any citizen, howsover talented, is right in expecting the government to arrange accomodation for him while his personal house gets repaired.

And moving in to Rock Garden to stay? I am not sure what is the legal status of the Rock Garden, but I have my doubts if it belongs to Mr. Nek Chand. No one would doubt the amazing creativity and the contribution of Shri Chand in conceptualizing and making it happen, but that does not give him the right to move into it to stay whenever he wants to.

You may call me petty minded, but I feel that law has to treat all the citizens equally.

Sorry Mr. Nek Chand, I am not with you either in your demand to the government for a temporary allotment or in moving into the Rock Garden to stay.
This plate of lovely Chicken Biryani was photographed by me at the CII's Pakistan Fair held a few months back in Chandigarh. The cooks had reportedly come from a restaurant located in Lahore's famous Food Street.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

11.11.11

What did I do on 11.11.11? Well, I went and stood in a small queue in a bank to apply for my Aadhaar card. But this was the easier part.

Earlier I had tried on the internet and found that there was an address in Panchkula (where I stay) where applications for such cards were being accepted. On reaching there I found no activity. On enquiry the guard told me that there was a camp for accepting Aadhaar applications but that I was late by about two weeks as the camp had been wound up and relocated at Muncicipal Corpn of Chandigarh’s office in sector 17 in Chandigarh. I was there the next day only to be told that they don’t do any such thing. Again the helpful information was to go to the Central bank in Sector 17. Tired and almost wanting to give upI dragged my feet to the latest address and struck gold there.

The wait took about 5 minutes and the process only 10 minutes. It reminded me of my visit to the American Embassy in 2005 when I had applied for an American visa. I had not been to USA and was not very keen either but then with life slowly coming to an end, I thought the heaven ad hell might have been taken over by the Americans to introduce more democracy there. In such a case the first question put to me would be “Have you been to the States?” Not willing to take any chances I had decided to make a trip to the USA and had applied for a tourist visa. When the turn came for photographs/finger prints and photo of iris of the eye to be taken, I had mixed feelings. I was overawed by the American technology. At the same time my inner self resented at this intrusion of my privacy.

Surprisingly my feelings were totally different and positive this time. I felt proud that India has absorbed new technologies so effortlessly. My coming here was totally voluntary. I wanted the Aadhar card to be made since the process will help not only me but also my country.

Coming back to harsh realities, a copy of the application receipt with my photo printed on top was handed over to me by the operator. I was told that the card would reach me at my address in about two months time. I felt even more proud of my country.

And then I saw the photo on the receipt. It was the photo of an ugly puffed up old man. That’s not me, I protested to myself and almost wanted to disown my face. But no, that was my photo alright. Then I remembered that about a month back I had been photographed when I applied for a passport. On taking the photo the tall young lad had helpfully suggested “Uncle ji, see if the photo is alright? I had failed to take the hint and found out a little later that it was one of the most terrible mug shots of me. I am not too keen on early receipt of my passport with that bad photo.

These two incidents have brought me to doubt myself. Is it only the photo that is bad? Or maybe with the passage of time and age, this is what I really look like now, but am not willing to admit it?

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Come on grow up Rediff.

"Saif crowned the Nawab of Pataudi" reports rediffmail.com.

Come on grow up Rediff.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Publication of my 14th book - "The Balasore Papers"

I am happy to share with you that my 14th book “The Balasore Papers - A compendium of important documents relating to the Anglo-French dispute ever the French Loge in Balasore, India: 1693-1949” has just been published.

Oh no, not another book on Balasore, you might say.

But believe me this book is different from my earlier book on Balasore (“Some Vignettes of Balasore and its French Loge”). The present book is a compilation of hitherto unpublished Franco-Britannic documents from 1693 to 1949 relating to the French Loge in Balasore India. A number of these documents have been translated from French to English by me.

Ten pages of the book have been put on the web (http://pothi.com/pothi/book/k-j-s-chatrath-balasore-papers) and may I invite you to thumb through some of these pages?

A chilling portrayal of reality....

A few years back a Pakistani, Mohammed Hanif, wrote his first book, “A Case of Exploding Mangoes”. It turned out to be an instant bestseller. Now he has come out with his second book - “Our Lady of Alice Bhatti”, which is of a totally different genre. It deals with social issues and especially with the plight of women in Pakistan.

Hanif says quite candidly that women are “shot at or hacked, strangled or suffocated, poisoned or burnt, hanged or buried alive” daily. He goes on to add that “suspicious husband, brother protecting his honour, father protecting his honour, son protecting his honour, jilted lover protecting his honour, feuding farmers settling their water disputes, moneylenders collecting their interest: most of life’s arguments, it seems, get settled by doing various things to a woman’s body.” (emphasis mine)

What a chilling portrayal of reality!

What he writes about Pakistan, applies equally to the situation in India. What a shame my fellow males!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Ah... this monkey business...

"2 lakh monkeys to be sterlized by June 2012"

"Shimla: The himachal government has set a deadline of june 30 next year to sterlise two lakh mokeys in the state.

About 25 sterilisation centres would be set up across the state for the purpose.

To attract people to the project, government has decided to give cash incentive of Rs. 500 per creature.

A decision to this effect was taken in the cabinet meeting.... ...."





(Source: The Times of India, October 19, 2011)

Friday, October 21, 2011

HAPPY DIWALI

One of my young service colleagues was ruing the other day that in spite of being honest, the perception about services was becoming more and more negative and wondered what could be done to arrest and reverse the trend. There is an often flogged advice “You should not only be honest but also appear to be honest.”

In just a few days from now we would be celeberating Diwali. It is a festival of joy and giving and receiving small presents is definately a part of it. This is also the time when one sees cars stopping in front of the houses of some of the politicians and bureaucrats and well dressed persons seen entering those place with ‘dabbas’ of sweets, baskets of fruits and one does not know what else. The common man is likely perceive these as signs of corruption in the politicians and the bureaucrats.

Let us leave the politicians out and talk of our own fraternity. The All India Services Conduct Rules and the Central Civil Services Conduct Rules specify what one can accept as a gift and what one should not. The relevant provision is quite stringent and clear even though couched in a very legalistic officialese. One is permitted to accept gifts up to the value of Rs. One Thousand. On religious and social occasions one can accept gifts up to Rs. Five Thousand from one’s near relatives and personal friends. Besides there is a prohibition to give or accept dowry.

Let us take the hypothetical case of a District Collector or an Income Tax Officer posted in a district headquarters. The common man sees a long stream of people going to the residence of the Sahib on Diwali day with small gifts of value of less than Rs. One thousand each. It may be fine so far as the Rules are concerned but creates a wrong perception in the minds of the public.

So what does the poor officer do? Aceept no gift from any one or accept only bouquets of flowers? My personal view is that it is not that difficult to say ‘No’ to every one from day one- no presents- no sweets-no fruits-no bouquets and even -no calendars/ diaries. Believe me no one gets hurt if you refuse his gift. On the other hand this evokes an admiration.

I recently chanced to see the to see the instructions given to young ICS officers posted in the districts as Asst Colllectors and was greatly impressed. I am going to quote the relevant portion in full, even though it is a bit long.

“Although under the Rules you are permitted to receive fruit and flowers, and although there is no objection to accepting a few mangoes or a bunch of grapes from a country gentleman’s own orchard or vineyard, yet you will find life easier if you make a definite rule never to accept any “Dalis”, i.e. basket of fruits of varying kinds, cakes etc., for such are often of more than “trifling value”. If you accept such a “Dali” from a well-to-do merchant or landlord, to whom the cost is of no consequence, you can hardly, without giving offence, refuse to accept them from others, including from those who cannot afford to make such presents, but who feel that they are socially bound to give them or that it would help their social or business prospects if they did. The rule never to accept any Dali is simple, and, when known to your friends, will be appreciated and observed.

You will not, however, be able to escape the acceptance of garlands or flowers on various suitable and unsuitable occasions. But it is well to issue a definite order that garlands and fruits are never received from your own subordinates of whatever rank. It is embarrassing to be garlanded by a Mamlatdar whose administration you may have just been criticizing with acerbity, or by a clerk with a large family who ought not to waste his money on flowers.”*

Have a Happy Diwali!



(*Source: Assistant Collector’s Manual” by Sir Fredric S.P. Lely, Government Central Press, Bombay, 1938, pages 168-169)

Sunday, October 16, 2011

'Sarkari' is in fashion!



A well cared for bench in a Sarkari Office?

Naw... a fashionable piece of furniture in an expensive hill resort.

Monday, October 10, 2011

OH NO, ANOTHER “RATH” YATRA?

Now that Mr. LK Advani is starting his "Rath yatra" from today, I am tempted to repeat my blog which I wrote on September 9, 2011:

"Having spent 36 years in Orissa, any mention of Ratha Yatra at once brings to mind the early part of July, heat and high humidity and over 5 lakh devotees on the Badadanda (the great path) braving it all to have a glimpse of Lord Jagannaths’s Ratha or the chariot. It is faith and devotion in its purest form.

But today’s piece about Rath Yatra of another type- yesterday’s announcement of the veteran leader Shri Lal Krishan Advani that he is going to take out another Rath Yatra - this time to focus on the problem of corruption facing the country. Remember he is a vetern of Rath Yatras? The Sarathi (driver) of Shri Advani’s Rath (which really is a bus) must be getting ready to get the vehicle serviced and preparing for a long journey on the road.

First of all why not keep this ‘Yatra’ distinct from Lord Jagannath’s Ratha Yatra and not christen it as “Rath Yatra” but call it something like, say Yatra against Corruption?

As is known, Shri Anna Hazare has already announced that he would be taking out a march or Yatra against corruption in the country. May be the two leaders would consult each other so that they are not doing ‘Yatras’ in the same area. One doesnt know at this stage if Anna’s Yatra would be from North to South of the country and the Advani Yatra from West to East or the other way round.

It is not unlikely that taking a cue from their leader, the MPs and MLAs belonging to Shri Advani’s party would take out such Anti-Corruption Yatras in their respective constituencies. And the ruling political party (which seems to be having very good prospects of becoming the future Opposition Party) MPs and MLAs too would be under pressure to take out such Yatras against corruption in their respective constituencies.

Likewise the NGOs would not be left far behind and they would also take out their Yatras. The Left Parties would surely launch their Yatras too but may term those as ‘Marches by the Workers and the Peasants’. Schools would vie with each other to take out such Yatras.

Imagine what? There would be hundreds of Yatras against corruption crisscrossing the country at the same time. Would this not adversely impact the economic and academic activities in the country. “Dont you think we care too?” someone would roar in to explain, “after all we are doing this for eradicating corruption and speeding up development.” What can one say to this except giving a silent look of utter amazement at the explanation.

I remember when I was young there used to be a popular digestive called the “Rambaan Choorun” which was supposed to be the cure for all diseases. Perhaps there are some people who feel that taking out “Yatras’ is the sure shot remedy for all the ills facing the country.

If nothing else, we may at least end up in the Guiness Book of World Records as being the country which has had maximum number of Yatras in a year.

Should one not appeal to both Shri Advani and Shri Anna Hazare to take care of their health and not to overstrain themselves by taking such long avoidable journeys."

One dark night in Rourkela forty years back....

Like most of my service colleagues, I too went through an amazing array of administrative experiences during the first two years of my service career. That is when after the initial training, an IAS officer is given his first posting as an SDO/SDM/Sub-Collector. I was posted in Rourkela in Orissa in my second Sub-Divison in 1971-1972. With the passage of time, the memories of that year had startted fading. Till two days age when I received an email from Prasanna Misra, who was the Additional District Magistrate of Rourkela during that year. He has sent me an extract from his blog "JITAMANYU" which I am reproducing below with his kind permission

"HOW GAS LEAK IN ROURKELA WAS HANDLED
Nearly forty years ago, in the early seventies, I was in Rourkela as the Additional District Magistrate. Kanwal Jeet Singh Chatrath was the SDO, Panposh. His house was just at the back of our house; or, rather, our house was just behind his house. It was around eleven in the evening when I was forced out of my bed one day to respond to some commotion very close to the window of our bedroom. I saw around twenty persons led by Chatrath. They spoke to me agitatedly on something while pointing out to the sky with specks of dark cloud. Though listening to the visitors, I was in deep sleep and nothing got registered in my mind. I returned to my bedroom abruptly without any response from my side and realised that Chatrath was nice enough to take the crowd back to wherever it had come from. Back on bed, I tried to sleep again; but could not. Went out to see in the sky the spectacle that was being shown in vain to me by the visitors. Our houses in Uditnagar being close to the steel plant one always saw the glow of bright lights of the steel mill illuminating the low heights of the night sky above. I saw huge moving columns of dark cloud emanating from the factory premises. There was smell of a chemical, somewhat irritating. My heart sank; sleep had vanished. I set myself on a mission mode all to myself. My telephone was the only tool to fight the emergency. There was no response from nearly twenty relevant numbers I contacted. People were in deep sleep or even if some one was not, preferred not to take the call. At last, one kind soul responded, around one in the morning. Mr. Ramesh Pant, a senior Engineer of the steel mill was a close friend. He promised to look into the problem. Most employees of the steel mill lived in the steel township, away from the factory and had not encountered the gas. After about an hour Mr. Pant called back. The problem had been fixed; emission of gas had stopped. I thanked myself; did not like to wake up Chatrath. Kept the development to myself. Mr Pant had explained to me what went wrong that night.

Sulphur is used for production of sulphuric acid that is required for production of ammonium sulphate and for pickling of cold rolled coil in the steel mill. Sulphur gets converted to sulphuric acid through contact process comprising three stages. First stage is the burning of sulphur in air to make sulphur dioxide gas. This gets converted in the second stage to sulphur trioxide with vanadium oxide acting as catalyst. The catalyst does not work in temperature below 400 degrees Celsius. They do the conversion at a temperature of 450 degree Celsius. In the final stage, sulphur trioxide is first absorbed into concentrated sulphuric acid producing a thick fuming liquid called oleum, which then is mixed with great care with water to produce sulphuric acid. The sulphur trioxide is not mixed directly with pure water to avoid a highly exothermic reaction, which would produce a fine mist of sulphuric acid that is difficult to condense and could escape to pollute the air. Strict limitations are set on the release of sulphur dioxide gas into the air as a waste product as the gas contributes to global warming and causes acid rain.

In the night shift of that fateful day, somehow the acid circulation pump failed to function that stopped circulation of 98% sulphuric acid required for absorption of sulphur trioxide and sulphur dioxide gases. Evidently this failure led to escaping of the sulphur trioxide and sulphur dioxide fumes into the atmosphere causing irritation to the public and workers in the steel mill. The effect was more pronounced in Uditnagar area as wind was blowing in that direction. When the problem was fixed, the sulphuric acid plant was stopped and gradually atmosphere was cleared of the polluting fumes.

The next morning I received a long wireless message in which government’s grave anxiety over the leakage of gas had been expressed and I was asked why I had not reported this to the government and also to indicate the latest position. I informed the government how the situation was tackled in that night itself. I still feel it is better to handle many things single handed for quicker and effective solution. If possible, we should avoid disturbing people while they are in sleep and thereby avoid panic and confusion. There are however occasions when we need collective action and we even have to ask people to vacate their homes, even at night; but a civilian should exercise his discretion on case to case basis as each case is different from the other. He should not associate others with the primary aim of passing on the buck. He should not also show off saying “he did it alone”. He is paid for doing it. We need not deploy a battalion of sepoys to scare a jackal. I am laughing while I write humorously that my good friend Kanwal Jeet should not have disturbed my sleep that night. He should have allowed me to inhale sulphur dioxide and sulphur trioxide gases for a few more hours."


I thanked Shri Prasanna Misra for his nice write-up and have added a P.S. to his blog:


"PS:
Do you remember Sir, that next day early in the morning the dashing Collector/DM of the district (Mr. Ashok Mubayi) drove from his headquarter 100 kms away straight to my house. He asked me to narrate what had happened. After I finished he asked "So, what do you plan to do". I told him point blank that I was going to issue a Show Cause notice u/s 133 of the Cr.P.C. by name and by designation to the top man of the Rourkela Steel Plant Dr. PL Agarwal".

"Hmmm" said the Collector and asked me if I knew that Dr. Agarwal was equivalent in rank to an Additional Secretary of Government of India. No Sir, I said and added that it did not make any difference to the alleged criminal liablity of a person.

The Collector came closer to me, patted me on the back and said "You know since Prasanna is the senior most govt. official in Rourkela, I will let him handle this matter." And then said, "Come let us go to Prasanna's house and have some coffee there."

"Anna above Parliament" ??????????


"Anna above Parliament"-Team Anna member Arvind Kejrival defends activist's extreme ways (news item in the The Daily Post, Chandigarh, October 10, 2011)


I dont know about the others, but being as much of a citizen of India as Mr. Anna Hazare is, I find this stand totally unacceptable.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Temples of love

Khajuraho Temples in Madhya Pradesh are one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. The largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, these are famous for their erotic sculptures, writes K. J. S. Chatrath

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20111009/spectrum/index.htm

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Food Street, Chandigarh

"Why can't prices at Night Food Street be affordable", asks the Hon'ble High Court of Punjab & Haryana*




*Source: The Indian Express, December 21, 2010

Steve Jobs - RIP

I found this quote interesting:

"Three apples have changed the world. One seduced Eve. Second awakened Newton.
The third one was in the hands of Jobs"

Monday, October 3, 2011

'Calamity Tourism'

'Referring to new concepts such as rural tourism and ethnic tourism, Samal said there was nothing wrong in debating the pros and cons of introducing "calamity tourism". "Let's look at it in a positive way," he said.'

(Shri Prafulla Samal is the Honourable Minister Tourism, Orissa)

Mahatma

Anna Hazare's followers have decided to call him "Mahatma Anna Hazare" now onwards, says a news item....

Who knows we may soon have Mahatma Arvind Kejrival, Mahatma (Ms) Kiran Bedi, Mahatma Santosh Hegde, Mahatma Prashant Bhushan, Mahatma Shanti Bhushan... ...

Om Shanti, Shanti....

I had an account with the ICICI bank. Every time I would go to their Branch, I would come back fuming at their amazing level of inefficiency. So preferring peace of mind to scoring a point, I closed my account and all my dealings with that Bank.

Well almost, as I continued taking ICICI-Lombard travel insurance whenever I went abroad. As the travels went off well, so ther was never any occassion to deal with that Bank. Till recently.

Last month I went on a somewhat ambitious travelling plan to undertake a long Trans-Siberian train journey. As in the past, I took the ICICI-Lombard travel Insurance.

But this time my luck ran out and my passport was stolen at St. petersburg, Russia. I could not proceed further and had to return back to India. Since my travel insurance policy covered "loss of a passport", I sent the relevant documentation to the Insurer. They just refused to acknowledge half a dozen emails and pretended that they had not received my documents sent by Speed Post. It is only when I threatened to take the matter to the IRDA that they acknowledged my mail and asked for further documentation.

In the end, after umpteen emails, this morning, I had a ray of hope when I receved an email from them informing me happily that my claim had been approved. That improved my mood. Till I got another mail from them asking on which address should they send the cheque for USD 12.20. Yes that is the amount they were going to offer to me for loss of passport.

I kept my cool and I have just sent them a mail:


"I regret that I am unable to accept this generosity.

Please give this amount of US dollars 12.20 to ICICI-Lombard Staff Welfare Association.

Of course I will never have any dealings with ICICI-Lombard for the rest of my life and this is what I will advise my friends and well-wishers also....KJS Chatrath"

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

The ants of Balasore

Now we move over to a very unusual aspect of Balasore. Like many, many places, it has ants. But the curiousity shown in the ants of Balasore by by Rev. Charles Acland, who was the Chaplain at Pooree, Cuttack and Midnapore, is absolutely amazing. He stayed in Balasore for some time during 1842-1843. He describes how the ground for five or six miles from his house in one direction seemed to be covered with mounds of earth and small bushes. However, on examining these closely, he found all those to be the nests of white ants. The green ones were those that were deserted, and over which grass had grown- the others were still inhabited. He estimated that in the plain visible from his window, there must have been many hundreds of thousands of these hills, varying in height from three feet to ten or twelve, and by little insects no larger than the common English ant. He quite lovingly described the process of building of these anthills. He found one part of their manner of building to be most extraordinary; their nests are always completely covered in, so that without kicking them one cannot see a single ant inside; there are one or two doors in different parts of the building, but those are seldom used.

The he describes their mode of building of anthills in some detail, “One day, perhaps, you will perceive a single pinnacle of an ants’ nest. You go and see it done day, and you will find it slightly raised, but curved, like a headstone. So it increases daily untill it reaches the size I have described. It is like building a house- as if he made a little closet with a roof on it, and then went inside and stayed there, while the closet swelled untill it became a perfect house. At the foot of these ant hills are a number of large black ants on the watch for any straggling white ants, which they kill and eat. These creatures abound in all our houses, and run about the floors: they are about an inch in length, and bite, but not sting.”

The Priest was after all human, and did, what many of us would have done. One day he just went and broke one of the ant-hills with a robust kick. And all hell broke loose! What happened thereafter is best read in Acland’s own words: “I walked towards what appeared to be the remains of some mud hut: it was about five feet high, and in irregular blunt points at the top. When I came down to it I tried to break off one of the long bits, but it was too strong, and was as hard as a wall. However, on the other side I found a smaller projection, which I broke off by kicking against it, and found it full of round passages perforating in all the directions, the smallest about the size of a quill and the largest as big as my wrist. This was the large white ants hill.

Immediately after I had broken a portion of it there came a rush of the inhabitants from all the passages to see what was the matter. They examined the parts broken, and some of them ran back. Presently a number more came, some dragging forward the others untill they got them quite to the edge, when a bigger ant took hold of each of these prisoners and bit him in the neck untill he killed him. I suppose the prisoners were those who had been on guard at that spot, or else those who built that part, and so were punished for my fault. Soon, however, they turned and attacked me, for I found many of them on my clothes and experienced the smart of their bite.”

That was administration of Justice – Ants Style - quick and ruthless.

Is there not a message in it for some of us who do not take our duties seriously?


Notes:
(i) The above is an anecedote quoted in my forthcoming book "Some Vignettes of Balasore and its French Loge."

(ii) Balasore is a town and a district of Orissa bordering West Bengal

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

THE ‘NEUTRINOS’ AND ‘GOD’S DEBRIS’

The neutrinos have thrown a challenge at Einstein. Weather they hold ground or not is difficult to say at this time. But one thing is clear, howsoever well explained the concept of time and space may be, it does keep baffling us in newer and newer ways.

I have a young niece whom I used to give a book or two on her birthdays. Time passed. My niece is now 15 and when I met her last week she was holding a book in her hands. In fact it was a very small little book. Have you read it, she asked excitedly. No, I said somewhat sheepishly. Take it and read it. It is amazing. It was “The God’s Debris.”

I realised that in the last 3-4 years, I have become, from a giver of ideas to this young child to a taker of ideas from this exceptionally brilliant young lady - and very happily so.

Having just gone through this book, I can say that it is surely an amazing book. It looks at the idea of God at a rational and not emotional or religious level and challenges the existing ideas about the universe, its creation and God. It proposes the idea that the omnipotent God self destructed himself since he knew everything except about his own non-existence. Consequently what we see around is ‘God’s Debris’. In This novella is a conversation between Adams the information seeker and ‘Avataar’, a wise old man.

I will not tell more as I would strongly recommend you to read the book yourself. No, you can’t say OK I will go and buy the book next time I go to a book shop. It is on the internet in an attractive readable format and free. http://nowscape.com/godsdebris.pdf

Interestingly the serious and thought provoking book is written by Scott Adams, the author of the Dilbert comics. The idea and use of ‘Avataar’ in this book pre-dates the James Cameron’s movie ‘Avaatar’ by a good 5 years as this book was first published in 2004.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Shoaib Akhtar on Sachin Tendulkar

Let us not become touchy about Shoaib Akhtar's remarks on Sachin.

We know what a wonderful player and a thorough gentleman Sachin is.

Besides we also know that even an average book with some controversial remarks sells well...

Saturday, September 24, 2011

'Le Corbusier brouhaha'- by K.J.S.Chatrath









The common design of atomic plant chimney & Chandigarh legislative Assembly's cut-chimney.

Original by Le Corbusier?

You must be joking....

Anna Hazare & his magic lamp called the 'Jana Lokpal'

"PC would be in jail had there been Jan Lokpal: Hazare"

Who needs the Judiciary? Who needs the due process of law?
Anna Hazare jo hai with his magic lamp called the 'Jana Lokpal'.....

Friday, September 23, 2011

Thursday, September 22, 2011

1,50,000 volunteers are cleaning up Delhi...Bravo

I am not a follower or sympathiser of any "Dera". But today's news that 1,50,000 followers of Dera Sacha Sauda have reached Delhi and have started a clean-up drive througout the Capital does get my 'Thumbs Up"....

Monday, September 19, 2011

Public Interest Litigation... ... IAS Officers and "mukhi maarna"

Public Interest Litigation... ... IAS Officers and "mukhi maarna"

"The Tribune Chandigarh, Sept 20, 2011

HC tells state to check fly menace

Kalka, September 19
The Punjab and Haryana High Court have issued directives to the state government to find out a solution to fly menace in Panchkula district. In its decision on a public interest litigation, a Division Bench of the High Court, comprising Chief Justice Adarsh Goel and Ajay Mittal on September 5, 2011, issued directives to financial commissioner, environment, Haryana government, to tackle the fly menace within one month..."
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110920/harplus.htm#21

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Friday, September 16, 2011

Come on, be gracious...

Abolition of discretionary quota of the ministers, a good number of Special CBI courts to be set up, permission for prosecution agains public servants to be given within 3 months etc appear to be positive steps by the Government to combat corruption...Sadly, far from appreciating these as steps in the right direction, the self-appointed leaders of the so-called "Civil Society" are strangely silent.....

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Peterhof


I lost my heart to pretty Peterhof Garden in St. Petersburg... I also lost my passport there...

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Ah, these French!

"MAN FINED FOR DEPRIVING WIFE OF SEX: A 51 year old man has been fined 8,500 Pounds by the Highest Court in Aix-en-Provence in Southern France for depriving his wife of sex.The wife had filed the case for damages against her husband for failing to have enough sex with her during their 21 years of marriage..."*



*Source: Daily Post, Chandigarh, September 8, 2011

Civil Society in Action

"Rally against monkey menance

Shimla Nagrik Sabha, a civil society body, on Monday held a protest demonstration at the MC office against the failure of the civic body to check the increasing attacks of monkeys, langoors and dogs on people of the town... ..."*

I remember that about 5 years back I was climbing up to the Jakhu hill, when a determined group of three monkeys accosted me, and not being satisfied at finding me empty handed, one of them put his hand in my trouser pocket. last month I did succeed in going to Jakhu hill in a per seat Taxi service started by Himachal Government. When the taxi reached the precincts of the temple, the driver casually warned us "Those of you who are wearing spectacles, please remove them". Being taken aback at this 'firman' of the taxi driver I asked him why? His reply was again very cool, "Aj kal bandar chashma utaar lainday nay"....

Yes I also raise my feeble old voice in support of this campaign of Civil Society.


*Source: The Times of India, 13.9.2011

Monday, September 12, 2011

OLIVE RIDLEY TORTOISES AND POMFRET FISH:

Recently on May 15, 2011, there was a news item that the forest officials of Odisha had released about 350 baby Olive Ridley turtles into the sea at Talasari beach located under Bhogarai block in Balasore district. The officials had located a bunch of Ridley Olive turtles laying eggs at Talasari beach along the coast of Bay of Bengal and provided protection to the turtles’ eggs. These eggs were protected by these personnel for three days with the help of some fencing. As the eggs were hatched, the hatchlings were released into the sea. Going back a few decades, it was only in 1974 that the phenomenon of mass nesting and laying of eggs by Olive Ridleys’ on the Orissa coast were first discovered and recorded.

But that is not really the full story. One Captain Alexander Hamilton described about the mass nestings in 1727- a good 284 years back and almost two and a half centuries before their recording in 1974. This is what he wrote: “About twelve leagues to the northward of Cunnaca, is the river's mouth of Ballasore where there is a very dangerous bar, sufficiently well known by the many wrecks and losses made by it. Between Cunnaca and Ballasore rivers there is one continued sandy bay, where prodigious numbers of sea tortoises resort to lay their eggs and a very delicious fish called the Pampleey come in shores, and are sold for two pence for hundred. Two of them are sufficient to dine a moderate man.”

(An extract from my forthcoming book on the French Balasore)

Friday, September 9, 2011

OH NO, NOT ANOTHER “RATH” YATRA?

Having spent 36 years in Orissa, any mention of Ratha Yatra at once brings to mind the early part of July, heat and high humidity and over 5 lakh devotees on the Badadanda (the great path) braving it all to have a glimpse of Lord Jagannaths’s Ratha or the chariot. It is faith and devotion in its purest form.

But today’s piece about Rath Yatra of another type- yesterday’s announcement of the veteran leader Shri Lal Krishan Advani that he is going to take out another Rath Yatra - this time to focus on the problem of corruption facing the country. Remember he is a vetern of Rath Yatras? The Sarathi (driver) of Shri Advani’s Rath (which really is a bus) must be getting ready to get the vehicle serviced and preparing for a long journey on the road.

First of all why not keep this ‘Yatra’ clearly distinct from Lord Jagannath’s Ratha Yatra and not christen it as “Rath Yatra” but call it something like, say Yatra against Corruption?

As is known, Shri Anna Hazare has already announced that he would be taking out a march or Yatra against corruption in the country. May be the two leaders would consult each other so that they are not doing ‘Yatras’ in the same area. One doesnt know at this stage if Anna’s Yatra would be from North to South of the country and the Advani Yatra from West to East or the other way round.

It is not unlikely that taking a cue from their leader, the MPs and MLAs belonging to Shri Advani’s party would take out such Anti-Corruption Yatras in their respective constituencies. And the ruling political party (which seems to be having very good prospects of becoming the future Opposition Party) MPs and MLAs too would be under pressure to take out such Yatras against corruption in their respective constituencies.

Likewise the NGOs would not be left far behind and they would also take out their Yatras. The Left Parties would surely launch their Yatras too but may term those as ‘Marches by the Workers and the Peasants’. Schools would vie with each other to take out such Yatras. The rating agencies would have a whale of a time coming out with facts figures and future projections of various yatras and deciding whose was the biggest.

Imagine what? There would be hundreds of Yatras against corruption crisscrossing the country at the same time. Would this not adversely impact the economic and academic activities in the country and push important social issues to the background, one might ask. “Dont you think we care too?” someone would roar in to explain, “after all we are doing this for eradicating corruption and speeding up development.” What can one say to this except giving a silent look of utter amazement at the explanation.

I remember when I was young there used to be a popular digestive called the “Rambaan Choorun” which was supposed to be the cure for all diseases. Perhaps there are some people who feel that taking out “Yatras’ is the sure shot remedy for all the ills facing the country.

If nothing else, we may at least end up in the Guiness Book of World Records as being the country which has had maximum number of Yatras in a year. Some smart researcher may do a Ph.D. on the "The Paradigm shift of strategies and the Socio-political impact of Yatras agains corruption in India"... ...

Should one not appeal to both Shri Advani and Shri Anna Hazare to take care of their health and not to overstrain themselves by taking such long avoidable journeys.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Stretch Limo....



Stretch Limo is a car found in great abundance on the roads of Ludiana district of Panjab, India - Originally an American invention of the pre-financial mess days......This is the sole one that I ssaw in St. Petersburg.

Extract from " Saintliness In Politics Cuts Both Ways" by Dileep Padgaonkar

“... what Hazare has done is to act solely according to the dictates of his ‘conscience’, his ‘inner voice’, to attain his goal. He places those dictates well above Parliament – the repository of the will of the people – and the Constitution – the touchstone of our republic.

Like other claimants to infallibility – the Pope, the communist Commissar, the fascist ideologue, the jihadi theocrat – Hazare too appears to abide by what he believes are self-evident propositions. He alone can distinguish between vice and virtue; he alone knows the truth; there is only one path to reach it and that is the path laid by him. In other words, he alone is entitled to deploy his very own means to eradicate corruption. ... ...”

The Neighbourhood... ...

One hears that "The Government of Sindh in Pakistan has decided that teaching Chinese language in all schools from Grade VI on wards shall be compulsory from 2013 onwards."

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Thus spake the Gandhian yesterday....

"Hang MPs & MLAs taking money for voting"--Anna Hazare

(Source:Daily Post, Chandigarh, September 7, 2011, page 7.)

Today's Gems

“Send Digvijay to mental asylum”.... Anna Hazare (Gandhian)

“Send Wikileaks' owner to mental asylum”... Ms. Mayawati (Leader of the Dalits)

Monday, September 5, 2011

More on the so-called "Heritage" furniture

This is to update my blog "Hertage" dated Wednesday, June 22, 2011. I went and saw the "Heritage Museum" a few days back. Not very impressive as the maintenance goes. But what really got my goat was the furniture said to be "Heritage" furniture designed by Le Corbusier and his relative Jeanneret. The chairs and tables were so very ordinary and commonplace that one feels embarassed. Believe me really ordinary. I have seen such chairs in hundreds of government offices across the country. Yes only Le Corbusier and Jeanneret had not sat in those.

Come on let us stop kidding ourselves- a fifty year old ordinary commonplace chair does not become a heritage item just because some foreigner sat in and worked.

By the way, one should climb up to the Rashtrapati Nivas in Shimla, where the Indian Institute of Advanced Study is located to see what 'heritage' furniture means.

.........................................................................
Earlier Blog "Heritage" dated June 22, 2011

It is amazing to see how everything used or touched by Chandigarh’s planner architect Le Corbusier is being revered as a ‘heritage’ item. One fails to understand how the simple chair or the stool used by Paul Jeanneret, an associate of Le Corbusier becomes a heritage item?

The notebooks in which Leonardo Da Vinci used to scribble his notes and draw sketches of machines over 500 years back are surely heritage items. The pyramids constructed in Egypt thousands of years back are heritage items. But the 50 year old note books of Le Corbusier. You are not serious!

Let us see the dictionary definition of ‘heritage’. These are the “Valued objects and qualities such as cultural traditions, unspoiled countryside, and historic buildings that have been passed down from previous generations”. What are the heritage items are, for example, the remnants of the Indus Valley Civilization not the 50 year old stuff. What is a 50 year old article or a drawing in a country like India which has thousands of years of known history.

Let us now read this with The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. This Act defines an ancient monument as a monument which is atleast 100 years old.

May be since Chandigarh is a newly built town and we don’t have any old building to show off our pedigree or class, so....maybe....

Come on, let us have some sense of proportion.

Whom should I vote for?

If Congress is corrupt and scheming, BJP corrupt and not secular and the Left Parties still live in the age when Russia was Soviet Union, whom should I vote for in the next elections?

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Union Cabinet Mnisters' Property Statements...

Who says all politicians are corrupt?
Kudos to Mr. A.K. Anthony for being the poorest Minister in the Union Cabinet.

Trust IKEA to stun you....



I saw this ad in St. Petersburg, Russia...Trust IKEA to stun you with their creations...

Friday, September 2, 2011

Case of the Missing Lemon


Spoken Like a True Gandhian

Thus spake Anna Hazare,

"The ruling dispensation consists of 'cunning' persons" and the "Home Minister is 'mischivieous'" and he "urged the people to give 'repeated shocks' to the government..."

Thursday, September 1, 2011

“THE CASE OF THE MISSING LEMON”


(Photo courtesy Supreet Dhiman)

I lose no opportunity in bragging about being a rationalist. I believe I look at things through the specs of logic and am not impressed by Godmen, their miracles and superstitions. And now for my little story.

I am amused to see persons with white turbans and a can with a little bit of mustard oil asking for money on Saturdays invoking the name of Lord Shiva. On a Saturday last month, I was waiting at the red traffic light when one such person approached me. I asked him for a string of green chillies and lemon which they distribute for a price. He gave me a piece and asked for ten rupees which I paid. It had seven chillies and a small little lemon. The traffic light was still red so I asked him tauntingly, sounding as innocent as I could, "What do you do for the remaining six days of the week?" His simple and honest reply was "I sell baloons". The light turned to amber and then to green and I moved on.

Back at home I hung that little garland of chillies and lemon on the front top of my kitchen’s door frame.

I went out of station for trip abroad and returned yesterday. I was surprised to notice that while the 7 chillies of the garland were there, though turned brown, the lemon was missing. I have tried hard to look around on the floor in case it had fallen but have not been able to find it. There is no way a rat could have climbed up.

Quite interestingly the trip on which I had gone out of station had to be aborted as my passport got stolen. I know 7 chillies and a lemon string is used to ward-off evil spirits or jealous glances. I also know that it is tempting to link the issue of loss of my passport and disappearance of the lemon.

But as I said, I do not believe in miracles or superstitions. Of course I have no logical explanation for the disappearance of the lemon and I am still looking for a rational answer.

“The Case of the Missing Lemon” as Earl Stanley Gardner would have called it.


Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Monday, August 29, 2011

ABUSE OF THE INSTITUTIONS OF PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY

"...In general, Team Anna’s approach to Parliament and parliamentarians was dismissive when it was not abusive. By virtue of the widespread countrywide support Anna evoked on the corruption theme, the Team’s effort seemed to be to abuse the very institutions of parliamentary democracy placing the mythical “people” above Parliament and the Constitution. This is a dangerous trend the Team must guard against because it will meet widespread opposition not merely from the political class but from a wide spectrum of thinking men and women...."


For full article see "Crusade against corruption:Why Anna’s approach is questionable
by S. Nihal Singh.http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110830/edit.htm

Sunday, August 28, 2011

LOSS OF PASSPORT = LOSS OF FACE


While I was trying to pose for some smart photos in Peterhoff in St Peterburg, someone quietly removed my passport from my back pack....leaving me stranded and forcing me to abandon my programme of taking a Trans- Siberian Rail journey...

Who should be India's first Jana Lokpal?

Is it not time now to think of who should be India's first Jana Lokpal?


What about the following:

Hon'ble Janalokpal
.............Shri Anna Hazare ji

Hon'ble Additional Jana Lokpals:

(i) Shri Justice (Retd.) Santosh Hegde ji

(ii) Shri Shanti Bhushan ji

(iii) Shri Arvind Kejrival ji

(iv) Mrs. Kiran Bedi ji, and

(v) Shri Prashant Bhushan ji


Medical Adviser to the Hon'ble Jana Lok Pal....Dr. Naresh Trehan ji

Media Advisors to the Hon'ble Jana Lok Pal:

(i) Shri Anupam Kher ji

(ii) Shri Amir Khan ji

Spiritual Advisor to the Hon'ble Jana Lokpal.....Swami Agnivesh ji

Electoral Reform Next on Annaji's Agenda...news item

"Anna Hazare on Sunday ended his 12-day-old fast declaring that electoral reforms will be next on his agenda."....

And what about educational reforms, and agricultural reforms, and police reforms, and judicial reforms, and jail reforms, and social reforms, and tax reforms, and land reforms and hospital reforms Anna ji?

Friday, August 19, 2011

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Don't ask me!

Should Indian Cricket Team be brought under the purview of the Lokpal/Jana Lokpal?

Dont ask me!



Should the Indian cricket team be 'impeached' for ruthlessly breaking the hearts of a billion plus Indians?

Dont ask me!

Some Film Personalities & Drive Against Corruption

A number of film personalities have come out in favour of Anna Hazare's crusade against corruption.

Good, No?

And would it therefore be correct to argue that it means that these film personalities have never taken 'black money' or atleast hence forth would not take 'black money'? Or have always paid full Income-Tax or atleast hence forth would pay full Income Tax?

One hopes so.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Ah, these candle light protests!

There are innumerable houses in the remote tribal areas of the country which have not yet been electrified. The inhabitants are poor and can ill afford the scarce kerosene oil. And we the city dwellers burn thousands and thousands of candles to show our protest/indignation etc. on various issues (So much for energy conservation!).

Is it possible to think of another way of expressing our emotions and try to divert these candles to the needy tribal areas?

'Second War of Independence"?

"... ...Hazare's ultimatum to the government to either accept his version of the Lokpal Bill or brace itself for his fast-unto-death, and escaating protests across the country, smack of blackmail.

The fact is that Civil Society's draft anti-corruption bill is unlikely to be the panacea for India's problem's.

As it is, only Parliament has the power to make laws in India (And, to its credit, the Government has accepted many of Hazare's recommendations)

Finally, Hazare's campaign against corruption is decidedly not the 'second war of independence'........"


(Extract from the Editorial in Daily Post, Chandigarh, August 18, 2011.)

Gandhian?

Do you know the name of the Gandhian who said - more than once "..And people will teach them a lesson"?

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Monday, August 15, 2011

Ends Versus Means

All agree that corruption needs to be tackled but do not agree on the means to be adopted... a classic ends versus means debate....

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Chitthi Aiyee Hai... ...

Just to take a break from the corruption/ anti corruption, Lokpal/Jan Lokpal debate, here is one for smiles: Chitthi Aiyee hai... ...

Wrestling....


Most respectfully I would like to submit that:

(i) Let the Election Commission not take the trouble of holding elaborate elections. It should simply organise wrestling matches amongst the candidates.......

(ii) There are serious new contenders for selection to the of Indian Wrestling Squad for the 2012 London Olympics...

Friday, August 12, 2011

"Anna Hazare's Agenda" by S. Nihal Singh

“What Mr Hazare and his pick of members of civil society were proposing would make nonsense of the Constitution and make members of Parliament accountable not to their constituents or to the tenets of the Constitution but to an all-powerful Lokpal who would in effect be above the Constitution. ... ... ...

If Mr Hazare and his key followers wish to contribute to the institution of an effective Lokpal, they cannot discard the key attributes of the parliamentary system of government the country has adopted.... ... ...

Mr Hazare and his followers must show a sense of proportion and must honour a system of governance freely chosen by the people of India that has served the country well. There cannot be a diktat by one man seeking to nullify the basic tenets of the Constitution.”






Extracts from "Anna Hazare's Agenda: A Close Look at Political Motives" by S. Nihal Singh- http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110810/edit.htm#4

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

HOW TO HANDLE ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN

The Union Bank of Switzerland, popularly known as the UBS, feels that appropriate dressing by its staff helps business. So a few months back it released a manual incorporating a Dress Code for its employees.

Here are some of the recommendations from this Dress Code:

-Your jacket should be buttoned while standing
-When sitting, the buttons should be undone.
-Store your suit on a large hanger with rounded shoulders to preserve the shape of the garment.
-Get a haircut every four weeks to maintain your hairstyle.
-Don't eat garlic and onions
-Don't wear short-sleeved shirts or cuff links
-Don't wear socks that are so short you might expose your leg while sitting. Also, don't wear socks that are opaque
-Don't use tie knots that don't match your face shape and/or body shape
-Women are encourage to wear flesh-coloured underwear and stockings
-Women's skirts should not be "too tight behind."

Hope this helps you in handling the economic slowdown, UBS.

Friday, July 29, 2011

NO MR. ANNA HAZARE, I AM NOT WITH YOU...

Let us take a quick look at the recent happenings in the Jan Lokpal imbrogolio.

Justice (Retd.) Santosh Hegde has submitted his Report as Lokayukta of Karnataka on corruption in that state. This has resulted in the Chief Minister putting in his resignation.

Hon’ble Justice Dinakaran, the Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court, has put in his resignation as impeachment proceedings were initiated against him for alleged corruption.

These are just two current examples of how even the existing structures are in a position to meaningfully contribute in tackling corruption.

The Jan Lokpala Bill as cleared by the Cabinet, though not perfect and not even to the satisfaction of the ‘so called’ self appointed leaders of the Civil Society, still appears to be a big step forward from the existing position. These Civil Society members want a perfect law to be drafted and passed, and they feel that what they have drafted is perfect.

The insistence of the Perfectionist Group to have the bill that they have suggested passed by 15th August 2011, without any change, otherwise they will go on hunger strike is not a reasonable stand. Heavens will not fall if the Parliamentary procedure takes a few days or weeks more. Let us respect the parliamentary procedures.

One would like to like to request the perfectionists not to tinker with the constitutional and legal processes of the country. Let the legal process take its course and Parliament decide. This is the democratic way. There is no validity in the argument that the members of the Parliament have lost touch with their voters and there is a ‘big disconnect’. This argument cannot be taken to short circuit the constitutional processes. This can be tested only at the time of the next General Elections. In the next General Elections let the Civil Society members and the Political Parties make this as an issue and request people to vote for or against it.

Let the Bill be deliberated and say passed by the Parliament and we watch its implementation for a short while. One could consider putting a clause in the Act that there shall be a compuslory Review of the working of the Institution of Jana Lokpal after every 5 years so that issues needing intervention could be addressed.

No Mr. Anna Hazare, I am not with you for your proposed fast on 16th August.

THE GLASS WALL

It was a hot and humid day yesterday even though it was cloudy. I went to meet a like minded friend for discussing about future travel plans. We went to a café and both of us ordered the same drink- Cappuccino, though one small and one large (Never mind that Cappuccino literally means a small cup in Italian!). We got busy discussing travel plans and soon a third common friend joined in. His order too was for Cappuccino. The room was nice and cool with large glass panes up to the ceiling and one could see people outside in the verandah. We enjoyed talking about travel plans. I personally enjoy planning and fantasizing about travel as much as I love travel itself.

Suddenly I saw something outside which attracted my attention. Some repair work, perhaps for the telephone line, was going on and there were about half a dozen people involved in it. One Sikh gentleman, aged around 65, with absolutely grey beard and hair, wearing a vest and a sort of shorts, was doing the digging. I was amazed at the fast speed with which he was digging. This went on for a few minutes and then he stopped and a younger person in his mid thirties took over. After a little while he too stopped. Now it was the turn of a Muslim gentleman who must have been around 60, to do the digging. He had a large grey beard without moustaches and a small white little cap on his head.
He did his quota of the digging and stopped after some time. Inside the cool room, the three of us sat glued to what was happening outside. Soon a small boy appeared on the scene with about half a dozen glasses of tea for these workers. They all sat under the shade of the tree and started chatting and laughing while enjoying their tea.

The sight of tea brought us back to our Cappuccinos, and to our world. Our world, though hardly ten feet away from those digging outside, was bounded by a thick transparent wall of glass and an invisible but strong social wall. We could see what was happening outside but could not become a part of their world.

This incident has left me very disturbed. I am 68 and am in good health. I am doing nothing for the society- the society where people of my age are forced by circumstances to do hard manual labour to earn an honest living.


I don’t know how to handle this.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT, 1988 (PCA)

Whenever there is an issue requiring tough handling, instead of applying the existing laws with full vigour, we hear suggestions for enacting a newer and tougher law. I remember that after the massive Cyclone that hit Orissa in 2000, one of the ideas floated was that we should have a specific law making it incumbent on the public servants to handle such calamaties without any laxity. A few weeks back there was a shocking murder of a media-person in Mumbai and one of the ideas floated was the need to have a new law for the safety of the media-persons. The same is true to a different degree about combatting corruption in public life where the exercise is on to have a new law and set up newer structures.

The welcome discussion about curbing of corruption in India has aroused tremendous public interest on this subject. However one sometimes gets the impression from the debates as if at present there is no law to curb corruption amongst public servants in India.

The fact is that there is a law on prevention of corruptions since 1947. This law was revised and made more stringent in 1988 and is called the Prevention Of Corruption Act, 1988 (PCA).

Some of the noteworthy provisions of this Act are:

(i) It is a stringent law as for every act of corruption which stands proved under this Act has to be punished with a minimum of 6 months imprisonment. This mandatory punishment on conviction can go up to seven years. These are strong provisions considering that punishment for the heinous crime of attempt to rape under section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) is imprisonment for not less than 7 years and punishment for attempt to murder u/s 307 of the IPC is ten years.

(ii) Special courts are set up to try these cases with the aim of having speedy trials.

(iii) Even the Prime Minister has not been excluded from the purview of this legislation!

(iv) There is a provision for a summary trial though the punishments that can be awarded following that procedure are lesser.

Mandatory Punishments uner the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (PCA)

Offence Mandatory Min. Punishment Maximum Punishment

Sec. 7: Public servant taking 6 months imprisonment 5 years imprisonment + fine

gratification other than legal

renumeration

Sec. 8: Taking gratification, in order 6 months imprisonment 5 years imprisonment + fine

by corrupt or illegal means, to

influence public servant

Sec. 9: Taking gratification for 6 months imprisonment 5 years imprisonment + fine

exercisie of personal influence

with public servant

Sec. 10: Abetment of the two above 6 months imprisonment 5 years imprisonment + fine

mentioned offences

Sec. 11: Public servant obtaining 6 months imprisonment 5 years imprisonment + fine

valuable thing without

consideration

Sec. 12: Abetment of offences 6 months imprisonment 5 years imprisonment + fine

in Sections 7 & 11

Sec. 13: Criminal misconduct 1 year’s imprisonment 7 years imprisonment + fine

by a public servant

Sec. 14: Habitual offences u/s 2 year’s imprisonment 7 years imprisonment + fine

8, 9 or 12 above.

Sec. 15: Attempt to commit 3 years imprisonment + fine

offences u/s 13 (1) cl. (c)

& (d)

For effecting speedy trial, the Judge can also follow the procedure of Summary Trial as given in the Cr.P.C. and award punishment up to one year’s jail.

SOME SUGGESTIONS: Can something be done to tackle corruption while we debate for bringing in an almost perfect law for having a set-up under the proposed Lokpal/Jana Lokpal? Here are some suggestions:

(i) Make the existing institution of the Central Vigilance Commission stronger;

(ii) Put the existing Central Bureau of Investigation under the administrative control of the CVC;

(ii) Triple the number of Courts that handle corruption cases;

(iii) Prescribe a time limit for grant/refusal of permission from Govt.

(iv) At individual level, do not give any bribe.