Ready to JUMP?

[a little explanation of the title: I saw this photo and the question that came to my mind was Are they standing at gates so that they can jump out. ]

Well from past two days Indian railways has clouded my thinking I want to get over it so I am writing this.

The news of paper leak didn’t shock me that much as we have seen papers of CAT, IAS, PSC leak all over the country in the past decade or so, this is just a small paper. But then the light in my mind lit, the exam was for assistant loco pilot( don’t know what’s that it is Assistant ENGINE DRIVER), a chill went down my spine. Now my mind raced, here are some questions I asked to myself:

1. This is just one case, the person (culprit) might be involved in many other paper leaks and many would be serving in the railways already, what about that?

2. Can we rely on railways and its employees for a safe journey, what’s the guarantee that a ‘leaked-paper’ selected loco-driver will not misread a signal?

3. If the questions in the exam are testing general awareness and mental ability and have no connection to the job why even bother for an exam, recruit on a draw of lots with eligibility criteria of board exam results/ degree results.

4. Why every big leader from Bihar wants to keep Railway Ministry, is it because most people who appear in these exams are from Bihar and UP, with a large scale recruitment racket charging 2-4 lakhs from each candidate operating, this is a very lucrative business, and it is important to keep it under wraps.

5. Shouldn’t the Railway Minister be charged with homicide the next time a train accident happens?

6. The Indian Railways carry daily crores of passengers, is it not God’s grace that no major accidents have taken place on large numbers?

7. WHY PEOPLE ARE STILL SLEEPING? ANY DAY THEY WILL DIE DUE TO CORRUPTION AND OTHERS WILL BLAME BAD LUCK OR HUMAN ERROR FOR IT. GO AHEAD SLEEP, EVEN KUMBHKARAN CAN'T BEAT YOUR RECORD; EVEN I AM GOING TO SLEEP.

BYE!.

Stop Piracy. Why?

Piracy is stealing; it kills the industry associated with it. But it poses a greater threat, most of the pirated music and film business runs from Pakistan. Their websites as well as people earn money that belongs both legally and ethically with Indian Music and Film Industry.

But our industry is also at fault, they don’t listen to what the people are saying. Can you compete with a Free of Cost Download or a Cheap DVD by calling it illegal? No. The problem is first you yourself steal tunes, stories, etc. from somewhere else without paying royalty. Then you hide the actual cost of making the movie/album and financial sources thereof. Adding to that, you fail to understand the Demand and Supply.

Most trade analyst agree that the Film Industry now runs on the first three days. Why can’t you release the DVD or telecast it online or put it up on Movie On Demand channels of various DTH that are available on the fourth day. Plus the price of many DVDs is still prohibitive. You don’t give the customer a choice and call his actions flawed. Make the services available and people will turn to you. Nobody likes to steal, with proper awareness campaign more and more people will join in.

Similar is the case of Music Industry. The Technology has all changed but even before that people preferred Top 10 or Double albums than whole album. It is fooling yourself to say each and every album has all 8-10 songs perfect and likeable. Often there are only a couple of songs people want from your album nobody has the time or patience to analyze your album. Whatever pleases the person is in rest all is out. Coming to technology people now are keeping their songs on ipods, computers and mobile phones. The game of Tapes and CDs is gone. The Music Industry should start selling music online, that too individual song not the complete album (they can even have special offers for complete albums) at right cost. Start doing this and see people coming to you automatically.

What have they to loose. Music Albums and movies are made available for downloads the same day what do you gain from it? The person or rather country that gains from our efforts is Pakistan. THINK AGAIN !

I am child of a corrupt person. Now what?

With corruption a way of life now, a non existing issue now, we all a part of this great ‘Chakki’ (grinder). I find the concept of Karma useful here.

You are responsible for your acts and not others’. Hindu mythology has a number of stories that deal with the issue. A solution was seen recently seen in the movie Rang De Basanti. Nobody is asking you to kill your parents, but try not to use the money or try to do some good work with it rather than conspicuously consuming it on yourself. Try to explain to them that you don’t need that much money.

Also remember they have lived their lives based on their principles, we can never understand the conditions they grew with. But we are responsible for our future and the coming generations, do you want your child ponder over this question, ASK AGAIN.

America is Unreliable. Why?

Whatever people claim, the reality is that USA funded Al Qaida and Taliban which turned into a menace. Even now, in lieu of the Pakistan’s support of War on Terror they are giving away million of dollars. Will they disclose the accounts that show what is happening to that money. Even the Iraq War started with the issue of WMD but it was part of their Oil Diplomacy.

War with Pakistan: Not now. Why?

First, proof is not out there. Then, as we are facing, Pakistan could also have disconnect between the government and the citizens. Even if we consider Pakistan guilty of the attack, we must also consider the scale of operation. They might have researched a number of loopholes in our system, bought off a couple of officers, consider the aftermath of attacking them. The whole world will laugh at us, let us first clean our house then take on the external enemies.

Politics is the field of scoundrels. Not correct.

The scoundrel line is the triumph card of those in politics. Through it they can keep away people from politics thereby reducing competition and securing a place for their generations to come. Also by doing this, they can do whatever they want without any accountability.

The onus is on us to break this code.

Information Technology can change our politics. How?

First, you are reading this blog so its impact and reach can’t be doubted. Then the advertising cost can be severely cut through it. It can also help bringing in transparency as every step of politics and governance can be debated and discussed on it. Even the choice of candidate can be made on it.

Nobody has tried or proved it cannot be done, so we can try it. Remember, the smallest action is much better than the noblest intention.

A Faceless Party. Why?

The whole sub-continent is suffering from the problem of Family-based parties. Rather than focusing on What one has currently done, emotive statements are made of sacrifices made in distant past. Moreover, sacrifice is made voluntarily; nobody pushes one to it. If people want to show their respect they will. What kind of person are you if you sell the sacrifices of your near and dear ones. (N.B. Mark the difference between the People and the Government, their roles are different in such cases).

A Faceless Party is one where any ordinary citizen can become an MLA/MP based on his qualities and qualifications, not by serving the narrow self-interests of an individual or a group of individuals.

As the people are faceless so should be their party.

Narendra Modi style of leadership will do no good. Why?

It is based on fear. He instills confidence because all other leaders are simply non-leaders. It’s like ‘Andhon me kana Raja’.

Fear feeds on fear. Everyday new stories will be floated about some sleeper cells, bombs will be discovered, rights and freedom will slowly be usurped by the State. A kind of dictatorship will run with our permission. It is not imagination this has happened everywhere in world even think for a second what happened in Gujarat.

Before criticizing me think if you wish to visit the Ram Mandir (if ever built because the issue dies with its construction) in Ayodhya. I don’t.

Politicians’ passing the buck to Bureaucracy and Police is unacceptable. Why?

Politicians are elected to lead the government; they are people’s representatives in the government, they have authority to choose their team and if team fails the leader goes, as simple as that. If you didn’t have the strength to control the department leave the chair, let other do the job.

SMSing and Candle Vigils are good only for TV cameras. Why?

As the candle will burn out, so will your patience. Your whole effort and emotion will get wasted without making any worthwhile change in the polity. For TV channels too, some other issue will crop up. Kindly note that I was myself in front row to sms my views but this time I thought of becoming active, taking things in my hand.

To make a dent in politicians’ contempt of citizens (along with the bureaucrats’/policemen’s arrogance) we have to hit at their weakest point POLITICS. Join Politics, take active interest in it or be prepared for worst.

I want give a simple example: everyone wishes to build a house for himself, the property is registered, so government is the one you will turn to in case of a dispute, what if the records don’t name you as owner. (From the hindi movie Khosla Ka Ghosla). Your money is of no use in a FAILED STATE.

Corruption: an easy Model.

We cannot deny the impact of corruption. It affects us through Terror Attacks but a major part of its impact lies hidden. But the main point is it affects us all. First let us talk of bureaucratic corruption.

I think that about 15-20 percent of the officials are perfectly honest, about 30-35 percent absolutely (and compulsively) corrupt and the rest 50 percent form the marginal category.
The marginal category has both kinds of people: one who can be honest (provided the leadership and laws are perfect) and others who aspire to be Billionaires (at the cost of . . .).

Now the solution is simple. Identify and execute the compulsive corrupts (This of course have to start from judiciary and police). For the marginal corrupts aspiring to be compulsive corrupts create a ministry called the Ministry of the Corrupt, Under-Performers and Responsibility-Shirkers (MOCUPARS). Transfer the dead weight to this ministry, advertise their posting here, give them work similar to jail inmates (Constitutionally and Legally they cannot refuse work) and telecast it on MOCUPARS Channel.

This exercise should be done fairly, not like that is practiced today where honest ‘hard to crack nuts’ are targeted while those guilty walk free.

I think this model can be applied to society as a whole, where a majority of people sit at the margins to make a fast buck but if properly motivated they can be good and honest citizens.

IMAGE FROM: http://www.icgg.org/downloads/CPI_2006_Map_1024px.png

What is the most basic problem of our political system?

People have no say in the selection as well as rejection of candidates. Candidates are selected on the basis of their winning potential not what’s their background, experience and training. Also there is the Cash for Ticket policy.

Much has been debated on the demerits of ‘First Past The Post’ system, when only 50-60 percent voting takes place, the winning candidate does not represent more than 15-20 percent of the population, even when 70+ percent of them don’t want him.

Democracy is good for us. Why?

Believe it or not Democracy is good for us. The beauty of Democracy lies in the Secret Ballot. Nobody can tell who have you voted. As I see it the problem lies in our Attitudes and Mindsets.

Answer this question: Do you think that a person from slum is inferior to you. We all are prejudiced to some extent or more, so don’t be ashamed. Our political parties feeding our prejudices and mindsets take it to another level. But consider him inferior or a monster, you can’t change the reality.

Only in two places, Man is equal to Man, either in front of God or in Democracy. The value of your vote is equal to the value of his vote.

The time has come to treat each other with dignity and respect and leave the feudalistic mindset behind.