Navratan's Viewpoint

2011-09-08T17:19:00.000+05:30

Insecure Security

It is proved beyond doubt that Manual Security System has miserably failed in providing any effective resistance to terrorism. Only effective answer can be High Technology Based Security with minimal involvement of humans monitoring the system. And strictly no and absolutely no involvement or interference of political class of the nation.

2011-09-08T16:49:00.000+05:30

Courting The High Terror

Whenever a terror attack happens - which happens now on a very regular and short intervals -our politicians including our Prime Minister start shouting from rooftops declaring zero tolerance and giving befitting response to these activities. And then the wait for the next attack begins. This has been happening for years now with no positive outcome. Not even a shameful acceptance of failure by shameless politicians.

In these circumstances we certainly need a strong, very strong Lokpal Bill in which every minister in charge including Prime Minister is covered and repeated failure, incompetence and non-performance of constitutional duties by them are equated and treated at par with corruption and dealt accordingly.

Reluctant Prime Minister-Compelling Politics

2011-01-27T14:52:00.026+05:30

Manmohan Singh has been perhaps the only Prime Minister nation has seen who had a non political, non corrupt, selfless, clean and intellectual image. Perhaps the only Prime Minister in the world who had earned his undisputed reputation as an upright, down to earth, pragmatic and concerned bureaucrat in national and international fora much before entering into politics. The only Prime Minister who held the chair with impeccable track record of perfection & performance.

His genuineness had been a great asset for him and had shielded him on many failures including the re-inductions of Sibu Soren, Vilasrao Deshmukh & A Raja and even during his leniency in asking Maharashtra Government to enforce strict legal options on rival Political bosses for their mayhem and inflammatory speeches on many occasions.

However non display of authority on his part for whatever reasons has helped his colleagues and subordinates immensely in their wrong doings. As a result the most industrious & illustrious prime minister became the reason to push the nation to the mercy of absolute non performing, sycophant bureaucrats and corrupt politicians.

Despite all this, unfortunately till very recently he had not been able to take charge and be at the helm. Hence the most honest and sincere head of the government is surrounded with innumerable allegations of corruption and non performance.

Though after CWG mess & 2G , Deavs & Adarsh scams it seems that the things are moving in right direction and nation will see matters to reach some logical conclusions in near future.

Now it will be interesting to see whether he can hold on to his authority and leads the nation to the badly needed and well deserved glory or is compelled to forget & forgive as has been always the case with independent India or chooses to resign and retire as an awakened & non compromising leader of once great nation called India.

Thane Station - Faceless Crowd - A Security Risk of All Sorts !

2010-09-12T01:54:00.003+05:30

This video recording shows the stampede like situation during evening peak hours at Foot Over Bridges at Thane Railway Station. Since the FOBs and Stairs are too narrow they are absolutely incompatible to absorb the ever swelling sea of humanity.

We a group of Thane residents under the banner of Thane First Forum have sent a letter to GM of Central Railways along with Railway Minister Mamata Bannerji in December 2009 but failed to get any response from either of them.

Thane is a historical Station which had received first Train from the Victoria Terminus in 1853 and has developed multi folds during last 10 to 15 years but facilities there remain the same obsolete and non-existent.

If no concrete steps to widen these bridges are taken immediately we feel it can lead to a ghastly disaster any time.

2010-05-05T14:22:00.006+05:30

Dharma-Beyond Religion

Every language has few unique words, which are non-translatable. If we try to interpret in some other language, they lose real meaning and give deceptive perspective. However, despite this fact the other reality is that these words on many occasions need to be interpreted to convey the message. In the process we many a time miss on hundred percent expression. Dharma – is one such word originally evolved from Sanskrit and adopted by many Indian languages with full dignity and pride. However, the most communicative language of the world English does not have a parallel to it. Hence, practically on all occasions the word is lost in translation and does not reflect its true significance. Religion is construed to be the nearest analogous to Dharma and being very frequently used instead.

While Religion denotes Faith and Belief, Dharma is far from all these conceptions and represents purity of a spiritual state of mind and soul. While different Religions denote different rituals to comprehend God, Dharma propagates the God within. Different religions may have different perspectives but Dharma is one for all irrespective of one’s religious lineage. It has no conflicts between castes and creeds, faiths and beliefs. Hindus may advocate cremation of the dead; the Religions of Muslims and Christians endorse burial of the body. While Muslims pay reverence to Majaars & Peers and Hindus worship numerous Gods and Goddesses besides Rivers, Snakes, Trees and Spirits with same fervor and devotion but both of them ultimately believe in Oneness of the eternal primacy, equally appreciate the divinity within, and consider it the part of one God –Parmatma or Allah.

While Religion can be different for communities, sects and groups of people, Dharma is same for all mortals. Religion is attached hence biased but Dharma is aloof, detached and unbiased. Religion may or may not lead to spiritualism Dharma is a state of spirituality. Religion is visible and identifies itself with pride Dharma is invisible and humble. Religions can have contradictions but Dharma is beyond conflict. Religion can die but Dharma is eternal. Religion exists because of our beliefs Dharma is cause of our existence.

Though a human is born with religious identity but is supposed to follow the divine law of Dharma to justify his existence as an inseparable part of the Ultimate and finally merge with that supreme One. Now it is our discretion to decide and choose our path during the voyage called Life.

A YEAR AFTER...

2009-11-13T13:24:00.005+05:30

I have always felt very tranquil sitting on the shores of Arabian Sea watching the sun set deep in to water. While the gigantic ocean has always given me, a sense of my minuscule and unassuming existence the setting sun has always inflicted an eternal hope for resurgence, belonging, and being relevant and connected with the world as an important fraction of the universe.

I was born in Bombay about four decades prior to when it was christened as Mumbai and approximately a decade before the Maharashtra was born. I had been in the city during the day and the night. During the good times and the bad times. I have always felt that I have not lived in a city I have lived with the city. It has been the city of my ambitions, my struggles, my hopes, my aspirations, my failures and my successes. The city, which was always with me in every thick and thin. The city where I had never felt lonely & threatened.

But on that evening all was changed. For me the falling bodies at VT (CST) station were unambiguously declaring the death of this majestic metropolis. The burning Taj and Oberoi shattered all hopes. Though it was a national tragedy, I felt it as a personal loss. Very personal. First time in Bombay or Mumbai I felt threatened. No one to share my grief. I felt very lonely and very helpless.

However, on the spontaneous resolve by Bombayites to gather at the Gateway to demonstrate solidarity towards city and pay reverence to the departed I dragged myself to the venue with a couple of friends. On the shores of Arabian Sea it was the ocean of humanity touching the fences of VT station.

First time the ocean gave me a sense my enormous existence with a sense of hope and optimism. I realized being an integral and an important part of the movement. I felt very safe and accompanied. The feeling of oneness overwhelmed me. I felt being relevant. The hopes re-energized and faith looking up. Once again, sensation of living with the city came alive. I was fully reinstated.

Now a year later I wonder if that reinstatement will continue to live long or will run down in absence of any concrete and visible positive outcome. If the strength and solidarity shown by citizens that became impossible for establishment to ignore and enforced the authorities to own up the responsibility of attacks still exist or had melted away with passing time.

Will the year of death and disaster be commemorated with some real resolutions and commitments by our self-proclaimed masters-the politicians or will end up with just insincere rallies, dishonest tributes and worthless speeches? Will the mood and concern of Gateway will prevail amongst people and force the government to perform or all that was a momentary emotional outburst, which has faded away with time.

With vital evidences misplaced and important witnesses lost and reprimanded politicians restored to their past glory one is bound to have doubts on the intentions and integrity of the people responsible to deliver justice and can easily imagine the shape of things to come.

Damn-ocracy

2009-11-09T17:22:00.005+05:30

It is unfortunate that the people who are elected to protect and maintain the rule of law are engaged in taking it in their own hands and that too in the assembly itself. I have no sympathy for Abu Azmi as he may also indulge in the same kind of activities if given a chance. But this does not mean that Raj Thackerey and his goons should not be condemned for adopting these sorts of unlawful activities in the house. And above all the government of the day should be taken to task for allowing any individual to grow up to this dangerous proportions that he becomes a law unto himself.

Corruption & Agencies

2008-12-18T17:21:00.001+05:30

No agency in our political set up can be very effective. We have bad politicians, worse coalitions and worst electoral politics. All these factors invite undesired political interference in governance. Until unless politics is entirely separated from governance nothing concrete can be achieved.

In our format of elections where even candidates with 10-15% of votes polled can be in office and where people of people's republic have no direct role in electing their prime minister, chief minister and representatives this separation seems a remote possibility. Since no leader is directly responsible to the nation.

When contesting an election there is no minimum educational and experience requirement and where all sorts of criminals are allowed to participate in election, it is natural for elite and educated urban electorate to stay away from voting. Quality of candidates contributes further to this attitude.

I strongly feel if government really wants to do something for the nation, electoral reforms must be implemented without any loss of time, law & order should be separated from terrorism, agencies be made autonomous with accountability clearly defined not only in bureaucracy but in leadership also. And then nothing can stop India from winning all wars against all the ills including terrorism, casteism, regionalism, poverty and illiteracy.

We Are Still Indians

2008-12-04T15:26:00.003+05:30

After agesI had once again a feeling of being an Indian. Feeling of being connected. A feeling which had been an integral part of my existence that I never felt existed. it was known only when it was gone some years back. And since then it was as bad as carrying your own corpse on your own shoulders. After many many years I again felt that I was not dead. I still had life left in me.

It was amazing. A headless Rally of thousands of people without any predefined agenda or program but ultimately one outcome. No Police bandobast yet fully disciplined. Sea of humanity but no fear of stampede. Lots of young girls and boys but no trace of vulgarity. People from every caste and community but no display of any region or religion. Only one thing was radiant and that was Indanness. The spirit of real & true India. The might of Indian People.

Message was loud & clear for politicians and I hope this spirit remains intact and does not wait for any more disaster to resurface. Long Live Gateway Of India

Mumbai or Bomb-bay

2008-11-27T13:13:00.015+05:30

It hurts. It hurts even more when you are born and and brought up here. When you have spent entire 5 -6 decades of your existence experiencing, romancing and living the city. It really hurts to see that city of your dreams, your existence, your character is being raped. Day in day out. By terrorists and by politicians.

It is national shame that once again the so called safest city of the nation has been subjected to this kind of ghastly terror attack that 14 police men including senior officers have lost their lives. Magnitude of the preparations, planning and the execution of the attack can be imagined that even after 40+ hours the battle still continues.

Who is responsible. I put 100% blame on the politicians. Irrespective of their status and party affiliations.

Congress & NCP are ruling at the state as well at the centre. And the terrorism has been encountered practically across the country many a times during their stint. However they have no action plan to counter the it effectively. Nor do they have genuine will to do so. Except for repeated rhetoric of zero tolerance and stern action by Prime Minister and Home minister after each occurrence.

BJP and Shiv Sena are projecting themselves as the next government. At state as well as at the centre. However these parties have devised new way to identify the terror and have a different set of rules and perhaps the policy also for Islamic and Hindu Terror. One more clear way to endorse terrorism for rotten political reasons to serve their selfish interests.

MNS is preparing hard to make its presence felt during the ensuing state elections. But can fight and beat and kill only innocent citizens of the nation. At this point of horror in Mumbai none of these sainiks have come to the rescue of Mumbaikars.

Where were both the Senas who claim to own the city when security personnel were fighting the terrorists in the streets and dyeing for their Mumbai.

Do they find no role to play when gun battles with terrorists are fought and grenades are hurled on hapless citizens. Or do they find helpless north Indians more damaging and dangerous for Mumbai who have no weapons to encounter their might of vandalism.

After every attack the blame game starts between political stalwarts abusing each other for their action or inaction. Government of the day will call it a cowardly act and condemn it. Why don't they understand their duty is to stop the terror. It is mandatory for them. Nobody bothers what they are saying. People want it to be encountered effectively. It is obligatory for them to behave like a leader.

Converting Bombay into Mumbai is not enough until the goddess Mumba is awaken to protect the city. It is for those individuals occupying the chair of power and position and authority to awaken her.

But unfortunately our politicians time and again have miserably proved themselves nothing more than just a bunch of sadist, hypocrite, unconcerned, corrupt, self serving and shameless creatures. They have only shown excellent results in dividing the society and justifying the ill governance in the name of caste, creed, religion and region.

Even after this attack on Bombay or call it Mumbai to satisfy their rusty ego if they don't get their act together and continue to behave in the same impotent and dirty manner it is very much possible that next target of the attack could be these heartless politicians themselves. Amen.

Bravo R R Patil !

2008-10-30T23:09:00.022+05:30

When Rahul Raj the youth from Bihar was killed in a BEST bus shoot out by Mumbai Police, R R Patil had come up with a very tough and befitting statement and declared that any body scaring the innocent citizens will be treated with the same force and be destined to same fate.

It was for the first time that the Deputy CM & Home Minister of Maharashtra had spoken in a fashion a Home Minister of a dignified State should always be talking. Certainly his statement will infuse some badly needed confidence in the hearts of citizens living in the metro.

However without going into the politics of region or caste and fully believing in the fact that police force needs a free and sometimes iron hand for tackling any unlawful activity in the city & state and must not always be questioned or doubted for all their actions & intentions I leave this chapter here for the moment.

Now I only hope that R R Patil and his men in khaki will continue to exhibit the same courage and recourse and will certainly show the same spine and commitment in detecting & dealing with the killers of the youth in Khopoli-CST local irrespective of their alleged MNS affiliation. They have to ensure that gruesome murder of a young human is not lost in unwanted, unnecessary and unpleasant debate whether it was a Hate crime or not. It was a crime for sure and this fact is enough for an appropriate action.

If we justify the eliminating a gun wielding boy for his scary actions then being even a little less harsh on the killers of Dharamdev should certainly be more than unjustified and unacceptable to us.

Castes, Terrorism & Politics

2008-10-27T15:55:00.011+05:30

I wonder many a times when people so easily get biased. And it stuns me even more when matured politicians of this huge nation either start relating terrorism with one community or start defending the terrorists related to that community. All for petty politics. But in the name to serve and protect the common man from the atrocities of the ruling party.

For last few years it has been Islamic terror. Before that terrorism was synonymous to Sikhs. Now Hindu Terror is being described as the new phenomenon on this horizon.

Why the hell terrorists are not separated from any cast or community as other criminals are. Why even a single Muslim is allowed to speak that they are being discriminated because of their minority status. Why when Raj Thackerey's goons or Shiv Sainiks strike terror they are not vociferously condemned and reined by govt agencies. Why when Bajrang Dal activists kill Christians no one from BJP condemns the act. And why no VHP leader has yet come up with any statement on so called Hindu Terror.

It is unfortunate that all our so called leaders have shamelessly proclaimed themselves as cast oriented politicians and have no hesitation in admitting that they find no wrong in indulging into vote bank politics.

Until the members of this breed mend their ways and learn to call spade a spade rule of law can not be established. We all must understand and accept the fact that terrorists can emerge from any community like all other criminals. And if we take it as a disease for social reasons any person from any community can get infected by social virus. There should be no hesitation or shame in accepting that a person or a group of persons has taken ill or has gone in wrong direction for any reason whatsoever.

Elected representatives are supposed to concentrate on governance only and their only motive should be to maintain the rule of law in the country. Hence it is imperative for all sorts of politicians ( belonging to all political entities) to keep their mouth shut when investigating agencies are at work. Not only they should allow them to work independentlly but also hold them responsible for the outcome.