Food Security Bill- A big achievement

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s pet Food Security Bill has finally got the approval of the Union Cabinet, and now it is to be introduced in Parliament. This pet project of Mrs. Gandhi is likely to do away with the curse of hunger prevailing in the country among a little more than half of the population.
Despite the drum beating of economic reforms ,its benefit has reached only to the few and created a wide gulf between the poor and the rich. Although UPA government’s failure on economic front is apparently visible in the country, food security bill will prove to be a face saver for it.
Still, the population below the poverty line has to go without meal for days and the new born babies become deficient in nourishment only due to the fact that their mothers had to go without meal for days during their pregnancies. If the Food Security Bill is passed by the Parliament, the 75 per cent of poor rural population and the 50 per cent of poor urban population will get Rs. 1, 2, and 3 rice per kg, wheat and coarse grain respectively.
But as the food is as much necessary for the poor as the rich, the people above poverty line will also get rice, wheat and coarse grain at the price government purchases. So, the historic Food Security Bill is going to be the land mark single achievement of the UPA-II government.
By enacting the food security bill, UPA has fulfilled the promise it had made to the people in the manifesto of Congress Party in the last Lok Sabha elections. This will be much more beneficial for the Congress party politically than NREGA (now MNREGA).
The food security for the poorest of the poor is completely in line with Congress’s slogan of its being with Aam Admi. Food Security is also the brain child of Sonia Gabdhi, and with this the belief of the people that she is favourably bent towards the poor would strengthen. The security of food for the poor is the first stepping stone towards their empowerment. No privilege can match the privilege of taking meal without any anxiety. But one thing is most essential in ensuring that the distribution of food is done with honesty , sincerity and promptness among the poor.

India must intervene seriously

Move to ban the most revered book Bhagwad Gita of Hindu religion on extraneous and senseless ground in Russia is absolutely wrong and an attempt also to undermining the Indian values and faith that it epitomizes. The strong echo of MPs against the Russian attempt of banning also reverberated both Houses of Parliament. Undermining the religious faith, belief, deities and religious books by the western countries has become a fashion. This demeaning tendency of the Hindu religion and others of India abroad must be opposed vehemently and record strong condemnation of the country that does this type unethical action with the international community.
Bhagwat Gita has been described as extremist literature by Russian that encourages war. Bhagwat Gita comprises Slokas and the teachings of Lord Krishna to Arjuna to keep aside the love for brothers and near and dears and his exhortations to wage war against those who represent evils. The move to ban Bhagwad Gita by a Siberian Court has led to a storm in the Lok Sabha also today during zero hour. MPs have expressed that it is not possible for any Indian to tolerate any attempt to insult Lord Krishna. That is what is going to be done in Russia. The
reason for the reported move is that the Russian translation of a book 'Bhagwad Gita As It is' written by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was apparently spreading "social discord".
The Indian Embassy in Moscow must take the issue up with the Russian authorities.The Gita does not preach hatred. It teaches that human being must keep working without expecting result.
It is the work that is to be done by man only and it is the business of the god to give the fruit of labour. It teaches the human being to fight for the victory of good over evil. There must be religious freedom of the Hindus in Russia and it must not be compromised. We Indians have failed to understand so far that why our faith, belief and religious text are shown in poor light by western powers. What satisfaction they get by putting curb on the religious freedom of other religion than their own. Hindu religion is the most vocal in the spread of non-violence through its practice. In no
way, there is an iota of doubt that any religious book of Indians on Hindu religion spreads violence. Whenever there is a description of violence that has been due to put righteousness in right place. Saying Bhagwat Gita is extremist literature is nothing but an attempt to undermine

Indians. There has been a strong reaction against the Russian move to ban Bhagwat Gita all over India. Russia has very good friennd of India. So, it is not expected from Russia to hurt Indian religious feelings of the majority population of India.

God of cricket Sachin and Hockey wizard Dhyan Chand deserve Bharat Ratna

Bharat Ratna is the biggest civilian award of our nation. It is right to expand its area to accommodate all those who have done exemplary service for the nation in their respective fields of activities. The demand for awarding Bharat Ratna to the legendary cricket player Sachin Rames Tendulkar of our nation is absolutely right and he deserves it in every respect.

By including sports persons in the list of Bharat Ratna giving area, it is not only cricket player but also all other legendary sportsmen and women must be considered, though there are no two opinion on bestowing Sachin Tendulkar with the highest award of Bharat Ratna.

Sachin Tendulkar is not an ordinary player but also the inspiration for youngsters of the nation in cricket. No cricket has set as much record for the nation as Sachin. He is the pride and living legend of the nation. As far as Hockey or sport as whole is considered, the name of Hockey wizard Dhyan Chand must not be lost sight of while awarding Bharat Ratna for sports person. Dhyan Chandra mesmerized the nation as well the world by his magical Hockey sticks. He hit the ball with stick on the field with electrifying speed and held the spectators spell bound. So while considering Bharat Ratna for cricket legend and master blaster Sachin, Hockey wizard Dhyan Chand must not be left behind.

The Bharat Ratna award has nothing to with politics and it must kept aside from vote bank politics. No favouritism also must not be practiced while awarding Bharat Ratna more so when the name of sports persons are involved. It must be bestowed on merit and achievement recorded against the name of the player.

There is a great demand of cricket fans all over the nation to give Bharat Ratna award to Sachin. But it would be better for promotion of all kinds of game in the country equally if Sachin and Dhyan Chand are awarded at a time. Bharat Ratna is not an ordinary honour but it must be awarded to the persons who infuse inspiration among the coming generation. As Sachin Tendular is called the god of cricket and has become the household name of every Indian due to the media coverage in the age of information technology, Hockey wizard Dhyan Chand was no less famous among the countrymen and fans during his own time of action. Government of India has done right by extending award giving area of Bharat Ratna and now any one who makes extra-ordinary contribution in any field can be awarded with this highest award.

No consensus on Lokpal

The all-party meeting called by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has failed to develop consensus among all parties on Lokpal. Divergent views emerged among the political parties over what should and in what form come under the ambit of Lokpal to check corruption.

The all-party meeting also clearly reflected that the views expressed by political parties outside were completely different from what they expressed inside. Almost all opposition parties had shared the dais with anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare’s token fast and protest for a day at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on December 11 and expressed in support of all most main provision that he wants to be incorporated in Lokpal. But when they participated in the all-party meeting of Prime Minister, they sang a little bit different note.

Even the big Opposition party like CPM felt that it would be very difficult to introduce the Bill in this session of Parliament due to paucity of time, though the party wants it to be introduced in this session itself. Likewise, no political party was in agreement of introducing the bill in a hurry. Considering the divergent opinions among political parties, the UPA government did not express its views nor did it commit about introduction of the Lokpal Bill in the ongoing session. It is also not inappropriate to say that to bring historical and strong Lokpal Bill require adequate time to formulate.

The various political parties also cautioned the government to not act in haste under the duress of Anna Hazare. As the government did not express its view on Lokpal nor did it commit to introduce the anti-graft bill in the ongoing session of Parliament, it now appears certain that it would bring and adopt in the next session after paying adequate time and consultations with all parties concerned into the making of strong and historical anti-graft bill.

To finalize the nitty-gritty of the bill is the responsibility and duty of the government and to hold reasoned debate and discussion on it inside the Parliament is the prerogative of parliamentarians. It is also not possible to incorporate comma and full stop of the sense of the House in its considered opinion in finality of the Lokpal Bill. The considered view of both houses of Parliament matters most on Lokpal.

All party meeting has also made it clear that Parliament is supreme authority to make any law to deal with corruption. Law is not made on the road. It will only be made in Parliament in parliamentary democracy, no matter a protester even puts his life at risk by undertaking prolonged fast and protest.

Sensing the mood of the political class that no political party is going to side with him whole-heartedly, Anna Hazare has appealed UPA defiant partner West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Bannerjee to ensure the passage of strong Lokpal Bill in the ongoing session of Parliament. He expects from her as stiff posture to bring and adopt strong Lokpal Bill in the ongoing session as her opposition led to the suspension of 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail, though on Lokpal she is in agreement with the UPA government at the Centre. Finally, the message has gone out to the public that cold shouldering of strong Lokpal Bill by all political classes has swept it under the carpet for the time being at least.

Playing down Chinese naval preparation

Playing down the Chinese President Hu Jintao’s direction to its navy to prepare for warfare amid the country’s ongoing dispute, including India is in no way a well-thought out strategy. China has already recorded its displeasure of oil exploration on the invitation of Vietnam in South China Sea by India. Besides that, its military build-up along our borders demands urgent alert of our security personnel along the borders with China to thwart any misadventure by them.

One thing is also crystal clear that China in its endeavour to establish supremacy over others in the region can not be altogether ignored. India has to be wary of any Chinese attempt to boost up their military preparation. It is also an open secret that India in Asia is the only formidable rival of China in their thinking and outlook, though India has always extended hands of friendship to China.

It is also a fact that both the countries are the biggest powers in Asia. So, the any collision between the two is bound to spell catastrophe in the region in particular and danger to world peace in general.

Though Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has assured the nation that he does see any threat from China and it would not attack India, the past experience with China says altogether a different story. It would be short-sightedness on our part to belittle the situation arising from the military preparedness of China. None other than our Army Chief has also cautioned the nation against deployment of more than four thousand PLA personnel in Pakistan who are engaged in infrastructural development along the border adjacent to India.

The lingering border dispute with China also does not bode well and it might turn into flare-up between the two any time if both sides did show sensibility and statesmanship for the cause of peace. So, we can not play down Chinese naval preparation in view of our oil exploration in South China Sea against the wishes and desires of China.

China had already played aggressor’s role in 1962 war against India. So far India is concerned, it has taken pledge not to attack first and its military preparation is meant for peace and deterrent effect.

It is good that peace and tranquility continues between the two neighbours and both should always remain as great neighbours. But at the same time India’s experience with its neighbours like Pakistan and China must not be lost sight of. Because the bitterness they caused between our relations can not be forgotten by their behaviour in the current prevailing situation. India must always be alive to Chinese military build-up adjacent to its borders.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has described India and China as great neighbours and rejected the contention that China was preparing to attack India. He has said the reports to this effect are false. The government does not share the view that China will attack India. The PM has also acknowledged in Parliament that not much progress has been made on the border dispute ever since the two counties agreed on political parameters to resolve the row. He has assured the House that officials at highest level in China had assured him on maintaining peace and tranquility with India.

Cong’s shrewd political move

The note of dissent given by three Congress MPs to Lokpal draft, which is under the examination of Standing Committee of Parliament, is aimed giving out the message that it is as much serious to fight corruption as any other else in the country. But the way ruling Congress party is acting on the anti-corruption mechanism amply reflects that it is not serious.

Corruption is the most serious issue that Dr. Manmohan Singh Government is facing. To fight the corruption out, Gandhian and social activist Anna Hazare had held a 12-day fast and protest at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi in the month of August this year. He galvanized the entire country, especially the youths against corruption.

The public mood was so intense against corruption during the 12-day protest and fast of Anna that the Government and the Parliament together had to respect and give assurance of conceding to incorporate three main demands in Lokpal bill. He was also assured by the government that it would be introduced in the ongoing winter session of Parliament. Political class became so nervous that all political parties had to pass a sense of the House to bring the Lokpal Bill in the winter session of Parliament.

The Lokpal Bill is going to be given the final touch by the Standing Committee of Parliament. It is to be introduced in Parliament on December 19 in all likelihood. The main demand of Team Anna is the inclusion group C and D employees under the ambit of Lokpal as the common people face first hurdle of corruption in getting any work done at these two levels. If any one has to make driving license, he is not required to go to Regional Transport Officer but to the level of group C and D level employees.

But according to the sources, they have been kept out of Lokpal. Hazare and his team members rightly say that the general people face these employees from where they start corrupt practices. If the group C and D employees are left out of anti-graft mechanism, there is no sense in bringing and adopting Lokpall.

Prime Minister to be kept or not under Lokpall has been left to be decided by the Parliament. CBI is also going to be out of the Lokpall. The role of ruling Congress party has been perceived as negative by Anna Hazare and his team. They have sent out the message among the public that Congress is not interested in fighting corruption. That is why the ruling party is reluctant to accede to all his demands.

To counter the loss of image in public, the Congress MPs close to party General Secretary Rahul Gandhi have given notes of dissent. They are in Standing Committee from the Congress party. It is a shrewd political move of Congress to show the public how serious their young MPs are in fighting corruption and that is why they want strong Lokpal.

Attempt to muzzle the free expression

Union Telecom and HRD minister Kapil Sibal’s move to direct the social sites like Face Book, Twitter and other main internet service providers to pre-screen the contents before uploading them. According to the minister, several religiously offensive contents and disfigured picture of religious heads and big politicians are uploaded that may spark off clash and communal clash.

First of all, these social sites are guided by the law of their own countries and they are nothing to do what expression is liked or disliked by Indian Government. They have their in-built laws according to which they go by only. Google has very clearly and stated that until and unless the contents go against the law, it does not delete them. It does not delete contents only because they are controversial. The social sites have taken the right stand by not abiding by the Indian govt.’s ill-conceived idea to muzzle the freedom of expression.

In democracy, every one has got right to freedom of expression. People have got a very spacious platform in the form of social sites to expression their opinion and view without any hurdle and share with friends and others across the world. This is the essence of democracy. And any attempt to temper with it would have far reaching reactions.

The move of the UPA government to direct the social sites’ officials to pre-screen the contents manually, which is quite impossible in view of the crore of users who upload their views, opinions and pictures of their choice daily, is nothing but an indirect attempt to control the media.

Govt. appear to be scared of main stream media and social sites like Face Book, Twitter, Google, Yahoo and others if there their objective role is anything to go by during the Anna’s fast protest. UPA Govt was badly shaken and had to commit before Anna to bring and adopt the Lokpall Bill in the winter session of Parliament.

These days, the people express themselves freely about any issue on social sites and share them with their friends worldwide. The issues may be related to governance, personalities and any other activities taking place around the world. Social sites are the fastest in connecting the people with one another’s view at the click of the mouse. As the UPA govt. is facing several charges of corruption these day, people express their views freely against the government. That it does not. It is absolutely not possible for any one to express after taking permission from others. All are independent and have freedom to expression and wherever it is violated, law is already in place to act and punish. We have also cyber laws. If the contents are found to be offensive, cyber laws are already in place which must be implemented. This is the deliberate move to gag the free speech.

Govt. must attempt to muzzle the voice of the people in democracy. It must develop the habit to take its criticism to correct its lapse. Otherwise, government would be compelled to face the same consequences as it faced in the Lok Sabha elections after lifting Emergency in 1977. Press censorship was also imposed during the Emergency. And now it is an indirect attempt of UPA government to impose censorship on freedom of expression.