tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898258383742540602024-03-16T06:43:23.301+05:30OmSarveBhavantuSukinahThis is the beginning of the universal prayer of the Hindus, for the prosperity and happiness of all living beings. This is the real Hindutva. K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-633314070499810262023-07-19T08:25:00.001+05:302023-07-19T08:25:32.420+05:30Is Lemon Good for Diabetes? Let’s Find Out<a href="https://www.healthifyme.com/blog/lemon-for-diabetes/">Is Lemon Good for Diabetes? Let’s Find Out</a>: Citrusy and tart, lemons are typically round and bright yellow. They are widely used in cooking and baking to add a zesty flavour to dishes and desserts.K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-69071262537137098552023-07-19T08:03:00.001+05:302023-07-19T08:03:54.045+05:30Diabetic Diet Plan – Best Diet Foods, Tips and Recipes<a href="https://www.healthifyme.com/blog/diabetic-diet-plan/">Diabetic Diet Plan – Best Diet Foods, Tips and Recipes</a>K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-49826023892755547902023-01-22T15:02:00.001+05:302023-01-22T15:02:21.421+05:30What is consciousness? - Michael S. A. Graziano<iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/MASBIB7zPo4" width="480"></iframe>K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-72515655268546430082022-12-14T12:26:00.002+05:302023-01-22T15:19:05.011+05:30அடைப்பை நீக்க இனி ஆஞ்சியோ பண்ண வேண்டாம் இது மட்டும் போதும் | Avoid Anjio...<iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/OHOYQnDYQQU" width="480"></iframe>K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-32365080852788164182022-07-20T08:33:00.000+05:302022-07-20T08:33:00.322+05:30வாழ்த்துக்கள்/வாழ்த்துகள் | உளமார/உளமாற | பதட்டம்/பதற்றம் | மங்கலம்/மங்க...<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/p8Qjxky9kqA" frameborder="0"></iframe>K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-77557882147014306552020-11-23T13:52:00.000+05:302020-11-23T13:52:39.980+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: blue;">Let us Guide our Imagination</span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><b>Venkataraman K S</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFhOO7eUyKbKobecfYfwpXvxpYhU0BfxCQeNt26Mm-lJZEvavAdbpmpu7iKJHeMXAYhWqui9Sk6ctAgf4NALmICuXQkdA4QbUa61YES95yUj-KfRhQv-riCzPROo4nfStgN4hmFFnZFz3/s1600/disciplined+imagination.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFhOO7eUyKbKobecfYfwpXvxpYhU0BfxCQeNt26Mm-lJZEvavAdbpmpu7iKJHeMXAYhWqui9Sk6ctAgf4NALmICuXQkdA4QbUa61YES95yUj-KfRhQv-riCzPROo4nfStgN4hmFFnZFz3/s320/disciplined+imagination.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Imagination is not just allowing all sorts of thoughts to rise without any discipline. It is greatly harmful to generate streams of thought whimsically. This habit would pave the way for the creation of negative ideas of fear, worry, etc., and cause problems for ourselves and our well-wishers. We should develop our talent of imagination without losing mindfulness and regularity, and proceed with a clear goal. </span></span></div>
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<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: medium;">கற்பனையை வழி நடத்துவோம்</span></span></h1>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: blue;">கற்பனை என்பது கட்டுப்பாடில்லாமல் எண்ணக்குவியல்களை எழும்ப விடுவதல்ல. சோம்பேறித்தனமாக, மனம்போன போக்கில் எண்ணங்களை ஓடவிடுவது பெருந்தீமை பயக்கும். தேவையற்ற பயம், கவலை, மற்றும் எதிர்மறைக் கருத்துக்களை வளர்த்துக்கொண்டு, தனக்கும், தன்னைச் சேர்ந்தவர்களுக்கும், பிரச்னைகளைத் தோற்றுவிக்க இது வழிவகுக்கும். ஒரு தெளிவான இலட்சியத்துடன், ஒழுங்குணர்ச்சியையும், சுய உணர்வையும் இழக்காமல், கற்பனத்திறனை வளர்த்துக் கொள்ளவேண்டும். </span></span></div>
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K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-1121001989861068282017-03-26T14:07:00.005+05:302022-07-20T09:50:03.190+05:30LIFE IS ON THE JOB EXPERIENCE<div style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-bv9XvF0a-oI5PSNpg7XbTOCEEYdEgUmCpi7UfoMPzYzkPU3MmjYhyphenhyphenSPuzip49fxgHGc18wSkbhFmurm7SY22R4rSERc5h5S_Ba9ezahzL74CBo7LpBgKfb7dkw1RsxZkFYs2hPRtMvM/s1600/Life+is+on+the+job.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-bv9XvF0a-oI5PSNpg7XbTOCEEYdEgUmCpi7UfoMPzYzkPU3MmjYhyphenhyphenSPuzip49fxgHGc18wSkbhFmurm7SY22R4rSERc5h5S_Ba9ezahzL74CBo7LpBgKfb7dkw1RsxZkFYs2hPRtMvM/s320/Life+is+on+the+job.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Life is a
combination of time and energy. This combination finds expression first through
desires, then by action, and then by knowledge gained. Desire spurs us to
act, which makes us experience the result of the action; that experience
teaches us something, which restructures our desires. This spiral activity
evolves all living beings. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Desires spring up from our instincts. We act spurred by desires. Actions lead us to experiences. Wisdom is the effect of experience. That wisdom elevates our desires. The improved desire makes us perform better. This spiral of progress is the reward of life. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Sometimes, their desires
are fulfilled through sensory perceptions. Sometimes, they fail in their
attempts and experience anger, frustration, depression, and so on.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Though these
physical or mental experiences end, they leave a subtle trace of the
experiences, called <i>vAsanas. </i>For, e.g., we drink a cup of delicious <i>bAdAmghIr.
</i>The sweet experience enjoyed through the tongue may be over, but the taste
lingers in mind as a <i>vAsana.</i> On the next favorable occasion, the memory
of <i>bAdAmghIr</i> surfaces and stimulates a desire to drink it again. The <i>vAsanas</i>
of pleasant and unpleasant experiences promote, in due course, likes or
dislikes, leading to actions for or against the relevant things.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">The experiences
of life educate us most effectively. The knowledge gained from our experiences is known as firsthand knowledge because it is
internalized by us and becomes part of our mental energy.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Desires are the
expression of <i>ichchA shakti</i> (power of aspiration) and actions caused by
them are the expression of <i>kriyA shakti</i> (the ability of activity). The
knowledge we gain through experiences is the expression of <i>gnAna shakti</i>
(power of wisdom).</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Good desires
cause good actions, which in turn elevate our knowledge. From this higher state
of knowledge, better desires arise in our minds, leading us to better
efforts, and further improving our understanding. Thus, we become wiser and
wiser. This spiral action evolves the living beings to noble and enlightened
spiritual states in the long run.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">On the other
hand, if we allow evil desires to activate us, they would lead us to nefarious
activities, which would lower our level of wisdom and develop baser
instincts. We would become involved in unworthy deeds and become criminals.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">If we are
intelligent enough, we can also learn suitable lessons from bad experiences. But this is like swimming against the current. It happens very rarely.
Sometimes, a true friend or teacher may interfere and lift us up from the
effects of bad experiences. We cannot, however, count on these chances.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">We should always
cultivate good thoughts and noble desires and work for uplifting experiences.
The essential components of life are time and energy. It is always moving
forward. Moving further, we continue to learn simultaneously through
experiences. We should always ensure that our desires, efforts, and lessons harmoniously move in the right direction. Thus, we may ward off all the
negative influences of the world and achieve progress in life's physical, mental,
intellectual, and spiritual layers. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Desires spring up from our instincts. We act spurred by desires. Actions lead us to experiences. Wisdom is the effect of experience. That wisdom elevates our desires. The improved desire makes us perform better. This spiral of progress is the reward of life. </span></p>
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K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-61603506554720163682016-08-27T00:51:00.000+05:302016-08-27T00:51:03.878+05:30Peace and Conflict<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Peace
and Conflict<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">K S Venkataraman</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUblWXL-zetiC9HPThw3Mx0DY1htJd1vteb6pM7GJj23hQWUZYpw4cPwEyWxbV4Jz2p5kutqfl_Ghx-IzFNL1DUvi9cdQfPOf-ECToCy_ASgsDjVgdfnq2wKqc-Qc50bO9VIyZ1BG1xOLP/s1600/if+you+avoid+conflict.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUblWXL-zetiC9HPThw3Mx0DY1htJd1vteb6pM7GJj23hQWUZYpw4cPwEyWxbV4Jz2p5kutqfl_Ghx-IzFNL1DUvi9cdQfPOf-ECToCy_ASgsDjVgdfnq2wKqc-Qc50bO9VIyZ1BG1xOLP/s320/if+you+avoid+conflict.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><h4 style="text-align: left;">
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
peaceful atmosphere needs a truthful foundation. It cannot prevail on falsity.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The general advice, one is likely to receive on most of the
occasions is to avoid conflicts. The conflicts may grow into serious fights and
undesirable consequences. Therefore, it is better to avoid them at any cost.
Thus runs the arguments of peace lovers. We should admit that they are not off
the mark. However, there are exceptions, which, if ignored, would cost us
dearly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes, remedies can be worse than the diseases they are
supposed to cure! In the ancient Indian epic the Mahabharata, the <i>Dharmaputra</i> decided not to reject any
invitation or request, in order to avoid war. His idea was <i>not </i>to offend anybody, so that his behavior would not lead to any
conflict. That was why, he agreed to participate in the game of dice, proposed
by Duryodana. Finally, the game led to a great war!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We cannot always be milk, sugar and honey towards all. We
cannot see eye to eye with others on all matters. When we are not directly
involved or duty-bound, we may keep a diplomatic silence and look the other
way. If such an option is not available, it is better to be frank and express
our opinion politely, with our reasons; rather than suppressing our opinion and
nodding our head unwillingly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is true that truthful statements often give rise to
unpleasant arguments; but chances are that in due course they would be accepted
and facilitate smooth sailing. If we hide our disagreement in the beginning, we
could not participate in the implementation of the project wholeheartedly; our
real stand would hamper our work and at times may even obstruct the work of
others. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While explaining the principles of conflict resolution, R.J.
Rummel observes, "… Doubtlessly, some conflicts are unnecessary, some
needlessly intense and long lasting. But some also are a real and unavoidable
clash, the only means through which one, as a partisan, can protect or further
vital interests and achieve a more satisfactory and harmonious just peace. …"
(https://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/TJP.CHAP10.HTM)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The peaceful atmosphere needs a truthful foundation. It cannot
prevail on falsity. This is applicable to all the situations, threatened by
small or big conflicts, from family to international levels. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is no point in buying a worse inner conflict while
attempting to avoid an outer conflict.</span></span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-56057222209622703432016-08-24T10:03:00.001+05:302016-08-24T10:03:00.889+05:30SATYAM BRUYAT - Justice Katju : We must reunite<a href="http://justicekatju.blogspot.com/2016/08/we-must-reunite-some-people-agree-on.html?spref=bl">SATYAM BRUYAT - Justice Katju : We must reunite</a>: Some people agree on principle with my idea of reunified secular India , which includes India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, but ask how it is...K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-7947201335577559342016-08-14T01:19:00.003+05:302016-08-14T03:25:27.249+05:30Punishment is an Effective Tool for Crime Control <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The ancient Tamil sage Thiruvalluvar has
said, “The action of the King in severely punishing the criminals, who have
committed heinous crimes like murder, is like a farmer removes the weeds for
protecting the food crops.” (Thirukkural 550) <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Are Punishments Necessary?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Crimes are reprehensible because they work against
the fundamental principles of human co-existence. They weaken and even threaten
to demolish the social structure. They repudiate the individual’s normal rights
of peaceful living and cause undue suffering or even death. They become all the
more repulsive when they are perpetrated deliberately in organized manner.
Still worse is when the criminals are directly or indirectly supported by the
very same persons who are duty bound to prevent them. It becomes exasperating
beyond limits when the victims are made to suffer and the criminals go
scot-free. In India, the situation has become exasperating; and is going
terribly and irremediably awry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Reforms are needed in all the areas relevant to
criminal justice. While urgent, serious and sincere action is needed to improve
the system, it has become a fashion to talk about softening towards the
criminals in general, and doing away with death penalty in particular. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">There cannot be two opinions about the need for
proper investigation. The accused should not be humiliated or presumed to be
guilty till their guilt is proved. The sadistic treatment of any person is not
correct. Extenuating circumstances if any should be properly considered. While
I concede all these, award of punishments play a vital role in ensuring good
behavior in the society and preventing trouble. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">In the administration of criminal justice,
punishments are imposed <i>not </i>as a
matter of revenge. It has nothing to do with the principle of ‘eye for an eye’.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Gandhi is quoted often, irrelevantly of course, that
if the principle of eye for an eye is followed the entire world would become
blind. Maybe it is true. But what has prevented the entire world from becoming
blind is the fear and possibility that the principle of eye for an eye might be
followed. In the absence of that fear, the world will have two sets of people;
those, who enjoy gouging the others’ eyes out; and those who were blinded by
them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">If a court imposes a punishment, including the death
penalty, on a convict, it is not at all revenge; it is a professional, judicial,
impartial, administrative measure taken in the larger interests of the society
and to deter others from committing crimes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The ancient Tamil sage Thiruvalluvar has said, “The
action of the King in severely punishing the criminals, who have committed
heinous crimes like murder, is like a farmer removes the weeds for protecting
the food crops.” (Thirukkural 550) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Can
We Afford to be Criminal friendly Beyond a Point?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">A good government should take care of its
law-abiding citizens first. For this, the criminals should be sternly dealt
with. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The existing situation in India is just the
contrary. Here the law-abiding citizens have to be on the back foot, while
criminals usually have nothing to fear about. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Crimes are always increasing. Their number goes up
everywhere; they are becoming more and more cruel and well-planned; the
perpetrators are becoming richer and bolder; their roles are growing
significant in all walks of life, mainly in politics and business. Any effort
to reduce the criminals’ influence is met with stiff opposition by united political
class. They don’t normally unite for any national cause with such spontaneity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">‘Minor girl gang-raped by village youth, burnt alive
in UP.’<sup>1</sup> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">‘Hyderabad techie gang-raped by cab drivers in
luxury car.’<sup>2</sup> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">‘Another minor girl gang-raped in moving car in
Delhi.’<sup>3<o:p></o:p></sup></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><sup><br /></sup></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Such heinous crimes occur with sickening frequency
and alarming ease. They just get converted into uninteresting statistics. If at
all, there would be some excitement for a few days and the men in power know
very well that left to themselves they would die natural death. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">At the same time, when the criminal politicians’
interests are involved, things move very efficiently and the ordinance path is
taken! For how long the people of India are going to be taken for a ride by the
politicians, for whom bad governance is a matter of their birth-right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The pertinent question is why the entire system is
not taken up for a serious review and reform at national level? Why remedial
measures are not ushered in with the urgency the subject deserves? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Are
Punishments Irrelevant?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">A report on the
Delhi crime begins with an observation: “</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Death
penalty to four convicts in the December 16 gang rape case has failed to act as
a deterrent as rapes continue to haunt the national capital.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Interestingly an
argument against the death penalty is that it has not been proven that death
penalty can reduce the crime rate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Don't ever say that death
penalty has failed to prevent crimes. Say that the penalties are <i>not</i> quick enough, inclusive enough to
prevent crimes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">People know that only in one
out of a million cases deserving death penalty, it is actually implemented. In
many cases, it takes more than a decade to finish a case; and imposing a
punishment stands disconnected with the crime in the minds of the people. How
can anyone evaluate its relevance and effectiveness?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">If organized crimes are exponentially
increasing in number, there are several reasons. Some of them are: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;">Bad
governance</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;">Political
interference</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;">Money
power of criminals</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;">Apathy
in investigation and prosecution</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;">Inordinate
delay in delivery of justice</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;">Inadequate
punishments</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;">Flaws
in prison administration</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;">Misguided
and mischievous propaganda of pseudo-human rights activists and pseudo
humanitarian organizations</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;">Cut-throat
and profit-minded media, especially the visual media</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Punishments duly implemented
would definitely have a deterrent effect; only that can deter the people. But
many people deliberately turn a blind eye to the real reasons and instead try
to neutralize the system of punishment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The legal system and
criminal procedure are supportive of the criminals. Most of the human rights
persons or men in power do not bother about the rights of the law-abiding
persons and victims. In how many cases the criminals have come out in bail only
to commit crimes? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The failure to impose
reasonable punishments makes the affected people lose faith in government. In
many cases they opt for settling the scores by themselves. Local gang-leaders
and hired guns get good business and establish themselves with the help of
dishonest politicians and officials. This leads to organized crimes in the
society.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
truth is that the seriousness that should be attached to prevention of crimes
in a civilized nation is not at all there in India. The people in power should
be ashamed of the statistics on the subject; but they are busy with their
personal agendas! Administration has become a plaything in their hands. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Aim at Zero Level</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Only after umpteen filtering
systems that allow criminals to escape by different routes, after becoming
convinced about its justification, death penalty is imposed. After that there
are so many chances to escape; and now you should find out if the criminal has
any chance of getting reformed! Any hard-core criminal, who has absolutely no
intention of reforming at all, can argue that he has a chance of reforming.
This would virtually eliminate fear in the minds of criminals; and would also
encourage them to expand their nefarious activities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Why should you want to try
the impossible task of reforming the hardened criminals, who has already
seriously harmed or even killed law-abiding citizen(s), again at the cost of
innocent members of the society? Who gave such a right to the men who happen to
be in power?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">There is a maxim that says,
“Aim at the sky, if you want to shoot the bird sitting on the tree.” Here the persons in power cheat the people by
shamelessly talking things like about percentage of detection! And here a ‘youth’ leader says that it would take 20
years to eliminate corruption in India! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The truth is that the
seriousness that should be attached to prevention of crimes in a civilized
nation is not at all there in India. The people in power should be ashamed of
the statistics on the subject; but they are busy with their personal agendas!
Administration has become a plaything in their hands. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36pt;">The people are entitled to
zero level crime and zero level corruption. If there is enough political will,
it is not impossible.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">References<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rape-gangrape-up-rape-uttar-pradesh-minor-gangraped-in-up/1/319682.html</span><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: x-small;">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/drivers-rape-techie-in-hyderabad-arrested/1/319635.html</span><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">http://in.news.yahoo.com/another-minor-girl-gang--raped-in-delhi-043521203.html<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-23407810251758652992014-10-19T22:39:00.001+05:302014-10-19T22:39:48.116+05:30President Obama Diwali Message 2014 doing pooja and lighting diyas<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ga4qWlz71Mk" width="480"></iframe><br /><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">How beautifully he experiences and shares the universal spirit of Sanatana Dharma in wishing the happiness, wisdom, and prosperity of all living beings. Cannot help feeling sorry for the self-proclaimed 'pakuththaRivu vAdhikaL' of our own country, who have fallen prey the mischievous, false propaganda of the selfish persons with vested interests.</span>K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-11205595187032203202014-08-08T01:04:00.000+05:302014-09-08T00:39:46.885+05:30Avoid Vain Arguments by T Joseph Benziger (Editor, Dynamic Youth)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">DYNAMIC YOUTH online Magazine - Editor's Letter for August 2014</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Avoid Vain Arguments <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">From the Editor<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Dear
Youth of the World,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Human">Man</a>
is a <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_animal" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Social animal">social animal</a>. We value relationships for exchange of ideas and mutual
evaluation. We share our experiences with one another that turn out to be
beneficial to all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Even
from childhood we long for recognition. For children, the positive strokes they
receive from others make them happy and self-confident. This helps them grow as
strong adults and enables them to move with the external world fearlessly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Those
who suffer from <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inferiority_complex" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Inferiority complex">inferiority complex</a> usually avoid mixing with others and their
communication is limited to grunts and groans. But a person who has clarity of
<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Mind">mind</a> has unambiguous views on all the subjects related to him; and others also
would greatly benefit by discussing with him. When there is disagreement on any
issue, discussions help us thrash it out from all the points of view and arrive
at the most sensible solution for it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">It
is important that discussions, whether it is between two persons or among the
members of a group, should take place in a healthy atmosphere. All the
participants should aim at finding the right answers without any bias or
prejudice. They should be open-minded and should be willing to share their
knowledge with others and also to benefit by the views of others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">If
there is ego problem the objectivity in discussion will be totally lost.
Similarly, if a participant is particular that only his views should be
accepted by all others, the quality of the decision taken will greatly suffer.
The presence of a sensible group leader or moderator would be useful in such
cases. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">We
should always be particular in providing a system for open discussion in all
organizations including family. Any simple difference of opinion can develop
into serious quarrels in the absence of chances for frank discussion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">While
a discussion is intended for exchange of ideas and enhance the general level of
understanding of a subject, we should take care about maintaining its standard.
If any of the participants in a discussion is not sincere in his approach, if
he has some <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vested_interest" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Vested interest">vested interests</a>, if he is obsessed with fear, anger, hatred or any
other negative feeling, his mind would not allow him to be dispassionate and
balanced. His thoughts would not be well-organized and so he cannot also
appreciate the genuineness of the views of others. He would go on repeating
what he believes, overlooking the arguments of others, however sound they may
be. In such cases, even a well-intentioned discussion would become a heated
argument and may also lead to a quarrel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">We
should be watchful about the attitude, and manner of presentation of the other
person and if we find him obsessed with a wrong point of view, we should avoid
further discussion with him, lest it should become a quarrel even if we are not
for it. Their friendship is not good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiruvalluvar" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Thiruvalluvar">Thiruvalluvar</a>
says: We cannot introduce clarity by our words to those whose minds are
disorganized, unstructured, and unreceptive. (<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tirukku%E1%B9%9Ba%E1%B8%B7" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Tirukkuṛaḷ">Thirukkural</a> 825)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Latha","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">மனத்தின்</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Latha","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">அமையா</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Latha","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">தவரை</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Latha","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">எனைத்தொன்றும்</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Latha","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">சொல்லினால்</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Latha","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">தேறற்பாற்று</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Latha","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">அன்று</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (</span></em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">manaththin amaiyAthavarai
enaiththondRum chollinAl thERaRpaRRu andRu.) </span><i><span style="color: #ff6600;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Mark
Twain said in his own inimitable manner, "Never argue with a fool,
onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Wishing you all the best,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br clear="all" />
</span><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">(<span class="style81">T
Joseph Benziger)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span class="style81"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> 26 July 2014<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-57892366151823301052014-08-08T00:42:00.001+05:302014-08-08T00:42:06.414+05:30Sanskrit Carnatic Saptaratna Krithi (Raga Kiravani) - "Bala Sarasa Mural...Sanskrit Carnatic Saptaratna Krithi (Raga Kiravani) - "Bala Sarasa Mural...<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<nobr style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></nobr><br /><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">UthukkAdu Venkatasubbayyar,<br />
also known as Venkata Kavi, for whom the Lord Himself was the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mAnasIka guru</i>, has many firsts to his<br />
credit like the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Navavarana</i> and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saptaratna kritis</i>.</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He initiated the idea of composing thematic<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><nobr style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">compositions</nobr></span><nobr style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">like the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Avarana kritis</i>. This was followed by<br />
Muthuswami Dikshitar and Swati Tirunal. </span></nobr></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><nobr style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">His <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saptaratna<br />
kritis</i> may have inspired Tyagaraja to sing the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pancharatna kritis</i>.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></nobr></div>K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-21375881733741815522013-11-20T13:29:00.001+05:302013-11-20T13:29:00.128+05:30Are regional parties constitutional in india?<a href="http://www.lawyersclubindia.com/forum/Are-regional-parties-constitutional-in-india--92547.asp#.UoxrYghJljs.blogger">Are regional parties constitutional in india?</a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">The constitutional validity of the regional parties is flimsy and doubtful. If they are not against the words of the constitution, they are definitely against the spirit of the constitution that describes Indian as a single nation. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">The constitutional and other legal provisions relating to the mushrooming regional political parties need to be critically examined because on the face of it they are not in conformity with the basic requirements of national unity and integrity. If necessary our constitution should be amended suitably allowing only nationalistic parties in the political system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-90435646702582757352013-06-16T14:50:00.001+05:302013-06-16T14:50:21.074+05:30Good Content Always Gets Shared: 7 Characteristics of Good Content<a href="http://mindmulch.net/content-marketing/good-content-characteristics/">Good Content Always Gets Shared: 7 Characteristics of Good Content</a>K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-87146730606164390202011-10-09T12:38:00.000+05:302011-10-09T12:38:50.906+05:30www.abdulkalam.com<a href="http://www.abdulkalam.com/kalam/jsp/display_content_front.jsp?menuid=28&menuname=Speeches+%2F+Lectures&linkid=68&linkname=Recent&content=1917&columnno=0&starts=0&menu_image=-#.TpFIZnTUZFI.blogger">www.abdulkalam.com</a>K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-1591371199770537062011-08-27T12:40:00.000+05:302011-08-27T12:40:25.623+05:30India needs Anna. Alive.India needs Anna. Alive. Shobhaa's Take
<br />
<br /><p><b>What we are witnessing is a display of collective wrath. </b></p><p><b>The sort of sup- pressed, accumu- lated rage that has finally found an outlet in Anna </b></p>At the time of writing (11th day of the fa mousfast), Anna Hazare is still alive.
<br />That statement sounds crass... crude... shocking.
<br />It is meant to. I think we have all lost the plot. And in the cacophony of all the noises and voices, we have conveniently overlooked the one person who is at the centre of it all -Mr Hazare. He has been reduced to a sideshow, a mascot, as his overzealous keepers continue to exploit his frail persona and use Mr Hazare as a bargaining chip. Mr Hazare's health is now the nation's obsession... its chief concern.
<br />His physical health has become the barometer for the nation's emotional health. If anything happens to Mr Hazare... and let me put it bluntly... if he dies, it will lead to consequences that may be far more terrible than rejecting the Jan Lokpal Bill.
<br />But, of course, in polite societies, we don't talk about the death of someone who is very much alive. As of now, the stand-off is on. There's no resolution in sight. But heaven help us, if the situation suddenly deteriorates and his health fails.
<br />Hey bhagwan! Till then we shall have to put up with a parade of assorted personalities holding forth on TV channels.
<br />Bristling belligerence getting the better of some.<p> While other lightweights opt for catchy hyperbole. An overenthusiastic ad man described the Ramlila gathering as a Kumbh Mela. Carried away by his own imagery, he went on to declare that the crowds could be still bigger than the pilgrims who gather for the holy dip during the Kumbh. His wild exaggerations were understandable -we have reduced the entire protest to a pathetic game of numbers (“Mine are bigger than yours...“).
<br />Awestruck TV anchors urge their camera crew to sweep cameras over the surging crowds and then rhapsodise over the spectacle. A few hand-picked commentators (“especially flown in”) hold forth from the Ramlila Maidan and assure viewers they have never witnessed anything like this — the scale, the fervour, and of course, the numbers! It’s always about the numbers. An irate housewife from Noida rants about rising prices and how she has to pay bribes to get a gas connection. </p><p>The anchor turns to the camera with a triumphant look and thunders, “The entire nation stands solidly behind this lady… this is India’s second freedom struggle.” And then it’s back to this season’s biggest reality show… poor Rakhi Sawant will need to do something </p> more than flash her eyes and cleavage if she wants those TRPs. <p>While Salman Khan must be scratching his head to come up with a clever gimmick to promote Bodyguard. As of now, there is just one bona fide superstar in India, and that’s Mr Hazare. </p><p>But what of the screechy, shrill supporters who chant “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat mata ki jai” on cue the minute cameras cut to close-ups? Emotions are running dangerously high. When that happens… anything can happen. It’s like a flash flood or a bush fire. </p><p>Or open heart surgery. </p><p>Timing is everything. </p><p>As of now, the protests have been admirably non-violent. Those who have taken to the streets have done so only because they fervently </p> (perhaps, naively) believe it is a do-or-die moment — if they let this opportunity go, another one may be a long time coming. <p>There is hope in their hearts that the protest (more against the scourge of corruption than a thumbs up for the Jan Lokpal Bill), will lead to seminal change. Will it? So far, the country has been governed by a succession of elected representatives (irony!) who have ruled like history’s worst despots — no questions asked! What we are witnessing across India is a display of collective wrath. The sort of suppressed, accumulated rage that has finally found an outlet. For that alone one must thank Mr Hazare. If Mr Hazare’s patience has worn thin, it’s in perfect sync with the sentiments of the people. Perhaps for the first time in 64 years, the aam aadmi believes the time has come to aggressively challenge those who have trampled on and abused their trust for six decades. The ordinary citizen is experiencing a heady feeling of instant empowerment after years of being resigned to accepting powerlessness as their collective “fate”. </p><p>Armed with this new weapon, trusting citizens continue swarming different venues across India demanding to be heard. This has been the single biggest achievement of Mr Hazare. No wonder Manmohan Singh was gracious enough to honour and salute Mr Hazare during his uncharacteristically emotional address in Parliament. What we are witnessing is living, throbbing democracy in motion. It is an image that will endure long after the impasse ends, and everybody goes home to carry on with his or her life… the significant difference being, from this moment on, it will be a transformed life, an aware life, an entitled life. And most crucially, a life that comes with a built-in assurance that in a democracy, every voice counts, even the one that disagrees with you. </p><p>For all this to happen, India needs Anna. Alive. </p><p>The countdown has begun. </p>
<br />K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-10698317859958719662011-08-27T12:33:00.000+05:302011-08-27T12:33:00.975+05:30K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-20623695113476205092011-08-22T13:21:00.000+05:302011-08-22T13:21:11.249+05:30Kailash Kher For Anna Hazare- Ambar tak yahi naad goonjega<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RZNKSF3FHpk?fs=1" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" width="425"></iframe>K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-40471633635982955392011-08-08T22:23:00.000+05:302011-08-08T22:28:00.387+05:30No proof of RSS link to Bapu killing: Jurist<p align="center"><font color="#ff0000" size="3" face="Verdana"><strong>No proof of RSS link to Bapu killing: Jurist</strong></font> <p align="justify"><font size="2" face="Verdana">Aug. 7: The former Supreme Court judge, Justice K.T. Thomas, who came in for severe criticism for his remarks absolving RSS from Mahatma Gandhi assassination said he still stuck to his guns.</font> <p align="justify"><font size="2" face="Verdana">“Godse was part of RSS. But, he'd left the organization before he killed Gandhi since he found it too soft. So, you can't blame it on RSS“, Justice Thomas told this newspaper.</font> <p align="justify"><font size="2" face="Verdana">He said judiciary in the country, so far, couldn't find any evidence against RSS.</font> <p align="justify"><font size="2" face="Verdana">The case was first heard at Red Fort by Justice Atmacharan who didn't find any RSS link. Nor the bench headed by Justice Khosle.</font> <p align="justify"><font size="2" face="Verdana">“Later, Nehru even ordered a probe which drew a blank. After this, in 1966 Indira Gandhi ordered a judicial probe headed by Justice J.L. Kapoor who also couldn’t find any RSS connection”, he revealed. </font> <p align="justify"><font size="2" face="Verdana">When the whole judicial and democratic means had been expended, the country should put an end to the debate, he said. He said, the biography written by Robert Payne, author of The Life and Death of Mahatma Gandhi also couldn’t find any RSS link. “My comment on the subject should be treated as a judicial analysis”, he observed. </font> <p align="justify"><font size="2" face="Verdana">Stating that Congress leaders like Mr. Ramesh Chennithala wouldn’t know much about history, he said RSS was still being blamed for minority votes. “I don’t know whether Chennithala had read Robert’s work”, he teased. </font> <p align="justify"><font size="2" face="Verdana">He further said when Gandhi was assassinated, the then RSS president M.S. Golwarkar was in Madras. “The outfit went into an immediate mourning. Ideologically, we may differ. But, you can’t question their patriotism”, he said. </font> <p align="justify"><font size="2" face="Verdana">He recalled visiting the cell in Andamans in 1997 where Veer Savarkar was lodged for 27 years. “I could see many poems he’d written on the wall using stone, because, authorities never gave him anything to write”, he recalled. </font> <p align="justify"><font size="2" face="Verdana">Godse was part of RSS. But, he'd left the organization before he killed Gandhi since he found it too soft. So you can't blame it on RSS. “</font> <p align="justify"><b><font size="2" face="Verdana">K.T. Thomas ex-SC judge </font></b> <p align="center"><b><font color="#ff0000" size="3" face="Verdana">Spare RSS, Respect Judicial Findings</font></b> <p><strong><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R0hF9QyyKxQ/TkAVlM8GpyI/AAAAAAAAAI4/DPlhiqevXVM/s1600-h/Sreekrishna%252520Kulkarni%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Sreekrishna Kulkarni" border="0" alt="Sreekrishna Kulkarni" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wMuMdAKGxSY/TkAVl1DJBCI/AAAAAAAAAI8/h_j3H1VJDE8/Sreekrishna%252520Kulkarni_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="176" height="178"></a></strong></p> <p align="justify"><b><i><font size="2" face="Verdana">Aug. 7: Even as Justice (retd.) K.T. Thomas’ remark on the Gandhi assassination makes waves, the great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Mr. Sreekrishna Kulkarni, asserted it was not right to link the RSS name. </font></i></b> <p align="justify"><font size="2" face="Verdana">“In 63 years’ time the Government of India has instituted many judicial commissions and committees to investigate the assassination. None could establish the RSS connection”, Sreekrishna told this newspaper. </font> <p align="justify"><font size="2" face="Verdana">“The children of Gandhiji have never tried to obstruct or influence the impartial investigation of this case”, he reminded. </font> <p align="justify"><font size="2" face="Verdana">Mr. Sreekrishna said it was time people learnt to respect the judicial findings in the matter and rested the issue. </font> <p align="justify"><font size="2" face="Verdana">As for RSS, he said it’s also an organization of national stature which had contributed immensely to the nation’s development. </font> <p align="justify"><font size="2" face="Verdana">“It’s incorrect to drag the RSS name again and again. </font> <p align="justify"><font size="2" face="Verdana">So, it’s my considered view that the matter shouldn’t be raked up again and again for petty political reasons”, he appealed. </font> <p align="justify"><font size="2" face="Verdana">Mr. Sreekrishna also revealed that after Bapu’s assassination his grandfather Ramdas Gandhi had written to Nehru requesting him not to hang Godse. </font> <p align="justify"><font size="2" face="Verdana">“But, his request was turned down by Nehru,” he revealed. </font> <p><a href="http://dc-epaper.com/PUBLICATIONS/DC/DCH/2011/08/08/index.shtml?ArtId=009_005&Search=Y">http://dc-epaper.com/PUBLICATIONS/DC/DCH/2011/08/08/index.shtml?ArtId=009_005&Search=Y</a> K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-38360110431119742232011-04-19T19:28:00.001+05:302011-04-19T19:28:17.975+05:30undefined<a href='http://epaper.telegraphindia.com//TT/TT/2011/04/19/index.shtml'><b>undefined</b></a><br/><br/>undefined<a href='http://epaper.telegraphindia.com//TT/TT/2011/04/19/index.shtml'><i>read more...</i></a>K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-77611951908104326422011-04-06T20:15:00.000+05:302011-04-06T20:15:47.057+05:30Money and Muscle Power Cut the Roots of Democracy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if !mso]> <style>
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<div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Money and Muscle Power Cut the Roots of Democracy</span></b></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">K S VENKATARAMAN</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCwSlo4iQEXsLX4yDj9VhIipwYoV1TkFq1mttvssGMDJqLiov0Ya8pO-Nz5BwBnzGqJCUMP63_O9VeQwGhsjZ9KHUiuoknHSi8p8SXd2NgXqHh4axPHRsEpAQOCi_rZIPCJKnnK2yDWfv/s1600/IMG_5432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCwSlo4iQEXsLX4yDj9VhIipwYoV1TkFq1mttvssGMDJqLiov0Ya8pO-Nz5BwBnzGqJCUMP63_O9VeQwGhsjZ9KHUiuoknHSi8p8SXd2NgXqHh4axPHRsEpAQOCi_rZIPCJKnnK2yDWfv/s320/IMG_5432.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Democracy, spoken of highly as a form of government in the modern era, can easily become corrupt and inefficient. It may become kleptocracy if the people do not understand the value of their freedom; if do not identify themselves with the nation as a whole; if cannot see through the chicaneries of the politicians; if buy the cock and bull stories of the politicians and are ready to get caught in emotional conflicts among themselves; if fail to elect right persons as their representatives and entrust the task of governance with them.</span></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In a country like India, the politicians have a number of cunning schemes to keep the people divided; they use religion, caste, language, region and what not, to create divisions among the people; they tell them mischievous stories with historical distortions and make sure that different sections of the people hate one another. By this they try to develop captive vote banks. </span></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Naturally they attract criminals to political parties and use them effectively against law-abiding majority during the umpteen conflicts shaped by themselves. This helps them to keep well-mannered majority at bay; and to control all political themselves in their control. </span></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In India majority are poor. The politicians are controlling them by bribes and if it does not work, by threats. </span></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For the corrupt politicians, money is not a problem. They are able to grab land, indulge in extortions and run any illegal business with the help of dishonest officials and criminals. With more money, they grow more powerful and vicious. Thus their atrocities spiral up and they make a mockery of democratic institutions, including elections.</span></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For example, let us take Tamil Nadu. Elections have been scheduled on April 13, 2011. Hard cash in crisp notes, totaling Rs.5.11 crore kept in five travel bags on the roof a private bus has been seized in Tiruchirappalli. This is not an isolated case. The unaccounted cash seized during the last few days has touched Rs. 25 crore.<sup>1 </sup></span></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Even for a well-educated professional, rupees in crores mean quiet a lot. How can some of these politicians, just by making use of their arrogance and criminal way of life, accumulate enormous wealth within short periods? </span></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The assets of Sai Baba, who has been serving the people for more than seven decades and has followers all over the world, are estimated to be only Rs. 40000 crores! Though for him donations have been flowing in from several countries in millions of dollars, it is only Rs. 40000 crores. By a single scam, a politician is able to swindle Rs.1,76,000 crores within a few years!</span></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In India, full-fledged political reforms, supported by suitably revised constitutional support, are urgently called for. For this, corrupt politicians are not going to take any initiative. It is possible only if our youngsters enter politics in large numbers, drive away the corrupt politicians at all levels and tone up governance by educating and involving laws-abiding majority of Indian citizens. </span></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
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</div></div>K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-79013646689747684912011-04-05T22:42:00.000+05:302011-04-05T22:42:11.269+05:30Global Citizenship<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Global Citizenship</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">K S VENKATARAMAN </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCwSlo4iQEXsLX4yDj9VhIipwYoV1TkFq1mttvssGMDJqLiov0Ya8pO-Nz5BwBnzGqJCUMP63_O9VeQwGhsjZ9KHUiuoknHSi8p8SXd2NgXqHh4axPHRsEpAQOCi_rZIPCJKnnK2yDWfv/s1600/IMG_5432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCwSlo4iQEXsLX4yDj9VhIipwYoV1TkFq1mttvssGMDJqLiov0Ya8pO-Nz5BwBnzGqJCUMP63_O9VeQwGhsjZ9KHUiuoknHSi8p8SXd2NgXqHh4axPHRsEpAQOCi_rZIPCJKnnK2yDWfv/s320/IMG_5432.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The humankind has reached a critical crossroad. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">There is a glorious path towards global peace and happy coexistence for all. But this path is hidden; remains blocked by a myriad of wrong aims and destructive tendencies. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The other path is attractive, inviting and open; with an impressive Welcome Arch, it keeps us blissfully ignorant of the dangerous pitfalls lying ahead! We have got to make a choice between the two alternatives. Making the correct choice depends on our answers to a few questions.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Are we going to examine our aims more closely and revise them for common good; or not?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Are we going to curb our destructive tendencies and work for human welfare; or not?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Are we going to transcend the man-made barriers like nationalism, regionalism, religious fanaticism, caste-ism, and so on; or not?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Are we going to get rid of the Machiavellian line of thinking that goals justify means, and establish our age-old values of having good goals and equally good means; or not?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Are we going to change our identity with the narrow and self-imposed limits and broaden our vision and sense of belonging to the whole universe; or not?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">If the grave dangers of terrorism, drug evil, global warming, population explosion, nuclear arms race and so on should be removed, and if our Mother Earth should be available for our posterity as a planet supporting life, we have to do a lot of re-thinking.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">We have to learn to think at global level and mentally embrace all the peoples of the world as our kith and kin. From the level of tribal warfare, we have to elevate ourselves to the level of Universal Oneness. We have to push our horizons of thinking and action beyond artificial borders, to make the emergence of global citizens possible.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">All of us should become ready to jettison our evils and admire the good in others. When bad things are discarded and good things are absorbed by every one of us, a tremendous positive change can take place in the world. The glorious path towards Peace and Prosperity for the entire humankind would become visible and open.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Of course, we are not the first to think on these lines and work for global peace and prosperity. Many individuals and institutions, including the UNO have been working for these noble aims. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Let us join them and contribute our mite to the emergence of harmonious global village. Let us do what is possible for us to the shaping of Global Citizen, visualized by several great men of the world, like Adi Sankara who spoke of ‘Swadeso Bhuvanathrayam’. (I belong to the country, which includes all the three worlds.) Let us work for the realization of the wisdom expressed in the ancient Tamil adage, ‘Yaathum oore, Yaavarum kelir’. (All places are my native place; all are my relatives.) </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Let us work to spread and strengthen the awareness of being global citizens among all the peoples of the world.</div></div>K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-508336362189072142010-12-02T21:48:00.001+05:302017-08-01T12:04:28.613+05:30A Cry of Agony<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>A Cry of Agony</b> </div>
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K S VENKATARAMAN</div>
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For running the administration of a State, the Chief Ministers are compelled these days to opt for jumbo cabinets! This is a criminal waste of public money. During the periods of emergency in States, we see that two or three administrators run the state administration better.</div>
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In these days of highly improved transport and communication, the whole world is becoming a global village. There is enormous scope for improving the standard of administration. Much speed and efficiency could be infused into the administration. The procedures in all the departments could be revamped and made easier and quicker.</div>
<b>Lowbrow Politics at the Cost of Efficiency</b> <br />
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But usually, the States are burdened with jumbo cabinets, as the Chief Ministers are under pressure by their party-men and high command. They become slaves of the hypocritical policies of Indian politics in general, and their parties in particular.</div>
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For example, all the parties and politicians would speak that the caste system is bad and that it should be eliminated. What prevents them from doing so? It is enough if the government does not recognize the caste system; it would die on its own in the context of highly developed modern mobility and interaction. But in practice, all the politicians have vested interests in the caste system. They have already perpetuated it by reservations based on caste system. They intend not to give up this golden goose, as revealed by their decision to go for caste census. In the formation of cabinets, more importance is given to the person's caste, rather than the individual’s ability.</div>
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In some states, the politicians would like to expand their business-political organizations, which are already mushrooming beyond limits, and build empires for themselves. So they are asking for the formation of new states, and would mislead the credulous people to act as though they are asking for freedom from foreign rule! The impact of this is the Chief Ministers should think of including the persons from the point of view of regions or districts!</div>
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Where the honesty and efficiency should be the criteria, the caste, region etc., mostly replace them. Within the unwieldy cabinet, the Chief Minister would have to look for one or two really efficient persons and run the administration with their assistance. The rest, the majority of the ministers, are there because of extraneous considerations, enjoying the power and position; and very often misusing them and causing embarrassments and difficulties to the officials.</div>
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Just as a case of illustration, let us take the ministry of Andhra Pradesh formed on December 1, 2010. Obviously, the Chief Minister wanted to be guided by the need for good governance, as he said earlier, “Good Governance is my mantra”. He had to settle for a jumbo cabinet, thrust upon him for ‘political’ considerations. He had to accommodate a disgruntled leader within the party; he had to provide for the cravings of various castes; he had to appease those on a war-path for Telangana, making it look like a freedom struggle. (Some wonderful ‘leader’ likened it to Kashmir struggle!</div>
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The net result, the new Cabinet drew 15 persons from Andhra (excluding the Chief Minister), 8 persons from Rayalaseema and 16 persons from Telangana regions. It had to accommodate people from different castes. It had to take into consideration, not the individuals’ patriotism and ability, but the views of various loyalists, viz. Jagan loyalists, Rahul loyalists, Sonia loyalists and so on! There has been no question of identifying India-loyalists.</div>
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In this tight rope-walking, where is the scope for evaluating the qualification, experience, and talent of the prospective ministers?</div>
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Initially, the Chief Minister wanted to go for a smaller cabinet, leaving out the former ministers against whom there were corruption charges. Finally, he had to bow and settle for a ‘political cabinet’ of 39 ministers.</div>
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Even after having compromised so much, the Chief Minister did not get a contented lot. Two ministers have already resigned within 24 hours in protest, not on any national policy, but because they did not get the portfolio they demanded! They are aghast because they did not get as much as they wanted! What a national spirit! What a mentality of public service! What a graceful behavior of politicians, who have reached the level of a cabinet minister of a State!</div>
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To say something about the scholarliness of the chosen few, the majority of them were not even able to read the oath of office and secrecy, though it was all in their mother tongue, Telugu! Two ministers took oaths as ‘Chief Minister’! This mistake elicited a mild smile from the Chief Minister and the Governor; a derisive laughter from the rivals; a cry of agony from those who are sad about the deteriorating standard of politicians in India.</div>
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<b>K S Venkataraman</b> was the Associate Editor, Dynamic Youth Online Magazine. He is a freelance writer and editor. He may be reached through e-mail: venkataramanks7<a href="mailto:dynamicyouth_development@yahoo.com">dynamicyouth_development@yahoo.com</a><br />
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K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489825838374254060.post-76100616920588068752010-11-25T21:35:00.001+05:302010-11-25T21:35:40.062+05:30A View of Indian Politics<p align="center"><b>A View of Indian Politics</b></p> <p align="center">K S VENKATARAMAN</p> <p align="justify"><b><i>A serious doubt is growing in the minds of the political observers, whether the office of the Prime Minster of India has been downgraded in practice? Have the political compulsions reduced him to the level of a puppet? Has Sonia Gandhi emerged as the extra-constitutional authority, running the government as a backseat driver? </i></b></p> <p align="justify">According to our Constitution, ours is a democracy and the real head of the government is the Prime Minister, who should have the support of majority members of Parliament. The formation of the cabinet is his prerogative. The final decision on any administrative matter should be taken by him. The President of India takes the advice of the Prime Minister. </p> <p align="justify">No Prime Minister can afford to ignore the various political forces and power centers operating in the country. Judging such forces and deciding the best course of action to implement the declared objectives of government is one thing; being helplessly swept along such forces and compromising the dignity of the post of Prime Minister for the sake of the party’s interests is entirely a different thing. </p> <p align="justify">The Supreme Court has recently observed that it was troubled to notice the delay of 16 months at the level of Prime Minster to decide the question of sanctioning prosecution of his cabinet colleague A Raja. Evidently, the Prime Minister could not have delayed it wantonly, unless forced by the powers beyond him! </p> <p align="justify">Here is a message from <b>John MacLithon</b> revealing a particular view of present stage of Indian Politics. She has opined that the scams involving huge amounts could not be the handwork of individual politicians. She says, “…Do they (Indians) know that the huge amounts of the scams, whether the 2G, the CWG, or the Adarsh housing society scam, do not go into politicians’ pockets (only a fraction), but to the coffers of the Congress for the next general elections, and more than anything to please Sonia Gandhi? Nobody seems to notice what is happening under the reign of Sonia Gandhi…” Please read up on this message.</p> <p><b>----------------</b></p> <p><b>From:</b> "srinandan@aol.com" <srinandan@aol.com> <br><b>To:</b> StephenKnappNewsList@yahoogroups.com <br><b>Sent:</b> Sun, November 14, 2010 1:06:22 AM <br><b>Subject:</b> [StephenKnappNewsList] An empress of India in new clothes</p> <p>Namaste,</p> <p align="justify">It seems that most people do not know what is really going on with the Gandhi regime in India. And here is an article that is finally getting closer to a more accurate view of how India is losing its culture and Vedic traditions because of the Sonia Gandhi's western leanings. But I should say, this article is short and only the tip of the iceberg of what can be discerned by the problems that are arising, as briefly mentioned herein. For those of us working to preserve and protect the spiritual traditions of India, such leaders do not make our job any easier. </p> <p>Hari OM,</p> <p>Stephen Knapp</p> <p><b>An empress of India in new clothes <br></b><a href="http://expressbuzz.com/edition/print.aspx?artid=222331">http://expressbuzz.com/edition/print.aspx?artid=222331</a> <br>By <b>John MacLithon</b> <br>12 Nov 2010</p> <p align="justify">Like Sonia Gandhi, I am a Westerner and a brought-up Christian. Like Sonia Gandhi, I have lived in India many years and I have adopted this country as my own.</p> <p align="justify">But the comparison ends there. I did land in India with a certain amount of prejudices, clichés and false ideas, and I did think in the enthusiasm of my youth to become a missionary to bring back Indian ‘pagans’ to the ‘true god’. But the moment I stepped in India I felt that there was nothing much that I could give to India, rather it was India which was bestowing me. In fact in all my years here India has given me so much — professionally, spiritually, sentimentally. Most Westerners, who come here, still think they are here to ‘give’ something to a country, which, unconsciously of course, they think is lesser than theirs. It was true of the British, it was true of Mother Teresa, and it is true of Sonia Gandhi.</p> <p align="justify">It is a fact that Sonia brought discipline, order and cohesion into the Indian National Congress. But the amount of power that she, a person of foreign origin, an elected MP like hundreds of others, possesses should frighten her. All the television channels report without a blink that Maharashtra CM rushes to Delhi to meet Sonia Gandhi to plead for his life. But should not Chavan have gone to the prime minister first?</p> <p align="justify">The CBI blatantly and shamelessly quashed all injunctions against Ottavio Quattrocchi and even allowed him to get away with billions of rupees which he had stolen from India. Yet, without batting an eyelid, and with the Indian media turning a blind eye, it goes ruthlessly after the chief minister of the most efficiently run state, the most corruption free. Today the Congress, with Sonia’s overt or silent consent, pays crores of rupees to buy MPs to topple non-Congress governments. Her governors shamelessly hijack democracy by twisting the law.</p> <p align="justify">Are Indians aware that their country has entered a state of semi-autocracy where every important decision comes from a single individual residing in her fortress of 10 Janpath surrounded by dozens of security men, an empress of India? Do they know that the huge amounts of the scams, whether the 2G, the CWG, or the Adarsh housing society scam, do not go into politicians’ pockets (only a fraction), but to the coffers of the Congress for the next general elections, and more than anything to please Sonia Gandhi? Nobody seems to notice what is happening under the reign of Sonia Gandhi.</p> <p align="justify">That an Arundhati Roy is allowed to preach secession in India, whereas on the other hand the Congress government has been going after the army, the last body in India to uphold the time-honored values of the Kshatriyas — courage, honor, devotion to the Motherland. They alone today practise true secularism, never differentiating between a Muslim or Hindu soldier and who for a pittance daily give their lives to their country. First it was the attempt of a caste census, a divide-and-rule ploy if there is one; then there are the first signs that the government is thinking about thinning down the presence of the Indian army in the Kashmir valley, which will suit Pakistan perfectly. And now there is the Adarsh housing society scam in which the army officers, at the worst, were innocently dragged into it. We know now that it was the politicians of the Congress who benefited the most out of it.</p> <p align="justify">It would be impossible in France, for example, to have a non-Christian tell a Hindu (who is a non-elected president or PM) to be the absolute ruler of the country behind the scenes, superseding even the PM. There are many capable people in the Congress. Why can’t a billion Indians find one of their own, who will understand the complexity and subtlety of India, to govern themselves? Not only that, but her very presence at the top has unleashed forces, visible and invisible those are detrimental to the country. There is nothing wrong in espousing the best of the values of the West — democracy, technological perfection, higher standards of living — but many of the institutions are crumbling in the West: two out of three marriages end in divorce, kids shoot each other, parents are not cared for in their old age, depression is rampant and Westerners are actually looking for answers elsewhere, in India notably.</p> <p align="justify">One does not understand this craze to Westernize India at all costs, while discarding its ancient values. Sonia Gandhi should do well to remember that there still are 850 million Hindus in India, a billion worldwide and that whatever good inputs were brought by different invasions, it is the ancient values of spirituality behind Hinduism which have made India so special and which gives it today unique qualities making an Indian Christian different from an American Christian, or an Indian Muslim different from a Saudi Muslim. It is an insult to these tolerant Hindus to show United States President Barack Obama as his first input of the Indian capital the tomb of Humayun, a man who slaughtered Hindus in thousands, taking Hindu women and children as captives. He even subjected his elder brother Kamran to brutal torture, gauging his eyes out and pouring lemon into them.</p> <p align="justify">The tragedy of India is that it was colonized for too long. And unlike China, it always looks to the West for a solution to its problems. Sonia Gandhi, whatever her qualities, is just an incarnation of that hangover, an empress of India in new clothes.</p> <p>E-mail: <a href="http://us.mc562.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=john.maclithon@gmail.com">john.maclithon@gmail.com</a></p> <p>----------------------------</p> <p align="justify">A serious doubt is growing in the minds of the political observers, whether the office of the Prime Minster of India has been downgraded in practice? Have the political compulsions reduced him to the level of a puppet? Has Sonia Gandhi emerged as the extra-constitutional authority, running the government as a backseat driver? </p> <p align="justify">It seems Dr. Manmohan Singh is there because he is able to do at least a fraction of what he would like to do. In the bargain, he has to grin and bear more than what he would like to do.</p> <p>------------------------------</p> <p>K S Venkataraman is the Associate Editor, Dynamic Youth Online Magazine. He may be contacted through e-mail: <a href="mailto:dynamicyouth_development@yahoo.com">dynamicyouth_development@yahoo.com</a></p> K S Venkataramanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938015323976687511noreply@blogger.com0