Alarm bells are ringing loud and clear, but is there anyone listening?

The RBI on Tuesday hiked repo rate by 25 basis points. The 13th hike since March 2010 will put further pressure on economic growth. The 12 previous hikes has not had any impact on controlling the inflation, and neither will this. The new repo and reverse rates are 8.5% and 7.5% - This is way too high, and very alarming. We are almost back to the state of financial anarchy of the late 1980s. The Government spending is uncontrollable, the fiscal and revenue deficits are increasing, and the black money in circulation is on the high. One of the reasons why the repeated rate hikes have not had an impact on the inflation.

Food inflation rose sharply to cross double digit levels at 10.6% for the week ended Oct 8 as against 9.32 per cent in the previous week. The headline inflation based on the wholesale price index was recorded at 9.72 per cent in September, according to the latest official data - And one has to understand that the period is just post harvest, when the inflationary pressure should be at the lowest, due to increase in supply.

Inflation has remained almost near double digit since January 2010, despite an aggressive monetary tightening by the central bank and the claims of a series of fiscal measures by the government - That is precisely my point. The 12 previous hikes has not had any impact whatsoever, then why hike again. The saddest part is, while the RBI (Government) is tightening the monetary policy on one hand, the moment inflation starts coming down, they do everything to ensure it stays high. Just see the recent interview with the Economic Advisor to PM, Rangarajan, who said that Government is waiting for the inflation to come down, so that they can increase the Diesel price. This is absurd. I can understand why the Government wants to increase the Diesel price, as it wants to cut down on subsidies. But this Government has done precious little to reduce wasteful expenditure. Money has been thrown down the drain on unproductive social sector programs, just because it is suggested by Sonia Gandhi and her non constitutional National Advisory Council comprising of unelected representatives, all of whom have an agenda of their own. The Revenue deficit is spiralling because of the undeserving sops given to industries, who have used them to cover their weaknesses rather than increasing productivity. Between the irresponsible socialist 'do-gooders' and the 'crony capitalists', the treasury has been bled dry, leading to the current fiscal mess. And add to this the supply side constraints. Food inflation is high because we have a non functional Agriculture Minister, who want to relinquish his post more than a year back!!! While the world has grown leaps and bounds in high tech farming, Indian farming is, by comparison, at primitive level. The so called Green Revolution of late 1960s is almost half a century old. We have hardly seen any new sustained effort to improve our farm productivity. The Government just sits back, hopes for a good monsoon, and then do nothing. The rural marketing system is a disgrace, and agriculture sector is totally neglected as it is not glamorous, along with Education and Health Care. But these are the three areas that make a difference to the majority of the population. But hey! who cares?

However, the rate hike has shown its negative impact on the economic growth. Industrial production has slowed down considerably in the past few months. It was registered at a sluggish 4.1 per cent in August rising a bit from the 3.8 per cent seen in July -- its lowest in almost two years. GDP growth slowed to 7.7 per cent in April-June period, the weakest in six quarters.With rising cost of inputs and high interest rates, industrial output is likely to remain subdued in the coming months. According to a recent survey by the Confederation of Indian Industry, business confidence, especially among smaller firms, has declined in recent months - This is no surprise, as the rate hike is meant to affect the industrial growth rate. Our much pampered industrialists are busy investing overseas, after taking all the benefits from this country.

The economy is being sustained by Services and black money. As a country we have been spending more than what we can afford for the past 5 years. This is not sustainable. It will be at least another 6-8 years, and that too after a concerted effort on the policy makers part to enforce fiscal discipline and to have a clear cut long term strategy in place (which is not even being discussed about) for Indians to feel comfortable.

As of now, I dont see a light at the end of the tunnel. The way ahead is dark, and littered with thorns. The alarm bells are ringing loud and clear. But the Government and the policy makers are playing deaf.

Sathyameva Jayathe

Quarter of a century ago, when I was Sales Officer of HPCL in Coimbatore, a Sales Area notorious for adulteration and corruption, I decided to take on those Petrol Pump owners and Tank Truck owners who were party to the adulteration. A few of my colleagues in our own storage facility were also involved in this. It was a racket. Diversion of Kerosene, adulteration of Petrol with Kerosene, adulteration of Diesel with Kerosene, replacing original lubricants with duplicate ones and finally Short measure while delivering were quite rampant. Not all the dealers were corrupt, but at least 35% were, with another 25% being fence sitters,  happy with the extra money they make by indulging in short delivery of 25 ml per litre, a relatively minor offence. My predecessor Sales Officers have over the years turned a blind eye to this racket, and some in fact benefitted by it.

I decided to clean up the Sales Area. I called a Dealer Meeting and read the riot act. Few took me seriously. Then I deliberately did an inspection of the biggest crook, who was also politically powerful, and suspended Sales for 15 days. Despite getting threats against my life, and considerable pressure from my superiors, I stuck to my decision, and the Retail outlet stayed suspended for 12 days, when in view of an impending festival, I lifted the suspension unilaterally. But this act of mine sent a message to other dealers who felt, "If XXX couldn't get  the suspension lifted despite his political and official connections. what chance do we have, if we get caught?".

Added to this, I also suspended one LPG distributor and found considerable malpractice in another's dealership.

I had a relatively smooth period for the rest of my tenure. But when I started the campaign, my father advised me to maintain highest standard of ethics, and be especially careful with small issues - like accepting dinner invitations, using the car of a dealer for official/personal use, taking small favours from dealers etc. He said that I am more likely to be caught on such things which will undermine my moral right to fight corruption. I was very very careful. If I went with a dealer for lunch, I ensured that I took him out another day, when I paid. Even when I took a stamp from a dealer for Rs 2, I paid for it. And when I filled petrol in my car, I paid and collected the receipt and kept it with me as a record. I booked my own hotel rooms while travelling and paid for it. Of course it helped that I had no vices, for I am, then and now, a teetotaller.

And I never regretted the advice I received. I have tried to maintain this high level integrity through my life. While I was teaching, my students knew that it doesnt pay to try and influence me. Obviously, when you teach a lot of students, some are bound to be closer to you than others. But come Assignment valuation time, all the assignments were treated equally. In fact, I used to be a little tougher on students who were close to me. Though, there were some odd allegations of favouritism raised by some disgruntled students, who got poor grades, none of it stuck on me as those who heard them laughed it off, for they knew I was bloody objective while doing valuation.

I was reminded of this, when read stories about how Kiran Bedi fudged her Airfare bills, or Arvind Kejriwal still owes IT Rs 9 lakhs. When you take a moral high ground, as the Anna Hazare team does, it is important that you be impeccably clean, because the whole fight is at an elevated ethical level. Any tiny slip or crack is bound to have serious consequences. One can laugh off saying the amount involved is small, but it is not the question of amount, but the thought and action behind it. Kiran Bedi is not lily white. There were allegations how she misused her position to get a medical seat for her daughter some  time back. And despite Kejriwals honesty, he still needs to explain how he ends up owing the Government so much money. If he doesnt owe them, then he should defend himself by dragging the Government to the Court. Small things do matter.

Though I fully admire Anna Hazare and his mission, I still do feel that the cause they took up was good in intentions, but week in Objectives and Goals. The Jan Lokpal Bill, which is imperfect (but a great improvement on the Governments Jokepal Bill), is not a panacea for the ills of corruption. Corruption in India has deep roots. While it gets you good TV time if you take on the powers that be, sending a few politicians to jail (which should happen in any case) will not make a dent. What is required is creating considerable awareness about the ills of corruption at all levels. One need to have a mechanism to handle corruption at the village level or at any government office level. This is going to take time - at least a generation. The first step would be to reduce bureaucracy. Second step will be implement local self governance. Third step would be to go for e-governance in a massive way. Why should a villager be dependant on village officer for getting a Caste Certificate.? He should be able to print it out for any kiosk. What is the need to have a police verification before issuing a passport? Everyone knows it is a sham. Either make it a proper verification or scrap it. Why dont we privatise Electricity Distribution? The power theft in India, with the connivance of the EB employees, is close to 20% (The loss to exchequer as per a latest report is Rs 70,000 Crores per year!!). Privatise it, and the private party will ensure this is taken care of, as such high losses will have an adverse effect on the bottom line. Why should the LPG consumers be tied to a particular distributor? Since Gas cylinders are standardised, he should be able to pick up a cylinder from any distributor of his choice. Why is the Government pouring money on loss making State Road Transport Corporations? The Private Bus operators are running much more efficient services and making profit too. The STRCs are haven for corruption- from purchase of vehicles, to appointments, to theft of fuel and spare parts to god knows what. Ditto for Air India or Doordarshan, which no one watches. Why do we have check posts on the State Boundaries. Is it not simpler to have a uniform tax structure across the country, and allow free flow of movement of goods. We are talking of Globalization and reduction of import barriers. What about reduction of removal of Trade barriers between States? Charity should begin at home. The corruption in check posts is disgusting. Abolishing them will also allow the government to reduce its fuel import bill, as the fuel lost in check posts is mind boggling. In fact, if you abolish many of the taxes, and rationalize the tax structure, life will be cleaner for the citizens. Finally, reduce the number of ministers and ministries. Once Government adopts the role of a facilitator, it is suffice if we have just 15 ministries and a total of 30 ministers. In any case 50 of the 80 odd ministers have no work, especially the junior ministers. Reduce the ministries and corruption will reduce exponentially. Finally, allow legal funding of political parties. The illegal fund raising by political parties is the root cause of corruption in India. We have a case of accumulating disproportionate assets against a CM, that is being heard in Bangalore. But why have we never heard of a case of disproportionate spending by a political party. Every election, EC goes about videographing the constituency. Even a kid knows the money spent by each candidate is way way over the limit set by EC (which is ridiculously low). But to date, not a single candidate has been disqualified for this reason. We have laws, but the implementation is poor.

Finally, increase the number of courts and judges 4 fold. I am sure a rapidly growing country like India can fund it easily. We need speedy , timely justice to fight corruption. And rewamp our judicial process. There are far too many appeals, far too many adjournments and delaying tactics. You would have noticed that I have not mentioned about revamping the police force. I did so deliberately, because even the creator Brahma cannot do anything about our current police force, which is politicised, corrupt and a disgrace to our country.

 This is the country which has as its motto 'Sathyameva Jayathe'. Let us ensure it is so. Corruption is anti sathyam. Lack of ethics is again asathyam. Let us not leave it to others to solve the issue of corruption. Let us make a beginning at home. Let us all maintain highest level of ethics and probity in our lives.

Master at Mouthing Inanities

I had taken a decision to not criticize the Prime Minister, as it is futile to do so. But I couldn't hold back when I read the inanities he mouthed yesterday regarding inflation management. The article is produced below, with my comments within brackets,

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today expressed confidence that inflation would come down by the year end - (And he took care to not mention how much it will come down to. Well, even if it comes down by 0.0001%, he can claim credit for it!!!!)

Talking about inflation, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, said the meeting he had held last Saturday with top officials, including Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, RBI Governor Subbarao and PMEAC C Rangarajan was aimed at discussing steps that could be taken to check price rise.

"The purpose of that meeting was to explore ways and means of how we can bring about a moderation in the rate of inflation," he told journalists accompanying him back home from Pretoria after a three-day visit. - (This inflationary trend started in 2007. And he is holding a meeting after 4 years to 'explore' ways and means of how to bring it down!!!)

The purpose of that meeting was to "understand from the experts in the Government of India the various forces which are at work, which have been fuelling inflation, and how we can bring inflation under control," the economist-Prime Minister said  - (Now it gets better. Government is, finally, trying 'understand' the various forces at work!! And this guy is 'supposed' to be an economist!!!)

Giving an overview of how the government planned to curb inflation, Singh said, "we have several instruments, the monetary policy instruments, the fiscal policy instrument, public distribution instruments. We have to use all these instruments together to bring about credible price behaviour." - (My dear PM, any one who knows the basics of Macroeconomics knows about these instruments. Why, even my MBA students knows about this. The problem is Monetary policy instruments have not worked, as evidenced by the failure of 20 odd interest rate hikes in the recent past. Our interest rates are nearing the 1991 high!! Less said about the fiscal policy, the better. Government has failed to control wasteful expenditure, has taxed anything and everything, and its fiscal and revenue deficits have raised at an alarming rate. It will take 5-7 years to bring the deficity under control. Finally the PDS- Congress party has been responsible for systemmatically destroying the PDS system in the country through 1990's and 2000's. In most of the States, with the exception of Kerala, TN and West Bengal, the PDS is in shambles. Again, streamlining the PDS distribution system cannot be done overnight. It took Congress party 15 years to destroy it, and you can well imagine how many decades it will take to rebuild it. The long and short of it is that you nor your high flying economic team, who sit in ivory towers like Montek Singh Ahluwalia, has no clue as to how to contain inflation)

Asked when an impact of these measures could be felt, he replied, "Well I am confident by the end of the year you would see some positive results."

He said factors, both on the side of demand and on the side of supply, have led to "an inflationary environment" - (And pray tell us, WHAT these factors are? This is a typical bureaucratic reply, that there are 'factors', without naming them, which one would expect from an 'economist' PM)

The international environment has also not been very helpful because of the energy price rise, and the fact that the exchange rate has recently depreciated, Singh said, adding that complicates the task of controlling prices.- (Of course, of course. When you dont have a clue, blame energy prices and exchange rate, both of which common man has no clue about. But the Energy Prices are high because you have taxed them to the eyes and beyond leading to higher inflation, while exchange rate depreciation is a direct result of an economy on crutches, and because we are just not exporting enough. And why are we not exporting enough? Because the inflation and higher interest rates have made our production non competitive!!! Inflation leads to higher wages, and higher interest rates pushes up the cost of capital. Even a kid knows this)

On criticism of the RBI's monetary policy, the Prime Minister refused to comment, saying it would not be proper on his part as the subject is the "preserve" of the Reserve Bank.- ('Preserve' of RBI, my foot! RBI Governor doesnt even breathe without the consent of the Government. Who is our PM trying to fool?)

One has to learn from Manmohan Singh to learn how to mouth absolute meaningless rubbish inanities

In the name.......................

"Mumbai priests use iPad for daily prayers - Technology and religion may be unlikely bedfellows but the Catholic Church, for one, is encouraging the union. After the Vatican's approval of an iPad application that encompasses the missal (a liturgical book containing prayers, instructions and texts for the celebration of Mass), city priests are eyeing it. While the iPad has still to make deep inroads, the missal available on the internet from various Catholic organizations has become extremely popular. It is noted that an increasing number of priests in Mumbai are now using the internet and iPad for the Catholic missal as well as to fine-tune their sermons" (Times of India)

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit and...........Steve Jobs!!!!"

PM's insomnia

Was sitting at home in front of the laptop when 'poof', our dear friend Budhirakshasan appeared out of thin air.

"Where have you been all these days BR?"

"Oh! here and there"

"What is brewing in the corridors of power in Delhi?" (As you know, BR is the ultimate fly in the wall)

"Manmohan Singh is worried"

"Obviously he would be. The economy is in deep trouble, the 2G scam is getting uncomfortably close, even his pet Nuclear deal is in trouble with all the protests against N Plants in the country, the Chinese are aggressive in the border, there is an escalated terror threat perception, Global recession is bound to affect India, Anna Hazare movement has eroded his credibility and finally there is the Rahul Gandhi Sword hanging over his Prime Ministership and then there are the rogue coalition partners, not to mention the Brutuses of his own party"

"No No Swamy! You have got it absolutely wrong. He has never worried about any of those things and never will"

"Then................"

"He is worried stiff about all these stories of Narayanamoorthy and Anna Hazare for the Presidentship in 2012"

"Why should he be?"

"Ah! MMS's only aim now is to somehow pass the next 9 months till the Presidential election, when he will be 'elevated' to a post for which he feels he is eminently suitable. He has proven to be the 'ultimate rubber stamp' since 2004, and is 'Her Majesty's pet Poodle'. He had always felt that these two qualifications would ensure a nice sunset for him. And now, suddenly he has competitors in Narayanamoorthy and Anna Hazare. And this makes him lose sleep for the first time since a terror attack during UPA1 when he had insomnia worrying about the welfare of the terrorist."

"I never thought of it from that angle. But if he is elevated to the Presidentship, then who will be the PM? Pranab or P Chidambaram or AK Antony?"

"None. Pranab is too smart and efficient for the liking of queen bee. PC has a mind of his own - a definite disqualification. Antony would have been ideal. He is another MMS in the making, but he is a grassroot politician - a rare species in Congress top ranks. Also, his being a christian will be held against him."

"But there will be still 2 more years to go for the Elections"

"The best bet is Meira Kumar, the current Lok Sabha speaker. She is Babu Jagjivan Rams daughter, a woman and a Dalit. And she will do the bidding of the G- gang (oops! family) without any murmur. For a party that has made a mark out of symbolism, there could be none better than her. Also, she will be an ideal foil to counter the MMJ threat"

"But MMS is surely no threat"

"Swamy!!!! not MMS, but MMJ - Mamatha, Mayawati and Jayalalitha"

'Poof' and he was gone.

How does the food price get inflated?

The food inflation has been hovering at around 10% even post kharif harvest. This is the official figure, which is based on wholesale price. The situation on the ground at the retail level is much much higher, and varies from 15-35%. The Government talks of higher demand due to better pay in the rural areas (due to income from NREGS!!!). Or in other words, the rural india is eating more, as per the wizards sitting in Delhi. If such is the case, then logically, the farmers should be getting higher returns from their crop, which in turn logically means better wages for the farm workers. And if they do, then the poverty levels should be lower in the rural areas. This is not the case. Rural India is struggling to make both ends meet.

So where is the problem.

The problem has always been with the inefficient agricultural marketing and distribution system. There are many levels of middle men, who, without providing any value added service, take a huge margin and thus pushing up the prices.

I used to give the examples of the Coconut pricing while giving lectures on Macro Economics for MBA Students. A coconut is purchased from the farmer in a thanjavur village for Rs 2. By the time it reaches the local mandi, the price becomes Rs 3.50, and Rs 6 when it reaches Thanjavur, a  District HQ. The State Capital Chennai is 300 kms away, and the selling price ranges from Rs 15-20. And when it is exported to, say, Kuwait, it is sold at 0.400 fills, which is approximately Rs 70. The only value addition is removing the husk, and then there is the transportation cost. But by no stretch of imagination one can have a selling price of Rs 20 (In India) for a  product (which is non taxable) which costs Rs 2.

The above example is only illustrative. The story is replicated in the case of all agricultural products. The support price for a Grade A paddy in Tamil Nadu is Rs 11 per kg, which means this is what the farmer gets. But the retail price of rice, when sold in bulk, is Rs 35 (at least for the rice that comes out of a Grade A Paddy). And this is in rural Tamil Nadu. The price is higher in cities. The value addition is limited to converting the paddy to rice, which doesnt cost more than Rs 2 per kg.

For an unbranded product, a reasonable marketing cost should be around 30%. Which means if the rice were to be sold at Rs 40, then the farmer should get 70% of this, which is Rs 28. But he gets Rs 11. Of course one has to add the cost of processing the paddy to rice. Even then he should get Rs 26. And this 30% marketing cost is inclusive of the margins. So where does the difference between Rs 11 and Rs 26 go to?

It goes as supernormal profit to the long line of middle men, who dont add any value, and who ultimately fund the political parties. One also has to understand that hardly any tax, either excise or sales or income, is taxed on anyone in this chain.

Why the Government cannot proactively create a well streamlined marketing system to market the rural produce, is beyond by imagination!

Ask Why Should'nt I? , instead of Why Should I?

Three decades ago, when I missed an Engineering seat by just a couple of marks (those days there were only 6 Engineering Colleges in Kerala with a total intake of around 1500 students in a year), it was as if my world has suddenly become dark. I was one of the top students in the district, a National Merit Scholarship Holder for 6 years, but a freak illness led me to underperform in the Pre Degree Exam. I was bitterly disappointed, and my father was empathetic. Not bearing to see me not become an Engineer, and he was an Engineer, he offered to get me a seat by paying Rs 25,000 under the Management Quota in our home town Engineering College. I was all of 17 then - a puny, lean lad weighing under 40 kgs. Rs 25,000, though a big amount, was definitely not beyond our financial capabilities, as we were reasonably well off.

But I had a mind of my own even then. I looked at him squarely in the eye and told him that I wont join any course which I have not got through Merit. It was my choice and he respected it, though my mother demurred. But he silenced her with a look and I could see that he was quite pleased. Not because of the money, but because I had a strong value system, and I was prepared to go any length to uphold my values. I joined B Sc Physics, then went on to do MBA (getting one of the 7 merit seats in University of Calicut with a Scholarship of Rs 20,000 to boot. In fact, I actually paid for my MBA and handed over more than Rs 6,000 from my scholarship to my father on completion of the course, after my expenses) and later in my life M Phil. There were only two institutions offering MBA in 1984 in Kerala- DCMS-Calicut University and SMS Cochin University. SMS was the older and more reputed of the two institutions, and much sought after. I had already joined DCMS, as the SMS admissions were delayed due to a legal wrangle, when father travelled 140 Kms to my campus to show me the SMS admit card. I knew he wanted me to join SMS. I looked at it, and told him I am continuing in DCMS, for Reasons 1,2, 3...... He didnt mention about SMS again in his life.

It was not that he was a weakling. He was extremely tough, very hard working, a seasoned professional, a top Senior Engineer in Kerala State Electricity Board, a hard task master and dreaded by his subordinates. He was also highly opinionated. But he let us choose our destiny. In fact he did the same with my brother, who after his BSc Chemistry, joined MSc Chemistry in the prestigious Christ College in Irinjalakkuda, studied for a month, quit, joined NSS Engineering College, studied for one year, quit, joined SMS Cochin for MBA, studied for 6 months, quit and joined Indian Overseas Bank as a Probationary Officer at the age of 22. And never once father tried to change his mind, though he always regretted that my brother did not do a Post Graduation, despite getting his chances.

This was not the case only with me. Almost all my friends took decisions on their own. When I joined Pre Degree (+1 now), B Sc and MBA, my father nor anyone else ever accompanied me. I bought the application, went to fathers office to get the SSCL book and Marklist typed (no photocopies then) and had them attested by one of the Gazetted Officers. And I went alone for all the admission. In fact, we could hardly see any parents in the Admission Hall, except the parents of some girl students coming from the rural areas. Even they stood under the trees, far away from the Admission Hall. Contrast this with what is happening today!

I really feel, this was the foundation in which our characters were built. We were opinionated, spoke fearlessly, had a mind of our own, had strong beliefs, and stood by our beliefs.

Why am writing about this? I was watching a Regional Channel yesterday, where a leading poet-teacher, now retired, lamented that today's children have less strong value system, and are afraid to voice their opinions. And this is the reason for the general fall in the ethical behavioural standards in the society.

Recently, while searching for the Engineering College seat for someone close to me, one of the options was a leading college in South Karnataka, well reputed. Another close relative of mine had graduated a couple of years ago from that college. When he was asked for his opinion upfront, he did not give any negative opinion. Ultimately that college, as an option, was discarded. Later, this boy rang up and asked what happened. On being told that it is now out of the list, THEN he opened up and said the College has a lousy culture, and a haven for drug addicts, and he himself found it very difficult to survive 4 years!!! This boy is now employed in one of the leading private sector firms in India. I was furious when I was told of this. I said "What the bloody hell! Why didnt he tell this upfront?". If I were in his place, I would have told straightaway that this is the situation and I wouldnt recommed the college. I really had nothing but contempt for him, for having not given the right feedback, which he should have as a relative and well wisher.

I could understand him. He adopted the 'Why should I?' attitude, while we, then and now, always take the stand "Why Shoud'nt I?". And the difference between the two is tremendous.

Today, no one talks about Merit. This is what happens when our UGC and State Governments do not put emphasis on creating 'Gurus' or 'Quality Teachers', but rather allow the Institutions to recruit Teachers and Lecturers by accepting Lakhs as Bribe. Till such time we reverse this trend, pay excellent salaries to the teachers and professors, recruit talented people in a transparent manner without asking them to pay lakhs, our kids and society will continue to self destruct itself.

Ask Why Should'nt I? , instead of Why Should I?, every single time.

How much lower can Congress sink?

Nothing exemplifies more the criminal nexus between the Politicians and the Big Business Crooks, and the Congress partys attitude towards corruption, than this shocking statement from the Law Minister of the Country, Mr.Salman Khurshid

At a time when the judiciary is seized with cases concerning corruption, black money and the 2G spectrum scam, Law Minister Salman Khurshid has said that the judiciary needs to understand the “political economy” in the country.

Speaking to The Indian Express, he said: “What will affect the functioning of the government is if other institutions do not understand the kind of political economy we are faced with today: what is needed to encourage growth and investment? If you lock up top businessmen, will investment come? What optimal structure should be put in place for investment to come?”

Asked if he meant the judiciary when referring to “other institutions”, he replied: “Yes, judiciary is as important a player in the entire effort. Each of the three wings — judiciary, legislature and executive — has to understand the political economy and respond to it. The judiciary can’t be immune to the demands of society in changing times. The judiciary has been making positive interventions in the field of environment, fight against corruption, protection of human rights and social welfare, but it also has to understand the political economy.”

Mr. Khurshid! Judiciary is not locking up HONEST BUSINESSMEN. It is locking up bloody crooks who, in association with the ilks of you, have bend every rules, looted the country of thousands of crores and have not delivered.

For every crooked businessman who is jailed, there are thousands of other honest businessmen who are allowed to operate without any hindrance.

Or is it the Honourable Law Ministers take that people like Ramalingam Raju, Maran Brothers, Hasan Ali, Suresh Kalmadi et al should not be judged by the law of the land, just because their jailing for trial will prevent investment?

It is such a ridiculous and shocking thought process from a senior minister who is constitutionally obliged to uphold the law of the land as the law minister. He is virtually exhorting the Judiciary to go soft on Businessmen. If that is not contempt of court, I dont know what is. Well, what else can one expect from a Minister of a party, which once talked openly about committed judiciary????

How much lower can Congress sink?

Let us fly!

There are lot of similarities to developing a blog and bringing up your child. Both reflect your thoughts in a way and is a mini replica of you.

It is said that the  The first four years of a child's life is quite critical for the development of the child and one has to take care to inculcate the right value system in him/her.

When the child is 5 year old, there is a bit of sadness. For, he/she wont be with you all the time, as he/she has to attend the school. The child is no longer dependent on you totally, and he/she sees the world through a wider prism. New friends, new environment, new knowledge - and the child is no longer the same any more. It is as if a part of you is suddenly detached from you.

But once the initial shock dies down, you can sit back and enjoy the child attaining a personality of his/her own. The child is in the process of becoming a boy/girl and then a man/woman.

The blog Rajadharmam you have been patronising, has completed 4 years, and is celebrating its 5th birthday today. When it was born the first sounds were 'Hari Sree Ganapathaye Namaha: Avignamasthu"

Well, the time has come for the blog to break free and explore new worlds. The bird is ready to flee from its nest.

"When your children are young, give them roots.

When they are old, give them wings to fly"

More variety in topics, more original thinking, and less verbose posts shall be the order of the day. At least I hope so!

Let us fly!!!

Vakdevathaye Namaha!!!

AUM VAGDEVYAI CHA VIDMAHE

KAMARAJAYA DHEEMAHI

TANNO DEVI PRACHODAYAT

Making the poor feel guilty

There is an anecdote that talks about how US President while travelling in a train in an Far East Asian Country, claimed how one could see till the horizon industries if one were to travel in USA. To this his Russian counterpart claimed that in Russia, one could see wheat fields instead of industries. Noticing that Indian PM Nehru was quiet, they turned to him and asked what could one see till the horizon, if one were to travel in a train in India. With an impassive face Nehru replied "Shining Bottoms".

It is sad that 65 years after independence, we have still not made any progress. In fact, it has got worse. We tried to cover up during Common Wealth Games as I wrote in the blog then. Read it here.

Yesterday, on Gandhi Jayanthi Day, our Rural Development Minister, Jayaram Ramesh, said 'Open defecation is a blot on Indian Society'.

And typical of our uncaring ministers, he has just blamed the people without giving one solution to the problem. And he is the Rural Development Minister!!!. People dont defecate in the open because they love it. They do it because they dont have proper toilet access. And while we have lakhs of crores to give as incentives to Industry and the rich, we dont have a few thousands to build toilets in every house in India. A 5 year plan to ensure there are toilets in every house in India, will easily solve the problem. And it wont make a dent on our excequer. Instead of doing that, he is doing what Congress has been doing all these years - making the poor feel guilty.

What else can you expect from a party and government that has abdicated all its responsibilities towards the people of this country?

Omana Thingal Kidavo...............................

Omana Thinkal Kidavo.................by Irayimman Thambi has always been my favourite, as it must be of many malayalees. Any parent who hasn't sung this lullaby once to their kids, just dont know what they have missed. Over the years, with the advent of TV, people have started to pay less attention to the lyrics - even of such a wonderful piece as Omana Thinkal Kidavo...........

For all those who love this song, I am reproducing the lyrics so that you may sing it correctly next time to your toddler (my apologies to my non-malayalee readers)