Mumbai Mayhem

ANGER-WHAT NEXT?

 

Exactly like the Indian Monsoons we as a nation react in disgust, sometimes anger in the form of ‘Bandh’, Post mortem of what happened, announcement by the state and centre about the compensation to the families of the dead; and then we move on until a new terror strike shakes us from the slumber.

Mumbai mayhem has somehow shaken the otherwise dead and buried ‘self respect’ that each one of us must have. Thank God for that! At  least one good thing. But the issue remains what next?

Everybody, who is anybody has condemned the dastardly act. We have got after Pakistan and rightly so. But is that the solution or is it  fire-fighting? Intelligence agencies have taken off from where they left after the last disaster; Each one is blaming the other, worse each one is trying to project that ‘they’ alone did what was required to be done. Three political ‘ heads’ have rolled only to be replaced by far more incompetent and ill-informed political ‘gunny-sacks’ within a few days from now.

Today is 4^th December. I watched the absolutely marvellous unification of India at Gateway of India last evening. If TV reports are to be believed there were nearly two lakh Indians, quiet but determined, sad but not afraid, disgusted but hopeful and above all they truly represented Gandhi Ji’s India. There was no ‘caste’ or ‘religion’. I am more than certain that Bapu’s soul, wherever it may be, must have smiled yesterday after many decades, while looking at such large gathering of ‘Indians’, who were calm and disciplined outwardly at the same time seething with anger inside.

Many amongst them rightly condemned the existing systemic deficiencies. Many offered concrete and implementable solutions. But  the age old saying “Job is not finished until paper work is done”. Are we going to finish the paper work this time or allow it to pass? That is when I decided to do ‘my part’ of paper work.

Condemning Pakistan, Madeline Albright, former secretary of state USA  addressed Pakistan as International Migraine, is perhaps right but decidedly not the cure or the solution. Without attempting to theorise about terrorism, suffice to state that terrorism cannot survive without ‘local help’, assistance from external agency notwithstanding. I, therefore, do not address Pakistan issue. I want to look within. I want to look at our lawmakers, the members of parliament and state legislative assemblies. I do not even want to address our valiant but abused and underpaid police personnel. Being from the military I leave the military too, paying them my best compliments.

I only want to address the ‘lawmakers’, the politicians. I do not wish to state that they are illiterate, that they are corrupt, that they lack moral values, that an ordinary street dog is more faithful. I want to address the leaders of these political parties. I have the following demands from them:-

Firstly, each leader of every political party must give a sworn affidavit to the countrymen that every member from their respective party, who has been elected  to both houses of parliament and various state assemblies does not have a criminal record.

Secondly, detailed financial status of every elected representative prior to being elected for the first time and in the subsequent years must be made public by issuing a dedicated publication to be brought out by parliament and every state assembly. Countrymen have a right to know as to how our politicians make billions in a decade. Their expertise in this field must benefit an ordinary citizen too. The nation wants to know and has a right to know the assets of their all family members pre and post election. Both these documents must be available for public scrutiny on 30^th January,2009 with the leaders of all political parties. Anything unconstitutional about it?

Thirdly, each elected member must specifically state and prove it to the satisfaction of locals that the development fund used by him/her has indeed been used for the development of the society.

Fourthly each elected member must be able to present to the public his/her assets as on date with incontrovertible proof of method of acquisition.

Fifthly, Election Commission must clarify whether the option 49-0 can be exercised in the current EVM,s. If not, why not? I appeal to all the citizens that we do not allow the next parliamentary elections due in April-May next year, if this provision is not inserted in EVM,s. Alternatively Election Commission must position another EVM at all polling booths exclusively for exercising 49-0 option. It is the responsibility of Election Commission and every contestant to educate the masses about this provision.

My grandmother, who died at 95 years nearly 50 years back once told me  “ Beta Jeene pe Jharoo upar ki seedhi se lagai jati hai ( Staircases are always swept from the topmost stair)”. An otherwise illiterate woman in a classical sense, she had given me the ‘Mantra’ of my life. Hence my approach to eliminating the curse of terrorism.

Now the action plan. If this article/message sees the light of the day, I shall urge my fellow countrymen to meet at  RAJGHAT on 30^th JANUARY, 2009 at 1100h. Arrive at Rajghat using public transport and be prepared for a seven kilometer walk. From there we shall march in a quiet, orderly and disciplined manner, without causing any disruption to traffic, to the residences of the leaders of various poltical parties e.g. Mr Advani, Ms Sonia Gandhi, Sri Lalu Yadav etc. and demand from them the sworn affidavit. Let me tell you now itself; none will be in a position to give it. Next step shall be to blockade Parliament and state assembly and not allow the corrupt and criminal background elected members to get inside the Parliament/ state assembly. In case these are not in session, we continue our vigil at respective residences.

We shall not allow Parliament to function with criminals as lawmakers. Let President’s rule prevail!

To the administration I have a request. Please allow peaceful representation to continue. We the responsible citizens will have to ensure that no acts of hooliganism take place. Some of our elected members are capable of creating disturbances.

If we have to defeat terrorism, we have to eliminate ‘criminal’ politicians from parliament and state assemblies. Be rest assured peace and calm would automatically return. Venting anger is good but if it does not translate into constructive action, it has no meaning. I would appeal to all age groups, all walks of life to be at Rajghat as an Indian. What I am proposing will take time to show effect. There shall be hurdles but we must endure to cross them. Remember we have to first sort out the ‘monstor’ within, then we shall take care of Pakistan, if the need arises. If you are looking for short term remedy, you are likely to be the next terror victim.

And finally remain angry inside but calm outside to convert the anger within to action outside.

VIth Pay Commission

During the past six weeks all and sundry have voiced their opinion on the recommendations of VIth CPC. No one seems to be happy with the recommendations. Sadly the unhappiness has been caused more by what others have been given rather than what one hasn't got.

There are numerous issues in case of Military. Eminent personalties have expressed their anguish. Senior officers have rightly explained many anomalies. It is ironic that none of these leaders have thought it fit to voice their concern about the SOLDIER'S pay packet. In fact they have been responsible for creating a disparity in the Military Service Pay recommended for the first time. An officer is slated to get Rs 6000/- as against a mere 1000/- for a soldier.

MSP is earned by an individual because he/she serves the Indian Military. Why then our Service Chiefs recommend that MSP for soldiers and officers should be different. In case this is the brainwave of the VIth CPC, why no comments have been made by the Chiefs?

Differential rate of MSP is a gross misjudgement on part of decision makers. Our soldiers deserve a better deal. Let us assume, for a moment, that soldiers too shall get MSP of Rs 6000/-i.e. an increase of Rs 5000/- per soldier or same as officers. For 1.3 million soldiers an additional expenditure of Rs 650 crore per month or 7,800 crore per year. This additional expenditure is peanuts, when viewed in the light that in the current budget over 65000 crore has been written off as bad loan to farmers. Surely our country can spend 11% of this amount to pay to our soldiers, who guard our country.

I have a entirely different view on implementation of MSP proposal. MSP should be seen as an incentive to service personnel. For the first ten years of service a military personnel, officer or men, should not be entitled to any MSP. From 11th year to 20th year everyone should be paid Rs 10,000/-as MSP. MSP should increase to 15,000/- from 21st year till 30th year. Beyond 30 years the MSP should be Rs 20,000/-. Additionally, MSP should be tax free.

This would be more beneficial to state as well as the individual. But to begin with can the military leadership move away from the beaten track while considering allowances for service personnel and keep the interests of the soldiers in mind?

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