Tuesday, April 19, 2011

The Empire strikes back !!!

The Congress Party,leader of the ruling UPA coalition in India,is striking back at Anna Hazare after giving in to his demand on the Lokpal Bill. It regretted that the agitation, which paralysed the Centre for four days, was dangerous for democracy because it was against politicians.He has been accused of political bias for praising the Gujrat Chief Minister Narendra Modi who belong to the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party.
Anna has responded by saying that "My fast was not with any prejudice against any government or individual but against corruption which has burdened the common man."
As the process of drafting of the bill starts, there would be many more such accusations and counters.But we have to what comes out in shape of an Act on a matter which has been in cold storage for half a century in Indian Parliament.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Elections in India

Very important general elections are being held in five states of India. Of these two states went to election on 13.4.2011. Tamilnadu posted 75-80% polling, Kerala 75% and Pudduchery 75%. The three states saw peaceful voting barring some stray incidents. The high turnout is unusual as is the absence of any major violent incident. Is our democracy finally coming of age? We can rejoice only after all the six phases of voting in highly contested state of West Bengal shows respectable turnout with no violence. Victory to the people of India and all the best for choosing good governments!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Anna Hazare Wins One More Time


Victory to Anna Hazare!
The Indian icon of honesty Mr. Anna Hazare is in news again. Padma Bhushan Anna Hazare born on January 15, 1940, has been a well known social worker. This time he is again victorious with the Government of India agreeing to his demands for a joint drafting committee for the proposed Lokpal Bill that will establish a mechanism to deal with corruption in high places. He will end his fast unto death in the morning of Saturday (Indian time) when an agreement between him and government will be signed. We may perceive it as victory of the people. Reports say social media and sms-ing were used intensely to mobilize people to stand by Anna Hazare. My wife has on her facebook wall, put a relevant question (reproduced below):

Gunjeet Kaur
Why is it that Anna Hazare could muster so much support and Irom Sharmila is struggling alone....is it something to do with gender or region???????”

Wikipedia tells about Irom as follows:

-Irom Sharmila Chanu (born March 14, 1972), also known as the Iron Lady of Manipur, is a civil rights activist, political activist, journalist and poet from the Indian state of Manipur. Since November 4, 2000, she's been on a political fast demanding the Government of India to withdraw the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, also otherwise known as AFSPA, from Manipur and other areas of India's north east. Since it began in 2000, Irom Sharmila Chanu's fast is unparalleled in the history of political protest.-

If I am right she has not eaten a morsel of bread since her agitation started.
Any answers?

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Good Debate in The Hindu

The Hindu has carried out a good editorial on the subject of controls over internet knowledge. the response to the editorial is also interesting.