INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION - THE WAY AHEAD

For almost 65 long years, India citizens have been struggling to realize the dream of the Mahatma and many other revered freedom fighters.  This dream has been to create 'all inclusive' citizen centric national systems and institutions, which will respond positively to the ever growing/changing needs of the citizens.  A lot has been achieved for a population that has tripled in the given time frame but India finds itself wanting more than just political freedom and some economic prosperity.  Even these have failed to reach a majority of the citizens, in spite of India giving itself an amazing Constitution, which makes the citizens the 'owners of the nation' and therefore supreme at every level.  The era of selfless and nationalistic leaders did not blossom to achieve the dream stated above, due to selfish behavior of some of those in corporate, political and administrative power.  A series of ever growing scams, cronyism, misuse of power-money-muscle and corruption of all kinds, going back to most of the 65 years, have caused serious setback in the natural growth of the nation of 120 Crore citizens.  The failure of the governance systems and national institutions, to address these serious problems, caused the creation of a national movement called India Against Corruption (IAC), during November 2010. 

India finds itself at almost the bottom on most 'global development indices' due to serious shortcoming in: Corruption Laws, Electoral Reforms, Judicial Reforms, Police Reforms, Gram Panchayat Reforms, Nagar Raj Reforms, De-centralization, Taxation Reforms, Education Reforms and Food Security among others.  While the political parties, many elected leaders and selected administrators, did work on all of the above national issues, unfortunately the results fail to deliver substantial relief to majority of the citizens, who find themselves unable to benefit from national development.  Dedicated and selfless citizens find themselves isolated and targeted at all levels across the country, such that Activists find themselves incapable of moving the nation in the right direction in spite of isolated instances of bringing justice to the troubled citizens.  IAC took up the issue of rampant corruption and framed a 'new draft bill' for a strong anti-corruption law (Lokpal at the centre and Lokayukt at the state level).  Such a bill has been pending for some 44 years.  The main protagonists of IAC were the same persons who had worked in the national governance systems and therefore knew its systemic shortcomings.  Many Activists across India, old and new, became Volunteers to take forward the national movement called IAC.  Shri Anna Hazare who had already worked with some of them for the RTI statute and who had caused the removal of some powerful corrupt politicians and administrators, was the natural choice for leading the IAC movement.  A parallel movement to control and bring back black money stashed abroad, was taken up by Yogi Shri Baba Ramdev. 

IAC Volunteers with Anna developed a Mahatma type national andolan/agitation to take forward this draft bill.  It was pointed out to the politicians and administrators that the 'owners of the nation' had woken up and wanted a strong Lokpal and Lokayukt law to control corruption, punish the perpetrators, recover the loot in a time bound manner with existing systems/institutions, working synchronously.  The agitation, peaceful in all respects, with Anna and Baba in the forefront, took the nation by storm, was widely reported in the local and national Media and digital world.  For some time the political parties and the current national Government were forced to admit the urgent need for such law and took a few positive steps in that direction, under pressure of repeated satyagrah.  However, in spite of many promises by some of the Government leaders and some in Parliament, the outcome is found to be zero. 

The stand of the 'owners of the nation' to make the 'servants of the nation' work for greater national good and fine tune the national institutions has only lead to false promises, incessant delays and more of the 3D poison (Deny, Divide and Divert).  Extreme forms of satyagrah have failed to move the tainted and criminal among the elected and selected officials in Government and Parliament.  It seems the dedicated and selfless among them are a helpless minority.  The India Constitution requires the Parliament and State Assemblies to pass laws and make required changes.  The only constitutional path available before the nation is now to send more selfless and capable persons into the Parliament and State Assemblies, to persuade citizens to avoid the tainted, to correct the system/institutions and bring in effective reforms that keep the citizens at the centre for all types of projects and plans. 

Continuing the current IAC agitation, andolan and satyagrah in its present form has so far failed to bring in a 'strong and comprehensive law and reformed system' to control corruption, but has raised awareness in the citizens and scared the tainted.  Now, about 44 years have elapsed for this one single reform; but we are closer to a participatory democracy than ever before.  This mission is now over.  It will be insane to continue indefinite fasting when a large number of tainted representatives obviously will not pass a strong Lokpal Bill in Parliament.  The best one can hope for is a repeat of the weak Nagar Raj Law passed by the Maharashtra Assembly.  The new mission is to channelize the current national fervor, to put many more selfless persons into the 'house of power' and achieve the needed goals stated above.  Such persons: Rashtra Sevaks, Rajya Sevaks, Zilla Sevaks, Nagar Sevaks, Gram Sevaks, chosen directly and only by the citizens, at all levels: Rashtra, Rajya, Zilla, Nagar and Gram, will eliminate all forms of Raj Shahi and bring in Lok Shahi, as was envisioned by the Mahatma and other important leaders of the past century. Their attitude will be of 'andolankaari's focused on service to the citizens.  Strong persons are needed to work as a team, and introduce/frame laws and policies to achieve the dream of an 'all inclusive resurgent India', by eliminating: VIP perks, nepotism, 3D poison, influence of money-muscle-power and other similar evils from the corridors of national power.  Such persons will have to work under the umbrella of an 'andolan type political party' and expose/prevent further misdeeds by the tainted MPs and MLAs and bring in reforms and fine tune national and state institutions. The mission for them will be to substantially improve the political and governance culture at all levels.  It is expected that such persons will offer only five years of their lives for nation building and then make way for others like themselves.  India has talent and capable persons, in all age groups, who are patiently biding time and opportunity for selfless national work, prepared to live simple ordinary lives to enable India to set new and better global standards.  The evils in India that seem to be the norm will have to be made rare and episodic. 

India can wait no longer.  The year 2014 brings an opportunity for Volunteers to persuade citizens to vote to bring in the best that India can offer.  These Volunteers will continue work at mohalla level and identify local persons who are acceptable representatives, to majority of citizens there.  Volunteers will study the electoral rolls and get removed non-existent voters, register new voters, engage youth for this cause and prepare for the coming national elections and for some state elections.  All planning and discussions must be Participatory, Accountable and Transparent (PAT) with a strong dose of Decentralization and Integrity. 

It is accepted that many well meaning dedicated citizens and activists will not find this a satisfactory mission and will therefore work for other constitutional methods.  They are welcome to follow their desires and also raise relevant issues and get them resolved/accepted at regular Volunteer public meets and various forums of the digital age.  It must be understood that this mission is being fine tuned even now and was taken up only when about 90% of citizens, Volunteers and Supporters at the recent 25th July 2012 agitation, across the nation, found it satisfactory.  This is an opinion poll subscribed to by tens of thousands of responsible selfless citizens.  Let those who object, not insult this choice but work to make politics and politicians a positive word.  Vande Maatarum.  Jai Hind.  

MEASURE OF SUCCESS

I DO NOT WANT TO TAKE ANYTHING   .... 1.

I DO NOT WANT TO KNOW ANYTHING .... 2. 

I DO NOT WANT TO BE ANYONE           .... 3.

The above seems contradictory to all one learns in life, in this current post-modern civilization.  One is encouraged, since infancy to gather things; in childhood and youth to learn all there is to know is ones' vocation or expertise; in youth and adulthood to rise to the top of the class in academics, sports, work, profession and society.  All these carry one through life and become: Assets, Status and Personality, or A-S-P.  Let us analyze how useful these really are for a continuously happy life leading to enlightenment. 

One is born with THREE things free, in this universe or multi-verse.  These are: BODY, MIND and LIFE-FORCE (this last comes from the Cosmos), or B-M-C.  One did not have to struggle for or obtain or achieve any of these, they were just there for one, absolutely free, absolutely organized; with zero effort on ones' part. Unfortunately, without deep meditation or guidance from enlightened ones', one is not aware of these most important free things.  The entire life is instead spent in achieving, struggling for: ASSETS, STATUS, PERSONALITY.  All kinds of compromises, manipulations and effort is spent to obtain these three things, under the impression that these latter three: A-S-P will help one have a better life, a perpetually happier life.  So a lifetime is spent to obtain with great effort and sacrifice A-S-P instead of using properly, the free B-M-C provided at birth. Here, by 'one', reference is made to 'the Self', the 'I' in each one of us. 

When in good health and in youth, the Self may ignore the Body.  Recognition and appreciation of the 'organized Body', its service to the Self, is rarely done if at all and this leads to misuse as in: over eating,  starving, wrong consumption, leading a stress full life, sleep deprivation, over sleeping, straining underused bones, muscles, sloth, etc. This is misuse of the Body which came free with birth. 

Similarly, the Mind is often used for temporary sensual pleasures, chasing meaningless dreams and fantasies, ideas without focus or plan, bad choices, anger, greed, contempt, pride, envy, gossip, association with persons who promote or subscribe to such things, etc.  It is said that most things a person says are not recalled even at the end of the same day. This is misuse of the Mind which came free with birth. 

The Life Force given by the Cosmos provides everything that is needed by each living and sentient being.  How many are aware of this and appreciate it?  Most think that they are the ones' who are providing, creating, maintaining, all possible things. The entire Cosmos responds positively to each one of us, to the Self.  One has to recognize this.  The Cosmos is interested in ones' evolution and happiness, yet one fails to recognize this.  Misuse of Body, Mind and Cosmos is caused by endless desires which cannot be fulfilled and so result in the evils of the Mind.  The environment is polluted, overused and misused, un-natural boundaries are drawn and possession is claimed for whatever Nature and Cosmos has provided free. Wars are fought, species are exterminated and controlled, even genes which evolved over millions of earth-years are not spared.  Useless pain for all of creation.

A lifetime is spent in collection of Assets by any means, without contemplation of the actual 'needs' and the means for obtaining them. Every day one says, today this is mine, tomorrow that will be mine, and so on.  With Assets, come the desire for Status and Personality. One hankers after fame, position, membership of prominent Associations or Organizations, university degrees, gives donations or uses any means to get ones' picture published and name printed on public property or society goods, joins public cause only to promote ones' Status.  Soon, fair weather friends will warn us to improve our Personality, for a 'make-over'. So one chases high fashion clothing, cosmetic surgery, health clubs and medication for a seeming fitter body, bigger house-car-gadgets-yatch-jet.  In short everything is done to show one has 'arrived' and is a substantial presence is society and nation.  In fact, today one with wealth is advised to use cryogenics to store ones' dying body indefinitely for possible future rejuvenation.  Scientific research is on to download ones' memory onto a tera-bit memory chip as an alternative to savings ones' conscience or life. 

Now, imagine that life is drawing to an end, as it must for each and every living thing and sentient being.  At this instant, think which is more useful: A-S-P or B-M-C.  Those who have been chasing A-S-P will without doubt have serious and untimely, debilitating illness or disease and all the money in the world cannot but extend a vegetative existence.  Same for Status and Personality; associates will probably have a party knowing that the end is at hand.  History is replete with the powerful 'kings' of yester year who were mourned only in passing or who's end was hastened by their near and dear ones'. 

On the other hand, imagine the same situation with one who has tried to properly use the free B-M-C.  Such a person will find listening to ones' Body brings rich dividends. Aging will be natural with generous faculties and death will occur at ones will or in good health.  One will have lived a 'full life'.  Mind will be in full control, used to implement what the Self and Intellect commands for general good.  It will be at peace and harmony with all of creation.  Realizing that one is: interdependent, interconnected and interrelated to the Cosmos and its Cosmic Energy, the same will be available for ones' use at all times.  This is to be experienced to be understood and believed.  Recognizing that there is a Force far greater than ones' I or Self, will allow one to invoke it at will for greater good only.  Such a person has raised Conscience to a very high level and is therefore on the path to 'enlightenment'. 

Therefore, to achieve this level, I return to the first three lines of this essay: 1, 2 and 3.  The first is important since if I focus on 'taking', I am creating Assets, which will only cause greed and selfishness.  The second is important since if I want to Know Anything, I will be wanting a high Status, which will cause envy, hate, contempt, etc.  The third is important since if I focus to Be Anyone, I will be wanting to have a great Personality, which will cause enmity, conflict, etc.  In any case, none of these help one in life as has been explained earlier.  Living a minimalist life, with humility and sense of service and co-existence with all creation, will give continuous happiness.  Making these a part of ones' life puts one in a perfect position for meditation and leads one to enlightenment. 

Thursday 05th July 2012.  

EASING PARKING BLUES

While recently traveling in Neuchatel in Switzerland, I noticed some rather nice innovations in most of the covered multi-level public and mall parking.  Each parking area has an electronic board outside, clearly visible as one drives to it, indicating the parking timings, time rates and number of vacant places inside.  Each parking slot has a lamp about four meters above ground.  This remains red when occupied and turns green when vacant.  When one is entering the particular parking-level, one can see at a glance the whole parking plate or zone and quickly determine vacant slots where one can park.  This does away with the incessant cruising and need for security on the particular floor to direct the visitors.  The slots are clearly numbered so that one can find ones' vehicle easily.  The parking level floors are fully paved, clean and have side zones for leaving shopping carts and garbage bins.  Well lit elevators take one to different levels. Clear lit indicators tell one how to reach the exit or the other levels.  Payment machines at the entrance and exit allow one to automatically collect the parking ticket with the date-time stamp and pay for the duration of parking by cash or card.  Human intervention is reduced to almost nil.  This last may not be necessary in India where labor is available economically.

It seems a simple infra-red proximity sensor coupled to high intensity LED lamps does the trick.  The totalling of the green lights will indicate the vacant slots on the outside electronic board.  The location of the red-green lamps and visibility from the entrance must be carefully planned.  Currently at most parking: open, covered and multi-level, one is stressed out rushing to capture an open slot and then trying to remember the location.  One will observe strange reversing and turning to get into a vacant slot, causing traffic hold up.  Witness the Mumbai Airport Parking issues, unnecessary pain; so also most shopping Malls.  With new multi-level public or private parking buildings coming up across the MMR, such simple arrangements with reasonable round the clock lighting (artificial or preferably natural with light pipes) and alert security guards with CCTV cameras, will go a long way in offering desired comfort to the citizens.  Let us remember that we now have TWO MILLION vehicles in MMR and rising by the day with sub-normal parking and even zero parking arrangements.  Since all these parking facilities are being charged a substantial fee, the added cost of red-green lighting and outside electronic boards, should not burden the service provider much. 

I expect the Activists focused on such issues will direct this idea to the right planning authorities and the MCGM will incorporate the same in their SOPs and DC rules. Jai Hind!