Swaraj is Still Waiting to be Born in Indian Democracy

Swaraj Not Obtained Yet, Suraj is a Constant Process

Swati brought to my attention a video by Prashant Kishore (PK) where he is explaining the meaning of the Jan Suraj Yatra that he and his team are currently carrying out in Bihar.

PK in this short video says that Swaraj (Self -Rule or Self-governance) has been obtained, but successive governments after 1947 have meant to stress that the governance provided by them has been Suraj (good governance).

However, I would like to say that even Swaraj has not been obtained as yet. Many Indians believe that India got its Swaraj once the Britishers left the shores of India in 1947. In a way, you might say that. But dig deeper, the harsh reality is that white sahebs have been replaced by Brown Sahebs. Over the last 7 decades, our democracy (Lok Tantra) has been captured by Party Tantra. The political parties in India have grown into thug gangs where they give the perception of representing people’s wishes and desires, but in actuality, they are huge power centers and impose things on us. Three major ills of current political parties in India:

  1. They are Undemocratice in their own functioning (lack inner party democracy): High command culture and godfather culture are the usual ways of their day-to-day conduct. Solution: Political parties need to pave to internal organizational elections and selection of candidates via primaries (public candidates/ Lok Ummedwars).
  2. Financial Opacity: Political parties have become the hubs of black money, wheeling dealing, and wrongdoings. Tickets are brazenly sold. Solution: Strict financial regulation, transparency, and campaign finance. Electoral Bonds should be scrapped immediately.
  3. Refusal to be accountable: Indian political parties blatantly refuse to come under any scanner, including RTI. Solution: Scrutiny and RTI implementation for parties.

Thus, there is a clear disconnect between people’s desires and the current affairs of polity in our country. A real Swaraj would only be obtained when the political parties behave ethically and follow the norms and regulations as per the law of the land. I would blame ECI to some extent. ECI has not really warmed up to the idea of exercising its constitutional powers to regulate political parties.

अमर उजाला में प्रकाशित यह लेख: देश के उलटे पिरामिड को सीधा करने का समय

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आज देश को चुनावी, न्यायिक, और प्रशासनिक स्तरों पर सुधार की सख्त आवश्यकता है, और हमें यह भी समझना होगा कि  इस समय पार्टी आधारित राजनीति सबसे बड़ी बाधा के रूप में हमारे सामने खड़ी है।

On the eve of America’s Independence Day, let’s understand American politics

On the eve of American Independence Day (July 4), having lived in the USA for almost 20 years, here are my thoughts. Without sounding cynical, I still believe that the US can continue to be a beacon of hope, liberty, and freedom of speech, but for that to happen, the politicians and thought leaders have to do some soul searching and bring true democracy back on track.

1. DARK MONEY: The US is no more democracy at this point, It has steadily transformed into an oligarchy.  The common man has no actual say in politics and policy. 

That EVIL ruling by none other than the Supreme Court of the US (SCOTUS) in the year 2010 (United Citizens Vs FEC case has legitimized and accentuated the role of black and Dark Money in politics. Now that money rules US politics, your ideas and activism are secondary.

This image was shot by me in Bloomington IL

2. Lobbying: The system of lobbying has essentially created a system where you keep corrupting the lawmakers and Congress. It has turned lawmakers into money-sucking parasites of the corporate world. Lawmakers essentially work for the interest groups and not for the welfare of the public.

3. Too Less the Players: The 2 party system is not working. They are so polarized that they refuse to work for the needs of the public. This duopoly has to be broken. We need at least a couple of more significant political parties to represent the aspirations and needs of the people.

4. Gerrymandering is a serious blot on the US democracy. How can Democrats and Republicans decide the voting maps according to their suitability? It is a clear conflict of interest as far as the public is concerned.

5. Many grassroots organizations are working hard to get the rights for Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) – also called the Preferential voting system. They want RCV to replace the First Past the Post voting system. On a personal note, I fully endorse this.

6. Liberty and Freedom: The US needs to make conscious efforts to keep this as the plank because erosions seem to have started. 

7. Racism: The Americans are nice people, but I still do not understand why this issue keeps making headlines. Times are changing and we need to bury this. 

Happy July 4!

Transparency: Pardarshita Web Series – Inside Stories of AAP

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Much awaited political documentary that reveals inside scoops about Anna Aandolan (India Against Corruption) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is now available to be watched on its website with a nominal charge.

Directed by an AAP insider and rebel co-convener of the NRI wing of the party – Munish Raizada- the 7 episodes documentary series chronicles the journey of a common man who sets outs on the journey of seeking out hidden political funds. Will he be able to find the truth from his political party’s chieftain? Watch the web series to unravel this intrigue!

Link of web series: https://transparencywebseries.com/

“Bol Re Dilli Bol” song released by Munish Raizada Films

Sung by Kailash Kher, the song Bol Re Dilli Bol (बोल रे दिल्ली बोल) was recently released by Munish Raizada Films. The song is a part of documentary film (6 episodes) named “Transparency: Pardarshita” that has been directed by Dr. Munish Raizada.

Bol Re Dilli Bol song is based upon the plight of Delhi under the rule of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. Munish Raizada has been part of India Against Corruption (also known as Anna aandolan) and AAP. The director believes that the Kejriwal-led government sidelined the core ideals of the party, while trying to sell his achievements via governance, which at best is a matter of perception.

To watch the song Bol Re Dilli Bol, here is its YouTube link:

Here are the lyrics of the song Bol Re Dilli Bol in Devnagri and Roman scripts.

Hindi:

झूठ बोल के छली गई तू 

दली गई तू, मली गई तू 

5 साल की है ये तरक़्क़ी 

बरसों पीछे चली गई तू 

झूठ का जिसने पीटा ढोल 

खोल दे उसकी पोल

बोल रे, दिल्ली बोल  

भेद जिया के खोल 

दिल्ली का क्या हाल बताएं 

सड़कों की क्या चाल बताएं 

गर्द में दिल्ली डूब चुकी है 

अब जीने से ऊब चुकी है 

उसपे आयेगा इलज़ाम 

जिसने नहीं किया कुछ काम 

खोल दे उसकी पोल 

बोल रे, दिल्ली बोल 

भेद जिया के खोल 

शिक्षा की बातें बेमानी 

गढ़ ली झूठी एक कहानी 

और मोहल्ला क्लिनिक जैसे 

छाई घटा, बरसा ना पानी 

उसकी होगी अबकी मात 

दिल्ली से की जिसने घात

खोल दे उसकी पोल 

बोल रे, दिल्ली बोल 

भेद जिया के खोल

सब बेरंग है गांधीगीरी 

ये क्या जाने, क्या है फ़क़ीरी 

भ्रष्टाचारी लोग ये ठहरे 

इनके है रग रग में अमीरी 

कर दिया जनता को बेहाल 

चंदे का भी खा गए माल 

खोल दे उसकी पोल 

बोल रे, दिल्ली बोल 

भेद जिया के खोल

कूड़ा करकट और गन्दगी 

इन सबसे अब रोज़ बंदगी 

बिजली पानी के दफ्तर में 

घुट घुट के मर गई ज़िन्दगी 

झूठे रैन बसेरे वाले 

जो हैं दोहरे चेहरे वाले 

खोल दे उसकी पोल 

बोल रे दिल्ली बोल 

भेद जिया के खोल

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BOL RE DILLI BOL Lyrics in English/Roman script:

JHHOOT BOL KE CHHALI GAYI TU

DALI GAYI TU, MALI GAYI TU

5 SAAL KI YEH HAI TARAKKI

BARSON PICHHE CHALI GAYI TU

JHOOT KA JISNE PEETA DHOL

KHOL DE USKI POL

BOL RE, DILLI BOL

BHEDH JIYA KE KHOL

DILLI KA KYA HAAL BATAYE

SADKO KI KYA CHAL BATAYE

GARD MEIN DILLI DOOB CHUKI HAI

AB JEENE SE UB CHUKI HAI

USPE AAYEGA ILZAAM

JISNE NAHI KIYA KUCH KAAM

KHOL DE USKI POL

BOL RE, DILLI BOL

BHEDH JIYA KE KHOL

SHIKSHA KI BAATEIN BEMANI

GADH LI JHOOTHI EK KAHANI

AUR MOHALLA CLINIC JAISE

CHHAYI GHATA, BARSA NA PAANI

USKI HOGI ABKI MAAT

DILLI SE KI JISNE GHAAT

KHOL DE USKI POL

BOL RE, DILLI BOL

BHEDH JIYA KE KHOL

SAB BERANG HAI GANDHIGIRI

YEH KYA JAANE, KYA HAI FAKIRI

BHRASHTACHARI LOG YEH TEHERE

INKE HAI RUG RUG MEIN AMEERI

KAR DIYA JANTA KO BEHAL

CHANDE KA BHI KHA GAYE MAAL

KHOL DE USKI POL

BOL RE, DILLI BOL

BHEDH JIYA KE KHOL

KOODA, KARKAT AUR GANDAGI

INN SAB SE AB ROZ BANDAGI

BIJLI PAANI KE DAFTAR MEIN

GHUT GHUT KE MAR GAYI ZINDAGI

JHOOTHE  RAIN BASERE WALE

JO HAIN DOHARE CHEHERE WALE

KHOL DE USKI POL 

BOL RE, DILLI BOL.

BHEDH JIYA KE KHOL

Nelson Mandela still relevant in this world

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 Today’s edition of The Pioneer carried my piece on Nelson Mandela: Nelson Mandela still relevant in the world.

July 18 is observed as The Nelson Mandela Day. Though Mandela is often compared with other great leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Junior, his approach widely differed from these two leaders.

Here is the link to full article: http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnists/oped/nelson-mandela-still-relevant-in-this-world.html

Drop Pen and paper: Go Online!

Screenshot015#Vyapam scam has unfortunately taken horrendous proportions but this is not the only scam related to recruitment and  entrance examinations.      

My article: ‘DROP PEN AND PAPER. GO ONLINE’  highlighting the need for on-line examinations was published today, July 14,2015 in The Pioneer newspaper.

To read the full article please visit:  http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnists/oped/drop-pen-and-paper-go-online.html

                                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                              

Looking beyond the land boundary deal

Oped section of The Pioneer, dated June 15 carried my write-up highlighting the issue of illegal immigrants in India from Bangladesh: Looking beyond the land boundary deal

Narendra Modi has done well on the land deal with Bangladesh. But he has ignored the issue of illegal migration. The need is for infiltration-proof borders.

Link to the full article: http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnists/oped/looking-beyond-the-land-boundary-deal.html

Incentivise positives or punish negatives?

The Pioneer June 3 2015 Compulsory Voting

Op-ed section in The Pioneer carried my analysis on Gujarat’s decision to make voting in upcoming  local elections compulsory:  Incentivise positives or punish negatives

Link to the full article: http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnists/oped/incentivise-positives-or-punish-negatives.html

The Estonia example for Delhi

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The Pioneer‘ newspaper published my piece on how Estonia’s e-governance model can be emulated to make Delhi paperless.

Estonia boasts of rapid Internet connections at over 1,000 public places across the country. Most of these places provide free of cost Wi-Fi. This has resulted into use of Internet for many daily activities. In Estonia, close to 98 per cent banking transactions and 94 per cent of income tax declarations took place through the Internet in 2012. The Government’s expenditures can be tracked in real time by anyone using the Internet.

Such measures seem reminiscent of the Aam Aadmi Party’s working, which allows anyone to view the donations made to the party or know of recent decisions to upload land titles online for public viewing.

To read the full article, please click the link:  http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnists/oped/the-estonia-example-for-delhi.html