NaMo Namah

On May 26, 2014 new era has started in the history of Indian democracy.  Entire world watched the spectacular swearing in ceremony of Shri Narendra Damodardas Modi as the Prime Minister of India.  This is the first time people of India have directly ‘elected’ Prime Minister.  He is from the grass roots, from humble background, hard work is his ‘mantra’ and development his main agenda.  The world now has to ‘Modify’ their perception of India. 

The invitation of SAARC nations to his swearing in ceremony is a step forward in improving relations with neighbouring countries and signaling active role in carrying forward renewed foreign policy of the country.  The Prime Minister who is a strong nationalist is determined to work for ‘suraaj’.  After his party won in the general elections and he was sure to become PM of India he spoke in Gujarat rally and said, “we couldn’t struggle and sacrifice for ‘swaraj’, but we will definitely live for making our nation ‘suraaj’.  Though some groups of people working for human rights have apprehensions, the common people and young generation is mystified with his mantra of development have great hopes on him.  But the younger generation should not expect results at the ‘click of the mouse’ and feel disappointed.  It may take 2-3 years for the effect of development to be seen.

The PM of India does not want to waste a single minute in his office.  The work has begun by reviewing article 370 of Indian constitution.  This indicates we will be seeing ‘Modified’ Hindustan within few years.  As he promised to do good work and come with progress report by 2019, people of India should be ready to see many dramatic changes in the country.  Hinduism believes in world as one family, we should at least assimilate the feeling that all Indians with diverse cultures, and languages are bound by one nationality.  India becomes a developed nation when all people irrespective of their state, religion, language and caste have equal opportunity to develop and enjoy equal human dignity.

Lost (Last) Hope

Election – 2014 has given simple majority to the BJP for the first time to rule the nation.  The Bharatiya Jana Sangh formed in 1951 and later transformed as Bharatiya Janata party could come to power on its own only in 2014.  It took 63 years for the party to gain peoples’ faith.  Lal Kishan Advani had been the president of the party for three terms and a total period of about 12years.  He could not become Prime Minister for his hard-line ‘Hindutva’ agenda and Atal Behari Vajpayee had become the consensus candidate for Prime Ministership when NDA had mandate in the Parliament in the years 1996, 1998 and 1999.  In 2004 general elections L.K. Advani was the president of BJP and was presented as BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate and in 2009 being in the role of opposition leader in the Parliament had become natural choice for the top post.  Unfortunately BJP could not capture power in the Centre.    

In the history of Indian democracy this is the first time that a single party other than Indian National Congress had the mandate of the people to form government.  Also after 1984, this is the first time that a single party is able to form government in the Centre without the help of other national or regional parties.  Probably people have realised that ‘coalition dharma’ is making the nation insecure and lives of the common people miserable.  When BJP had become single largest party under his steward ship and formed government with help of other parties (NDA), Shri. A.B. Vajpayee was elected as leader of the Parliament.  This election 2014 was the only hope for octogenarian BJP leader to become Prime Minister, his most cherished dream.  From the beginning of 2013, when Shri N. Modi is declared as BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate in 2014 election, Shri. Advaniji expressed his dissent publicly more than once.  As a BJP man who worked for the party and wanted it to come to power on its own strength is a happy but could not appreciate the efforts of NaMO.  His dream of becoming Prime Minister remains unfulfilled.

Shri. Advaniji had said that he cried three times in life.  Once when India was divided and Pakistan is formed in 1947.  Second time when emergency was lifted in 1977 he cried with happiness.  Now in 2014 he has tears in his eyes.  He wanted to see a day when his party would come to power on its own strength and himself as leader of it for all the efforts he had put in for decades.  The reason for tears in 1977 is happiness.  In 1947 what could be the reason other than sorrow and loss.  His native place had become foreign to him.  And now his tears probably express his happiness for his party has come to power but overwhelmingly sad as his aspiration to become Prime Minister of India will never be realised. 

Will there be any possibility of him becoming President of India and enjoy power as the constitutional head of the nation?    

Lucky Winner

Indian democracy as usual stands gigantic in this world.  People are always hopeful and want to work towards change that can change their lives.  Election – 2014 is unique as the two contending parties had declared their leader, future Prime Minister if the party comes to power.  The oldest party which ruled the country for almost 60 years had young reluctant leader with little experience in governance.  The other party had the ambitious leader with a track record of development and good governance.  Both the parties have their set of mismanagement of a critical situation resulting in bloodbath targeting a particular community.  The issues have become old to the younger generation which is looking forward to move ahead for progress.

Congress party has faced its first ever worst debacle.  The party burdened by corruption and inefficiency wanted to project its candidate as Young Mr. Clean.  Castigating the other party for its ‘Hindutva’ leanings did not benefit them.  All the criticisms against the other Prime Ministerial candidate have boomeranged.  Mr. Narendra Modi had tactfully dealt with it making him more imposing.  In addition his development of Gujarat story has swayed the youth in his favour.  Arvind Kejriwal who had given some hope to the people a few months ago lost faith for failure to govern Delhi.  The colossal blunder he made by resigning as Chief Minister of Delhi will haunt him for many more years. 

In fact, in these elections people had little choice.  They had to elect either a man with ambition and enthusiasm to make India a developed ‘Hindustan’ or a novice who appears always busy in revival of party and bask in the glory of family ‘martyrdom’ and without any vision for progressive India.   Now Mr. Rahul has at least a decade to develop his ancestral party from grass roots and become a seasoned politician with vision.

 Congress leaders in Telangana are unable to understand reasons for their debacle in the state.  They thought that once Telangana is given they will win all seats in Telangana.  Few leaders, who took part in Telangana agitation and part of JAC for sometime, had later followed their high command’s command and withdrew from JAC.  None of the ministers ever bothered to protect the agitating students from illegal arrests. Instead they got students, who had done ‘dharna’ or ‘gheraod’ them demanding their resignation to their posts in support of Telangana, arrested. The Congress leaders or Ministers never protested Kiran Kumar Reddy’s vile statements in Assembly or Press conferences after CWC announced positively on formation of Telangana.  When youth committed suicide aspiring for Telangana none of the Congress leaders showed any concern, neither the leaders in the Centre addressed the Telangana student community or youth to not to commit suicide as the process of Telangana is on the track will be finished in due course and Telangana for sure will be reality in the future.  The unsympathetic, arrogant, dictatorial acts by the local leaders and comments trivializing Telangana issues by some Central leaders and stoic silence by the Prime Minister and Sonia G had hurt Telanganites and that is expressed by vote. 

Few leaders who won could be due to the good they have done to their segments in the past.  The few seats gained by TDP are because of the ‘settlers’.

In the democracy people do not vote just by listening to what the contestants or leaders say at the time of elections.  They evaluate them from the day they won.  Their activity/programmes/governance that has effect on their life in the past few years is not forgotten.  This is like internal assessment.  And when they contest again considering all these the party or person is given the ranking.

 The lucky winner in these elections is the ‘power star’.  Few weeks before elections he established a party.  His party's second meeting in Vizag was not a success.  He never contested nor anybody from his party.  But his party has become part of NDA.  His campaign resulted loss of votes to BJP in Telangana.  The TDP-BJP combine win in Seemaandhra had made him a star campaigner close to Shri Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister elect of India.

Rahul G Smiles

Image source - Google images

Smile.  It adds beauty to the face.  It shows that the person is at peace and ready to accept things as they are.  It is also an expression of readiness to hear the opposite person’s views.  At times it may be deceptive and hide malicious intentions of the person.  Whatever a person feels at the time of smiling opposite person always feels pleased and encouraged to interact cordially. 

Rahul G smiled; it is obvious in his eyes.  His acceptance of defeat of Congress in the recent Elections - 2014, is graceful.  His statement was simple.  But his broad smiles and body language simply revealed his happiness.  The rout of Congress made him happy?!   Or being out of pressure to become Prime Minister?  Or that at least now the Congress party will realise that ‘Gandhi’ name is not a guarantee to win elections and force him to take up party responsibilities in future?

If the party exempts him from forcible leadership he can marry his girl friend and lead a happy family life. We can think so many reasons behind Rahul G’s pleasant smile.  Only he knows the truth.

The Vote is For....

Another few hours for the Election – 2014 results to be out.  The party which is favoured by the media and corporate houses and declared to win in exit polls is readying to form government.  The other party has not given up hope and is ready to accept the peoples’ verdict. 

Many factors have played role in the outcome of this election.  This election outwardly carried on like the presidential election in USA.  But the healthy enlightening discussions on the prevailing conditions of the nation and the partys' stand or methodology for progress of nation were missing.  One party harped on the family heritage and family ‘martyrdom’ rather than the achievements by its governance.  The other party talked of development by one person of one state to be extrapolated to the nation by capturing power in the Centre.  The person has become bigger than party and symbol of decisiveness and development.  During the past ten years people have seen a Prime Minister who appeared to have taken up the highest post in the nation as job and loyal to his appointee.  The social media also has put forth vast information regarding the personal and social details of important contestants in this election.  The present generation of first time voters supplemented with information on social media and ground realities of systematized corruption and criminality with unresponsive government had to choose a person promising development with creation of employment.  The new generation wants opportunities for employment and not happy with the doles and freebies. They have little choice. 

Whichever party wins Indian democracy should thrive as a secular nation with inclusive development of all Indians.

                                        

                                          **********************************

  The results of local body elections in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh have surprised everyone.  Those feared routing were happy to gain secure positions and the party thought to win had to lie low and wait for Assembly results.  The poor show of TRS in the local body elections could be due to the supposed alliance/ later merger of the party with Congress.  But later when it was declared to contest individually and KCR had taken up intense campaigning the result could be different.  May be there is secret understanding between TRS and Congress to contest Assembly and Parliament elections separately to prevent advantage to TDP-BJP.  As the surveys had predicted win for TRS and no gain for Congress, the triangular contest had led to loss of votes to BJP working in tandem with TDP.  Few more hours to know who will form the first government in the newly formed state of Telangana.  

Election Campaign - 2014

Tomorrow – 12^th May will be the last day of polling.  Yesterday the campaign has ended.  This Election – 2014 is conducted in nine phases, extending for more than a month, is the longest in history of Indian Elections.  The largest democracy in the world this time had more than 80 crores voters.  This is the costly election as per the expenditure by the election commission and also by the candidates splurging huge amounts in their campaign.

The election campaign this time had been the worst ever campaign focused mostly on self aggrandizement and mudslinging on the opposite party and contestant.  None of the senior party leaders or Prime Ministerial candidates ever talked about how they will tackle to free the nation from corruption and put it on the track of development.  Poverty alleviation and employment creation had not been an issue.  The talk of development is about one state and that state has deplorable human welfare indices.  In a country like India with diverse geography and culture no one model will be applicable to all states. 

During the election campaign every contestant and party spoke about the wrong doings of the other parties and contestants.  This exposed all the contestants and parties’ character and principles.  The worst trend that has appeared in the present election is challenging the Election Commission after flouting election code.  If this is the trend setter it is worrisome for future elections and democracy. 

In the past many elections there was some choice to select the party or candidate.  In the present it is difficult to understand who belongs to which party and to choose between a business tycoon, power maniac politicians and persons with criminal backgrounds.  There is little choice.  But Indian democracy is vibrant and the collective decision of half a billion people will surprise the world.

Shimla

Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh is a scenic hill station.  It is about 120KM from Chandigarh.  The place can be reached by train or bus.  Generally tourists go by train to enjoy the vintage train journey passing amidst mountains and tunnels.  The train starts at Kalka, about 40KM from Chandigarh.  The train we booked was Shivalik express which was supposed to depart at 5.30AM.  We reached the station by 5AM.  But the train arrived on the platform at 7.30 and departure was at 8.30AM. 

On the way to Shimla

The waiting at the station in cold was a chilly experience.  The upper class waiting room was stinking and the 2^nd class waiting room was better to lay back.  The train is different from other regular trains.  It is toy train, seats are different and their direction can be changed.  It takes 4hrs to Shimla from Kalka.  Tea and break fast is served on the train. The train passes through hundred tunnels, small and long, the longest is the Baroga tunnel.  The journey through the mountains is breathtaking.  The scenes change so quickly that it is difficult to take the photograph of what you want.  The view of houses, plantation, fields, snow covered mountains and deodar trees apparently touching the sky are a feast to nature lovers.  Bus journey also takes us through the mountains, but the train journey is more pleasant.  The duration of journey is same by train or bus, but bus journey feels more tedious and there is always fear of hill sickness – motion sickness, which can cause vomiting.  The bus drivers here seem to be used to hill sickness, that they give pouches to passengers to vomit in to it if it occurs. 

The best time to visit Shimla is between January and March.  This is the time when there will be snowfall and tourist can enjoy the beauty of the place.  Tourists should be lucky to have sunny day after snow fall so that they can see places of interest.  If the snowfall continues the roads may be closed and roaming in the city may not be possible.

At Ridge, in the upper photograph Lord Hanuman Idol is seen amidst trees on the mountain.

All the tourists who come here visit Jakku Hanuman temple, Kufri, and Ridge.

The roads are narrow, winding with sharp curves and steep rises and bends.  It is really frightening when the driver negotiates reverse on the road that is raised by an angle of 45 degrees.  We should pray Almighty for safety of our life and limb and appreciate driver’s skill for keeping us intact.  Noticing such hazardous driving I was surprised for the driver not wearing seat belt.

“Here the roads are so narrow and steep and possibility of falling down into the valley beside the road.  Don’t you have the rule to wear to seat belt?” I asked the driver.

“We do have.  But we don’t follow.  The police here know us.  If ever there is any checking we just put the belt on.  Police will leave us with little fine or admonishment.  But if people from outside come in their car they must wear the belt.  Otherwise they will be fined heavily”, he told.

“Wearing seat belt really saves life.  Every driver should make it a habit”.  I know my advice will not enter his ears. 

At Mall Road

The mall road is for buying things for tourists.  There are other bazaars too.  But tourists visit this place as this is a level lower than Ridge the best scenic area where Himalayas are seen in all their splendour.  A level lower is the lower bazaar.  The Mall road is reached by a lift.  As we were advised by our driver we made a point to purchase ‘Kulu’ shawls and ‘pattiwali’ coats from Himachal Pradesh Khadi Bhandar, where the rates are fixed and we get genuine material.  There are steps to go down to lower bazaar, where there are many petty shops and hawkers selling woolen materials.  If we walk up along the Mall Road and take a right turn we can get on to Ridge.  There are also steps at two places to climb up to Ridge maidan.  Tourist can have horse ride here.  There are statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Lajpat Rai, Indira Gandhi.  We can also visit Kalibari Mandir, Gandhi Memorial, and also a church of British era and Scandal point.  Walking down the Ridge we reach the “Lakkar Bazaar” where articles made of wood are sold.  I found the articles were economically priced.

The Hanuman Idol on the hill near Jakku Hanuman Temple can be seen from here.  We were lucky to able to visit Jakku Hanuman temple.  Just a day before the temple was closed due to heavy snowfall.  There are many stories about the monkeys inhabiting near the temple.  Everybody advised us not hold any thing in hands and keep our bags safely closed and men not to carry anything in their shirt pockets.  We were even warned that the monkeys will sometimes take away the worn spectacles too.  We were scared to take any photographs here.  We had taken few photographs under intense pressure and in hurry. 

Lord Hanuman on the Hill

And about the Hanuman, there is a story that Lord Hanuman, as he carried Sanjeevani mountain to the battle field of Rama-Ravana, had laid for rest a fraction of a second on this hill and this made the mountain pushed down into the earth to some degree.  This is highest mountain in Shimla.  Tourists are given sticks to scare away the monkeys if necessary. 

Monkeys at Jakku Hanuman Temple

 As we climbed up the steps which were more than two hundred, we were more pressurized by the sounds the monkeys were making by running on the shelter and swinging on the branches of the trees along the path, than the pain in the legs. The scare of monkeys makes us to close the temple doors immediately we enter inside.  I felt that the monkeys know their limits and never attempted to come near the door. 

On the way to Kufri and at Kufri 

The place most enjoyed in Shimla trip is playing in the snow at Kufri.  If the drivers are interested, they will take the tourists very near to Kufri.  But they generally don’t.  Two kilometers horse riding towards Kufri will be memorable experience.  Not to wet ourselves and for better protection in snow, different boots and dress are given on rent.  When it is a holiday trip, people will be ready to spend money for pleasure.

Any person who had not seen snow before in life will become childlike and enjoys the feel of snow.  Sitting, playing, walking and skiing in the milky white snow is ecstatic.  Vision of snow covered Himalayas from here makes the person feel on top of the world.  

There are yaks at Kufri.  The owner of the yak will allow the tourists to sit on the yak and take photograph for a price. 

I feel that Shimla is a place to visit at least once in life time.