DRK’S NEWS LETTER Issue 011

DRK’s News Letter

Issue No: 11

May,2017

DRK ADDRESSING THE MEDIA AFTER FARMER’S RALLY AT SALEM

RALLY ON CRISIS IN WATER AND AGRICULTURE - 26th March 2017- at Salem.

A huge rally, mostly consisting of the farmers in distress from all over Tamil Nadu, was held on 26th March 2017 at Salem, almost in the center of Tamil Nadu.

Leaders from many organisations representing various walks of life including industries, business, agriculture, civil society organisations along with farmers narrated the distress being faced all over Tamil Nadu due to scarcity of water, made worse this year by the total failure of the monsoon.

Heart-rending stories were narrated by people as to how in certain interior places, even the poor are forced to pay ten rupees per pot of water.

Let alone the crisis in agriculture for raising crops, even Areca nut and coconut trees are drying up. There is scarcity of fodder and water even for the cattle. Even going down to the depth of 1400 feet, the borewells do not yield any water.

Speaking as Chief Guest at the rally, I shared the agony of the

farmers and others and said this is the worst year after the drought and famine of 1877. I narrated the efforts made by me over the years, as one from a farming family and also as founder President of the National Agriculturist Awareness Movement and also as Patron of the Farmer’s Magazine “WE FARMERS”.

Email: drkaarthikeyan@gmail.com Website: www.goodgovernance.in www.lifepositive.com

A view of the farmer’s rally at Salem

DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 011 2

It was in the year 2001 coconut farmers faced an unprecedented crisis, because the copra price dipped to a new low. Whenever I was in Coimbatore the farmers used to meet me even at the airport and represented that unless the government intervenes effectively and save the situation, the coconut farmers will be left with no option but to commit suicide or cut down the coconut trees to go in for cultivating some other crops. Hearing heartrending stories from them I took up the matter with the State government of Tamil Nadu, who pleaded helplessness.

So I met Shri Ajit Singh, the Agriculture Minister in the Central Government headed by Prime Minister Shri. Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He agreed to take up the matter with the cabinet and later told me no body supported his proposal. I met him again and again and convinced him to take up the proposal strongly as

otherwise there will be a serious situation forcing farmers to commit suicide. Accordingly he argued the matter forcefully in the cabinet and got considerable funds (over rupees 200 crores, if my memory is correct) with which NAFED entered the marked in Pollachi and gave minimum price support. Thus

the situation was saved and the coconut/copra prices never fell so low again.

In April 2002 I called on the Prime Minister Shri. Atal Bihari Vajpayee and apprised him of the distress sale of vegetables by the farmers, being forced to sell their produce at prices lower than the cost of production. They have no choice as it was due to their inability to hold on to their products even for a few days. It was the middlemen who made the profit, while forcing the consumers to pay high prices. When the PM asked what is the solution, I suggested to him the Government should create/support storage facilities including cold storage in rural areas. I am happy to say that very soon Government of India implemented such a scheme, but not many farmers could avail of the benefit, due to lack of awareness.

With Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee discussing problems of farmers

Inauguration with Engineer Dr. AC Kamaraj, Chairman NAWAD TECH and others

DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 011 3

In the year 2002 there was a meeting of Farmer’s Forum of MPs at Andhra Bhawan. Because of my deep interest in the subject, I was requested to speak on two issues. One was on encouraging and supporting cultivation of Jatropha and other similar plants to produce bio-diesel and to make it compulsory blending of bio-diesel and ethanol from sugar industry with petroleum products. That was to encourage farmers to produce biodiesel, to minimize pollution and to save precious foreign exchange by reducing imports of petroleum products to that extent. I also made a strong case for linking of rivers, to prevent drought situation in some parts of the country, while at the same time to save enormous loss of lives, properties and crops in some other parts due to floods in the monsoon.

Dr. Manmohan Singh, who was the leader of the opposition in the Parliament at that time, spoke on behalf of over 40 MPs from different parties who attended the forum. He promised to support both my

proposals as sound and implementable, while at the same time praising me for taking so much interest in the welfare of farmers and rural development, after a distinguished service of decades in the police and the CBI.

On 21st March 2003, a high-level National Conference on linking of rivers, was convened at my initiative at the Aliyar Temple of

Consciousness, Coimbatore. Eminent personalities from different walks of life including Shri. Suresh Prabhu, MP and Chairman of the Task Force on Interlinking of Rivers participated. They all strongly supported the proposal as the only way of finding a lasting solution to the ever-increasing water problem being faced all over the country.

On 7th October 2005 I called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and reminded him about his earlier promise at the meeting in Andhra Bhawan, when he was leader of the opposition. I also told him that while even President Kalam strongly supported Linking of Rivers, some of his senior ministers opposed the idea. He assured me he believed in and will implement the project of Linking of Rivers.

DRK Addressing farmers rally

Model of Linking of Rivers

DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 011 4

In the year 2004, at the prestigious Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, to which I am invited always, I had the opportunity to raise the issue with the Sonia Gandhi, the all powerful President of the Congress Party, which had come to power. After her speech, at the opportunity given to raise questions, I rose up and explained to her the distress among the farmers and suggested to her two major solutions – namely Minimum Support Price to be declared for every farm produce and effective implementation of Crop Insurance Scheme for all crops.

I also raised the issue of water problem – floods causing damages to life and property during monsoon in some parts of the country and the farmers and people suffering due to drought in some other parts. I appealed that the only lasting solution is linking of rivers, despite the many challenges such a project will throw up.

Mrs Gandhi noted down the points made by me and said these are long standing problems and her government which had just come to office will take up these issues of farmers and water in all seriousness.

At the same conference I raised the issue of crop insurance with the then finance minister Shri. P. Chidambaram, who explained that no company was coming forward. I pointed out that Congress party manifesto has promised introduction of crop

insurance and crop insurance is being implemented in many other countries. He assured that efforts will be made to implement crop insurance.

In 2011, I was invited to participate in a Seminar on Good Governance as part of Vibrant Gujarat. I had the opportunity to discuss and raise many issues on farming and water with the then Chief Minister Shri. Narendra Modi. He was good enough to explain in detail the many steps his government successfully implemented in bringing prosperity to the farmers and in raising the sub-soil water level by resorting to drip irrigation and water harvesting.

I had taken part in many seminars, conferences and rallies of farmers for years. I have had many discussions with eminent personalities like Dr. Abdul Kalam, and Dr. M.S. Swaminathan to alleviate the distress of the farmers and to solve the worsening water crisis.

With Editor, WE FARMERS Magazine and NAAM State President T.S.Prabhurajah

With Hon’ble Shri. Narendra Modi at Vibrant Gujarat Conference

DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 011 5

In my considered opinion, the nation should implement the minimum of the following requirements -

1. Minimum Support Price for farm Products as proposed by the Agriculture Commission headed by Dr. M.S. Swaminathan.

2. Effective and immediate implementation of Crop Insurance for all agricultural produce.

3. Implementation of Linking of rivers or at least the National Waterways Project, despite all obvious challenges and difficulties – as otherwise parts of India will become desert within the next couple of decades!!

All India Bank Employees Conference, Chennai

I was invited as Guest of Honour at The 70th Anniversary Conference of All India Bank Employees Association held in Chennai.

AIBEA is the oldest and largest trade union of bank employees in India having been founded in 1946. It represents nearly half a million bank employees working in Public Sector banks, private banks, foreign banks, Co-op. Banks, and Regional Rural Banks.

AIBEA has set to itself two main objectives, one to fight for the betterment of the bank employees, their wages, service conditions and rights and another objective is to fight for

better banking policies that will help the Banks to be engines of growth and development of the country which needs resources to progress.

The Conference held in Chennai was attended by more than 5000 delegates from all over the country and some from abroad. Others who addressed the conference included noted personalities like Agricultural Scientist Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, Journalist Shri. N. Ram, Shri. D. Raja, MP and Justice K Chandru.

I was asked to speak on “Unite and Fight for a Corruption Free India”. I spoke about the various related laws and appealed to the members at all levels to be

disciplined and to fight corruption unitedly to make India Corruption Free.

Media University, Bhopal on ‘Social Media for Law and Order’

Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication had organised a two day workshop on ‘Social Media for Law and Order’.

Senior Journalists, academics and senior police officers participated. University vice-chancellor Prof Brij Kishore Kuthiala observed that internet would bring the change as Mahatma Gandhi brought revolution through ‘charkha’.

With Shri. Venkatachalam, General Secretary of AIBEA

Delegates at the All India Bank Employees Conference

DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 011 6

Senior journalist and author Vivek Agrawal said nudity is a big problem on social media, along with morphing. Cheating and forgery cases also come afore. He said, present situation and circumstance demand formation of even a Cyber Army.

Addressing the Valedictory function I paid complements to the University as the oldest and most comprehensive Media university in the country.

I pointed out how social media and digital platforms are changing private and public sectors. Leadership in police department must embrace social media and update pattern of policing. It can be a tool for gathering evidence and information about suspects and identifying criminal networks.

Social media has become a part of daily life. This has given voice to common man. I highlighted the fact that cyber laws are not sufficient and there is need to update them. Misuse of social media is at the beginning stage in the country and would increase further, if proper attention is not paid. I added prosecutions under IT Act and for violation of the norms must be publicised so that people can realize that it is no free for all medium.

International spiritual Film Festival at Varanasi

The three-day Second International Spiritual film festival – India (ISFFI) was held at Taj Nadesar Palace Grounds in the heritage city of Varanasi.

The very first International

Spiritual Film Festival was held during Simhastha Kumbh Mela at Ujjain last year. Very carefully selected films from

many parts of the world including The Answer, Manjhi and Divine lover of Humanity were screened on the bank of the holy Shipra river at Ujjain Kumbh Mela.

Enthused by the response from all over, myself as Founder President of ISFFI and film maker and film producer/director Ms. Sumana Mukherjee as Festival Director decided that the festival should be held every year and the very second Festival should be held at the sacred city of Varanasi, the most ancient living city in the world.

The purpose of the film festival is screening selected films from all parts of the world, for uniting world, spreading peace and harmony through spirituality and consciousness and promote positive values, right attitudes, environment and holistic wellness as a whole. It is also meant to encourage talented upcoming Directors and honour and recognise celebrated directors from all over the world.

At Bhopal Media University

With Vice Chancellor Of Bhopal Media University

DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 011 7

Myself and Prof. Pandit Visambhar Mishra, Mahant of the famous Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple and Professor in Benares Hindu University formally inaugurated the festival.

Festival director Sumana Mukherjee explained the theme being “Peace and Humanity”, the films selected convey the message of peace, harmony and compassion.

In all 12 films were screened. The directors of some of the films interacted with the audience. Panel discussions were held on themes including “Quantum Thinking – Heart fullness”; “Leadership through spirituality, consciousness and cinema”; “Right to Peace and happiness and Role of films to realise this”; “Role of cinema in

promoting culture and harmony” and “Mother Nature Back to roots and innovation”.

The panellists included Dr. Rajiv Mehrotra of Dalai Lama Foundation, Dr. Radheshyam Mishra, Ms Veena Malik, SunYogi Umashankar, Ms. Usha Narayan, Dr. BK Chandrashekhar, Ms. Reena Ginwala, Ms.

Kadambari Shivaya, Mr. Siddhagowda, Nayaswami Devarshi, Brahmachari Aditya, Ms. Mahima Anand, Ms. Rattnottama Sengupta, Mr. Ajit Rai, Professor Sadanand Sushi, Dr. BK Binny, Ms. Sumana Mukherjee and Dr D.R. Karthikeyan.

Among the powerful films screened are - Until Space Remains, COFFIN MAKER, The Thinking Body, Redha, DakshYagna, Earth Sutra, Bekku, Path to Happiness, Flowing with Ganga’s Love, In Search of Shankara and Finding Happiness.

Unanimous views were expressed by the speakers on the need for the wider audience to view these inspiring and life transforming movies by creating more such festivals all over the country. Invitations have already come from the Government of Madhya Pradesh and also Ananda Sangha of Pune.

In any case I have declared the third formal International Film Festival will be held at the sacred city of Tirupati in February/March 2017. I have informed this decision to Hon’ble Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, whom I met at a CBI function recently. He happily welcomed that idea.

Rajiv Mehrotra, Sumana and DRK at the Panel Discussion

With Mahant, Sunyogi, Devrishi and Pt. Radheshyam Mishra

Peace is the Innate quality of the mind. To acquire it one need to go nowhere but have to dive within.

The most difficult phase of life is not when no one understands you; it is when you do not understand yourself.

DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 011 8

Abraham Lincoln’s Letter to his son’s teacher A LETTER WHICH THE GREAT LINCOLN WROTE TO REMIND THE TEACHER

WHAT HE WANTS HIS SON TO BE TAUGHT

“My son starts school today. It is all going to be strange and new to him for a

while and I wish you would treat him gently. It is an adventure that might take him across continents. All adventures that probably include wars, tragedy and sorrow. To live this life will require faith, love and courage.

So dear Teacher, will you please take him by his hand and teach him things he

will have to know, teaching him - but gently, if you can. Teach him that for every enemy, there is a friend. He will have to know that all men are not just, that all men are not true. But teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero, that for every crooked politician, there is a dedicated leader.

Teach him if you can that 10 cents earned is of far more value than a dollar

found. In school, teacher, it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat. Teach him to learn how to gracefully lose, and enjoy winning when he does win.

Teach him to be gentle with people, tough with tough people. Steer him away

from envy if you can and teach him the secret of quiet laughter. Teach him if you can - how to laugh when he is sad, teach him there is no shame in tears.

Teach him there can be glory in failure and despair in success. Teach him to

scoff at cynics.

Teach him if you can the wonders of books, but also give time to ponder the

extreme mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun and flowers on a green hill.

Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if every one tell him they are

wrong.

Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone else is

doing it. Teach him to listen to every one, but teach him also to filters all that he hears on a screen of truth and take only the good that comes through.

Teach him to sell his talents and brains to the highest bidder but never to put a

price tag on his heart and soul. Let him have the courage to be impatient, let him have the patient to be brave. Teach him to have sublime faith in himself, because then he will always have sublime faith in mankind, in God.

This is the order, teacher but see what best you can do. He is such a nice little

boy and he is my son.”