Nandini Voice For The Deprived, September 2015 Page 1
Dedicated to the cause of marginalized and downtrodden
Volume-XX Rs.10/-
ISSUE 12
SEPTEMBER 2015
In this issue………………………
* TO REACH GOD, SERVE MAN
* THE LAWLESS LAWYERS
* WHITHER INDIAN ANTI CORRUPTION MOVEMENT ?
And more………
Nandini Voice For The Deprived, September 2015 Page 2
SWAMY VIVEKANANDA SPEAKS
TO REACH GOD, SERVE MAN
We must plunge heart and soul and body into the work. And until we be ready to sacrifice everything else to one Idea and to one alone, we never, never, will see the light. Those that want to help mankind must take their own pleasure and pain, name and fame and all sorts of interests and make a bundle of them and throw them into the sea and then come to the Lord. This is what all Masters said and did.
***** Really good and evil are one and are in our own mind. When the mind is self poised, neither good
nor bad effects it.
Be perfectly free; then neither can affect it and we enjoy freedom and bliss.
Evil is the iron chain, good is the gold one; both are chains.
Be free and know once for all that there is no chain for you. Lay hold of the golden chain to loosen
the hold of the iron one, then throw both way.
*****
In the world, take always the position of the giver.
Give everything and look for no return. Give love, give help, give service, give any little thing you
can, but keep out barter. Make no conditions and none will be imposed.
Let us give out of our own bounty, just as God gives to us.
Give as the rose gives perfume, because it is its own nature, utterly unconscious of giving
*****
The history of the world is the history of a few men who had faith in themselves. That faith calls out
the divinity within. You can do anything. You fail only when you do not strive sufficiently to manifest
infinite power.
Practical patriotism means not a mere sentiment or even emotion of love of the motherland but a passion to serve our fellow countrymen. I have gone all over India on foot and have seen with my own eyes the ignorance, misery and squalor of our people. My whole soul is afire and I am burning with a fierce desire to change such evil conditions. Let no one talk of karma. If it was their karma to suffer; it is our karma to relieve the suffering. If you want to find God, serve man. To reach Narayana you must serve the daridranarayanas – the starving millions of India.
*****
Nandini Voice For The Deprived, September 2015 Page 3
Readers’ Forum
Dear Sir,
Oh! My Great Lord Almighty! Give them sense of justice on this day
Help us continue our faith in the medical men demy-Gods!
Give us good health to be free from the need to approach the demons
We faithfully pray “May the tribe of the noble doctors" grow!
***** V Subbaraman
Readers‟ forum provides space for the readers to give expression to their
views on a variety of socio economic issues that is of relevance to the
society.
Further enrichment of the journal with your thoughtful inputs would
certainly go a long way in promoting the cause that the journal seeks to
espouse.
Indian judges under trial
Dear Sir,
Our criminal justice system is now a joke, with vested interests
supporting convicted terrorists and serial killers on death row.
Interpretation of law is taking priority over delivering sound
judgements.
***** Anand Mohan
One may see that the judgement vary from judge to judge. My case
is a good example. I was acquitted by the lower court in one case
but the High Court judge felt that the judgement of the lower court
was not correct and he gave conviction to me.
The rule of law is the same but the personal discretion and
interpretation of judge plays an important part in delivering
judgement..
***** Gopala Rao,Ganugapati
Fleecing doctors
Dear Sir,
I found the August issue informative and well got up --- as usual.
The pages devoted to fleecing by hospitals was most interesting.
***** B S Raghavan
I thank Nandini Voice magazine for August issue, which is
interesting as usual.
The opinion on doctors, hospitals is the routine but how can
we achieve better conditions ?.
Still, you are provoking people to think and that is a good sign for
better conditions to emerge.
***** V.Rajagopal
Nandini Voice For The Deprived, September 2015 Page 4
READERS‟ FORUM
Dear Sir,
Doctors get 30% to 50% cut on CT, MRI scans.
There are charitable institutions who do CT, MRI scan and other tests at low rates because they do
not give kick backs to doctors.
Doctors and their spouses get free junkets in India and to foreign countries, as reward for
promoting a product. Free samples are a passé.
A heart stent is 100-150 % more than its price by the distributors.
A famous hospital chain has system of evaluating doctor on the basis of how much income he
generates in terms of clinical tests, drug prescriptions, etc.
A skin specialist inflates his drug prescription by prescribing expensive vitamins, supplements etc.
Cost of skin medicines is Rs 800 and cost of supplements is Rs 4000/-
A specialist in the hospital diagnosed a person whose death was imminent. He advised the relatives
to take him home and let him die in peace. But the hospital wanted to put the patient on test under
various medical equipment and very expensive drugs, saying that it was necessary to fight till the
end. Result was additional bill for a few lakhs of rupees . The patient anyway died as prognosticated
by the specialist.
The list is endless.
There are a tiny miniscule minority of doctors ,who practice ethical medicine.
***** Dr D M Mohunta
It is now too late to do anything and it has to be done gradually and any hasty decision at this stage
will be tantamount to „Putting the cart before the Horse!‟
***** K.R.Krishnan
Let us pray for good days ahead
Dear Sir,
The whole governance system faces severe stress and decay. The top people in the executive
belong to the bottom layer personnel, who are incompetent to be there.
The people select 'their representatives' who are not expected to be the best, to govern the
country.
Demand for prohibition in Tamil Nadu
Dear Sir,
It is rather amusing to hear about the sudden outbursts and hue
and cry about enforcing ‟Prohibition‟ in Tamil Nadu.
I wonder what were these protesters and political leaders doing
when Revered Rajaji pleaded with Karunanidhi, the then
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, in torrential rain in October 1971,
not to lift prohibition and make a new generation of drunkards!!
Nandini Voice For The Deprived, September 2015 Page 5
READERS‟ FORUM
My RTI query on Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
Dear Sir,
It is gratifying to know from the Andhra Pradesh State Information Commissioner (The Hindu
21 July 2015) that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) come under the purview of Right to
Information Act (RTI). But, such statements are often made without any impact on ground realities.
I wish the AP High Court renders justice for cause which I have taken up in the interest of
environment protection in the Hills.
Is it not possible to fix the responsibility for the enormous delay of 850 days?
***** V . Rajagopal
The situation can be compared with allowing the
masses to choose a driver for driving a vehicle with
out any certificate for driving. The 'chosen driver'
dares to take the vehicle with full board and takes
the route of disaster and trouble to the travelling
public.
In rarest of rare occasions, we may be successful in
selecting competent man to the positions of power.
So much so, wait and see whether the people erred
or not in selecting Modi to the post.
Let us hope and pray for good days ahead.
**** Dr.M.C.George
As a scientist I wanted to study the
environment degradation in Tirumala Hills
and requested for some basic information
from the TTD in 2012.
As there was no response, I applied under
RTI Act in November 2012, but there was
no response. The High Court of Andhra
Pradesh also gave positive indication but the
TTD filed a writ petition in early 2014, but
so far nothing happened. I sent three letters
to the RTI officers in Hyderabad but none
replied.
As on today, the application to RTI crossed
over 850 days but there is no progress.
Since I lost confidence in the system, I made
a representation to the present Chief
Minister of Andhra Pradesh without any
result . If a senior citizen is not respected
with a basic courtesy reply from the highly
placed Government officers, then how RTI
can function effectively ?
Nandini Voice For The Deprived, September 2015 Page 6
DESPERATE CALLS
Need support for medical treatment
* Mr.Dashrath , age 32 years , is suffering from rheumatic heart disease. He has to undergo
open heart surgery at Sagar Hospitals, Bangalore. Estimated cost of the surgery is Rs.2,10,000/-
Cheque may be drawn in favour of concerned hospitals and sent to the following address:
Secretary, Save Poor Lives, Flat No.4A, Ground Floor, Ceebros Garde, Old No.76, Kamaraj Salai,
Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai-600 028 Phone:044-42044165, Cell:09884607377,
E-mail:[email protected] website: www.savepoorlives.com.
*****
For further details, please contact: Editor, Nandini Voice For The Deprived, Chennai. Phone: 044-24916037, E-mail:[email protected].
***** Need support for medical treatment
* Master Santhosh, S/o.Mr.Balasubramani, 5 years old, has to undergo chemotherapy
treatment at Meenakshi Mission Hospital & Research Centre , Madurai. Estimated cost of the
treatment is Rs.3,00,000/-
* Master. Lokesh S/o.Mr.Ramesh, 12 years old, has to undergo open heart surgery at Public
Health Centre, Chennai. Estimated cost of the surgery is Rs.2,00,000/-
* Mr Xavier, S/o.Mr.Susai, 20 years old, has to undergo chemotherapy treatment at
Meenakshi Mission Hospital & Research Centre , Madurai. Estimated cost of the treatment is
Rs.3,00,000/-
* Mr. Siva Sakthi S/o.Mr.Eswaran, 18 years old, has to undergo chemotherapy treatment at
Meenakshi Mission Hospital & Research Centre, Madurai. Estimated cost of the treatment is
Rs.3,00,000/-
Cheque may be drawn in favour of concerned Hospital and sent to the following address: Secretary,
Women‟s Welfare Syndicate, Flat No.GF-1, Corddel Apts., Old.No.13, New .No.29,
Py Crofts Garden Road, Greams Road, Chennai-600006.Phone:044-42137401 / 044-28235324
You can enjoy your prosperity only if you share your income with the
deprived and thus discover the satisfaction that it provides.
* Baby Apti, age 7 months , is suffering from congenital heart
disease. She has to undergo open heart surgery at Fortis Hospitals,
Bangalore. Estimated cost of the surgery is Rs.1,50,000/-
* Baby Samrakhanami, age 1 year , is suffering from congenital
heart disease. She has to undergo PTMC at Sagar Hospitals,
Bangalore. Estimated cost of the surgery is Rs.25,000/-
Students need support for education
Ms.S.Keerthi, II year B.com., Ms.T.Sindhuja, 1st year B.Sc.,(Maths) and Ms.T.Subiksha XII std., belong to poor families and need support for education. Each need to pay Rs.9,000/- for present academic year.
Nandini Voice For The Deprived, September 2015 Page 7
VOICE OF RAJAJI
NEED FOR TOTAL PROHIBITION BY LEGAL ENACTMENT
Good of the depressed classes is the need
The most urgent reason for prohibition is the good of the depressed classes. No other single
measure of reform can help these people and at once raise them economically and socially, as total
prohibition can. The rich and the educated may be indifferent about this reform. It is most necessary
for saving the poor and the lowly.
Worthwhile to lose the liquor revenue
Revenue from drink is no revenue in any real sense. It is a revenue from waste which, if the
government be wise, it should prevent altogether. Total prohibition will save for the homes five
times what is now paid into the government treasury. Add also what will be saved in the
expenditure for prevention and punishment of crimes. It is worthwhile to lose the drink revenue.
Moral persuasion vis- a -vis prohibition
The place of moral persuasion in temperance reform is large and important. But persuasion is to be
brought to bear upon individuals in order to secure personal abstinence. It has no relevance in
dealing with a social and economic problem which the liquor traffic constitutes. The government has
no right to place continual temptations before weak people.
Prohibition by legal enactment is the only way to stop the liquor traffic. Educative propaganda and
prohibition of the traffic should go on side by side, each helping the other.
If we are to have government and order, laws must be based on the principle of the greatest good to
the greatest number. The law has just as much right to prevent the drink traffic from placing pit
falls before weak people and to make a person a teetotaller against his will, as it has to make the
person send his children to school or to keep to the left on the public highway.
Urgent need
Vicious habits are bound to spread and take deeper root with each succeeding year of delay.
Reform becomes more and more difficult, as we allow time to lapse.
In fairness, we should give a chance to the system of total prohibition.
Revenue aspect
But objection to prohibition will
come from an administration,
whose cost is scandalously out of
proportion to the income of the
people governed.
If need be, we may impose fresh
taxes on ourselves to the necessary
extent, rather than permit a trade
that is so great an enemy to the
society. Revenue complications will
be all the harder for solution, if we allow time to pass.
Nandini Voice For The Deprived, September 2015 Page 8
DEATH PENALTY FOR HEINOUS CRIME IS NECESSARY
Punishment must be proportional to the crime
There cannot be any doubt that guilty persons and criminals must be punished and such punishment
should be proportional to the severity of the crime.
Such punishments are required to ensure that there would be rule of law in the society and law
abiding and honest citizens are protected from the criminals and law breakers. In the absence of
punishment, the dishonest and criminal elements will get emboldened and the society will become
unliveable for common men.
If the argument that the punishment would not be a deterrent to wrong doers is accepted for not
imposing death penalty, then this stand would be applicable for any sort of punishment including
simple imprisonment.
Fair judgement
The other argument of the critics is that even the judges sometimes may err in their judgements in
awarding death penalty. This argument is also weak, as the judges may err in the case of any
punishment imposed and not only in the case of death penalty. This rare possibility can not be a
justification for not imposing punishment, particularly since there is no other way of ensuring rule of
law.
Those who argue against the punishment by
hanging do not disagree with the need for
imposing other form of punishment. They only
appear to say that while severe punishments are
in order, punishment by hanging is improper and
unethical. One can clearly see the fallacy in this
argument, as punishments have to be
proportional to the severity of the crime and
hanging is a type of punishment that is awarded
only in extreme cases and after long
deliberation.
The recent hanging of Yakub Memon in India for what was judged by the highest judiciary of India
as heinous crime of participating in the terrorist attack in Mumbai resulting in the death of more
than 200 people, has been criticised by section of people and media.
The critics argue that the state has no right to take away the life of any person under any
circumstances and punishment by way of hanging is an uncivilised act, amounting to barbarian
practice.
Further, the critics argue that the judgements given by the court can be sometime erroneous and
there is grim possibility of an innocent person being hanged.
One more argument advanced is that punishment by hanging may not be a deterrent that would
prevent other people from indulging in similar heinous act and , therefore, hanging of a criminal
serve no purpose..
A careful examination of the above view points would make one think that the above arguments
are academic and may be good enough for a seminar hall but not in practical terms considering
the ground realities.
Nandini Voice For The Deprived, September 2015 Page 9
DEATH PENALTY FOR HEINOUS CRIME IS NECESSARY
If taking away of life of a criminal by way of punishment is considered unethical, it can even be argued
that taking away the freedom of a criminal by way of punishment can be considered unethical, as a
man without freedom almost amount to a living corpse.
In awarding the type of punishment while delivering judgements, difference have to be certainly
observed between those indulging in burglary or money laundering practices or cheating and those
who rape women and even young children and those who kill others. Punishment by hanging implies
that the judges think that person indulging in crimes such as murder or terrorism do not deserve to
live at all, as such persons are inhuman and barbarians. Elimination of such people from the society
is certainly an unpleasant task for judges but they exercise this option, clearly realising that this is a
necessary punishment.
Safeguards
It is also necessary to keep in view that in countries like India, there are many safeguards to ensure
that a person would not be hanged unjustifiably. There are procedures for appeal and even if the
highest judiciary of the land would approve the punishment of a person by hanging, the President of
India still has the discretion to waive such punishment.
The very fact that there are number of persons in India who have already been convicted and have
been awarded death penalty without death penalty being executed, as their appeals are still
pending, clearly indicate the enormous care being taken by the country in awarding death penalty.
Those who kill others certainly have no right to claim that they should not be hanged.
*****
WHAT READERS SAY ? Terrorists are worse than murderers
Terrorists , be it local grown and/or external ones, can't be categorized in light hearted manner.
They even can not be treated a way a murderer is being judged.
These terrorists in India for years are treated in jails and millions of rupees of public-money spent
on them and then our so ever ready vote-bank-politicians plus the News-Media hype it further, not
thinking what it does to the families/relatives of all those killed in these terrible attacks.
***** Kishin Chandiramani
Regulations in USA
In USA, racial & religious hate crimes have death sentence. They are not treated as average assault.
***** Turkman
Death penalty is a crime
No crime is big enough to attract death penalty. Awful things can happen in some circumstances and
environment.Award of death penalty is a crime in itself.
***** Kirpal Singh, Wellington, New Zealand
The above article on death penalty for heinous crime was published in the blog and many
readers from all over India responded with their views. Highlights of some of the observations
are provided .
Nandini Voice For The Deprived, September 2015 Page 10
THE LAWLESS LAWYERS
Drunken brawl between lawyers in Chennai are no more uncommon.
Many law students in Chennai have fought pitched battles with stones and draggers and murders
have been reported.
Many people are now suspicious of some of the judgements and several judges at various levels face
accusation of corrupt practices. The lawless lawyers only further reflect on the state of judiciary in
India.
It is extremely important that a screening committee should be immediately appointed by
government of India to filter out the fake lawyers all over the country.
Lawyers all over India should be asked to submit their qualification credentials for verification and
the task cannot be simply left to bar council of India. It is too serious a situation ,as judges are being
selected out of these lawyers and judiciary has a very important role to play in safeguarding probity
in public life.
*****
WHAT READERS SAY ON LAWLESS LAWYERS
People should speak up
I am glad you posted this blog. This is a scenario which has been more or less common through out
the country. More and more people should speak up. Bar Council and bar associations are politically
controlled.
***** R.K.Datta
Very shocking. Well exposed by you.
***** Kamalji
While such unsavoury incidents
continue, it now has reached a new
low , as the lawyers in Puduchery
prevented the magistrate from leaving
the chamber, when he remanded a
junior lawyer for misconduct. The
crowd of lawyers insisted that the
accused lawyer should be released
on bail and the magistrate yielded, so
that he could come out of the court
complex. Similar conditions prevail all
over India.
Lawyers are known to say lies
without twinkling of eyelid but the
image of the lawyers have now
become so tarnished that people are
no more surprised , when it is
revealed that one third of the lawyers
in India are fake.
The Chairman of Bar Council of India said recently in Chennai that one third of the lawyers in
India are fake. But, the loud mouthed lawyers did not comment about this startling revelation and
are conspicuous by silence. Even the noisy media is silent.
Nandini Voice For The Deprived, September 2015 Page 11
THE LAWLESS LAWYERS
Show me an ethical lawyer
Lawyer sounds almost like "Liar" . The lower courts in Delhi are swarming with criminal lawyers.
***** M.V.Balaji
Legal profession is under siege
The conflict between the police and lawyers, the judges and the lawyers and the law students
between themselves have proved that the legal profession is under siege and is infiltrated by most
lawless elements, out to damage the cause of the rule of law. There is no sign of any improvement
and things will further deteriorate till the nadir is reached
***** Krishnan Bala.
Unless lawyers damage their own minds, how can they damage the minds of others ?
, ***** Mukund Apte
Lawyers flout ethics
What about the lawyers who are legally qualified but then flout all ethics by using their connections
to politicians, big business and the like.
***** Capt. Johann samuhanand
Disturbing situation
Dear Sir,
This is no news. In India, every profession is
going down in ethics. There is hardly any ethics
anywhere- politicians, lawyers. doctors,
teachers, govt babus - really disturbing
situation. May God save this country
***** Dr.Protyush
Trained law breakers
Dear Sir,
Some lawyers are seen to be trained law
breakers now . This is sad scenario.
***** A.K.Bhattacharyya
What Gandhiji said ?
Mahatma Gandhi had written in his book "Hind Swaraj” in 1908
after his return from South Africa, that Britain had inducted
two professions in Bhaarat; Lawyers and Doctors.
He had expressed his opinion that doctors are engaged in
damaging the bodies of people and lawyers in damaging the
minds of them.
Nandini Voice For The Deprived, September 2015 Page 12
WHITHER INDIAN ANTI CORRUPTION MOVEMENT ?
Many of those who thought that Anna Hazare would be able to create strong anti corruption
climate in the country now feel hopeless.
Failure of Anna Hazare‟s movement has created doubts as to whether anti corruption movement in
India will succeed at all, driving down the morale of the anti corruption crusaders.
Modi government yet to make impact :
With Anna Hazare failing to stand up to the expectations, people placed faith on Narendra Modi and
thought that he would stem the corruption rot and restore probity in public life and government
machinery.
The general perspective today is that whatever anti corruption steps that Modi government has
taken so far are half hearted and inadequate. It may be due to several constraints faced by Modi
government such as non cooperative bureaucracy and government officials, many of whom are
involved in corrupt practices, as well as cumbersome judicial procedures.
While Modi government certainly has set some good standards in corrupt free governance at the
top level, the impact is yet to be felt at the lower level of the government machinery and at the state
level. It is known that many state governments and ministers in the state are corrupt and dishonest
and Modi government could do nothing about it so far.
Failure of Anna Hazare Movement :
With support from the common man and
backed by media publicity, Anna Hazare
launched his anti corruption movement with
much fanfare ,but unfortunately, this
movement has now lost all credibility and
sense of direction. Poor leadership capability
of Anna Hazare may have caused set back to
this much publicised movement.
Insincere approach of several of Anna
Hazare‟s associates who jumped into his anti
corruption bandwagon and then later on
used their position in the movement to get
political advantages for themselves, have
caused great embarrassment and frustration
to the genuine anti corruption crusaders in
India.
Indian anti corruption movement seem to be going nowhere. While there is huge disgust and
anger amongst cross section of citizens in India about the widespread prevalence of corruption
at various levels in government departments, private and public sector institutions, the citizens‟
opinion appear to be impotent in combating corruption in the country.
What is particularly disgusting is the ground reality that even educational institutions, hospitals
and religious bodies and NGOs are often seen indulging in corrupt practices. Of course,
judiciary too is often suspected to be dishonest and partisan and several judges have faced
charges of corruption and malpractice. Where can the country go from here ?
Nandini Voice For The Deprived, September 2015 Page 13
WHITHER INDIAN ANTI CORRUPTION MOVEMENT ?
Kejriwal could not even maintain a Lokpal in his own party and how can he ensure Lokpal for the
state? On the other hand, Kejriwal is now seen to be spending crore of rupees of cash starved Delhi
government‟s money in advertising about himself and the activities of his government, which is the
familiar practice adopted by self centred and dishonest politicians.
Undefeated corrupt forces:
The anti corruption movement in India has now gone through one full circle. We find a scenario in
the country, where many people find that rarely anything can be done without paying bribe money,
leading to a situation where both bribe givers and bribe takers are active and both do not think
ashamed and feel guilty anymore about their corrupt dealings.
With even the print and visual media, now largely controlled by political parties and business
houses , are suspected to be partisan and even corrupt to some extent by publishing paid news, the
poor people of India who are the worst victims of prevailing corrupt practices all over the country ,
are very angry and feel sad about their own helplessness.
By and large, people realise now that anti corruption movement has to be built on strong
foundation by taking the fight to the grass root level and encouraging people‟s resistance at
individual level , instead of adopting such strategies as going on fast which now look like gimmicks.
Even change in law such as enactment of Lokpal bill cannot take the movement forward , in the
absence of the will to implement the regulations and alert crusaders making necessary sacrifices for
the cause. The failure of the Right to Information Act, introduced with great promise and hope to
fight corruption, is a glaring example.
Do or die battle for Narendra Modi :
In any case, the country men still look up to Narendra Modi to live upto his promise of eradicating
corruption. This is a do or die battle for Modi and one hopes he is aware of it.
Failure of Kejriwal :
Yet another attempt was made by the people to
defeat corruption by voting Kejriwal as Chief
Minister of Delhi. This move has also failed ,as several
members of Kejriwal‟s party face charges of
corruption and malpractices and his party has already
split with serious allegations being made against
Kejriwal himself.
Kejriwal does not give hope anymore, as several
suspicions about his party collecting funds from
abroad during election campaign remain unanswered.
Nandini Voice For The Deprived, September 2015 Page 14
PARLIAMENT DISRUPTION POINT TO LOW POLITICAL STANDARDS
Politicians behave like street urchins
The argument of the opposition parties that they are justified in obstructing the functions of
parliament since BJP adopted the same methods earlier, only shows that the standards set for
themselves by the politicians are no better than that of the street urchins.
When BJP obstructed the parliament session earlier, this was criticised by the UPA government and
BJP really lost face with the people. Even today, the image of BJP suffers due to such behaviour in
the previous parliament. However, can this bad example set by BJP earlier be a justifiable reason
for the Congress MPs disrupting parliament now ?
Many people have now even started thinking that the country can now do as well without these
disrupting and indisciplined parliamentarians, who seem to have no reputation to lose.
Bad example set by Dr.Manmohan Singh
What is strange and unacceptable is that even the former Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh ,who
is known as an erudite scholar and a cultured politician , is not protesting against the tactics and
approach of the leadership of his own party.
On the other hand, Dr. Singh himself was seen with a black band participating in the protest outside
the parliament, instead of sitting inside parliament and taking part in debates and discussions. Even
the pledged admirers of Dr. Singh appear to be disappointed.
Essence of democracy
Under no circumstances, disruption of
proceedings of the parliament by
parliamentarians belonging to any
party can be justified .
The very concept of parliamentary
democracy is that the differences
would be discussed and debated and if
the differences persist, the decision
would be taken on the basis of voting.
Do the present day parliamentarians
have the wisdom to understand this ?
Going by the comments from the people in twitter and face book, it is evident that the
people, by and large , approve the decision of the Lok Sabha speaker to suspend 25 MPs for
indisciplined behaviour in parliament.
Many people seem to think that such a move is long overdue and some stringent steps should
be taken to make the parliamentarians behave. The suggestion that no work no pay policy
should be applicable to MPs appear to be receiving popular support.
The fact that the political leadership of various political parties are ignoring such under
current of thought in the country, only reflect on the prevalent low standard of the
leadership of various political parties.
Nandini Voice For The Deprived, September 2015 Page 15
IS THE AGITATION BY RETIRED SOLDIERS WARRANTED ?
There is ocean of difference in the living conditions between the organised and unorganised class.
Soldiers do sacrifice their lives while discharging their duties and this is the greatest service that
anyone can do for the motherland. However, unlike most of the farmers in India, soldiers are not
impoverished lot. Whereas the small farmers largely remain unorganised and are vulnerable to
various conditions confronting them , soldiers are certainly better placed in the society compared to
an average farmer.
Farmers are seen to commit suicides frequently all over India due to poverty conditions and the
government as well as the society have not done enough for them to protect their interests.
Lack of concern of organised class towards unorganised , poor fellow citizens :
Several concerned economists and activists are now veering to the view that the organised class
exert huge pressure on the government and the employers by their collective bargaining strength,
in the name of trade union movement. Most of them now have reasonably comfortable life style
and certainly are not poverty stricken. Too frequently, we see strike and agitations by well paid
organised class like bank staff , transport workers etc. who agitate and get their demands met .
One would be justified in resorting to such agitations , if they would be impoverished lot,
particularly in a country like India where more than 300 million people live below poverty line , not
knowing where the next meal would come from.
Prime Minister has greater responsibility towards downtrodden :
It is particularly shocking that even after the Prime Minister announced in his Independence Day
speech that the Government of India is committed to one rank one pension for the retired army
personnel and the government is studying the issues, the retired soldiers appear to have decided to
intensify their agitation.
Soldiers and farmers - Two eyes of the nation :
There is no doubt that farmers and soldiers represent the two eyes
of the nation . While the farmers toil hard on the soil to supply food
to the nation, soldiers toil hard on the borders to provide security for
the nation. It is the duty of the country men and the government to
appreciate the lofty role played by farmers and soldiers and ensure
that they are rewarded suitably and are kept satisfied.
However, small farmers who live on the verge of poverty belong to
unorganised class and retired soldiers who have sort of muscle
power to demand their rights and privileges belong to organised class.
Retired soldiers should set example for
other organised class
The retired soldiers , reputedly known for
discipline, patriotism and commitment to
national cause ,should set an example to
other organised class in the country by giving
up the agitational approach and finding a
common ground with the government to find
a solution for the problem in the best
manner possible , keeping the interests of not
only the retired soldiers but also the millions
of poor Indians.
Nandini Voice For The Deprived, September 2015 Page 16
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: Rs.100/- FOR TWELVE ISSUES
We look forward to your support and encouragement.
NANDINI VOICE FOR THE DEPRIVED
M-60/1, IV Cross Street, Besant Nagar, Chennai- 600 090. India Tel: 2491 6037 Fax.:(044) 2491 6037
E-mail: [email protected],www.nandinivoice.com
Edited & published by N.S.Venkataraman
NEVER SAY NO
TO AN APPEAL
FROM POOR STUDENTS
FOR EDUCATIONAL NEEDS.
THIS IS THE BEST WAY
OF SERVING
LARGER INTERESTS
OF THE SOCIETY
AT INDIVIDUAL LEVEL.
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