Post DeMo Narrative -4

The article titled "Who will pay for the sops" by Prof Arun Kumar of Institute of Social Sciences Delhi, (IE, 13th Feb 2019) shines light on the state of economy that helps connect many dots on the events of last few years. 

Almost nil data on the Unorganised Sectors of our economy explains the current buoyant-economy narrative of NaMo lead GoI. 

Prof computes from many private surveys that this part of the economy possible grew at 1%. There was no alarm as most of taxes are paid by organised sector. 

The NaMo game plan in DeMo adventure was then intuitively sensed; it is now clarified. He played the Janta by posing as Corruption Fighter, creating the spin of a very decisive and strong leader. 

Stuffing Banks with Cash for onward lending to Organised Sector and hoping that its growth (duly measurable) will raise his/BJP's electoral fortunes. And on top of that it immobilized the Opposition parties just before the crucial UP and Punjab Assembly Elections. 

The minor blip in growth figures was a small price to pay. Hats -Off to NaMo, again. 

But the severity of political backlash from down under was not computed. NaMo got scared /greedy and started playing with GoI institutions to massage the data. 

We are in for some interesting times 

(Please see my blog postings of Nov-Dec 2016)   

Humility & Our PM

We accept the People’s verdict with humility – PM Narendra Modi

Hindi heartland has unexpectedly (happily) delivered a message that “Hindu Muslim” game, is not the main game. 

NaMo struck a chord in 2014: we all loved him. Such a practical man! He will do well by us. And he did measure up in many ways. The side show of “Hindu Muslim” game though enjoyed by many was mistaken by BJP as the real game (it is not in the BJP manifesto 2014)

How should the “humility’ that he is professing now, in accepting the verdict of the electorate, find expression in reality? 

          He surely knows how, as he bowed at the steps of Parliament and called it the “Temple” and the Constitution as his “Holy Book”. 

Unfortunately, his conduct has not been in consonance with these expressed sentiments.                

How should he prepare for 2019?

Respect the Parliament by being present for at least half the days it is in session. Patiently listen to criticisms and respond in an even tone and manner, to create space for reasoned discussion.

Winter session and Budget session are the opportunities. NaMo can then be back in 2019.    

But will he? 

Pran Pratishtha

I viewed 3/4 of your YouTube videos a week ago. Your statement that we Hindus do "Pran Pristha" in the idols, therefore the location of the idol/temple is important, nay, sacred. A Masjid, on the other hand is a place to meet and pray together. Therefore, location is not important as it is not sanctified.

That "Pran Pritshtha" bit has stayed with me these last few days; the idea had weight and you appeared to be a sincere person. 

It occurred to me today, that many of the old temples are just ruins now: Angkor vat being the most famous. Where did the eternal God's Prana go?

Kindly allow me to say that the religion and faith themselves are all human constructs: useful in helping us mortals thru the stressful junctures in the journey called "life". It is axiomatic therefore that human beings must live by, not die or kill for these constructs: That Rubicon must never be crossed, as it negates the very purpose of religion and faith, indeed life.

A materially prosperous life informed with good family, social and faith-related values has been the ideal aspired to by all humans thru history. You are fortunate that you have the means to help your fellow Indians to walk the path to such a life; at the very least, “out of poverty”. Sri Krishan explained in Gita that ‘dridrta sab se bada paap hai”

The way out of poverty is education – teaching people to fish. There is empirical evidence that US and Europe had very high literacy rates ~90% since 1890s, which then became the basis of creating prosperous societies. Please see : https://ourworldindata.org/literacy

These very societies gave you also the means to do what you are doing.

On the other hand mere 18% of us Indians could read or write on Independence, in 1947. ASER-2017 determined that 62% of class 8, students could not calculate 10% discount. Our political classes including Dr S Swamy who shared the platform with you are culpable.

May I suggest that you please use your resources to establish good primary schools – one in each Tehsil of the district that you come from. Expand to cover all the 6500 Tehsils of India over the next 10 to 15 years.

Infinity Foundation may die with you; it works in “my daddy strongest” mode.

Imagine well rounded healthy young Indians, in mind and body, of all castes and creed, linguistic and cultural groups and regions coming out of your schools, say 500,000 “The Rajiv Scholars” per year!

A gigantic wave for building a prosperous Indian nation is created. 

A truly lasting legacy, my friend.    

( I was quite intrigued by the Kamahameha Foundation of Hawaii, established in 1887, solely dedicated to School Education, with $11.6 Billions in assets)