Time to change the medication!

I believe Gaurang Raval could not resist his agony and he wrote is this honest open letter to CM of Gujarat:

https://www.facebook.com/notes/gaurang-raval/મુખ્યમંત્રી-શ્રી-નરેન્દ્રભાઈ-ને-ખુલ્લો-પત્ર/10150385421848203

Many believe that it has become fashionable to condemn Modi. I rather honestly feel that people who are writing such open letters and putting efforts are in pain and they are desperate to let people know in some way that please stand your ground, identify the hypocrisy and at least try to understand the truth.

I had to respond to Gaurang’s letter with my own perspective that we should try shifting our focuses.

To Gaurang,

“Gaurang’s feeling is understandable. I know that I share equal sensitivity about the points he has raised about Gulbarg and other instances of 2002. It has been 9 years now and Narendra Modi did not have to live a single sweating moment for this entire period, for what he has done in 2002 and also at many other instances. The cases are jumping from here to there, committees are appointed and dissolved, reports are generated and submitted, again cases are reopened and shut! Being a citizen of this state I don’t have much hope for justice regarding 2002 and over this period of time there are millions of things which have been manipulated, eradicated and vanished which can actually bring the truth out.

Secondly, I believe that somethings has happened a few years back and we are sad and heart torn. What now? We certainly know that Modi is a preacher and he knows the nerve of people of Gujarat. They like that Gammat Gulal and circus of this guy. They hardly think and assess. I talked about the Sabarmati waters spread in villages to one of my colleagues and he said, “e to lakhya kare”. ZERO SENSITIVITY. I totally appreciate Gaurang’s feelings and the way he has expressed. He has valid points. When I retrospect my efforts, I feel that Modi is like terrorism. He is not a person, he has injected himself in the nerves of Gujaratis very smartly and fashionably. We have to start from beginning. We have to start from the roots. I am just sharing my views and using this forum as a soundboard.

Targeting Modi and his (uncountable) misdeeds directly has made the people habitual of it and it affects neither modi nor people. It is like we keep taking pain killers and the body gets habitual and doesn’t respond to the medicine. We need to change the medicine. I would say sensitizing people and educating people for the issues rather than trying to understand and fight against modi would be rewarding at some point of time. It would have long term benefits. If I would have time and space to handle the current situation, I would forget all 2002 thing for a while, I will forget Modi’s presense completely and I will focus on people and render their mindsets by one way or the other.

May I be in that situation soon!

Amen…

Where is Gujarat’s Lokayukta?

I visited Gujarat Government’s official site of Information Department (http://gujaratinformation.net/). I found the press release link which suggested that why Gujarat’s still doesn’t have the Lokayukta! With the open mind and anticipation that I will get to know some good reasons that why don’t we have it.

 

Here is the page where you can download a Microsoft Word file. You can download this word file but when you open it, here’s what you get to see:

 

This file is a collection of junk characters. Watch out the fonts!

Now, I tried to download another press release. It was a regular Ahmedabad daily press release.

 

Perfectly readable with the same fonts as the other file – Shruti.

My suggestions for such critical information publishing:

1. Each piece of information coming out of the State Information Department has to be easily searchable and readable.

2. The files for download have to be readable through free software like Adobe PDF Reader or Notepad. Microsoft Office Word may not be available to every common person as the users need license and that costly.

3. Such documents have to available in at least hindi and gujarati – two languages.

4. If any kind of text is provided in any regional language – the site must provide the supported fonts to download.

And yes, we still don’t know WHY we don’t have the Lokayukta in Gujarat!!!

My post card to Prime Minister

Usually Saturdays at work are less burdened! Some of the highly enthusiastic fellows were desperate to spell out their support to Anna Hazare. Perhaps because they are land brothers 🙂

Some 50-60 postcards were bought and they started printing “I SUPPORT ANNA HAZARE” and the addresses of our honorable PM Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and the honorable President Shri Pratibha Patil. People are out on street, rubbing their feet off to support Anna and here they are lazy to write the addresses with their hands. Pity!!!

Here’s my post card to Prime Minister:

My idea about fighting corruption is “Start from Self”. No protest, bill or law will be more effective.

Jai Hind!

Anna Hazare is detained… So?

Update 17/08/2011 – “With the whole writing, the comments and the discussion – I also want to extend the thought that it was not appropriate on Government’s part to arrest Anna Hazare. But as they have now corrected it and PM has also vowed to pass LokPal bill as soon as possible, what is left out of agenda of Mr Hazare? “

Anna Hazare is detained. The country hastily reacts to a cute old man showing a great courage from last few months. Who is Anna Hazare? If asked, more than 60% may get it wrong. Last night, in the first episode of Kaun Banega Karodpati – Season 5, a gentleman had no clue that who is Kisan Baburao!

Kisan Baburao Hazare, is the full name of Anna Hazare. Starting with the name, take the Lokpal, Lokayukta and even the objective behind this protest, there might be fingers in mouth while answering the meanings of these terms.

“We must change the system!” – Which system? What system? These people who say it, they won’t have an idea what system they are talking about. Anna Hazare is not fighting to end the corruption. Amazed??? I am afraid, it is true. Anna Hazare originally initiated his fight to put the Lokpal Bill in the Parliament to be debated and to conclude the laws which can tackle the corruption cases. From as simple explanation of his presented bill, it turned into an agitated throw hole for all who wanted to take an advantage of this stage. Hundreds have misused the stage Anna had set for all these months to put the bill of his choice in Parliament. But those who wanted to misuse they made out an agenda to push the government down. May they get well soon!

Now, how? Anna has been insisting upon the weapon of fasting (Anshan). Many have suggested in their comments that why a Government should resist a peaceful and non-violent protest of Anna? Well, what is a peacemaker? Does a peacemaker ever raise the tone, raise the attitude and does he/she ever threaten the stake holders who expect the peace to prevail? Anna may be a holy soul, the spotless personality, the most hard working worker or the most noble human being but he is a little far from being a sensible decision maker and solution seeker! An IIT lad is the brain behind Anna Hazare. He needed a cute face to be presented to the Indian people who always refrain and rather do not trust the young politicians much. Anna was planted to sit of fast (the first occasion when he fasted for the Lokpal bill), everything has is living drama like the Facebook story line. No one expected what is going to happen and no one really even measured this kind of response when they started. Babas and Swamis roasted their rotis and many other politicians took a chance to get published in newspapers and TV channels.

Anna kept changing his stand, attitude, statements and even the agenda. He burnt the Lokpal draft of Government as well. Again, is it a peacemaker’s act? Anna is too naïve and got it all wrong what the fasting means? We must refer to this:

Gandhi distinguished between satyagraha and passive resistance in the following letter:

 

 “I have drawn the distinction between passive resistance as understood and practiced in the West and satyagraha before I had evolved the doctrine of the latter to its full logical and spiritual extent. I often used “passive resistance” and “satyagraha” as synonymous terms: but as the doctrine of satyagraha developed, the expression “passive resistance” ceases even to be synonymous, as passive resistance has admitted of violence as in the case of suffragettes and has been universally acknowledged to be a weapon of the weak. Moreover, passive resistance does not necessarily involve complete adherence to truth under every circumstance. Therefore it is different from satyagraha in three essentials: Satyagraha is a weapon of the strong; it admits of no violence under any circumstance whatsoever; and it ever insists upon truth. I think I have now made the distinction perfectly clear.”

Reference: Gandhi, M.K. “Letter to Mr. ——” 25 January 1920 (The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi vol. 19, p. 350)

Satyagraha has no place for violence. Anna’s way to insistence and threatening of fasting are forms of violence. “Give me this, or I will die (fasting)!” – is an utter violence. Fasting involves self-restrain, experiencing the gloom what others must be facing and the tone of request and plea. No eating and no drinking do not mean an Anshan (Protesting with Fast).

Not that the Indian government is the glass clean! It is also found to be over-reacting at some stages but Anna has to listen, talk, debate and understand a few more point of views. Government has 1000 more things to do than focusing on a crazy old nut who is threatening openly there and then.

There is nothing to conclude just yet, there is still more and a lot more to think and assess. One can contribute in this thinking and assessment process rather than jeopardizing the peace, order and law of the nation.

Exclusively for the dear people of Gujarat: (this space will keep udpating)

Definition of Lokayukta http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lokayukta Gujarat is still to appoint Lokayukta which is a state anti-corruption organisation and Modi is talking about cleaning out the corruption from the whole country!!! LOL

Where is the Sensitivity???

 

I had this usual discussion with my collegues in office, and after 4-5 years this is my observation that if you speak anything against Narendra Modi (which is actually a rational opinion about the way Gujarat is being developed), you get victimized and you might be mobbed. Well fortunately, I was not beated but I would like to share that how disappointing it is know how people think and how they see the world around them. My head is filled with so many painful questions!!!

Whoever it is about, but the mindsets of these friends have become stagnent. Has the faculty of thinking completely dried up? OMG, Why? Why can’t they think? If they do think, why can’t they understand? If they understand, why can’t the choose what is right?

Why can’t they switch off the air condition, open the drapes, open the window and look outside the window? Please look around, it’s not only them. there are millions of other people, citizens, in other cities, villages and everywhere!

All these friends of mine seem to be concerned with the roads through which they commute to their offices, the flyover they have to cross, the cinema & the mall they go to each weekend and some facilities they get in daily life. NOTHING more than that! I asked what should be the priority of the state administration?

Answer: Safety (safe from what? communal riots?), Employment (employment means 25k job for them – nothing less is good because they are getting it), Development (malls, flyovers, buildings and IT companies), Image of State (state should be attractive for the outsiders). These are not my interpretations but their explanation.

Do we have enough understanding of the social priorities? Haven’t we studied about the basic needs of humans in primary school? Haven’t our parents taught that we should be sensitive towards others too!?

Guys please… it is not about any Modi or Singh. It is about being sensitive to our counterparts.

देशभक्ति का पुरस्कार

एक आदमी: “अरे यार, क्या जरुरत थी अपने पति को पकडवाने की? ३-४ बम फुट जाते – हम या कोई हमारे घरवालो में से कोई मर जाता ! सरकार कम से कम हर परिवार को एक-एक लाख रुपये देती. उसको क्या मिल गया? पति गया, कमाई भी गई, और २५००० रुपये दे कर सरकार भी छुट गई”

My Name is Khan! I don’t want to meet Mr. CM :D

“Yaar, aaj to Ready ki tickets nahi milengi! Yeh Ahmedabad hai, Modi se jyada Salman ke fans hai yahan par…”

I just hope that this remains the reality and people love Being Human instead of in-humans. 🙂 Some office chaps talking about today’s release of READY. Salman Khan is still a hot pick when it comes to masala movies! Expected to be an entertainer this time.

Mr Modi met Amitabh Bacchan, Sunil Shetty, Ajay Devgan & many other celebrities. Why are you not meeting any of the Khans, dear common man? Bloody Biased Being!

An Open Letter to Maruti Motors

Date: 27-05-2011

Ahmedabad

http://www.marutisuzuki.com/Maruti-joins-hands-with-the-Gujarat-Government-to-set-up-Driving-and-Technical-Training-Institute-for-Tribal-Youth.aspx

Dear MARUTI,

As a leading car manufacturer of India, we are undoubtedly proud of you and we are deeply attached with the brand and products of Maruti with the stories it has spelled over the years and years now.

With the sheer concern and with the respect towards Maruti, I would like to bring your attention to a serious matter. As it has been read in all newspapers and on your own website, Maruti is coming to Gujarat to establish an automobile training institute. Well, many congratulations! It is a very good news. Being an open-eyed citizen of Gujarat and having seen the tide of awareness in Gujarat being spread by some authentic leaders, I would like to bring your attention to a few things which you must check, verify and confirm before you land into this huge initiative:

• The present Gujarat government has been involved in a random land distribution to the industries and businesses **2 with the least concern to the owners of those lands, environmental safety and also overlooking the legitimacy of the transactions. Hence, firstly it is very important that the land acquisition taking place by Gujarat government for Maruti is legal and more importantly, moral.

• It is also important that whatever clearances and certificates Maruti receives from government or relevant departments, it is necessary to verify that it has been provided to you it all of its legalities and maturity.

• As the initiative is mentioned to be a part of Maruti’s social responsibility, it is strongly recommended that the CSR team visit and assess the land situation and people’s concern wherever the training institute is going to be located.

• The issues may range from forced land acquisition, underpaid purchasing of land, type of land (fertile lands cannot be used for industrial development) **1, employment of local people, pollution and other environmental hazards affecting the local people, the portion of water and other natural resources used by the training unit and if that affects the overall need of the local people.

If all these issues are addressed and if all the clearances from the Environment department are proven and well assessed, you are more than welcome in the throbbing land of Gujarat. Gujarat is rich with its agriculture and farmers in hundreds of villages, enriched with remarkable and beautiful natural resources in remote places in all over state. We and I am sure, you too would like to preserve these natural resources, preserve the livelihoods of people and preserve the human integrity wherever you are, or we are.

Recently, Supreme Court has rejected the clearance of environment safety for cement plant of Nirma in Mahuva, Gujarat. After two years of agitating protest of farmers and people of Mahuva, who were about to lose their livelihoods which majorly relies on the fertile lands and water resource around Mahuva. MoEF has advised SC that Nirma has to move the cement plant from their current site to save the natural resources. In the entire circus, even if we forget everything, Nirma is going to lose several crore rupees of investment because of this decision from MoEF.

Nirma tasted the sweetness when they got the clearance from environment department and also got the wetland for very good price, but at the end they suffer a huge loss. This can happen to any industrialist and any business if they do not chose the right path. One would not be able to blame government who helped them grabbing all good lands and natural resources for cheap prices. People are waking up and they are ready to act.

With all due respect to Maruti, it is the only small request of mine that please consider the nature, people and farms before presenting projected graphs of fantastic social responsibility work.

Kindest Regards

Sneh

Email: sneh@red-em.com

Phone: 9979506249

Some Links to refer:

**1 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Nirma-cement-plant-has-violated-green-norms-SC-told/articleshow/8232346.cms

**2 http://www.livemint.com/2011/03/16223138/A-land-policy-debate-unfolds-i.html

http://www.inewsone.com/2011/03/27/no-more-forced-land-acquisition-says-buddhadeb/38584

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-25/india/29580895_1_land-owners-urgency-clause-public-purpose

http://deshgujarat.com/2011/03/18/sc-orders-formation-of-8-member-committee-on-nirma-issue/

Save Mahuva – Not a singular issue protest…

SAVE MAHUVA group is created on behalf of all those affected farmers from MAHUVA who are fighting to save reservoirs (Bandhara), a key natural resource for their livelihood. If we do not know, Government of Gujarat has alloted this fertile land to Nirma for building a cement plant. The farmers’ non-violent agitation against proposed Nirma Cement Plant coming up near Padhiyarka village in Mahuva taluka of Bhavnagar district has reached an important state precisely two and a half year struggle.

The agitation is led by Dr. Kanubhai Kalasria, a practising surgeon and three times Mahuva BJP MLA. Dr. Kalasaria is fighting against his own government to save Bandharas (large water bodies built by state government in order to stop salinity ingress), which plays key role to fight salinity ingress and natural resources to farmers around Bandharas. There are total four Bandharas which are linked with each others on Mahuva coast and their water capacity is 1800 MCFT. The state government allotted its land to a private party, Nirma, and the place allotted is none other than Bandharas (reservoir) itself. The government’s Rs 200-crore (Rs 2 billion) scheme to curb salinity in coastal areas was part of its environment disaster management plan.

Read more about this issue on the official website http://www.savemahuva.com/

Some more important links:

https://picasaweb.google.com/105808243064960214602/DodiyaGandhinagarPadyatra10March?authkey=Gv1sRgCOGWrKyWtZzVzAE&feat=directlink#5582659204506082578

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_140062536059937

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=131707383567772

Source: http://www.savemahuva.com

Open Letter to Rahul Gandhi

“Rahul Gandhi compares ‘evil leader’ Narendra Modi with Mao”

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_rahul-gandhi-compares-evil-leader-narendra-modi-with-mao_1472934

Dear Rahul,

On a Sunday afternoon, I was reading this DNA news report sitting in a suburb of Cape Town, SA. I am 26, an IT professional based in Ahmedabad. It was delighting to know that you recently visited Ahmedabad for a students’ meet. I always admire your courage and openness to say the truth in black and white without confusing with any diplomacy. Knowingly or unknowingly you may have this non-resistive approach of criticizing the bad.

What really disappointed me is that you couldn’t give enough time! In my perception, the youth of the city like Ahmedabad which is the epicentre of Gujarat’s mind set being a financial capital, business hub and also the developmental show case of Gujarat. It is also an attractive destination compared to all other major cities of Gujarat for employment, studies and also for acquiring a residence. The development of Ahmedabad which might be a result of years and years of hard work of people, the newly blooming entrepreneurial activities by the young graduates and post-graduates, has been manhandled by wrong people. I would also not rule out the contribution of inter-state migration and I would like to show my gratitude to all non-Gujaratis from Gujarat and other states of India, who have come to Ahmedabad and taken part into the overall progress and development.

Having these facts in the bowl, I also feel the need that the many youngsters whom I have observed in Ahmedabad are wide-eyed with the external modern development in the city. I find them non-interested and unwilling in analysing the facts, assessing the good and bad and widen their concern towards entire Gujarat or India. I am sure you will be aware of these facts.

On the positive note, I also am hopeful that the guidance from the leaders like you can inject a lot of energy into all these youngsters and they can really be directed towards the inclusive and actual growth in entirety. Most of them have the least sensitivity for social issues and no fire to speak up against the unjust social events. This includes me as well at some extent!

Having said all this, I would urge you to visit the city, meet the students of the schools and universities. They are very talented, smart, creative and open towards the society and therefore you may have this great opportunity to guide them in the right direction for the good of Gujarat, one of the CEO driven companies of India.

With the best wishes and huge HOPES,

Sneh Bhavsar

E: sneh@snehism.com

W: www.snehism.com