Independence Day

Namaste,

Warmest greetings on the 61st anniversary of Indian Independence. Congratulations also to Abhinav Bindra, who gave the nation an early Independence Day gift in the form of a Gold Medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. This was the first gold medal won by India since Moscow 1980 and the first Individual Gold medal won by India.

Today as we celebrate our freedom, we pay homage to our great national leaders, valiant freedom fighters, men and women, who made many sacrifices, including of their lives to liberate India from colonial rule. Tomorrow is an occasion to recall that under the inspiring leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, our freedom struggle was fought and won on the noble principles of truth and non-violence, making it a unique movement in the history of nations. Indeed, Gandhi's words echoed later on in the 20th century, when Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King both used his methods for their respective battles.

As we celebrate our unique day, we remember Nehru's speech on the eve of Independence. "A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment, we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity"

The complete history of our freedom struggle is not just symbolized by a "fakir" (Winston Churchill's description of Gandhi), or a "terrorist" (British Raj's description of Netaji and Bhagat Singh), it is epitomized by a will of the people. To that generation of men, women and children who were subject to draconian laws, who went to jail, faced police torture, we are forever indebted. At one point in time, "free India" was just a dream. It had to be spoken in a whisper, anything greater and it would vanish into thin air. The Declaration of Independence by 13 American states say thus:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security

These words reverberated within our forefathers and events from 1857 strengthened that dream, and finally in 1945, it grew so loud that people were forced to listen, and after listening were forced to agree.

61 years on, as we look back, we must ask ourselves two pertinent questions. Where have we come? Where are we going? Would those men and women, who died to rid us of oppression, would they be satisfied at the progress we have made? Or would they once again, prepare for a new andolan?

A nation, which had once been described as "a functioning anarchy" by noted economist JK Galbraith, is now being showered with the choicest of praises. Yet, as we look through these phrases, we see that there is more to be achieved. Where we create the largest amount of millionaires per capita we consistently rank at the bottom half of the UNDI (UN Development Index). Where we have the largest middle-class in the world, we are also home to the largest levels of illiteracy. Where we have world renowned institutions such as IISc, TIFR, IIT, we also have children who study in woefully inadequate classrooms. Where we have a Muslim President administering the oath to a Sikh PM belonging to a party headed by a Roman Catholic to serve a population of 800 million Hindus, we have at the very same time, politicians claiming to decide who will be allowed to reside in a particular state and the means by which they shall reside.

We have, for long enough, put up with policies which while claiming to provide social equality, strips our countrymen of their very identity. We have for long enough, put up with voices who seek to divide us. To use Barrack Obama's words, there are those who are preparing to divide us, the spin masters and negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes. I say to them, there is not a BJP India or a Congress India, there is the Republic of India. There is not a North India, a South India, a North-East India, there is the Republic of India. There is not a Hindu India, a Muslim India, a Sikh India, there is the Republic of India. There are people also seek to fragment our states, by drawing Saffron states and White States, Saffron for the NDA/BJP and White for the UPA/INC. I have news for them too. We say "Id Mubarak" in the Saffron states, and we celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in the White States with equal fervour. We fill up Right To Information applications in the Saffron states and we support those who are less fortunate than us in the White States. We celebrate the success of Irfan Khan Pathan in the Saffron states and we reminisce the works of Vijay Tendulkar in the White states. We are immensely saddened when terror hits the Saffron states, and we are relieved when a terrorist is sentenced to death in the White states. We are all one, pledging allegiance to the Republic of India and the ideals to which it stands for.

In finishing, we are standing at the precipice of an unheralded moment in history. Already, the media is filling us with the optimism that this century will be known as the Asian Century, and there are parallels being drawn with the "Indian Elephant" and the "Chinese Dragon". As we begin the 62nd year of Independence, let us recall the facts. We have around 250-300 million people between the ages of 15-35. That includes many of you as well. This population is more than ten times the entire population of Australia and comparable with the population of the United States. Which power on earth can stop us if we all decide to achieve to the best of our abilities? For far too long now, India has been spoken of as "getting there" and an "emerging superpower". When shall we "get there" and be "a Superpower". I don't know about you all, but I want it to be in my lifetime. Else, the debt that I owe to those who fought for a free India, will be a "promissory note returned marked insufficient funds".

Swami Vivekananda once said "Give me a few young men, and I shall change the face of this nation". I am putting my hand up now, anyone willing to join me?

Jai Hind!!!

pre-Independence Day

Here's something to get our "desh bhakti" juices going.

No Confidence Motion - Live Blogging

Hello all!!

I, like many other bloggers around the world, will be bringing you live action over the next two days as India votes for her future. The motion of confidence in the council of ministers is expected to be debated upon today, with the vote tomorrow (22 July).

Some background reading:

The list of business today in the Parliament can be found here. What is important is this

DR. MANMOHAN SINGH to move the following:-

“That this House expresses its confidence in the Council of Ministers.”

Also, it may be worth reading upon the rules of conduct of the Lok Sabha available here. Especially worth noting are the sections related to confidence motions and rule 184

Save in so far as is otherwise provided in the Constitution or in these rules, no discussion of a matter of general public interest shall take place except on a motion made with the consent of the Speaker.

A live webcast is available here.

Finally, as this is my first live blog, feedback is most welcome!

LoO = Leader of Opposition Mr. LK Advani (BJP)
PM = Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh (INC)

Update 3:15PM ACST: The National anthem was played and the new members were inducted into the Parliament by taking oath of allegiance to the Indian Constitution and the Indian people. At present, the speaker is making obituary references to those who have passed. Amongst them is the legendary Sam Bahadur

Update 3:25PM ACST: The words have been spoken. The PM makes the statement to the effect that the House express its confidence in the Council of Minsters. Goes on to say about the achievements of the UPA being together for 4 years and that the credit goes to Sonia Gandhi. PM then talks about the "sense of the house" with regards to the Nuclear deal.

Update 3:32PM ACST: The Leader of the Opposition raises to speak, and wishes to oppose the motion brought forward by the PM. In most cases, a Resume of the Government's performance has been given. The focus on the house, should be on why the debate has become necessary. States that the NDA and the Left agree on ,this particular matter only, even though they disagree on many others.

Update 3:41PM ACST: UPA government is like patient in ICU. The first question asked is, "Is he going to survive or not?" Interruptions in the House. Speaker trying his best, to control the house. Some semblance of order regained. LoO goes on. You started this Mr.PM. You had your seniormost minister preside over a committee. I have seen statements categorically assuring the country, we will not go to the IAEA, without the sense of the house. The LoO is doing a good act of "we didn't know anything!". The chairperson of the UPA appears, with a smug look on her face. Please don't blame anyone else for having this session. For the first time in Indian parliament, the session over two days to decide the fate of the minority government. Not in our nature to destablize a Government. You may do it with Vajpayee in 1999 when we lost by one vote. Distinction between defeating a government and destablizing a government.

More interruptions

Update 3:45PM ACST: I have seen shortlived governments, I have seen unstable governments, but I have never seen a paralyzed government. If the government really though that the deal was really important, why doesn't the CMP or the INC party manifesto mention it. The deal is not between two soverign countries, but between two individuals. One individual is the PM of this country who thinks there is nothing more important than to fulfill this deal. I don't want India to be a junior partner in this deal. India cannot be classified as a non-nuclear weapons state.

Update 4:00PM ACST: Can the government enlighten us on whether the Indian Parliament has become redundant, with respect to articles appearing in the Telegraph. We are not against nuclear energy. We are not at all against a close relationship with America. Irrespective of anyhting else, we will never like India to become party to an agreement which is unequal. With respect to this particular deal, makes us subservient partner in this deal. The Hyde Act imposes restrictions on our foreign policy. The government's response is "Hyde Act does not apply to us" whereas the American response is that the Hyde Act does apply. Today is not the occasion when we discuss the deal. Today for all practical purposes the deal means that Indira Gandhi may have done Pokhran 1, Vajpayee may have done Pokhran 2, but there will be no Pokhran 3 or Pokhran 4. Please do not justify what you are doing, by quoting Vajpayee. Pt. Nehru was never in favour of making India a nuclear weapons state. Mrs. Gandhi was the first INC PM to undertake a nuclear test and successfully. We will renegotiate the deal to make it a deal between equals.

Update 4:12PM ACST: Biggest advantage of deal is that India becomes part of the non-proliferation deal. The INC's performance on the "aam admi" front has been so dismal, that they relied on the deal to tell them that opposition to the deal would be a denial of life. Please give us the figures on when we will get nuclear power if the deal goes through. What price? How much? Let us not try to delude the Indian people by saying we are trying to give energy security to the country and say that we are okay with constraining our national security with respect to nuclear tests. On all fronts INC's performance has been miserable. Don't try to cover it up by saying that nuclear deal will give everyone electricity. During the NDA front, the achievement was the roads and highways.

Update 4:22PM ACST: In 1950 India adopted a secular constitution as theocracy is alien to Indian culture and tradition. Does secularism mean an allergy to Hindus, function in a manner that makes people think that a secular state must be indifferent to a major religion? Why is this government indifferent to terrorist attacks in India? Blasts in Mumbai, Malegaon, Hyderabad, India, Ayodhya etc. I would like the PM or the Home Minister, to tell us what has been the progress of investigation in all these cases. To the best of my information, the performance is so dismal on this front. I see no other reason excepting a consideration of vote banks. Terrorism has no religion, and threfore action against terrorists will not annoy any community. Let us not equal national security with vote bank politics.

Update 4:31PM ACST: LoO makes references on the Sethusamudram project. Interruptions in the house. Ahh, the arguementative Indian. Pathetic display by leaders that claim to be elected by popular vote. I wonder what their parents taught them. House bought under control. Various institutions of government misused for questionable politics.

Okay I am going offline for a bit. Will be back in an hour.

Update 6:54PM ACST: Okay I am back and I shall try to give updates on the half hour, starting from 7PM. The BJP has spoken, the CPI has spoken and the INC has spoken. Let's see who's up next.

Update 7:00PM ACST: SP (Rajender Yadav) taking its stand now. Due to bad connection, updates may be later than expected.

Update 7:30PM ACST: Everything is relative. Everyone looks from their own perspective. There are few people opposing this in public due to their own self interest. When we support something, we look at the character of the politician. I find that I do not find anything wanting in the integrity and honesty of the PM and that is one reason why I support him. Proceeds to rebut the allegations of the LoO and the CPI. Talks about "coalition dharma". Takes aim at the comment of "Is parliament irrelevant?". Praises the democratic spirit of the PM to take Parliament into confidence thereby demonstrating the relevance of Parliament. We test because we want to know if something is working correctly or not. There is nothing in the deal which prevents us from acting in our national interest. When LKA was Deputy PM and Home Minister, then attacks were carried out on the Parliament. Refers to the Keshavananda Bharati v Union of India case, with respect to the importance of the preamble of the Constitution. Then goes on to rebut CPI's 6 principle arguement.

Brings up the folly of Panchsheel. Highlights Sino-Indian war. Touches on women empowerment. Brings out the mistreatment of Taslima Nasreen in Bengal. Highlights that the Left stand has always been one of shifting the goalposts. Concedes that nuclear energy will take a long time. Argues with Left on the available supply of coal in India. Explains problems with global warming and Hydroelectrical energy. You (Left) have dictated the terms to the PM. Is he your servant? Your ego is issuing cheques your political will cannot cash (or words to that effect). "Left" is a term used by the french revolution as the people of the Left were always against. It is better if you joined the Left, as it suits your position.

We have low supply of uranium and thorium reactors are far from realisation. VAT also increased prices of oil. Guess who was on the committee for VAT?

Update 7:33PM ACST: It is not the folly of just the UPA for the increase in prices. The PM knows that LKA is not opposing. He is just sad that he cannot sign on the dotted line. It remains to be seen who will be the new PM for the NDA-Left combine. You talk about purity, but you only look for the satisfication of one person's ego!

Manhandling goes on. MPs storm into the well. Very pathetic this. I most certainly did not expect it from either the SP or the Left. Adjourned for the moment

Update 7:45PM ACST: House reconvenes. SP starts to speak again. In my years as a parliamentarian, there has not been an incident, when I have been accused to being unparliamentary. My mind is uneased at the recent incidents. You (Left) used to go red when you saw the BJP. Now you are voting with them? Please abstain

Ramkripal Yadav (RJD) address the house. We do not want the coming generations to say that we let go of a chance when we had the opportunity to alleviate their problems. Sorry he's going too fast for me to type. I will try once again at 8PM.

Update 8:00PM ACST: Internet really slow, therefore no update possible. I can faintly hear RJD rebutting the Left, saying that red and saffron can never mix together. Will try again in 15-20 mins.

Update 8:15PM ACST: Looks like the Speaker has quit and got the Deputy Speaker to preside. Don't know why though. Absolute pandemonium in the House. Am trying to get a sense of what is happening. Will update on that once I realise what's happened. From what I see, the deputy speaker unfortunately, can't handle this situation. Just as it was going down it has flared up again.

Update 8:30PM ACST: The RJD MP is talking about illegal mining in Rajasthan. What this has got to do with the nuclear deal, or the general scheme of things, I don't know. The RJD MP is now concluding the speech, or atleast being told to conclude by the Speaker. RJD brings up chargesheets. If LKA can vote with a chargesheet, why can't our (RJD) MPs vote as well? Concludes by supporting the confidence motion

Now BSP (Brajesh Pathak) comes on. Complains about the standards of Parliament. The people of the country are not ones to tolerate dealers, they want leaders.

Update 8:45PM ACST: America wants to make India subservient to it. If the deal is signed, we will be handing the remote America. The world knows the deals that UPA made with Saddam Hussein. What was Saddam's fault? He wanted to sell his oil. America wanted to control Iraq's oil. The government should have got an all party consensus. When we want to go to a different village or city, we too do the same thing within our own family. Why is the INC hurrying for this deal? Some venomous words with repsect to the PM. Can't translate all due to my slow pickup of Hindi (and the fact that the MP is yelling at the top of his lungs and his voice is "clipping"). I wish to ask how many people can survive on Rs.100. Why isn't the government not concentrating on the rise in prices? Why are they fixated on the nuclear deal?

Next update at 9:30PM

Update 9:30 ACST T R Baalu (DMK) is speaking. Rises to support motion on behalf of Karunanidhi. Recognises support from the Left. Raises the proverb "Friend in need is a friend indeed". Seeks to mollify the Left, saying that they will support UPA on most issues except nuclear deal. Does not wish to answer on matters sub judice. Why do we need power? For any developing nation, to ensure continual development, we need power coupled with infrastructure, social and physical. Rattles out power requirement and availability. Shrewd investment implies diverse product mix. Therefore, we should have a product mix of power production infrastructure. Therefore we need nuclear power. Agreement not at the cost of indigenous nuclear program. Not at the cost of strategic nuclear program or our RnD. Baalu then tells of what the agreement does and does not include. Notes that the provision does not infringe on the right to conduct a nuclear test. This country will never compromise its foreign policy. Agreement ends nuclear isolation. Why is the crusade conducted by Karunandhi and Sonia Gandhi been questioned? Per capita income during 2003-2004 was Rs 20000, in 07-08 was 30000. Foreign reserve $304.8 billion in UPA regime. Food grain production as of now is 227 million tonnes and is the highest produced in India after 60 years. Is this not the mangement of the government? Inflation exists, but commodities are available to the market.

Under the able guidance of Sonia and Manmohan, provided budgets over and above the previous government in the areas of social infrastructure, such as new Universities etc. 1.75 Lakh Crores for rural irrigation, reaching 38 million hectares, although a target was 10 million hectares. A vote against us is a vote against the rural development. We have provided 45 Lakhs worth of rural homes. A vote against us, is a vote against the poor.

Until 2007-2008 we provided for 200 districts under NREGS. Now we have increased to 604 disctricts. This year an incease of 33% of budget. Time is running out says the speaker. On the roads, there has been marked improvement on roads (reels of statistics. Too fast for me). UPA completes 5948 km of roads, whereas NDA only completed 2000 odd km. More contracts awarded under UPA than under NDA.

When NDA left, there was no maritime policy. The UPA developed a new maritime policy, identifying two strategic ports within 2 - 3 years. Please vote for us, if you are pro-poor. Finishes on that note

Anant Gete (Shiv Sena). Mr Speaker, the PM has said that the Government is in a dangerous position. Interruptions. It has come to be in this position because the support given by the Left has been withdrawn. The government should have been sacked at the time that support was withdrawn. More interruptions. The discussion today is on the confidence of the house. The discussion is not on the nuclear deal.

Update 10:00PM ACST: SS continues. There was a similar situation in 1991. To save the government, there are parallels drawn with respect to horse-trading in 1991 and now. Infact the situation is worse than 1991. Interruptions. Let this go to privilege. Interruptions. Bring back Somnath Chatterjee I say!!! Mr. Yadav, before putting a privilege motion on me, why don't you show the courage to face the media with the figures they have been quoting.

Interruptions. The INC is telling us that the only big problem is the nuclear deal and nothing else. Inflation is predicted to be going to 15 or 16 percent. We want to know what is happening from the UPA side on controlling the exponential rise in prices. The only excuse being given is that this is happening in the world. Per capita income per day is Rs.12. 38% of the population is BPL. I have been power minister in the NDA government for 12 years. I know the situation of power in the country. There are 45% of regions in certain states in India, where ther is no system of even distributing power. Even if the problem of power is solved, these states can't get power. Delhi does not generate a single megawatt of power. I am telling you how successful your government is. Lalu vacates the House. The LoH mentioned figures on the deficit of installed capacity of the country. Also mentioned the increases in deficit if nothing was to be done. Previously in a seminar, Sushil Kumar Shinde mentioned that even now the potential of Hydel power is 1.5 Lakh Megawatt. Hydel is the cleanest and cheapest source of power. There is no question of the environment, the government's will to act is needed. Your courage to stake the government on the deal, where has it gone with respect to Hydel? Sonia Gandhi lets out a smile (don't know why). What I am saying is the situation on the ground. The situation is that Maharashtra which was No.1 state in India, there is 14 hours of load shedding. Inspite of all talk about 70000 crore, there is not a provision of a sinle provision. When you go asking for votes, the people, the farmers will ask you the same question. Even now, the farmers are committing suicide.

Interruptions

Co-operative banks who have given loans, where is the money coming from? Maharashtra is in drought. Government banks are not giving loans to farmers. Honest farmers who have paid installments have not been given loans.

Interruptions

You are putting a blindfold on the farmers of India. I will resign if you can find me one farmer having had a loan waiver has been given a new loan. Pandemonium in the house. People threatening to leave, others baiting them to leave.

Can't believe the largest democracy can come to this. I know this is unconstitutional, but surely there's some kind of way to stop this carrying on. It's the fault of each and every party in the house, not just the UPA or NDA

Update 10:30PM ACST: Somnath is back!!! And he stamps his authority from his arrival. Tells SS to finish it off ASAP. SS says, on the deal of the nuclear deal, the Left withdrew support and gave a reason. The government must answer all these reasons, especially with respect to the Hyde Act. America is the 2nd East India Company.

Mehto of JMM starts now. The LoO has capitalised on the issues confronting us. Let us focus on the 4 years of the UPA rule and not just on the deal. Why does the government want to rush into the deal? High rate of inflation is causing distress. Is keeping faith with GW Bush greater priority than with the Indian people? Ever since Left withdrew, the trust vote has been painted as a up or down on the nuclear deal. ABV posed 3 points after 18 July 2005. These relate to constraining India's nuclear power. 3 years later, these apprehensions prove to be prophetic. NDA government did take initiative to engage in strategic dialogue. However, India was a pariticipant not a supplicant in the dialogue. We believe that India today has the right and might to be treated as an equal. Our party is not against nuclear energy, or strategic partnership with USA. Huge and growing dependence on hydrocarbons and soaring oil prices, forcing search for renewable energy. In my state, the cost per unit energy is Rs. 2.30. With nuclear power the cost escalates to Rs 7. Not many people have read 123 Agreement or the Hyde Act or the IAEA Act 1954. Yet many speak about the deal and suggest its implication. Does this government or the PM contemplate amending India's Atomic Energy Act. The issue is not of niceties, but the dignity of parliamentary etiquette. Where is the Indian in this issue when the INC seeks the help of parties bent on regionalism. When you are not sure you are going to survive in another 48 hours or 108 days, what is the value of your promises. Don't play with the sentiments of the people.

I have great respect of India with respect to Atomic Energy. We started with nothing, except that dare to attempt the impossible. Everything was our own and self-inspired. We learnt what we did not know. In 1998 the world led by the USA ganged up against us to suffocate our program. No one has been able to accuse India of proliferation. We are self confident, yet we must recognise constraints. We need to circumvent the embargo. Only a small part of technology program is actually nuclear program. The question is, if the program is to take India forward, what are we giving in return? Is the deal on an equal footing? The deal puts us in a subservient position. Deal doesn't state that we are a nuclear weapons state, neither does it mention that we are a non-nuclear weapons state. Is this where we want to be? The decision to protect the interest of the nation must be taken at a political level. Broad consensus doesn't exist. Left has deserted PM. The crisis is instructive of how ideological principles go for a toss when a cynical agenda comes out to a force. What has happened to institutions that the Government has created? Speaker says time is over. JMM concludes.

Anand Sharma (INC). On that note I am calling it a night. Thanks to all that have been watching. Look forward to all your comments.

Update 22 July 1:40PM ACST: Okay I'm back and once again half-hour updates are the norm. I will get started once Parliament begins. Thanks for all the comments, keep them coming, I appreciate it!

Update 22 July 2:30PM ACST: I personally think that the Government should win. I'd rather watch them struggle for every vote, reflecting their pathetic state for the past 5 years.

Yesterday, I was watching speeches until Das Gupta's speech. The two best speakers IMHO were LKA and Pranab Mukherjee. I couldn't even make sense of the BSP guy and I suspect neither could anyone else. The Deputy Speaker kept on telling him to modulate his voice so others could understand but the BSP guy couldn't care less.

What I found funny with Das Gupta's speech was his rails against capitalism rather than a point by point approach to why they pulled out of the Government. I'm no speechwriter, but I would suspect that their best chances of vindication lies in expading on their letter of intention to withdraw support. Many of "solutions" that his party gave the UPA to combat inflation were so unworkable that it'd make them a laughing stock. Hell all of the solutions were taxing the rich!!

Update 3:00PM ACST: Okay about to start. Here we go!! Speaker comes in. Extends congratulations to the Junior Indian Hockey team being crowned Asian Champs. List of Business for today here. Item No 7 is what we need. Interruptions in the house start. P Chidambaram (INC) starts. Salim says we've moved from the basic principles of the CMP. I will deal with 2 of the 6 principles.

Ensuring sustained growth of economy. After 42 months, growth of 8.2%. Average growth was 5.6% in NDA government. 11th plan began in 2007. Maintained that we will grow close to 9%. Growth is actually 9.1%. Resounding start to the 11th plan. Talks about record statistics. Interruptions. How did these come about? Due to far sighted plans, and attention to detail. Government launched many schemes. Revived co-op credit institutions. Under this Govt's charge, capital formation in agriculture has increased from 10% to 12%. Show me any other 4 year period, when so much has been done for agriculture. This is difficult year, but we will achieve a growth rate better than what is mentioned in the CMP and far better than what achieved during NDA rule.

Another principle was improvement of farmers' life. This government has done a lot for farmers. We have addressed needs of farmers in a systematic way. Some are visible. In order to take care of farm labour, we introduced NREG. In less than 15 months, the scheme has been rolled out to all the 597 rural districts of India. Why didn't the NDA do this? We increased old-age pension and I ask why the NDA turned a blind eye to old people. We introduced Aam Admi Bima Yojana etc. why didn't the NDA not organise a single scheme such as this? Never before has any government undertaken a loan waiver scheme as we have. Death waiver has been granted for 50000+ crore. Death relief for a further 16000+ crore. More interruptions. Anant Gete leads the interruptions (Ek rupiya nahi hai, ek rupiya bhi nahi hai). Total amount granted by waiver was 66000+ crore. Among the beneficiaries, 2 crore small farmers. 65 Lakh other farmers. Honourable members note that I have more than fulfilled my promise made to this house. Increase in the sowing area and reflected increase in the food production at the end of the year.

This debate concerns the deal. India signed agreements with many countries. We need to cross 2 stages before operationalising the deal. First is a safeguards agreement and the 2nd is a waiver from the NSG. Questions raised about Hyde Act and 123 Agreement. In 1954 USA adopted Atomic Energy Act. Act prohibits USA from cooperating with other countries before certain provisions. Hyde Act became law in 2006. 123 Agreement signed in 2007. Fact is that US President issued a statement when signing Hyde Act. Question is what is the statement of the 123 Agreement. In US, 123 Agreement is not inconsistent with the Hyde Act. 123 Agreement brings upon the exception in the Hyde Act.

123 Agreement is to enable full civil nuclear energy cooperation between two countries. Either on an industrial scale or a commerical scale. Agreement enters into force when parties exchange notes informing completion of all required legal formalities. Enabling agreement only. Next question is how to interpret 123 agreement under Indian and international law. Agreement to be implemented in accordance with principles of customary International law and Vienna Convention. Internal law does not prevent 123 Agreement obligations being peformed. When 123 Agreement is ratified, it will be the last expression by the legislature on the subject. Chidambaram goes to explain US Constitution. Under the Vienna Convention, we are only bound by the 123 Agreement and nothing more. Hyde act does not apply to us.

Update 3:30PM ACST: UPA Left committee held 9 meetings. At 5th meeting, Left parties were not opposed to safeguards agreement in principle. Objection to the 123 Agreement. Agreed that Government talks to IAEA, and then goes to the committee with the outcome of the talks with the IAEA. We have done nothing that is non-transparent. We have done it in a most transparent manner.

Update 3:58PM ACST: When we decided to circulate the text to the IAEA board, it was made available in India. More interruptions in the house. Phew, chance to catch my breath, rest my fingers a bit. Chidambaram is a bloody good lawyer I tell you. INC continues The short question is, does India want to end the nuclear isolation we have found ourselves in since 1974. ABV said in the UN General Assembly "These tests do not signal a dilution in the spirit of nuclear disarmament. We announced a voluntary moratorium on underground testing. India's already accepted a basic obligation on the CTBT". Speaks on what Vajpayee said (not writing about that, too hard to follow). What this government has done is taken ABV's words forward. Do we want to come out of nuclear isolation? What is China doing? China's electricity is 80% coal and 18% hydel. 2% in nuclear power. Mainland China has 11 reactors are in operation, 6 are under construction. Additional construction is planned, to increase a 6 fold increase in power production by 2020, and a further 3-4 fold increase by 2030 (160000MW). Aims to become self sufficient in the fuel cycle. Moves to build reactor started in 1970. Technology drawn from France, Russia and Canada. Latest technology acquisition from USA. There are some people in India, that do not want India to compete with China, they do not want India to move ahead. More interruptions mainly from the CPI. I have no hesitation in saying I want to emulate China. I want India to become a superpower. When we talk about India, we need to talk about other such countries, like China. We must aspire to greater heights. When we talk about growth, it is a necessary condition, not a sufficient condition. Statistics about China's agricultural and other production, World average and India's production. When I say we must grow, we must produce more. Let me conclude by saying, the BJP and NDA seem to agree on ending nuclear isolation. After all interruptions, no one is clear on the stand of the left parties. More interruptions. Yet the two groups who are voting together. NDA has no problem with a strategic relation with USA. Left is opposed to US partnership, yet they vote together. NDA believes India becoming nuclear weapons. Left disagrees, yet they vote together. Says something similar again, amidst interruptions. Chidambaram is good...he is sticking it up to the Left. GO CHIDAMBARAM!!! More interruptions. I doubt if in the history of Parliament anything bizzare. More interruptions. From the speaker's chair, you welcomed young members of Parliament. Out there, young members of India look to the Parliament. We can make their future, if we have the vision to take this forward. In the late 80's Rajiv Gandhi and Narasimha Rao charted a new path. The PM is also doing the same with respect to nuclear power. Concludes supporting the motion

VK Malhotra (BJP) rises. Speaker says 39 minutes left. 7 members of the UPA have spoken. They have talked on and on about statistics. Whatever it is, all elections in India post UPA, the INC has faltered badly. Why? You are not in a minority, yet you still show these figures? In the 4 years of the INC rule, it has been a shambles. The biggest sin is that the UPA it has indulged in horsetrading to keep itself in power. Interruptions. Government agencies are taking part in this horsetrading. Point of order, under rule 352 raised, accepted. Malhotra continues, raises points on the CBI investigations. Speaker and Malhotra in a face-off regarding MPs with criminal convictions. Interruptions. Talks about voting in Punjab. Even speaker asks BJP to stick to the subject. More interruptions. Speaker stands. Threatens to put the motion to vote. Adjourns house for 45 mins

Update 4:15PM ACST: And we're back on. Speaker says, Impossible to maintain decorum in this house or an atmosphere where a responsible discussion can take place. Please maintain decorum. Please do not make personal allegations or insinuations.

Update 4:30PM ACST:Malhotra back on. Starts harping on the same thing. There are many things on the nuclear deal that have been said. I will not add more to it, yet there has been lies being spread. No one has noticed that the spending 20 Lakh crore rupees, will only get India's 5% of power. This deal will make India a nuclear slave to all the companies involved in the business of nuclear energy. It has been said time and again that we are not bound by the Hyde Act only the 123 Agreement. However, whenever this is said, the next day America says that the moment a test is conducted, the deal is off. Whenever two parties agree to a deal, they must agree on the same terms. In the world, countries such as UK, France have shut down their nuclear energy. Why? They feel that other forms of energy such as solar, wind must be sought. Australia has largest Uranium mines, however why doesn't it have a nuclear plant? Only after 30 years, only 5% energy will be generated. However, the Hydel potential exists in the North East, does not find a mention. All our nuclear experts have reminded the Government. They speak of the achievements in 4 years. However, the biggest sin they've committed is the rising prices. Time and again, the PM has said we will put a stop to rising prices. Even the FM and UPA Chair said similar things. Inflation is rampant. The CPI has increased to 300%. UPA says it's a world problem. When prices go up, other countries must have a problem. In Japan, the prices have increased by 0.8%. Small amounts in other countries. Why do we have 12%? You have run the government in the wrong manner. Speaks about corruption in NREGS. Now LPG prices are rising. Mani Shankar Aiyer has said that high growth is not reaching the common man. Rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer. Aiyer clarifies. No point in referring to a statement I made more than a year ago. More interruptions. The stock market has collapsed. FII's are withdrawing investment in the stock market. India's credit rating has been downgraded. NDA left behind a booming economy, the UPA has destroyed it

Update 5:00PM ACST: What is happening with terrorism? What are you doing with ISI? You are indirectly helping them recruit! Till not, there are more than lakhs affected by terrorism. What hapened? You got rid of the only anti-terrorist law in the country. Do whatever you want they said. Yesterday there was a problem with the shrine board. When the shrine land was given back, there was news that a Hajj temple was created. We give 4 crore for Hajj subsidy. We have no problem that. No other country does that. But why take away 100 acres of shrine land? When hindus want 100 acres, a hue and cry is raised, yet crores of money is spent on Hajj. Even if the land is given, then cries of Pakistan Zindabad is raised? SP has raised the issue that 2 currencies need to run in India. Why? More interruptions. INC's ex-CM went to Canada when cries of Khalistan were raised, and this happens in India? PM says that we should not oppose good actions. Is making India a servant of America a good act? BJP goes on like this. We do not need a certificate of patriotism from the UPA. These people have lost the trust of the people. Therefore MPs who wish to support confidence motion lose the confidence of the people.

Rahul Gandhi (INC) rises. Yesterday, when I was thinking of what I would say, I came to a conclusion. I decided that it is important at this point not to speak as a member of a party but to speak as an Indian. Interruptions. I will speak in English and Hindi. All I ask is that you listen to me. Please listen to me. Don't agree, but listen. I decided that I would speak as an Indian. I would take a step that a lot of MPs do not do. I decided to make an assumption. The assumption is that regardless of party lines, all speak on the interest of this nation (clever call). Yesterday I thought about why we meet in here today. Why is it that this house needs to meet. I came to the conclusion that we are meeting because there is a serious problem in India. And the problem is our energy security. Three days ago, I went to Vidarbha, and I met a young lady who has 3 sons. The young lady is a landless labourer who lives on 60 rupees a day. Her husband earns 90 a day. With the total earnings they make, they have put 3 of their children to private school. I spent an hour with these people and spoke to their sons. The eldest son dreams of becoming a collector. The middle, an engineer. The youngest, a private job. When I asked the lady if the children will be successful, she said yes. As I was walking out of hte house, I noticed that there was no electricity in the house, and I asked the children how do you study. The children pointed to a lamp and said we study using that lamp. Sir, this problem of energy security reflects itself every day with all of us. It reflects itself among the poor, with industry, among all Indians. Interruptions. Energy affects India's growth and energy is responsible for allowing us to grow at 9% and that growth is responsible for allowing for helping alleviation of poverty. If we do not secure our energy supply into the future, growth will stop and we cannot fight poverty, which every single member of this house wants to do. I have stated what the problem is, and I will go back again to Vidarbha to state a possible solution. I would go to a house to another young lady having 9 children. Her husband committed suicide, so please respect her. The husband committed suicide because he depended on the cotton crop only. I asked her what she did. More interruptions. Personal opinion: I am disenchanted with the Government. This is absolutely pathetic. A bunch of geriatrics shouting at a young turk. Back to the show. Speaker fixes a time for the voting. No more discussion he says. Mukherjee exhorts people to resume their seats and asks the debate to continue. Rahul Gandhi continues. Instead of sowing one crop, she sows 3. She bought 2 buffaloes, and has milk as a source of income. She has a pond, fills it with water and uses it as insurance. The answers to our energy problem. More interruptions. Looks like BSP is the main culprit.

Pandemonium reigns supreme. Adjourned till 2PM. This is absolutely pathetic. I may or may not agree with Rahul Gandhi, but the manner in which he was shut down is simply ludicrous....give the guy a friggin chance people!! Sorry if I am acting out of bounds, but I'm his generation, so I get a bit riled up.

Update 6:20PM ACST: Just got coverage. Sorry for the delay, will try to fix ASAP.

UPdate 6:30PM ACST: Acharya speaking. The way CBI is being misused to get the meajority, is most condemnable. I demand that an impartial inquiry should be held and that can be done only by a house committee. We demand a house committee be constituted. Interruptions.

Das Gupta says that a serious complaint has occured. The House should take cognisance of the matter and form a committee suo moto. Point of Order raised under Rule 369. Rahul Gandhi starts again. This morning I spoke two poor families and Mrs Kala said she had diversified her income sources and used it to stabilize her family and bring up her children. At the very least, the nuclear deal will act like Kala's pond and act as insurance to the country. The problem is that way our nuclear industry is positioned today, it is neither going to act as insurance nor is it going to act or potential to act as a fundamental source of energy. The hands of our scientists and establishment are tied. They do not have fuel, investment or technology. I am very proud to say that our PM has recognised the problem and a potential solution. It would be unfair of me not to accept that ABV also solved the problem and also in his time worked on the solution. Please clap! On this account please clap! Now I have stated an all of us know that there is a problem with regards to energy in this country. It is a problem that all of us need to solve working together. As I said, senior leaders have also established that way forward is diversification and a balanced portfolio including nuclear, hydrocarbon and wind. It is not enough to identify a problem and a potential solution. The magic of what the PM is doing is that within the problem, he has identified an opportunity that is larger than the problem itself. The opportunity is based on a simple fact, that over the next 30-40 years, 2 countries are going to use the largest bulk of new energy. These countries, have the ability to define the way the world's energy moves.

Update 7PM ACST: Our old opponents the British, grew to their prominence because they control coal. The USA today controls hydrocarbons, and we all know of their harm. What I am suggesting is that we think as a big and powerful country. Instead of how the world will impact us, we think about how we will impact the world. Many years ago, this country embarked on a path which many people did not believe in. We developed the IT/Telecom industry in which very few people believed that India would play a major role in this industry. Very few believed that computers would empower the poor. All of us today see the impact that ITES has had on this country and we must not forget this. We are at a crossroads where a decision must be made. It is not about India's usage of nuclear energy. It is about whether India can become a global power, with a type of energy that will become important in the future. We know the link between hydrocarbon dependence and prices. When we think about nuclear energy, we must think about the poorest in the country. When we were talking about IT, we were talking about the poor. One must not underestimate the connection between the industry and the poor. I have taken a lot of time, and I do not want to go on forever. The difference between a powerful country and a country that is not powerful and does not have a similar impact on the world is that former thinks about how it impacts the world and the latter thinks about how the world will impact it. It does not matter how the government runs the country, but it does matter on how it impacts the world. We must step out and worry about how we will impact the world. As I said earlier, I speak today as an Indian. We are all building this country together and we must solve our problems together. This is what differentiates us and gives us true power. I am proud of the fact that every voice can be heard in this country. We must never ever let fear be our guide. We must never act on the basis of fear, but only courage. We are a country where 70% are younger than me. This country is brimming with confidence. We have to believe in our people and we have to have confidence in what we are doing. These are guides not only for INC but for all Indians, that when you do act, act with courage. With that together, we can change this country and impact the world. I say this a youngster, it does not matter what happens today, but what matters is that we work together. I support the motion.

Party XYZ (unknown) rises. Opposes motion. Just now we were hearing that all the sections of this house should move together united and unanimous, but unfortunately, under the stewardship of the PM, the UPA has fallen apart. Since the time he has been advocating the deal, parties have left the UPA en masse. We are hopeful that they will lose the trust vote. There have been advertisements in the newspapers, from darkness to light. Both the PM and the UPA Chairperson, have kept the country in darkness by announcing talks with IAEA. The MEA announced they'd only go to IAEA after the trust vote, the PM was already having talks. They have kept their alliance in darkness, Lalu is always in darkness. Everybody in the alliance was in darkness. The INC has to learn from history that making such deals, they will lose power. After the Bofors deal, they are entering into another deal against the national interest. The people will punish this government. There is so much of confusion. Yesterday, the MEA was urging us that have patience. We are having patience. Why are you hurrying with the deal at the detriment of the national interest. This government is running on the trust of God. I want to ask some straight questions. Whether this government is agreeing deal and putting a moratorium on all future testing? The Hyde Act also requires USA to extract a date after which India will not pursue weapons grade plutonium. Will this be done? India has the 2nd largest reserve of Thorium. This is enough to ensure nuclear independence for perpetuity. Why are we going ahead with Uranium based nuclear deal with the USA? What are the compulsions by which they are spending money on technologies not needed to nuclear technology? PC was saying Hyde Act has no bearing on the deal. Will the PM clarify this matter? The PM is not sticking true to his oath. Forced to conclude.

Lalu Prasad Yadav (RJD) rises. In the history of the country, a courageous step has been taken by the PM. This Parliament is a temple, in which I place my trust. These parties have come to place a vote of no cofidence. A story exists in the Mahabharat where a demon was not to die in the morning or the night. He died in the evening, at the very time you have put the motion to vote. Everyone has spoken, but the major issue is about the nuclear deal. CPM doesn't even know what the deal was about. Till yesterday, they supported us, now they're against us.

I am stopping blogging for the time being...I'm laughing too much. Plus the hindi is very rustic for me to understand. Next update at 7:30PM

Update 7:45PM ACST: Lalu finishes. Vasudev Acharya rises. Opposes the motion. Questions the value of 276 mentioned by LoH. UPA had 226 not 276. My internet connection just crashed, so I can't access it now. Will try at 8:00PM

Update 8PM ACST:Interruptions in the house. Money is being shown? I wonder what it is. Everyone rushes down to the well as the house is adjourned.

Update 8:21PM ACST: Allegedly 3 BJP MPs were "paid off" by SP MPs to abstain from voting. This is a farce. Regardless of if the allegation is true or not, farcical scenes ensuing.

Update 8:30PM ACST: House adjourned till 9PM ACST.

Update 9:00PM ACST: House adjourned till 10PM ACST.

Update 10:00PM ACST: The parliament has reconvened and Speaker is talking about the case. The speaker says he'll handle it. Interruptions in the house. The house is being adjourned. The PM will reply at 6:30, the vote will be taken at 7:15.

Update 10:30PM ACST: House reconvenes. Speaker says that the elderly members such as ABV etc, they will be allowed to vote from the inner lobby. Wishes them the best of health. Oaiswasi (MIM) rises. Interruptions. It has become a fashion that any decision of the speaker will be challenged. MIM continues.

I must thank the LoO. Through his speech, he has exposed and acted as a guardian angel for the Left. The reason we are supporting this motion is that we do not want the BJP to the power. It has given 1000 crore to the minority department whereas the NDA only gave 200 crore. It is sad that the Left withdraws support. I would like to know only muslims are targeted here, by saying "muslims are against this deal". A deal is signed not between communities, but between two nations. Interruptions. It is the PM who clarified that the foreign policy is not going to be impacted. The Left shows hatred towards muslims. If tomorrow LKA becomes PM, I will suffer, not the Left. I support the motion.

Mehbooba Mufti (PDP). I rise to support the motion. As Lalu said, many members do not know much of the deal. I happen to be one of them. After listening to people on both the sides, I have come to the conclusion that those who inititated the deal oppose it because they are not in power. They talk about renegotiating the deal. Abruptly ends.

Ram Vilas Paswan does not want to speak. Omar Abdullah speaks. I do not know if the 1 crore is true or not. I have been a member for this house for 10 years, and never have I disrupted the speaker, yet they do not have the courtesy to listen to what I have to say. I am a muslim and an Indian, and I see no distinction between the two. This is a deal between two countries, who should be treated as equals. The enemies of Indian Muslims, are not Americans but are the same enemies that all the poor people of India face. I am not a member of the UPA. I am unhappy with the way the Left has taken to certify secularism. Until a few years ago, I was a part of the NDA and the same Left considered me as an untouchable, yet now they say that all secular parties must unite with the BJP to bring the UPA now. I made the mistake of standing with them once. I will not make the same mistake again. We have fought for our land, and we will fight for it till we did. We are not communal like you (BJP). For 200 years, the Amarnath Yatra has been going on, and I will say that till muslims remain in Kashmir, the yatra will go ahead. I support the motion.

Birendra Kumar. Seeks clarifications that others have mentioned. Interruptions, yet he continues to speak.

Update 10:50PM ACST: Some more smaller parties. Representative of Bodos speaking to support the motion.

Update 11:00PM ACST: North-Eastern parties speaking. Representative of outer Manipur speaking, supports motion. Yerran Naidu (TDP) yells that he has 6 minutes, not 3 minutes. Speaker concedes. Poor guy, give him a break, he's been under tremendous pressure. TDP opposes the motion. PMO has become a counter for political deals. In the name of energy security, they are mortgaging the country's sovereignity to USA. The deal is not between two countries, but between two individuals. Why the hurry to move forward to the agreement? The 123 agreeement shows that any ambiguity means that Hyde Act will prevail. They are using all government departments to win the trust vote. They are using unethical means. What happened to the BSP MP, what happened to the BJP MPs? This is a mockery of democracy. After Independence so many PMs have moved the vote of confidence, never has this happened before. By unethical means, what is the use if you win? There is no unamity between the people of this country or the political parties. Unilateral action is not called for, consensus must be maintained. This is the issue of Bharat. That is why the UNPA wants a committee, yet the government does not want it. The PM doesn't trust the MEA. We have to postpone the deal. There is a shortage of coal

Update 11:15PM ACST: Mr Speaker, with your permission I ask a few questions to the PM. Asks a few questions. A Lady MP rises to speak. Supports the deal, and praises the PM on his honesty, integrity and trust. The BJP indulges in dirty politics. Praises Rahul Gandhi on his youth and his ideas. Urged by the speaker to finish. Supports the motion. ML Murmu (JMM) speaks. This is a country of villages, and we can only progress if there is power in the villages. We support the motion.

Update 11:25PM ACST: PM speaks. Interruptions and calls for resignation. Cannot be heard over the din. PM lays the reply on the table. Speaker puts the motion to vote. The lobby is cleared. Votes are being counted. Speaker says RS member may remain in the house, but they cannot vote, in reference to the PM.

Update 11:30PM ACST: Lobbies have been cleared. Asks members to take the seats. Ayes, Noes said. I think the ayes have it, the ayes have it. Secretary General reads out instructions. Division occurs. 253 Ayes, 232 No, Abstain 2, Total 487.

Update 11:40PM ACST: Speaker pleads for members to go to their seats, no one listens. Pathetic stuff coming from the top leadership here. They can't seem to control their own people. Result has not been announced the speaker says. Counting still underway

Update 11:45PM ACST: Still shows the same results as at 11:30PM. Counting still underway. UPA doesn't care, they think they've won. MPs defy speaker's pleads and still congregate near UPA Chair and PM.

Update 11:50PM ACST: Same situation

Update 11:55PM ACST: Still no change. Counting still on.

Update 12:00AM ACST: Still no change.

Update 12:05AM ACST: Allegedly some party MPs could not vote as they were not in their seats.

Update 12:10AM ACST: No advancement in the counting. Still counting.

Update 12:15AM ACST: See above. This will be my penultimate update. I think we all know that the UPA will win the trust vote. I will update it one final time tomorrow. Thankyou to all who have logged in. Once again all comments are welcome!

Laloo speaking in English

This is just classic.

Background
The Minister for Railways, Mr. Laloo Prasad Yadav, in the Lower House of the Parliament of India (Lok Sabha), presenting the Railway Budget for the year 2008 - 2009

Ragging

Scenario 1: You have finished 12 years of schooling and today's your first day at college. As you and another bunch of new students make your way into the college grounds, and attend your first few classes, the excitement of being in college gives way to fear. You are accosted by senior students within the same college and asked questions which humiliate you, as well as ordered to take part in tasks which seem pointless. You cannot protest, due to fear of being ostracised. Although the institution as outlawed this practice and created infrastructure to eliminate it, it still goes on. You are constantly picked on, with some activities bordering on abuse, until a "Freshers day" when suddenly, all those seniors are now your "best friends".

Scenario 2: You have finished your degree and today's your first day in an organisation. Let's say that the organisation is a huge multi-national. As you and a bunch of other new employees enter into the company, you are accosted by others in the organisation. You haven't even met your manager yet, but you are asked to do fill in water bottles, sing songs and answer questions which invade your privacy. When you protest, you are told that this is what happens to each and every new employee that arrives in the company. You are also told that although HR frowns on this behaviour, it is silently accepted as it brings out the "bond" between yourselves and those who have worked at Microsoft for a long time. Before you can protest further, you are told to do some more humiliating tasks. You are constantly picked on for almost a month, with the humiliation ending on a "New Employees Day" at the organisation.

So what's different between these two scenarios? Well scenario 1 is played out across most Indian institutions, every year without fail, whereas scenario 2 is completely hypothetical. If scenario 2 were to happen, in any organisation, I suspect a class action would be launched alleging harassment. In the first case, there is legislation, as well as institutional rules that prevent this from happening. In the second case, there too exists legislation as well as organisational rules to prevent this from happening. Note, I am not talking about workplace bullying which occurs in every organisation, but rather the systematic humiliation of first time employees by existing employees (AFAIK, I have never come across such an incident).

Universities and institutions of higher learning are not a well in which people draw up knowledge for their 3-5 years of tertiary education. They are a means by which young school-leavers are taught to be professional, mature adults, ready to tackle the world at large. There is evidence to prove this as well. When people are asked what they remember about their college, the answer is more often, the emphasis on soft skills, such as communication, honesty, trust, rather than the lesson in which they were taught about FPGAs. However, it is interesting that many choose to justify ragging as a sequence of events that build soft skills. I find it mildly amusing, but distasteful that I would somehow improve my communication skills, by being asked invasive questions about myself. Other justifications of ragging is that lifelong friendships are made, that boys and girls can mix with greater equality and that by being ragged, it helps develop speaking skills. I find all these excuses to be rather pathetic and if these are true, it reflects a failure of universities and colleges to address these issues.

I have been rather lucky, to attend a University that although may not be in the league of the IITs/BITSs/NITs etc, but has given me an opportunity to develop my own soft skills to complement my technical skills. There is no doubt I certainly envy the minds at work in these institutions. However, what I don't envy is the practises of ragging they do. I have been fortunate to participate in public speaking events, as well as meet with leaders of industry within university. I also share a very cordial relationship with my seniors and I have the opportunity to be taught by them for a few subjects. I believe I behave in a professional and respectful manner, in interacting with boys or girls. However, the major difference is that I was not ragged at any stage of my 1^st year in University. I was asked questions, but these questions were simply harmless, and in no way invasive to privacy. Questions included my previous school, my degree specification, my interests and hobbies. After my first year, we were told by the administration to foster a sense of belonging to the new students, by acting as mentors. Once again, there was no ragging. Many of these junior students are my good friends and we share a drink when we can.

Ragging therefore has no place in any professional relationship, and if those who indulge in it, somehow believe that this behaviour is acceptable, then I shudder to think what happens when they join the organisation.

As Gandhi once said "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind".

Obama

Obama is a really good orator, and some of his lines are just brilliant!!!

Check out this, fast forward to around 3:30



Another of his famous videos is the "A More Perfect Union". Check it out below:

Karnataka State Assembly Elections 2008 – A very short analysis

Well the results are out, and at the time of writing the situation stands as follows:

Party		Win	Lead
BJP		97	14
INC		69	9
JD(S)		22	6
Other		6	0

The above results are taken from the Election Commission of India website, found here.

It is often said that voters cast their ballot not necessarily to put the best party in, but keep the worst party out. If this is the case, then surely, the voters have exercised their power by almost decimating the JD(S). The party has now been reduced to 9.8% (current seats) to 12.5% (if leads are converted into wins) of the parliament. Hardly a performance to be proud of, but some would say this would have been expected, considering that for the past 6 to 8 months, the very same party has been holding the state to ransom. The BJP seems to have learnt from the doublespeak of the JDS, with LK Advani earlier in the election clearly stating that under no circumstances would the BJP consider sharing power with the JD(S). This therefore meant that for the BJP to preserve any amount of pride, they would need to be the single largest party within the house. If they won majority on their own it would have been a bonus. This is exactly what has happened, with the BJP now being asked to form power.

The planks, on which the BJP campaigned, were not their usual communal rhetoric. Rather it was "good governance", with the poster boy of BJP's development mantra, Narendra Modi campaigning extensively for the state. Analysts may also go insofar as to call it anti-incumbency and they would be right in certain aspects of it, such as the decimation of the JD(S). However, it was more a case of not voting for the JD(S) – INC alliance than voting for the BJP. Moreover, there was a feeling from many in the state that the INC Candidate for CM, SM Krishna was more CM of Bangalore than a CM of Karnataka. Indeed the very same opinion was carried out by analysts at CNN-IBN amongst other TV stations. In addition, many in Bangalore itself, blame him for infrastructure woes that have continued to plague the "Silicon Valley of India".

What is most surprising in this vote is the following:

1. The BJP has redefined its voter base as being a part for all of Karnataka. In their previous outings (2004, 1999), the BJP had managed to strike a chord in rural Karnataka and South Karnataka, yet did not make much of an impact in the North and within Bangalore itself (in '99 they won 40 seats, 79 in '04). This election, by making gains across the state, it has re-emerged and proved to be a serious contender for the Lok Sabha polls in 2009.

2. JD(S) now reduced to a minority voice within the house. The once powerful party of Karnataka, which had given India a Prime Minister in the form of HD Deve Gowda from 1996-1997, has now been reduced to having just a feeble voice in Vidhan Soudha. The party had won 58 seats in 2004 and 10 seats in 1999. The "power" of the JD(S) was attributed to its charisma of its leader, which is now slowly on the wane.

Aditya, has a very good post here detailing the results in a more technical detail. I also would like to add an rejoinder to his point (1). Not only did the BJP project Yediyurappa as their CM, they projected him as the only CM candidate. However, the INC was divided by leaders such as H K Patil creating an impression amongst voters that they were also likely candidates. Hence voters who would be looking for leadership would have much rather looked at the BJP in terms of accountability.

In conclusion, the elections set up a very nice "teaser" for Lok Sabha '09. At this stage, I am prepared to call the General elections as going towards the NDA team. However, as they say, "A week is a long time in politics"

The teenage vocabulary

Watch this clip, which encapsulates the vocabulary of a teenager as accurately as can be imagined!!

Around 90% of Indians believe this bullshit

Yesterday I happened to read an article, where our very own D Purandeshwari, Union Minister of State for HRD mentioned this in parliament

This is from the Times of India

The extent to which desis have made an impact in the US was reeled off in the Rajya Sabha — as many as 12% scientists and 38% doctors in the US are Indians,
and in NASA, 36% or almost 4 out of 10 scientists are Indians. If that’s not proof enough of Indian scientific and corporate prowess, digest this: 34% employees at Microsoft, 28% at IBM, 17% at Intel and 13% at Xerox are Indians.

and

The figures of Indian successes were given to the Rajya Sabha on Monday by D Purandeshwari, minister of state for HRD, in defence of the country's higher education system and the state of research.

If one may recall, during 2006-2007, the very same ToI ran a series of articles, under the India Poised theme, which highlighted some areas India was deficient under. Thankfully that site still exists. It is from there, that I stumbled on this gem from the very same Times of India

THE BAD
Arrogance. What else explains a lie that continues to do the rounds as an email, especially before the Independence Day. It claims, 12% of all scientists in the US are Indian, 34% (or some such obscene number) of technical personnel at NASA are of Indian origin, 32% of Microsoft’s engineers are from here, and so on. The message was so pretty, it even found its way into parliamentary debate on India’s capabilities. Business leaders quoted these figures while addressing seminars.

The truth is, about 5% of NASA’s employees are of Asian descent (Indians being a subset of this group). A senior official at Microsoft grins rather condescendingly when you ask him the truth. As for Indian doctors tending to all of America, well, all we can say is that the Indian inferiority complex that spreads these myths needs urgent cure.

Since the MP used this figures as a defence for the state of research in India, I think this article proves exactly the state of research in the country

Amit Varma of India Uncut has written about this in more detail as well.

A Strange sense of Irony - Sardar Patel amar rahe

Isn't it ironic, that the day after we celebrate the birthday of a man who gave the concept of "India" a tangible identity, we celebrate the formation of atleast 2 separate states?

The man I am referring to is none other than Sardar Vallabhai Patel, India's "iron man", and I use that epithet quite respectfully. The states I refer to are Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, which celerbate their formation day (amongst other states).

My admiration for Sardar, stems from his two great achievements (unification of India and the creation of the AIS), and the fact that he, not Nehru should have been India's first PM. As many Indians know, at the time of independence, India existed, only in terms of geography. There was no "tangible" country called India. It existed as a geographical region encompassing 565 states (which co-incidentally, is the number of seats in the Lok Sabha - people's house today). Sardar was given the daunting task of integrating as many of these as possible within the Indian Union. To his credit, 563 states were integrated into the Union, without a single shot being fired. Only in the cases of Hyderabad State and J&K was military action taken (Note that in the case of Hyderabad, it was police action against extremist terrorists led by the Razakars, rather than military action).

In this regard, I find that his comparison to Chancellor Bismarck of Germany, who also undertook a similar task as Sardar to be very much overstated . In the case of the latter, he only had to deal with 12 states, and took them all by force. However, as can be seen in the case of India, 563/565 were taken without any force at all, leading Kruschev on his visit to India to comment "You have liquidated the princely states, without liquidating the princes". Obviously the creation of the privy purse (Article 291 of the Indian constitution, repealed in 1971) helped to a certain extent. Indeed, before the starting of this work, Gandhi remarked to Sardar "The task of dealing with the princes was truly formidable, but I am convinced that the Sardar was the only person who could have coped with it." Furthermore, Sardar in his true style as the Iron Man of India, did not take kindly to words from Chruchill who remarked in the case of Hyderabad "an old and faithful ally of the Empire". Patel's reply was simple "It is only in goodwill spirit and not on the malice and venom of Mr Churchill's tongue that an enduring relationship can be built between India and Britain and other members of the Commonwealth."

The other aspect of his work was the creation of the All India Services, his trust in the espirit-de-corps of the AIS. M V Kamath, at the time of Independence had remarked that the Indian Civil Service "had neither been Indian nor Civil nor Service". In this situation, Patel, the seasoned politician, advocated the retention of ICS and IP and proposed the constitution of two new All-India Services; IAS, and IPS. It is no wonder that Indians refer to the IAS as the "steel frame of India" and AIS officers regard Patel as the "patron saint of the civil services". In a speech, which must be reckoned as historic in the arena of public administration in India, Patel said: "In point of patriotism, in point of sincerity and in point of ability, you cannot have a substitute... As a man of experience, I tell you, do not quarrel with the instruments with which you want to work. It is a bad workman who quarrels with his instruments"

Not only was he a great freedom fighter, but also a champion of property rights and free enterprise, both of which are severely limited in India today. Notwithstanding the progress India has made with Liberalization, it still takes 89 days to start a business in India, and unlike many other democratic nations in the world, one does not have the physical right to property in the world's largest democracy. Is it any wonder that we have problems such as Singur and Nandigram?

Right now when things in India are falling apart and the Union is tottering, the national leadership ought to take a leaf from Patel's book and show the same constructive vision and iron will which he showed at a critical juncture of our history.

(Inspired by the Daily Pioneer op-ed by Mr.Jagmohan on Oct 31 2007. Some parts of this are also taken from that article)

Chak De India!!!

A Report by Special Correspondent for UniSA Mawson Lakes, Prasanna Kovalam

Picture this. A large picturesque oval, crowd frolicking in the sun, a team scoring 100+ in 25 overs, and then successfully defending the score to win. No this is not a match report of the latest Australian cricket team victory over a side, but one of inspiration, confidence, and the catchphrase that was “Chak De India”.

On Friday 12th October, as Indians all over the world celebrated the start of Dussera, and the culmination of the month of Ramzan, a group of students from the University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes played a version of cricket that can be best described as a fun-filled yet intensely competitive encounter. A group of Indians, known as the Indian XI, led by their captain Prasanna Kovalam, took on the Rest Of The World XI (ROTW XI), led by Partha Saha. While the Indian XI, were made up of local and international students from India, the ROTW XI had members from countries such as Lebanon and Malaysia, countries where cricket is at best a passing reference. In addition, keeping with the Australian culture, a Barbeque was organised by UniSA’s Bachelor of Electrical Engineering Social Team (BEEST), and was supported and sponsored by the UniSA Students Association, UniSA Learning Connection and The Rotary Club.

For all the preparations made, there was one critical factor many had overlooked, which threatened to derail the entire proceedings. Around 9AM on the day of the game, there was rain on the pitch for half an hour, and players from both teams, being the engineering students that they were, spent the entire time peering at their computer screens, and predicting the pattern of showers, from the Bureau of Meterology website. As predicted, the rains eased, and by 10AM, the sun was shining again, on what was to be a windy day.

The game was a T25 (Twentyfive25) and the rules were very similar to the T20 and the ODI format of cricket, except that no powerplays existed, and the LBW rule was taken completely out of play, unless a shot wasn't offered. In addition, a ball had to be VERY wide, to be given. With the rules set, the game began on schedule at 12PM, with India XI winning the toss and deciding to bat. The batting display was one of poise, efficiency, and a masterclass in itself. Jagesh and Dharmin, put on a scintillating display, before Dharmin finally fell, caught off the bowling of Nathan Ewers. India XI, did never once look like collapsing, despite some horrendous batting by the captain. It appears that Prasanna’s stance resembled that of an octopus on piles, and the only way he made his three runs was because the ROTW XI was too busy laughing at the pathetic batting effort. Helped by Jagesh’s 28 and Chitresh Mukherjee’s 31, India XI posted a competitive total of 9/105 in 25 overs. The pick of the bowlers in the ROTW team were Dr. Bruce Wedding, Nathan Ewers, and the vice-captain, Vira Thach with 2 wickets a piece.

With the asking rate of over 4 an over, both teams needed to be on their guard, but with the pitch drying up, India XI could scent victory. Anoop Rathod provided the perfect start, by taking 2 wickets within the first two overs. He was ably supported by the other fast bowler Ravi Ganesh, who donned the wicket-keeping gloves after bowling his overs out. These two were ably supported by Roshan Nair and Kinjal Patel. Again Prasanna’s incompetency at playing cricket showed through his bowling, although he did a fine job of captaining the side. He moved his bowlers around, as well as speeding the over-rates and gave India XI motivational support by wearing the India ODI T-Shirt during the game. That being said, his bowling was utterly pathetic and the only sane explanation for his two wickets were that the batting team played their shots in the air, and India XI’s fielders were brilliant in the field. The ROTW batsmen never looked like being in the game and despite starts by Virah (12), Chris (11), Aaron Mohtar (8) and Dr. Bruce Wedding (8), it was only a matter of time before the inevitable occurred.

In the end, the supremacy of the Indian XI, in all aspects of the shone through and India XI won comfortably by 22 runs and lifted up the BEEST cup for the second year in a row, to the sounds of “Rang De Basanti” and “Chak De India” blaring out of the sound system, managed by DJ Ullash Tiwari.

Photos of the event


Hammad Ahmad Khan looking for a run-out chance



Apurva Mishra (India), whacks the ball straight past the umpire's (and the photographer's) heads.



Dr. Bruce Wedding (ROTW) bowling left-arm spin




The shrewd captain of India XI, Prasanna Kovalam, asking if the bowler wants a wicket keeper

Come on Left, India dares you

I was reading today's issue of The Indian Express and saw this headline. I think it's time the UPA, and by extension, the people of India, called the Left's bluff. Infact, India's otherwise incompetent cabinet has also questioned Left's ideology here As written here in the Telegraph and talked about here in Amit Varma's blog India Uncut, the Left's position of "damaging to national security" is at best a joke and at worst, dishonest. Amit also writes here about the folly of believing in a communist ideology. Last but not the least, take a look at Nitin Pai's piece here.

All I have to say to the left is, come on, get out of the UPA. I dare you! I double-dare you!!

Cowardly act of terrorism

I express my deepest condolences and sympathies to the familes who have lost loved ones in the barbaric and dastardly terrorist attacks in the city of Pearls, Hyderabad. I pray to God Almighty to give solace as the families grieve, and I hope both the State and Central government will nab these cowards.

While some may be apprehensive of venturing out to public places for some time, I am of the opinion, that terrorists seek to create a sense of fear within us all. They want us to watch our step, whenever we are having fun, or whenever we are doing the most mundane things of our lives, like shopping. If we start letting go of what we hold dear, we have effectively lost. Those who seek to create fear win, if we let fear creep into our hearts. If we show courage, resilience, and a sense of brotherhood, the terrorists shall never succeed. Therefore, I say this: I shall visit Gokul Chat, the very next day I arrive in India. That is a promise I make to myself.

I hope all leaders of the world unanimously condemn this incident, and I pray that Hyderabad, returns to its usual Hyderabadi attitude very soon.

Jai Hind

60th Anniversary of Indian Independence

Namaste,

On this the 60th anniversary of Indian Independence, please accept my warmest greetings.

On 12 March 1930, at the Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat, 79 men went for a walk. For 23 days they marched, covering four districts, 48 villages, and 400 kilometres. On the way they picked up thousands of other ordinary people, animated by a cause so much bigger than themselves. Then, on 6 April, by the sea at the coastal village of Dandi, a thin, bald elderly figure picked up a handful of salty earth and said, "With this, I am shaking the foundations of the British Empire." That man, was M.K.Gandhi, attorney-at-law.

The empire shook alright. The purpose of Gandhi's march was to protest the oppressive and unfair salt tax, and across the country people joined the battle. They made their own salt. They bought illegal salt. That year, 60,000 Indians were arrested during these protests. The Salt Law was not repealed. And yet, "the first stage in ... the final struggle of freedom," as Gandhi described it, had made an impact.

The effect of this impact was made clear on August 15th 1947, when Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, stood on top of India's symbolism of freedom, the Red Fort and uttered those immortal lines "At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India shall awake to a life and freedom".

The story of our freedom struggle is not just encompassed by a Gandhi or a Nehru. It consists of millions of people like, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Ramprasad Bismil, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Chandrashekhar Azad, Sarojini Naidu, Kasturbha Gandhi. We as children have continuously been told tales, on the great achievements of our freedom fighters, tales that literally send shivers down our spine. Many a time I ask myself, what would force these people to give up their comforts, and enter into police records as terrorists, as they were known in their time. Well the answer is they fought, because they wanted to be the masters of their own destiny. They wanted to be the architects of India's rise. They wanted to bask in its successes, and accept responsibilities for the nation's failures. To that end, we are eternally indebted to them.

Let us ask ourselves, where have we come in the past 60 years? If we were travel back in time, and pick up a few freedom fighters, bring them back to the present, what would they think? Would they be proud of what they fought for? Or, would they go off on another walk?

India, and we as Indians have made tremendous leaps, over the past 60 years. Some of those leaps have been into the future, and sadly some have been backwards. Per-capita, we produce more millionaires than anywhere else in the world. However, we are also home to the largest slum in Asia. Our institutions of excellence, the IITs, IIMs, BITS are now more than just colleges, they are brand names. On the other hand, we have the world largest number of illiterates. Our economic boom in the recent 17 years is there for everyone to see. We are the fastest growing democratic nation on earth. However, we are consistently ranked in the lower half of the UN Development Index.

For far too long now, we have been stripped of our economic freedom, and our personal freedoms, yet we have barely resisted. In some parts of the country, we treat our own brethren worse than the British Raj. Yet inspite of this, we routinely do not protest. We just blame the government, as if they descended from the sky. Remember, we voted these governments to power, and we are just as much to blame for it. In our 60 years, we have achieved a lot, yet we have made many mistakes. Indeed some may say we are playing catch-up. I agree. 43 years of misguided economic policy cannot be fixed in 17 years of relative economic freedom. Likewise, decades of draconian limits on freedom of expression, cannot be fixed in a short term. Long term solutions are needed. A vibrant leadership is needed. Swami Vivekananda once said "Give me 100 young men and I will change the face of this nation". For the sake of reality let's put that figure to 10 million in current terms. Can we find 10 million such men? Are we willing to sacrifice, if the we once again want to be the masters of our own destiny? Can we fight for a cause so much bigger than ourselves? These questions must be answered by our own minds and hearts, and then we must do what we must, to paraphrase Qui Gon Jinn from Star Wars episode 1

In finishing, India stands on the verge of a rare moment in history. As we begin our 61st year of independence, let us remind ourselves that we have around 250-300 million people between the ages of 15-35. That includes, many of you as well. This population is more than ten times the entire population of Australia and comparable with the population of the United States. Which power on earth can stop us if we all decide to achieve to the best of our abilities? Why can't we as Gurukanth Desai says "Reach the top"? We can get rid of the tag of "developing nation" and replace it with the words of "developed superpower".

President John F Kennedy once remarked "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country". That is precisely what I intend to do.

Jai Hind!!

An introspective question

Around about 5:30 this evening, I was accosted by a colleague and as we were chatting, I asked him if he was going to an event on Friday night here in Adelaide, known as Dum Maro Dum, a party event. My friend said no (and many other things but I shall not post them here), and told me of another event, along the same lines as Dum Maro Dum, which in his words, was supposedly better. After telling him politely, that I wouldn't attend, my colleague somehow insinuated that one of the reasons for my non-attendance, is that I would not be allowed to attend.

This set me thinking. Is this how my peers think of me not attending a nightclubbing event? As a 21 year old, am I obligated to routinely go out and party? Must I genuinely stay out late at night? Are these rules codified somewhere, whereby I can refer to what I must do at a particular age? While thinking, I realised, if I am indeed not following 'the trend', then I am in effect, rebelling. Thus, by not following a trend that youth follow, I am subconsciously following Rule No.1 in the teenagers' handbook "Be a Rebel". However, I don't know if this actually applicable. I think not, however it did sound like a good point at the time.

Rather than now bore myself, with philosophical arguments of my actions being rebellion against rebellion itself, I boarded the bus home for a quiet journey. However, I could not get the question/insinuation out of my head. I felt that this needed to be answered in more ways than one. Moreover, I needed to make this answer public, as this would affect how my peers perceive me. If they honestly thought that I do not go out because my parents do not allow me, then their perception is wrong, and I must correct this immediately.

Firstly, I have never been banned from going out to a nightclub. It is a subject I do not often broach about to my parents, and even when I do, I have always been given what my colleague calls "permission". Therefore my parents' permission or the alleged lack thereof is not even a factor in me not attending DMD and similar programs.

Let's pursue another track. Rather than establishing why I do not need to go nightclubbing, it would be better if I looked at the purposes served by nightclubbing and then analysing if these purposes can be served by not nightclubbing, and whether I need these purposes to be served in the first place.

When I asked several of my friends why they went clubbing, some answers were:
1. To have fun.
2. To get drunk.
3. To intimately interact with people (of the opposite sex).

I do not believe that in order to have fun, I must visit a club. As a 21 year old, I have my own ways of deriving happiness, a by-product of having fun. I am involved in many associations, clubs and societies and organising functions, as well as participating in such functions, give me immense happiness. I do not feel that partying in a night club will allow me to have as much fun as I would have when I would be pursuing other activities. If that is the case, I have no need to go clubbing on a regular basis, and therefore I don't.

My response to reasons 2 and 3 are going to be the same and hence I have grouped them together. The response of this comes from my value set, and since this is a question about why I
do not go out, I believe that my reliance on my set of values is more pertinent here than above. I do not drink, due to a combination of my own choices and my religious beliefs. My choices and religious beliefs are my private opinions and as far as I know, I have never let these beliefs be imposed on others. Furthermore, I do not believe in that drinking will allow me to get ahead, or positively influence my career in anyway. Thus, from a practical and a personal level, I do not drink, and I do not want to drink, and thus, I do not want to go clubbing for this purpose.

I will use a similar (and shorter) response to reason 3. Once again, my values, and religious beliefs combine to mean that I do not wish to intimately interact with people of the opposite sex. If this somehow implies that I am gay, then I cannot change others' opinions just as they cannot change mine. Moreover, if reason 3 is directly linked to reason 2, I believe that is a betrayal of trust when people are intimate with those who are not in their senses. Thus, based on this reason alone, I do not believe I need to go clubbing.

Finally, I'll take your indulgence about one more reason. In my previous lines above, I had used an objective method, into why I didn't go into a nightclub. I shall now propose a subjective reason. The way I view myself, i.e. in my self-perception I do not want to go out clubbing. And in the end, I think that is all that matters.

I think that's enough introspection for one night

PS: Sorry for the word length.