Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Congress stunned over Jogi-Hariprasada clash


State unit incharge says everyone must follow discipline

Jogi camp displays power again

Raipur, October 29, 2012

The assembly-level workers’ training camp of Congress at Bilha on Monday proved to be a ‘boxing ring’ for state Congress incharge BK Hariprasada and senior party MLA Ajit Jogi who squabbled when the latter’s supporters started sloganeering in his favour. While the senior Congress leaders are stunned over the entire episode and are avoiding talking to media on it, Hariprasada, after returning from Bilha to Raipur at evening, categorically said everyone in the party should follow discipline.

Notably, all the factions of state Congress had recently objected over increasing activities of Jogi and his son Amit before Hariprasada and high command.

Union Minister of State Charandas Mahant, former PCC president Dhanendra Sahu, senior leader Satyanarayan Sharma and party general secretary Bhupesh Baghel had separately complained to top Congress leaders that Jogis were organising parallel events without permission from state leadership.

Although the high command conveyed words of caution to Jogi regarding discipline in its own way, the latter displayed his might again during his recent wedding anniversary party that marked the gathering of several Congress MLAs along with large number of his supporters in the party.

The Bilha manthan camp was yet another event when Jogi faction attempted to prove its dominance in the state unit by sloganeering in favour of its leader in presence of Hariprasada. According to information, though Hariprasada will complain about Bilha incident to the high command, the party will not take risk to take action against Jogi with assembly and general polls falling in 2013 and 2014.

State establishment cost up, not facility: Cong

Raipur, October 29, 2012


Congress says that state establishment cost has increased up to 35% in last 12 years, but quality of services provided by the government remains poor. “The government has failed to make proper use of increased state establishment cost for public,” said state Congress president Nandkumar Patel and CLP leader Ravindra Choubey on Monday.

“When Chhattisgarh became state, the then Congress government kept its annual budget between Rs 3500-4000 crore in first three years. The establishment cost of the state during that period was within 30% of the annual budget, i.e. Rs 1000-1200 crore per year. Now, the state budget has rose above Rs 37573.61 crore and its establishment cost is upped to 35%, i.e. about Rs 15642.42 crore. Still, people are not getting anticipated facilities,” they indicated.

They said the government constituted a slew of corporations, boards and authorities and was spending huge amount in each every year, however none proved to be useful for the common man.

“The government squandered mega bucks to expedite its works but did not get any positive outcome,” they said.

“The government has failed to do requisite number of recruitments in education and health departments and consequentially the people residing in remote areas are devoid of quality education and health facilities,” they said.

“Similarly, the energy department is more dependent on contract workers instead of government staff,” they added.

“Despite spending inordinate funds, the ruling party does not trust the government machinery. On the name of jandarshan, Chief Minister Raman Singh, MP Ramesh Bais and district Collectors are deceiving people as public grievances remain unaddressed despite assurances from these bigwigs,” they said.

“The government should tell why the people have to come to capital city when it has constituted new districts and decentralised works. The fact is the BJP has completely failed to give good governance in the state and people are severely annoyed of its functioning,” they said.


Cong terms PSGA ineffective


Raipur, October 29, 2012

Congress on Monday said the objective with which the government implemented Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA) in several departments was not being met and the Act had rather proved to be ineffective.

“It was expected that the government departments would provide rapid service with implementation of PSGA, but instead their works have been slowed down,” said congress spokesperson Sushil Anand Shukla.

“Under PSGA, the departments are supposed to complete work against received application within given maximum time period. The corrupt government staffers are taking advantage of this condition and the works, which were earlier being completed in 2-3 days, are now being stalled till the maximum time frame. Certainly, the people are feeling harassed due to the Act,” he said.

Citing example of functioning of Raipur Regional Transport Office (RTO), Shukla informed that registration of vehicles were earlier being done in 4-5 days but now the same work takes at least 45 days.

“Similar is the condition in tehsil offices where the works like name transfer are being done in three months on pretext of PSGA,” he added.

He said the government had failed to implement the PSGA properly at ground-level. “Anarchy and corruption prevail in the system. The government staffers are least interested in doing public works timely,” he charged.



Jogi sniffs graft in paddy purchase, demands CBI probe


Raipur, October 29, 2012

Sniffing corruption in paddy procurement process senior Congress MLA Ajit Jogi has demanded CBI probe into the matter.

“Major scam will come to fore in paddy purchase and milling if inquired by an independent agency like CBI,” he said.

“The paddy stocks are being stolen after being procured. Large stocks of paddy are being sold to the middlemen on the ‘moistened paddy’. There is no synchronisation between the government and millers, hence paddy worth crores of rupees is stocked in open,” he alleged.

Pointing recent disclosure of 20000 quintal paddy being damaged by pests in state godown, he said it happened due to government’s negligent attitude.

He said the government should have taken effective measures to protect paddy from being damaged due to pests or rains.

He said the government should issue white paper into the matter and hand it over for investigation to CBI.


'Bhagwat’s remark improper'

Jogi has termed Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s remark on ‘financially-strong people’ as inappropriate. 

“Bhagwat sees corruption in elevation of people from ordinary to higher level in terms of finances. This is wrong notion and insult to the people who reached to such status with their hard work,” he said. 

Demanding apology from the RSS head pertaining to his remark, Jogi said the former would realise his mistake when he would do introspection.


Rise in dengue: YC gheraoes CMO



Raipur, October 29, 2012

The YC members on Monday gheraoed Chief Medical Officer (CMO) KR Sonwani and demanded to take effective measures to check rise in dengue in the capital city. In this connection, the YC members also submitted a memorandum to Sonwani.

“Dengue has spread rapidly in the state. About 250 persons were found suffering from dengue after their samples were tested positive. A couple have even died due to this disease, however the health department has not taken any proactive measure to curb it,” said the YC’s Raipur North general secretary Dilip Singh Chouhan.  

He warned the CMO of locking the health department offices and gheraoing Health minister Amar Agrawal if preventive measures for dengue would not be taken in next couple of days.

On the occasion, Chouhan was accompanied by Mohammad Azhar, Bablu Raza, Sheikh Shakeel, Preetam, Imran, Bhima, Ashish, Wasim Quasif, Rafeeque Goutiya, Chandrashekhar Tandon, etc.



Patel, Choubey to attend Congress rally at Delhi


Raipur, October 29, 2012

PCC president Nandkumar Patel, CLP leader Ravindra Choubey, MLAs, PCC office-bearers, senior leaders, DCC and BCC heads, office-bearers of state unit’s Mahila Congress, Youth congress, NSUI, cells and morchas will participate in the party’s national rally at Ramleela Maidan at New Delhi on November 4.


Manthan camp in Ahiwara today


Raipur, October 29, 2012

Congress will organise manthan programme, i.e. Vidhan Sabha level workers’ training camp in Ahiwara today. The camp will be held at Mangal Bhawan Bhilai-3. 

AICC general secretary and state Congress incharge BK Hariprasada, PCC president Nandkumar Patel, CLP leader Ravindra Choubey and other senior leaders will attend this camp. 

At 4 pm Hariprasada, Patel and Choubey will reach village Matwari (Bhilai) where they will participate in kisan goshthi (farmers’ symposium) to be organised by the party on the occasion of fifth death anniversary of Vasudev Chandrakar.


Saturday, October 27, 2012

Naya Raipur affected farmers to get added rehab package


Raipur, October 27, 2012

Chief Minister Raman Singh has announced additional rehabilitation package for affected farmers of Naya Raipur project. His announcement came during his interaction with the farmers, panchs and sarpanchs of Naya Raipur project area at his residence on Saturday.

Now the farmers, whose lands have been acquired by the government to develop Naya Raipur, will get Rs 15000 per acre every year for 13 years, i.e. from 2012-13 to 2025-26.

Besides, there will be hike of Rs 750 every year. The government will also give one-time rehabilitation package at the rate of Rs 2.50 lakh per hectare to the farmers as was decided earlier during the meeting of its representatives with farmers in 2010-11.

The CM further announced that families of affected villages from the Naya Raipur project will get lease of 1200 sq ft land. The lease will be given after conduction of survey in affected villages.

In addition, 75% percent of the shops being constructed in the villages coming under Naya Raipur project area would be kept reserved for the affected villagers. These shops will be provided to the villagers construction cost.

The meeting at CM house was attended by Housing and Environment Minister Rajesh Munat, Women and Child Development Minister Lata Usendi, MLA Rudra Kumar Guru, Naya Raipur Development Authority (NRDA) chairman N Baijendra Kumar, NRDA CEO SS Bajaj, Raipur Collector Siddharth Komal Pardeshi and Raipur SSP Dipanshu Kaabra.

Govt responsible for rising suicide cases: Congress


Raipur, October 27, 2012

Congress on Saturday held the government responsible rising suicidal cases in the state. “People including government staff are committing suicide because the ruling party has failed to give good governance in the state. People are also frustrated of corruption prevailed in system. Therefore, the officials like Narayanpur Additional Collector H Kujur are left with no alternative other than ending one’s life,” said senior Congress leader Satyanarayan Sharma, party general secretary Bhupesh Baghel and chief PCC spokesperson Shailesh Nitin Trivedi.

They informed that yet another farmer – Budhelal Gond from village Mahuda (Gunderdehi) killed himself on October 25 night when he failed to clear his debts.

“Gond’s body was recovered from his agricultural field on October 26. He had taken loan to construct house and for his son’s marriage. However, when he failed to clear the loan amount, he decided to end his life,” they said.

Citing figures of National crime Records Bureau (NCRB) that said over 12000 people (including 7774 farmers) committed suicide in last three years, the Congmen indicated that majority left suicidal note holding the corrupt system or political pressure responsible for their self-killing step.

“The government was expected to take stern action followed by inquiry against the guilty people whose names were mentioned in suicide note, but regrettably it tried to save the wrongdoers,” they said.



Cong preps up for Oct 31 dharna against govt


Raipur, October 27, 2012

Congress is preparing up for its October 31 dharna against government in all 199 blocks. In this connection, DCC Raipur Urban president Inderchand Dhariwal convened a meeting of office-bearers and BCC presidents at Congress Bhawan on Saturday.

Dhariwal asked the BCC president to muster massive crowd during dharna programme that will be staged from 11 am to 2 pm in every block followed by submission of memorandum to local government authorities.

“We will raise all the burning issues including hiked power tariff, black marketing of fertilisers, handing over of Bhatgaon-II and Bhatgaon-II extension coal blocks to Sancheti brothers for commercial mining and exploration, pending payment of Rs 270 paddy bonus to the farmers, etc during dharna,” informed DCC Raipur Urban member Kalpana Patel.

Dhariwal further discussed over Congress membership campaign and urged the office-bearers to increase party domain by adding new faces.


Cong SC cell meeting held


Raipur, October 27, 2012

The first meeting of Congress SC cell held at Congress Bhawan on October 26. The state president of the cell Ramlal Bhardwaj exhorted the office-bearers to consolidate Congress to dethrone ruling BJP in next assembly elections.

The cell criticised the government for reducing the SC reservation quota and decided to demonstrate against it in Bilaspur and Raipur on November 27 and December 16 respectively.

The cell further decided to take out Satnam sandesh yatra to mark birth anniversary of Guru Ghasidas from December 18-31. “The objective of the yatra will be to propagate message of humanity given by Guru Ghasidas,” said Bhardwaj.

The cell also passed a resolution to pay tribute to Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar on the occasion of his birth anniversary by organising representatives meet in every district on April 14.

Bhardwaj urged the office-bearers to expedite Congress membership campaign in their respective areas.

On the occasion were present Balaram Sonwani, Neelkanth Gaikwad, Narayan Prasad Kurre, Bhojraj Gourkhede, Narendra Singh Chelak, Dr CR Manhare, Pannalal Gaikwad, Hardev Kumar Tandon, Raju Chouhan, Chandraparakash Baghe, Kamlesh Gendre, Oni Mahilang, Agamdas Anant, Kamlesh Garg, Dharamdas Kurre, etc.



Hariprasada arriving today


Raipur, October 27, 2012

AICC general secretary and state Congress incharge BK Hariprasada will arrive in the state capital on Sunday evening through regular flight from New Delhi

In next two days he will take part in party’s manthan programmes, i.e. Vidhan Sabha level workers’ training camps at Bilha and Ahiwara. 

According to information, he will hold talks with PCC president Nandkumar Patel, CLP leader Ravindra Choubey and other senior leaders pertaining to party activities on Sunday night. He will return to New Delhi on October 31 morning.


Friday, October 26, 2012

BJP politicising Rajyotsav by inviting Gadkari: Cong


Raipur, October 26, 2012

Caustically reacting over BJP’s defensive remarks in favour of its national president Nitin Gadkari, Congress on Friday clarified that principal opposition of the state had actually decided to boycott tainted chief of the saffron party, not Rajyotsav 2012.

“It is the BJP which is politicising Rajyotsav by inviting Gadkari, not Congress. We certainly do not look the state establishment day with political specs,” said PCC spokesperson Mahendra Chhabda.

“We maintain our charges against Gadkari. There are corruption charges against him. Still, the state government has invited him to inaugurate Rajyotsav 2012. Neither the Congress, nor the people of Chhattisgarh approve the government’s decision. The ruling party is staking its reputation over the lost man,” he added.

Notably the BJP, on October 25, had termed the Congress decision of boycotting Rajyotsav as ridiculous. The BJP’s state general secretaries Shivratan Sharma and Bhupendra Savanni had jointly said that Gadkari could not be compared with corrupt leaders of Congress.


Jogi asks Gadkari to consider Jethmalani’s advice


Raipur, October 26, 2012

Senior Congress MLA Ajit Jogi on Friday said BJP president Nitin Gadkari must seriously consider his party MP and senior leader Ram Jethmalani’s advice and should step down immediately.

“Jethmalani, as a lawyer, knows beleaguered Gadkari can neither gainsay nor resist the allegations against him. In fact, the BJP chief too has not yet come up with strong rebuttal, an evident indicator of his deep involvement in corruption,” Jogi said.

“It is really surprising how Gadkari is speaking of curbing corruption in BJP-ruled states when he himself is tainted,” he added.

Cong manthan camps on Oct 29, 30


Dharna in 199 blocks on Oct 31

Raipur, October 26, 2012

Ahead of Rajyotsav 2012, Congress will organise three events to target ruling BJP. The principal opposition will organise Vidhan Sabha level workers’ training camps – manthan in Bilha and Ahiwara on October 29 and 30 and then stage dharna simultaneously in all 199 blocks on October 31.

The party’s chief spokesperson Shailesh Nitin Trivedi informed that both the manthan camps would be participated by AICC general secretary and state Congress incharge BK Hariprasada, AICC secretary Bhakt Charandas, Union Minister of State Charandas Mahant, PCC president Nandkumar Patel, CLP leader Ravindra Choubey and other senior leaders.

The state unit will concentrate in imparting training about the party’s policies and principles to its selected booth-level workers in manthan camps. Moreover, the party top brasses will exhort the participants to prepare for assembly and general elections to be held in 2013 and 2014.

On October 31, the party will mark former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s death anniversary by staging dharna against BJP government in all of its 199 blocks on issues like hiked power tariff, paddy bonus, etc.

The dharna programme will be held from 11 am to 2 pm and thereafter the BCC heads along with party workers would submit memorandums to local government authorities.

The party will then organise gherao programmes in every tehsil in November and December. Trivedi informed that the party aims to organise at least 2-3 tehsil-gherao programmes in each Lok Sabha constituency every week.

“For this, the state unit chief has asked all the Lok Sabha incharges to hold meetings of DCC and BCC heads of their assigned constituencies, fix dates of gherao programmes and submit the proposed list to PCC quickly,” said Trivedi.

During gherao programmes, the party will raise the issues like inordinate power bills, black marketing of fertilisers, handing over of Bhatgaon-II and Bhatgaon-II extension coal blocks to Sancheti brothers for commercial mining and exploration, Rs 270 paddy bonus, etc.

The highlight of the tehsil-gherao programmes will be participation of senior party leaders. Trivedi informed that AICC treasurer Motilal Vora, Rajya Sabha member Mohsina Kidwai, Union Minister of State Charandas Mahant, Vidya Charan Shukla, Ajit Jogi, PCC president Nandkumar Patel, CLP leader Ravindra Choubey and other senior leaders will frequently attend the gherao programmes.



BJP effaces basic concept of Naya Raipur: Bissa


Raipur, October 26, 2012

Congress spokesperson Rajesh Bissa has alleged that BJP government had effaced the basic concept of developing Naya Raipur by raising the land prices to such an extent that middle-class people could not even dream of owning a house in the fourth planned city of the country.

“When Chhattisgarh became state, the then Congress government had decided to reduce population density of Raipur city by developing Naya Raipur. But when the BJP came into power, it increased the land prices in Naya Raipur despite acquiring the lands at low rates,” he said.

“The rate of residential plots in Naya Raipur hovers around Rs 900 per square foot. Certainly, a common man cannot afford such a whopping land rate,” he indicated.

He also sniffed corruption in proposed golf course at Naya Raipur for which the government had not only reserved large tract of land but also formed joint venture with IL&FS. “I fetched informed regarding golf course at Naya Raipur. But surely there is no need to waste such an expensive land for a game which is not played in the state,” he said.

“The Raipurians are also unable to figure out the benefits and loss of shifting of Mantralaya and organisation of Rajyotsav 2012 at Naya Raipur,” he said.
He urged the government to take appropriate steps to safeguard interests of Raipurians.


Factory mishap: INTUC submits memo to HM

Raipur, October 26, 2012

State INTUC on Friday submitted memorandum to Home Minister Nankiram Kanwar pertaining to recent mishap in Urla-based Pragati Ingot and Power. 

“In memorandum, we have demanded FIR against the factory owner and management into the matter. 

The HM has assured us of taking stern action against the guilty persons,” informed state INTUC general secretary Bhawani Markam and secretary Prabhat Kaushik later. 

The duo reiterated the demand of adequate compensation package for the family members of the deceased and injured labourers. 

“We warn the factory management again to release compensation of Rs 25 lakh each to the families of deceased labourers and Rs 20 lakh each to families of injured ones or else face our aggressive agitation,” they said.


Factory mishap: INTUC for quick compensation


Raipur, October 25, 2012

INTUC has asked Urla-based Pragati Ingot and Power to instantly announce compensation for the families of labourers some of whom died and rest got severely injured in the mishap in the factory recently.

“The factory management should give Rs 25 lakh each to the families of deceased labourers and Rs 20 lakh each to families of injured ones,” demanded state INTUC president Rajjan Akil Khan and secretary Prabhat Kaushik on Thursday.

Holding the factory management responsible for the incident, the duo said if the compensation package would not be released quickly the INTUC would launch aggressive agitation against it.

“We will submit a memorandum to Home Minister Nankiram Kanwar and Labour Commissioner in next coming days,” they said.




Govt’s labour policy ineffective: Jogi


Raipur, October 25, 2012

Expressing his annoyance over recent rolling mill mishap in Urla industrial area, senior Congress MLA Ajit Jogi on Thursday held government responsible for labourers’ woes in state. “It is the government’s ineffective labour policy that leads to situations like Urla mishap again and again,” he said.

“The government should have taken lesson from BALCO chimney incident in which several labourers were died but such accidents continue to occur in industrial areas because of its fragile policy,” he added.

“The labourers are neither amply equipped with safety kits nor get adequate wage for survival. Unfortunately, the government did not take pain to address the miseries of labourers in its nine years of regime,” he said.

He demanded comprehensive compensation for the labourers who got burnt during rolling mill mishap and free-of-cost treatment for severely injured ones.

“If the government will not make adequate arrangement of security of labourers, the Congress will launch aggressive demonstration in their favour in coming days,” he cautioned.


“BJP will not make hat trick’

Jogi said the BJP would not make a hat trick in next assembly polls as people of Chhattisgarh were fed-up of its bad governance. 

“The BJP should stop daydreaming of buying voters who are intelligent enough to take a wise decision,” he said. 

He alleged that the BJP was deceiving people by claiming the Central schemes as its own.

Cong to boycott Rajyotsav inauguration by Gadkari
Raipur, Oct 25: Congress has decided to boycott inauguration of Rajyotsav 2012 as it would be done at the hands of BJP president Nitin Gadkari. “There is no question of Congress participating in the inaugural session of the state fest where Gadkari will be chief guest,” said PCC president Nandkumar Patel on Thursday.
“We cannot tolerate tainted Gadkari in the event which actually is related sentiments of people of Chhattisgarh,” Patel said.
However, he said, as President of India Pranab Mukherjee will attend concluding programme of Rajyotsav, the Congress members (who have received invitation) too would remain present during the event.
Patel said the government should have taken significant decisions regarding paddy procurement which is staring from November 1, but was busy in squandering huge bucks on the name of Rajyotsav.
He reiterated his party’s demand that the government should disclose total spendings in Rajyotsav 2012. 

YC organises bhandara


Raipur, October 25, 2012

YC organised massive bhandara on the occasion of immersion of idols of goddess Durga at Lakhe Nagar chowk on Thursday. 

“We will continue organising such programmes in coming years for devotees,” said the YC Raipur North general secretary Dilip Singh Chouhan. 

The YC members also prayed for the peace and prosperity of the state during bhandara. 

On the occasion, Chouhan was accompanied by Azhar Rahman, Bablu Raza, Imran, Preetam, Bhima, Ashish, Wasim Quasif, Rafeeque Goutiya, Chandrashekhar Tandon, Sushil Jangde, David Kurre, Satish Banjare, Mohan Bigane, etc.


Govt commercialising education: Jogi


Raipur, October 23, 2012

Senior Congress legislator Ajit Jogi on Tuesday said the ruling BJP, by handing over responsibility of carrying school studies in Bastar to private hands, had proved again that it is habituated of outsourcing government works. “The government is commercialising education in the state and we strongly condemn this move,” he said.

“Already the ruling BJP was deeply involved in grafts through its contractual system in Central and state government schemes and now it is turn of education where it is roping in private players. Certainly, this step would deprive the poor and tribals of education,” he added.

He said while the Centre had made provision of education mandatory in every state under its ambitious scheme – Rajiv Gandhi Shiksha Mission, the Chhattisgarh government is adopting the contractual route to provide education – of course an unwise decision.

“In the backdrop of heavily commercialised education provided by the untrammeled private institutions, the government is hiring private players for tribal region. This will surely give exceedingly free hand to the private hands and the government will never be able to control them thereafter,” he said.

“The ruling party should revoke the decision of giving reins of school education to private hands and rather appoint new teaching faculties in government schools quickly,” he demanded. 

Patel, Choubey greet people on Dussehra


Raipur, October 23, 2012

PCC Congress president Nandkumar Patel and CLP leader Ravindra Choubey greeted people of Chhattisgarh on the eve of Dussehra. 

They said the festival marks victory of good over evil. 

Commemorating victory of Lord Ram over Ravan, the duo hoped that Dussehra would bring message of end of injustice, tyranny, exploitation and corruption. 

“We also hope that truth, humanity, peace and prosperity will prevail in Chhattisgarh,” they said.



Cong condoles Rajnarayan Mishra’s death


Raipur, October 23, 2012

Congress on Tuesday condoled veteran journalist Rajnarayan Mishra’s death terming him an icon of fearless and independent journalism. 

PCC president Nandkumar Patel and CLP leader Ravindra Choubey said Mishra has set high standards in journalism and his contributions in the particular field would always be remembered. 

Senior Congress legislator Ajit Jogi termed Mishra’s demise as major loss. Besides being journalist, Mishra was an author, a litterateur too. His demise has created a big void in journalism and literature world,” he said.


Wednesday, October 24, 2012

धन का रोग परमात्मा से बड़ा

(प्रिय मित्रों, मेरा यह लेख आधुनिक युग के बकवाद की श्रेणी का गरिष्ठ प्रस्तुतिकरण है, उम्मीद है आप सब इस वार्तालाप मे उलझ कर रह जाएँगे... ..योगेश मिश्रा)


रमेश जी खानदानी भ्रष्टाचारी हैं। उनकी घ्राण शक्ति श्वानों जैसी है। इस शक्ति का उपयोग वे धन का स्त्रोत ढूँढने मे करते हैं। सरकारी मुलाज़िम हैं व उच्च पद पर आसीन। उनके आसपास केवल भ्रष्टाचारियों का ही जमावड़ा रहता है। ग़रीबों को वे हिकारत भरी नज़रों से देखते हैं। कहते हैं - ये ग़रीब इसलिए हैं क्योंकि ये कुछ करना नही चाहते, वरना हमारे देश मे तो सोना बरस रहा है, जो लूट सकते हैं वो लूट रहे हैं, ये लूट भी नही पा रहे, बड़े अभागे हैं। उनके विचार से लुटना मूर्खता है और लूटना समझदारी।

एक दिन सुबह सुबह मुझसे टकरा गए, बोले - यार, मन खट्टा हो जाता है तुमसे मिलकर। नीरस जिंदगी है तुम्हारी। दो-चार हज़ार रुपयों मे पूरा महीना निकाल लेते हो। फिर भी स्वयं को शान से लेखक, कवि और पत्रकार कहते हो। बातें बड़ी बड़ी, लेकिन जेबें फटी हुईं, बड़े क़लमकार बने फिरते हो। छोड़ो यह सब नौटंकीमेरे साथ जुड़ जाओ, मैं तुम्हारी जिंदगी बना दूँगा।

मैने कहा - रमेश जी, मैं ठीक हूँ, मुझे आज भी थाली मे रोटी ही पसंद है, धन चबाना और पचाना मेरे बस का रोग नही। रमेश जी बोले - अरे मूरख, आज धन कमा, कल तेरी आने वाली पीढ़ियाँ खाएँगी। मैने कहा - रमेश जी, आपमे और मुझमे केवल एक फ़र्क है - आप धन खोजते हैं, मैं ज्ञान।

उन्होने पूछा - क्या मतलबमैने कहा -  आपके हाथ-पैर कब्र मे लटक रहे हैं, यमराज आपके चक्कर काट रहा है, बीमारियों ने आपके शरीर को खोखला कर दिया है, डाक्टरों ने आपकी जीभ का स्वाद छीन लिया है, रुपये-पैसे हीरे-जवाहरात आपके पास भरे पड़े हैं, लेकिन खाते क्या हैं - खिचड़ी और लोगों से कहते हैं 'सादा जीवन उच्च विचार'। जब कोई आपसे धर्म की बात करता है तो चंदा के पचास रुपए देकर अपना पिंड छुड़ा लेते हैं। आपके अनुसार भगवान बुढ़ापे मे याद की जाने वाली चीज़ है। क्यों? जिसने जीवन दिया, उसे मृत्यु के समय याद करके उसपर उपकार करना चाहते हैं? भई वाह! आप धोखा भी दे रहे हैं तो स्वयं को?

रमेश जी ने कहा - बातों से पेट नही भरता दोस्त, ज़रूरत के समय केवल धन ही काम आता है। नाते-रिश्तेदार तुम्हारे खोखले समाज के पर्याय हैं। मानवता, प्रेम, विश्वास जैसी बातें भावनाओं के गहने बनकर रह गए हैं जो पल भर मे बह जाते हैं।

मैने कहा - रमेश जी, धन की महत्ता को मैं नकार नही सकता। परंतु जब तक इसका सदुपयोग नही होगा, यह केवल सांसारिक वासनाओं की तृप्ति का एक साधन मात्र कहलाएगा । धन आपके कृत्रिम जीवन को भव्य बना सकता है, परंतु आपकी आंतरिक चेतना को जगा नही सकता।

रमेश जी ने कहा - धनी दानी भी होते हैं, धर्मात्मा भी, यदि ऐसा ना होता तो देश के बड़े बड़े धर्मस्थल कभी के नष्ट हो चुके होते।

मैने कहा - वर्तमान काल मे धर्मस्थल व्यापार का केंद्र बनकर रह गए हैं। लोग परमात्मा को पदार्थ का लोभ देते हैं और लाभ-हानि मे अपना साझेदार बनाते हैं। तथाकथित धनी लोग जितना दान करते हैं उससे अधिक दिखावा। धर्म की आड़ मे आडंबर हो रहा है। आजकल के धर्मात्माओं का लक्ष्य परमात्मा को प्रसन्न करना नही अपितु आम जनता को अपने छल से अभिभूत करना है।

रमेश जी बोले - लेकिन धार्मिक व सामाजिक कार्य करने के उद्देश्य से स्थापित ट्रस्ट (न्यास) तो आम आदमी को लाभान्वित कर रहे हैं नामैने कहा - रमेश जी, लोगों का अब ट्रस्ट (न्यास) पर से भी ट्रस्ट (भरोसा) उठ गया है। दरअसल नेताओं व व्यापारियों के लिए ट्रस्ट वॉशिंग मशीन की तरह होता है, उसमे अपने काले धन डालो, थोड़ा धार्मिक-सामाजिक भावनाओं का पावडर छिड़को, धवल-उज्ज्वल धन बाहर आएगा। पहले साधारण पाप गंगा धोती थी, अब पाप हाइ-टेक हो गया, और गंगा की टेक्नालजी पुरानी।

उन्होने कहा - इतने बड़े दार्शनिक हो तो बाबा बन जाओ, कम-से-कम तुम्हारा आगे का जीवन सुखपूर्वक बीतेगा। बाबाओं का जमाना है, अब तो जवान बाबा ही ज़्यादा दिखते हैं, वृद्ध बाबा धूमिल होते जा रहे हैं।  तुम्हारी मूछों की लंबाई  भी पर्याप्त है, बस आवश्यकता है दाढ़ी की। फिर ऐसे ही बकबक करना और तुम्हारी दुकान चल पड़ेगी।

मैने कहा - यही तो मैं कह रहा हूँ, आपकी खोज केवल धन तक ही सीमित है।  मार्ग कोई भी हो - संसारिक या अध्यात्मिक, आप जैसे लोग धन की संभावना तलाश ही लेते हैं। साधु बनना आसान है, साधु का जीवन निर्वाह करना कठिन। भारतवर्ष मे सदियों से लोग अध्यात्मिक मार्ग अपनाने के लिए भौतिक जीवन को त्यागते रहे हैं, परंतु उनमें से अधिकांशतः अपने पीछे छूटे संसार को मुड़-मुड़ कर देखते रहे, पदार्थ का मोह छूट न पायाइसलिए वे कभी वैराग्य के परमानंद को अनुभूत नही कर पाए। आप मुझे ऐसे ही साधु बनने के लिए प्रेरित कर रहे हैं। यह संभव नही है। ना तो मैं साधु शब्द का अपमान कर सकता हूँ और ना ही आपकी भाँति भ्रष्टाचार से अर्जित धन का विषपान। रमेश जी, आपको धन का रोग लगा है। आपके लिए जीवन आय्याशी है, मृत्यु भय व परमात्मा गौण। आप वर्तमान के कर्मज्ञ भले  और  मैं कर्महीन।

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