Casual versus formal

October 01, 2014

Isn’t it preposterous that people are still evaluated by what they wear and not by the skills they possess under their belt? Recently, a teacher in Chhattisgarh became victim of bureaucratic hypocrisy and was insulted at a teachers’ felicitation ceremony. He was overtly rebuked by one babu for attending the function in casuals and was told that by doing so, he had rather insulted Governor who was the host.

The event was organised to felicitate 26 teachers including this victim, but ironically the top official, instead of praising his works which bagged him the honour, pulled him up for arriving in casuals.

Unfortunately, the official did not even realise what he did after he finished his utterances. There was no regret in his eyes after that episode. Instead, he looked around in arrogance as if he had done a great job for which his minister and seniors would appreciate him.

Now, should an official, who himself reached to such a position after clearing civil services exam, be stickler for clothing? Did he not learn in his training period to respect all, especially the ones hailing from humble background? The teacher, whom he insulted, hailed from a small village. Very rarely you will see villagers draped in formals, although exceptions are everywhere. Even many urbanites can’t make a difference between formal and casual.

And is it not enough that a teacher, living in a remote village, is revolutionising education sector through his dedicated efforts? Is it not possible that he might be one of those who believe in ‘simple living, high thinking’ mantra and is preaching the same to his students?

Even the highly erudite and successful lot across the globe has overcome this bourgeois mindset and preferred attending the so-called formal events in casuals. Nobody will forget Steve Jobs – the Apple Inc co-founder – who always wore a black mock turtleneck – in every event, let howsoever significant it might be.

The list of cult-breakers is long and Chhattisgarh’s babu too might be au fait with it, but he doesn’t want to be taught. 

Chhattisgarh is just 13-year-old State. Education sector is still growing here. Though there is no dearth of fund for this sector, the government has much to do in rural pockets. Still, a major challenge for it is to ensure availability of teachers in ill-facilitated schools located in distant areas, especially in Maoist-hit regions where none wants to go.

In these adverse conditions, if some teachers keep alive the government’s hope of taking light of education to every nook and corner of the State, then isn’t it a prime responsibility of the officials, who prefer sitting in their air conditioner rooms instead of trying to know the ground reality by visiting all such places, to stop imposing their whims on the humble gurus and ensure providing them with better education infrastructure?

Redefining acting in nudity

August 02, 2014

Aamir Khan's almost nude poster in his new flick PK is out. Why on earth he did this? He doesn't need to prove his acting skills. We know how serious actor he is and he does it in clothes very well.

Of course, the artists do explore art in nudity through their paintings and sculptors but in acting, it is needless. I've heard directors saying they showed their female protagonists in bikinis because it was demand of the script.

Oh really, and who writes such scripts? The talented writers who think shedding clothes is acting?

I don't know why Aamir Khan want to do too much out of box when he can impress the audience by simple and classy flicks like Taare Zameen Par, 3 Idiots, etc. In fact, in his exaggerated experimentation, he did negative role in Dhoom 3 that was so unbecoming of him.

Yes! For an actor, box-office collection matters, but to prove one’s acting skills, it doesn’t. Rather, it is the powerful performance of actors and tireless efforts of others behind the camera that places the movie in classic category.

Perhaps, the definition of acting has changed nowadays. And I thought, real acting doesn't need sound, but just expressions. How wrong I was. Still, I see the essence and presence of Sanjeev Kumar, Kamal Hasan and the new bloke Ranbir Kapoor in their movies even when they didn’t utter any word.

I know Lunchbox happens, but not so often. The present-day actors are so unnatural that it would be injustice to them if I would start expecting Hindi cinema witnessing flawless performances again like Sanjeev Kumars, Amol Palekars, Smita Patils, Farooq Sheikhs and so on.

The criteria to become an actor have changed. Now, the male lead is asked to develop a six-pack body and female to have size zero. Nudity is art and who else than Sunny Leone can epitomize this. Dialogues will make you feel as if you are walking in one of the streets of your own city, because they contain the choicest of the abusive words which you never dare use in public or never wish to listen when with family.

Well done Aamir Khan for bidding adieu to acting so early and embracing the new cult.

स्पीडब्रेकर

July 20, 2014


रायपुर शहर के एक हिस्से की सड़कों पर बने स्पीडब्रेकरों को तोड़ा जा रहा है। कारण राष्ट्रपति प्रणब मुखर्जी का आगमन। सरकार कहती है राष्ट्रपति को झटका नही लगना चाहिए इसलिए स्पीडब्रेकर तोड़ना ज़रूरी है। भई वाह! पूरा जीवन उन्हीं स्पीडब्रेकरों पर आम जनता झटका खाती है तब तो सरकार कुछ नही करती। लेकिन कुछ लम्हों के लिए राष्ट्रपति क्या आ रहे हैं, पूरा नज़ारा बदल दिया जा रहा है, वो भी दिखावे के लिए।

खैर स्पीडब्रेकर बनाने का मुख्य प्रायोजन था सड़क हादसों मे कमी लाना परंतु जब तक राष्ट्रपति आकर चले नही जाते, स्पीडब्रेकर नही बनेंगे। अर्थात इस दरम्यान होने वाली सड़क दुर्घटनाओं से सरकार को कोई सरोकार नही होगा। राष्ट्रपति तो वैसे भी बड़े आदमी हैं। उनकी अपनी कार के नीचे कोई आ जाएगा तो भी उन्हें झटका नही लगेगा। इसलिए जिसे मरना है, वो मरे अपनी बला से।

अजीब हालात हैं। देश का करोड़ो रुपये फूँककर राष्ट्रपति केवल एक घंटे के लिए रविशंकर शुक्ला विश्वविद्यालय के दीक्षांत समारोह मे शामिल होने के लिए पधार रहे हैं। चूँकि उनके पास वक्त कम होगा इसलिए वे छात्रों को उपाधि भी नही बाटेंगे। अरे भाई, वे इतने व्यस्त हैं तो उन्हें बुलाया क्यों? उनके आने से किसी को क्या हासिल होगा? उनकी ऐसी कोई छवि अथवा प्रतिभा भी नही है जो छात्र उन्हें देखने के लिए लालायित हो उठें और अपने जीवन मे कोई भारी बदलाव ले आएँ। फायदा कुछ होना नही है, बल्कि हानि ही हानि है। उनके आने का मतलब सड़कें जाम, कुछ लोगों की सड़क हादसों मे मौत और सरकारी ख़ज़ाने की बर्बादी।

अब जब देश मे बदलाव की बात उठ ही गई है तो लगे हाथ कुछ घटिया परंपराओं को भी बदलने की प्रक्रिया प्रारंभ होनी चाहिए। इसलिए सबसे पहले संवैधानिक पद पर बैठे हुए व्यक्तियों और सतासीन नेताओं को किसी भी कार्यक्रम का मुख्य अतिथि बनाने की प्रथा ख़त्म होनी चाहिए। जनहित मे यदि राष्ट्रपति, राज्यपाल अथवा सत्ताधारी नेता कुछ करते हैं तो यह उनका दायित्व है, देश पर अहसान नही।

इनसे वह सारी सुविधाएँ भी छीन लेनी चाहिए जो उन्हें जनता से दूर करती है। यदि ये जनता की सेवा के लिए इतना लालायित हैं तो अपने खर्चे स्वयं वहन करें, देश के ख़ज़ाने के दम पर अययाशी करना बंद करें।

दरअसल जनता सड़कों पर बने स्पीडब्रेकरों के झटके तो बर्दाश्त कर लेती है, लेकिन जब उसे अपने द्वारा चुने हुए लोगों से मिलने के लिए राजनैतिक व प्रशासनिक स्पीडब्रेकरों पर से गुज़रना पड़ता है तब वह टूट जाती है और बिना अपनी बात कहे दम तोड़ देती है..

Sonia Gandhi's desperation

July 07, 2014

Congress is considering going to court if it won't get post of leader of opposition in Lok Sabha. Ohhh!! Look who is wriggling. Is it Sonia Gandhi? Boy!! She should be. In Congress, she got everything despite ineligibility. And call it her innocence (??) or ignorance that she thought she would get same treatment everywhere in the country. 

Perhaps, this is the reason why she wants to become leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, although her party falls short of the 10 percent mark, which means it should have at least 55 members in the 545-member House to get status of principal opposition.

Why so nervousness Sonia? Are you ashamed of sitting in the parliament as an ordinary MP? Why do you always seek special treatment? Let, you son and daughter keep on shouting that Nehru-Gandhi family had done this and that for the country, but what about you three and of course the fourth too – the Damaad babu (son-in-law)?

And please don’t tell me that you had twice sacrificed PM post. See, even if you won’t be the leader of opposition, you and your family, despite being unworthy, will continue enjoying all that government facilities free-of-cost.

And mind you – from z plus security to plush bungalows to all other small and big provisions the government of India is making for you and your family are possible because of us as we are sacrificing our money on your luxury. Oh my!! Even Tatas, Birlas and Ambanis can’t imagine such lifestyle what you lead.

More significantly, you are the owner of the Congress Incorporation that has produced top class politicos for the country but none survived without the mercy of Nehru-Gandhi family.

What else do you want? Instead of thinking about power and post, just think how you will consolidate your party from grassroot-level again. Also think about future of your son. Ask him to learn the art of politics as a worker, not as a prince. Oh Sonia!! Why don’t you grab the opportunity of being powerless to become powerful?

Mamta's double standards

July 01, 2014

How come TMC MP Tapas Pal overtly spews venom and even goes on to ask his supporters to rape CPI(M) female workers and Mamta can't see anything wrong in it? 

Is she not the same Mamta who puts the common people behind the bars if they try to use their freedom of expression and portray her real face through words or caricature? 

And is she not the same Mamta who dubs Narendra Modi as a mass murderer and modern-day Hitler?

Why this double standard Mamta? Aren't you a classic example of opportunist who speaks in favour people when in opposition and shows them doors when in power?

And who is this Derek O'Brien? Does he thinks that merely by giving assurance of taking action against Tapas Pal is enough to close the matter? Dear Brien, this is not a quiz time. Or you have learnt the art of sycophancy under Mamta dictatorship?

Mamta, it is high time to act. Once you seemed reflecting women power but now you don't. Or else, why are you silent? Show some sensitivity towards this matter and just throw Tapal Pal before the females in Kolkata and see what their feelings are against him as well as against you.

Good days, bad days

June 22, 2014 

This is an irony that critics expect good days to come in just one month when Congress couldn't even bring average days for the countrymen in 60 years. 

Just wait and watch. Don't jump to conclusion at premature stage. The Big Political show will run for full five years. 

There will be many more occasions to criticise Narendra Modi-government. When Rahul Gandhi can N number of chances despite ineligibility, why can't Modi get one chance on the basis of his proven track record? 

Isn't it true that the political parties are creating so much hue and cry because they know their bad days are ahead, but not of common man's??

Why fuss over Hindi ??

June 17, 2014

Isn't it strange that our national language Hindi is struggling to make its presence felt in its own country? Boy!! Why on earth we politicize everything? If you want to speak in any specific language, just speak. Who is stopping you? Why to create fuss over trivial matters? If despite being an Indian, you hate Hindi, keep hating. Who cares? 

Hindi carries significance in India because everybody understands it, though some pretend that they don't. Contrarily, English still draws blank eyes in rural India. Now, this doesn't mean, one should stop talking in English.

Do it whatever you want. Enjoy the democracy India offers as this facility is not available anywhere in the world, even in the so-called BIG democracy like Uncle Sam - the USA. In India, a section of people overtly abuses Hindi-speaking people, but nobody reacts. What else do you want? Keep ranting in your language..

Umar Abdulla's big talks

June 17, 2014

Will someone gag Jammu and Kashmir CM Umar Abdulla for "overusing" the freedom of speech - a right which he is not at all entitled to avail unless he agrees to scrap Article 370? 

Dear Umar Abdulla, don't test tolerance level of the common Indians. Kashmir has always been intact part of India and will remain in the future too. Nobody has the gut to stop us in scrapping Article 370 - it is only a matter of time and we know to what extent we have to wait. Moreover, stop adopting appeasing policy for Pakistanis and separatist leaders of J&K.

We all know your sole agenda is to rule the valley, not to provide actual benefits to "real" Kashmiris which is only possible when Artcile 370 will cease to exist. So don't be a hypocrite and do what we want you to as you are not a king but a servant appointed merely to take care of the valley, not to claim it as your father's property.

End to attestation

June 14, 2014 

Isn't it a good initiative that Narendra Modi government has decided to stop the idiotic tradition of getting documents attested by the gazetted officers? Boy, we all know how we feel when we have to go to any gazetted official and seek his/her signature on our hard-earned documents either to apply for any government job or appear in any exam. To hell with all these idiocies and let us set our own cult instead of following coward Brits..

प्रियंका की कसमसाहट

Yogesh Mishra

April 28, 2014

प्रियंका गाँधी (वाड्रा) की नाराज़गी आजकल चर्चा-ए-आम है। नाराज़गी जायज़ है। आख़िर दाँव पर पति राबर्ट वाड्रा की खोखली प्रतिष्ठा जो है। वाड्रा को देश का सबसे ईमानदार व्यावसायी का प्रमाणपत्र देने के लिए पहले कांग्रेस के तथाकथित बड़े नेता आगे आए, परंतु कुछ ना हुआ। फिर माँ सोनिया गाँधी और भाई राहुल गाँधी ने एड़ी-चोटी का ज़ोर लगाया, नतीजा सिफ़र रहा। अन्ततः प्रियंका को पति के बचाव के लिए राजनैतिक अखाड़े मे कूदना पड़ा।

प्रियंका कहती हैं कि उनके परिवार ने देश के बहुत कुछ किया, यहाँ तक कि कुर्बानी भी दी। कैसी कुर्बानी? और किसने दी? जहाँ तक इंदिरा और राजीव गाँधी का सवाल है, दोनों ने देश की खातिर जान नही दी बल्कि उनकी हत्या हुई। इंदिरा ने पहले भिंडरावाले जैसे आतंकवादियों को बढ़ावा दिया और फिर उसकी महत्वाकांक्षाओं का शिकार बनीं।

राजीव ने श्रीलंका के आंतरिक मामलों मे पड़ते हुए वहाँ पनपते लिट्टे को समाप्त करने के लिए ज़बरदस्ती शांति सेना भेजी और उनकी कूटनीतिक चूक का ख़ामियाजा ना केवल उन्हें वरन पूरे देश को भुगतना पड़ा। शांति सेना लिट्टे का कुछ भी बिगाड़ नही पाई, हाँ, इस आपरेशन मे सैकड़ों जवानों शहीद ज़रूर हो गए। अन्ततः भारत ने शांति सेना को वापस बुला लिया। पूरी दुनिया मे भारत का मज़ाक बन गया था। एक दिन लिट्टे ने राजीव से अपना हिसाब चुकता कर लिया। आज श्रीलंका भारत की अपेक्षा चीन से अधिक नज़दीक है और और गाहे-बगाहे हमें आँखें तरेरती रहती है। प्रियंका इस सत्य से भली-भाँति वाकिफ़ हैं परंतु इसे स्वीकारने की उनकी हिम्मत नही है।

रही बात देश के लिए कुछ करने की, तो नेहरू-गाँधी के प्रधानमंत्रित्व काल मे देश को क्या मिला? जितने वर्ष उन्होने इस देश मे राज किया उतना वक्त किसी और को मिला होता तो भारतवर्ष का कायाकल्प हो जाता। और यदि नेहरू-गाँधी परिवार ने कुछ अच्छा किया भी तो उसे गिनाने की क्या ज़रूरत है, क्या भारत उसका कर्ज़दार था? अजीब बात है, पहले स्वयं को सेवक निरूपित करते हैं और फिर अहसान गिनाते हैं! अलबत्ता जब तक यह परिवार गद्दी पर रहा, इसने सैकड़ों न्यास (ट्रस्ट) खड़ा कर यह सुनिश्चित कर लिया कि प्रियंका और राहुल की आने वाली कई पुश्तें सात सितारा जिंदगी जी सके।

नेहरू-गाँधी के अलावा देश मे जितने भी प्रधानमंत्री हुए, उनके परिवार को तो कोई नही जानता। यहाँ तक कि लोग यह भी भूल जाएँगे कि मनमोहन सिंह भी कभी प्रधानमंत्री थे। क्यों? क्योंकि किसी ने अपने परिवार के लिए पैसा कमाने वाले न्यासों (ट्रस्ट) की स्थापना नही की। अगर सभी नेहरू-गाँधी की तरह होते तो भारत मे प्रियंका और राहुल की फौज खड़ी हो जाती और लोगों की जिंदगी बदतर।
प्रियंका को देश सेवा मे इतनी ही रूचि है तो पहले उन्हें त्याग का मर्म समझना पड़ेगा। बिना किसी पद के, ना केवल सोनिया व राहुल, बल्कि प्रियंका, उनके पति और बच्चे वर्षों से सरकारी सुविधाओं का अन्धाधुन्ध इस्तेमाल कर रहे हैं। यह ऐशो-आराम छोड़ना होगा। महज दो-तीन लाख रुपए मे प्रारंभ किए गए कारोबार को पाँच वर्षों मे 325 करोड़ रुपए के साम्राज्य मे तब्दील करने वाले वाड्रा से प्रियंका को ईमानदार के इस शॉर्टकट का राज पूछना होगा ताकि अन्य देशवासियों का भला हो सके। यदि वाड्रा वाकई बेईमान हैं तो प्रियंका को पहल करते हुए अपने पति के खिलाफ पुलिस मे शिकायत कर देना चाहिए।

केवल पाँच साल मे चंद दिन ही साड़ी लपेटकर गिने-चुने लोगों से पड़ोसियों की तरह वार्तालाप करने से कुछ हासिल नही होगा। दम है तो मैदान मे आना चाहिए। प्रियंका यदि इस मुगालते मे हैं लोगों को (या शायद केवल कांग्रेसियों को) उनमे इंदिरा की झलक दिखती है तो उन्हें यह समझना होगा कि वर्तमान मे भारत की जनता तरक्की से कम कुछ नही चाहती - लोक-लुभावन बातों का समय लद गया, जल्द ही राजनीति मे परिवारवाद का भी यही हश्र होगा। बिना प्रतिभा के कोई नही टिकता, बाप-दादा की कमाई कब तक काम आएगी..

ये मुसलमानों के ख़ैरख़्वाह..

Yogesh Mishra

April 24, 2014

आज़म ख़ान जैसे लोग जब भारतीय सेना को धर्म के नाम पर बाँटने की कोशिश करते हैं तब समझ मे आता है कि नेता सांप्रदायिकता का जहर किस हद तक फैलाने की काबिलियत रखते हैं। आज़म ख़ान के एक बयान से सेना को तो कोई फ़र्क नही पड़ा लेकिन आम मुसलमान, जिसकी जिंदगी मदरसों और मस्जिदों के इर्द-गिर्द घूमकर ख़त्म हो जाती है, अवश्य प्रभावित हुआ।

और यह अक्सर होता रहा है। आज़म ख़ान जैसे सत्तालोलुप लोग दशकों से अपने ओहदे, साख और पहुँच के माध्यम से मुसलमानों को भ्रमित करते आए हैं। आश्चर्य है कि सुधारवादी मुसलमानों का एक बड़ा वर्ग भी इन कट्टरपंथियों के प्रभाव को कम करने मे असफल रहा है।

दरअसल आज़म ख़ान से सौहार्दपूर्ण बातों की अपेक्षा बेमानी है क्योंकि उनकी ओछी राजनीति को मजबूती प्रदान कर रहे हैं उनके अपने नेता मुलायम सिंह। यही कार्य लालू प्रसाद, नीतीश कुमार और कांग्रेसी कर रहे हैं। भाजपा अब तब इस खेल से अछूती रही है क्योंकि देश का मुसलमान उसपर भरोसा नही जता पाया है।

भारतवर्ष मे केवल हिंदुओं को बहुसंख्यक माना गया है तथा अन्य धर्मों को अल्पसंख्यक का दर्जा दिया गया है। अल्पसंख्यकों मे भी मुसलमानों की संख्या सबसे अधिक है। शायद हिंदुओं के बाद देश मे सबसे अधिक मुसलमान ही हैं।

परंतु आश्चर्य की बात है कि असुरक्षा की भावना सबसे अधिक मुसलमानों मे ही है जबकि अन्य अल्पसंख्यक धर्म शायद ही असुरक्षा का राग अलापते हैं। कारण साफ है - अलगाववाद व कट्टरवाद की राजनीति करने वाले हमेशा से मुसलमानों को सुरक्षा के नाम पर डराते रहे हैं। ये वही ज़हरीले लोग हैं जिनका स्वयं का धर्म है, ना ईमान। इन्हीं लोगों ने मुसलमानों को धर्म व अज्ञानता के ऐसे दायरे मे बाँध रखा है जिसे लाँघने वाले को काफ़िर का दर्जा दे दिया जाता है।

ऐसे लोग सभी राजनैतिक दलों मे पाए जाते हैं। इनका ध्येय मुसलमानों का विकास नही, शोषण है। वरना क्या कारण है कि मुसलमान, अनुसूचित जाति अथवा जनजाति वर्ग के लोगों की अपेक्षा कहीं ज़्यादा उन्नत होते हुए भी, या तो विश्वनाथप्रताप सिंह और मुलायम सिंह यादव जैसे लोगों के लिए आरक्षण का मुद्दा बनकर रह जाता है अथवा कांग्रेस के लिए सुरक्षित वोट-बैंक।

दरअसल ध्रुवीकरण की राजनीति करने वाले देश को तब तक खोखला करते रहेंगे जब तक मुसलमान स्वयं को अल्पसंख्यक मानते रहेंगे। जहाँ तथाकथित अल्पसंख्यकों और बहुसंख्यकों के बीच की खाई पटी, अनेक राजनैतिक दलों को अपना बोरिया-बिस्तर बांधना पढ़ेगा क्योंकि उनके पास कोई मुद्दा ही नही बचेगा अपना अस्तित्व बचाए रखने के लिए।  

राजमोहन की इच्छा

February 22, 2014

महात्मा गाँधी के पोते राजमोहन गाँधी ने आम आदमी पार्टी (आप) मे शामिल होते ही कहा कि वे चाहते हैं कि लोग उन्हें राजमोहन के नाम से जानें। कमाल करते हैं राजमोहन जी आप भी! जब इतने बरस गाँधी का लेबल लगाकर घूमने पर भी लोग  आपको जान नही पाए तो केवल राजमोहन के नाम से कैसे जानेंगे?

और आपने अपनी जिंदगी मे ऐसा कौन सा तीर मार लिया कि लोग आपके नाम को इतनी तवज्जो देना शुरू कर दें? आपको यह जानकार बहुत दुख होगा कि यदि आप गाँधी के पोते नही होते तो अरविंद केजरीवाल नही बल्कि आम आदमी पार्टी का कोई कार्यकर्ता आपको सड़क किनारे काउंटर पर सदस्यता फार्म भरवा रहा होता।

आपको तो अपने दादाजी का धन्यवाद करना चाहिए क्योंकि उन्हीं की वजह से राजनीति मे आपका पदार्पण हुआ है।

वाह रे पोते, जिस दादा ने भारत को एक आम आदमी के हैसियत से देखा उसे अब तू आम आदमी पार्टी के चश्मे से देखेगा।

किसने कहा नाम कमाने के लिए राजनीति ज़रूरी है? कुछ और करते। बहुत से लोग कर ही रहे हैं। भई हद है अवसरवादिता की। चलो ठीक है, अब बुढ़ापे मे राजनीति का चस्का लगा है तो उसके साइड अफेक्ट्स झेलने के लिए भी तैयार रहो..

Cong enforces economic blockade

Raipur, January 31

Demanding Rs 2100 support price and Rs 300 bonus on paddy per quintal and fifty percent cut on domestic power tariff rates, opposition Congress enforced seven-hour economic blockade in Chhattisgarh from 10 am to 5 pm on Friday.

During blockade, the Congress workers virtually paralysed road transportation by sealing the borders of State and all the cities. While PCC president Bhupesh Baghel and CLP leader TS Singhdeo participated in the event at Raipur, all the party MLAs and senior leaders took position in different districts to exhort the workers.

According to information, the impact of economic blockade was mainly seen in Raipur, Durg, Bilaspur, Korba, Jagdalpur, Dantewada and Ambikapur as traffic movement in the national and State highways passing through these cities remained disrupted for several hours.

During blockade, the Congress activists clashed with police in some parts of the State when the latter tried to arrest them to ease the traffic pressure. All the arrested activists were later released in the evening.  

Meira Kumar, Jaitely to train new MLAs

Raipur, January 31

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitely, deputy leader of opposition in RS Ravi Shankar Prasad and a couple of other senior leaders from BJP and Congress will impart training to newly elected MLAs on the functioning of the legislature at Vidhan Sabha in Chhattisgarh on Saturday and Sunday (February 1 and 2).

During the two-day training programme, the new MLAs will be trained on participation in debates and on process of framing laws. A total number of 52 MLAs will attend the training camp.

According to information, after inaugurating the training prorgamme on Saturday, LS Speaker Meira Kumar will address the MLAs in the first session. She will speak on all subjects of parliamentary affairs.

Kumar’s address will be followed by Jaitley’s interaction with the MLAs during which he will tell how to prepare on different subjects to participate in debates and raise issues of one’s constituency.

On Sunday, Prasad too will give tips to the MLAs on different topics to actively participate in House proceedings. Similarly, Madhya Pradesh legislative assembly Speaker Dr Seetasharan Sharma will talk on legal affairs while BJP MP Vikram Verma will shed light on private members’ resolutions and functioning of House committees.

Among the other speakers, former leader of opposition in State assembly and senior Congress leader Ravindra Choubey will talk on calling attention notices, agriculture and WRD minister Brijmohan Agrawal on Question Hour, former assembly Speaker Premprakash Pandey on budget and State assembly’s principal secretary Devendra Verma will tell about parliamentary privileges.

Terming the training programme essential, the assembly officials said the MLAs gain confidence through such platforms and they learn how to make optimum use of House proceedings by actively participating in all debates, raising local and State-level issues and exploring solutions.

The officials further said the experts also train the MLAs to efficiently discharge their responsibilities in the House by not disrupting the proceedings and coordinating with fellow and opposition members to transact maximum business for the benefit of common mass. “The House members are also expected to express their opinions on all aspects and not just remain silent spectator during proceedings,” they added.

RSS to overhaul Chhattisgarh BJP after polls

Raipur, January 30

Rashtriya swyamsewak Sangh (RSS) will overhaul BJP’s Chhattisgarh unit after general elections. Sangh had earlier hinted of commencing the job from January by making significant change in BJP’s State organisation, but it agreed to stall its programme after senior leaders including BJP chief Rajnath Singh and CM Raman Singh told it that such move might rattle the party cadres as they would not be able to adjust with the given situation quickly before polls.

Concerned over shrinking vote percent of BJP in Chhattisgarh and exasperated by flood of complaints against State BJP’s organisational general secretary Rampratap Singh, the RSS had recently decided to replace Singh with Vishnu Dutt Sharma, the regional organistional general secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

The Sangh’s sole objective of inducting new, but seasoned face in State organisation was to reconnect the saffron party with common man. Besides, the Sangh also wanted the BJP functionaries to act not on their whims, but according to saffron ideology. Indiscipline and polarisation in the party were other factors which Sangh thought to deal as quickly as possible.

However, the state unit thought it was not the right time to make any change in the organisational structure, especially in the upper slab. The party was also not ready to abruptly replace a tribal face as it feared that the move would not only hurt the sentiments of tribals but also give opportunity to dissenting ST leaders to create factionalism.

Moreover, when the RSS also rejected CM Raman Singh’s proposal to send Rampratap Singh to Rajya Sabha, the State leaders quickly came into action and talked to Sangh leaders in Nagpur by taking Rajnath Singh into confidence.

According to information, the Sangh has presently asked Vishnu Dutt Sharma to consolidate BJP in Jharkhand. Sharma will not only coordinate with the BJP as a Sangh representative, but also help the party in increasing its vote share by working at grassroot level. He will come to Chhattisgarh after LS polls.

Rahul blows poll bugle in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, January 29

After interacting with elected party functionaries in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi blew poll bugle in Chhattisgarh by exhorting party cadres to post victory in all 11 seats of State at Raipur on Wednesday. During his three hour stint in State capital, Gandhi, spearhead of the Congress campaign, not only held close-door talks with party’s elected public representatives and office-bearers at State, district, block and panchayat levels but also addressed workers at Budhapara-based indoor stadium.

In his address, referring to the party’s drubbing in State in recent assembly polls, he said the workers should not feel dispirited as they did well and posed tough challenge to BJP. “We lost, but we fought well. Now, there is more challenging task ahead – the general elections and we have capability to win cent percent seats. We will have to ensure that BJP may not get even single seat this time,” he added.

He said no political party, not even BJP, had gut to wipe out Congress and the one who tried to do so exist no more at present.

Terming MNREGA, RTI, RTE, food security act, Aadhar card, etc as major weapons of Congress-led UPA government to relate to people, he said it was responsibility of the workers to extensively propagate such provisions in rural and urban areas.

He said the partymen should also take Congress ideology to each and every house so that people may know what the party gave to the country in past 60 years or so. He said he consider workers as most important people of the party, not senior leaders or ministers.

He promised that every worker would have his say and get a heedful ear in the party after Lok Sabha polls. He said he would make a sea change in the party after winning upcoming LS polls and ensure workers’ voice reach to high command.

Sharing his next five year mission, Gandhi said the party aimed to uplift lower middle class of the country. “There are about 70 crore people who belong to this section. These people are between poor and middle class. These people are carpenters, masons, taxi drivers, etc. While we will continue helping the poor, we will strengthen the lower middle class section and ensure their status upgrades to middle class,” he added.

During his interaction with selected party functionaries he sought their opinion on poll manifesto and suitable poll candidates from Chhattisagrh. 

Vora, Judeo set to be elected unopposed for RS

Raipur, January 28

Veteran Congress leader Motilal Vora and BJP leader Ranvijay Singh Judeo filled nomination papers for Rajya Sabha elections from Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. Considering strength of Congress and BJP members in State assembly, Vora and Judeo are likely to be elected unopposed.

Vora, an AICC treasurer and close to party’s first family, has filled nomination for third time in a row for the Upper House of the parliament.

Earlier, it was rumoured that the party was planning to send former Delhi CM Sheila Dixit to RS from Chhattisgarh as State congress had requested Vora to contest ensuing general elections from his home-place Durg constituency. The party vice president Rahul Gandhi too had no objection over Vora’s name for Lok Sabha polls, but the octogenarian leader rejected the offer due his poor health conditions.

In BJP, Judeo’s name was finalised in the last minute when the State unit cautioned the central leadership not to impose any outsider on Chhattisgarh for RS berth as any such move would create negative repercussions in LS polls. Earlier, BJP chief Rajnath Singh had hinted that he might give RS ticket either to party vice president SS Ahluwalia or some other party leader who does not belong to Chhattisgarh.

It is learnt that the party had first agreed over the name of State unit’s organisational general secretary Rampratap Singh but it changed its decision when it received negative feedback about him from Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS). Sources informed that CM Raman Singh tried to convince Sangh for Rampratap’s candidature, but failed to do so.

The State unit then proposed Judeo’s name. Judeo had earlier expressed desire to contest LS polls from Bilaspur, the constituency from where his uncle late Dilip Singh Judeo had won in 2009. The party, however, persuaded Judeo to have his say in the RS as it did not want to take risk by pitting the rookie Jashpur scion from Bilaspur – the constituency from where Congress is likely to pose tough challenge by fielding strong candidate.

Judeo is credited to have worked hard to uphold BJP’s reputation in tribal-populated Jashpur district after his uncle’s demise as he led the party to win all the three assembly seats in recent polls. More importantly, his poll management helped the party to dent Congress stronghold Paththalgaon from where veteran Congress leader Rampukar Singh had won past seven assembly polls. 

Cong teams to keep an eye on govt departments

Raipur, January 27

With an objective to mount pressure on BJP government in Chhattisgarh to adopt zero tolerance policy on grafts at practical footing, State Congress has indicated of constituting special teams to keep an eye on works of every department.

The party insiders say, PCC president Bhupesh Baghel, who is renowned for his aggression, does not want to spare the saffron government on graft issues. “He is seriously brooding to give nightmares to the government next five years by trapping it on corruption cases,” they added.

Senior Congress leaders do not want to reveal this plan, though they admit that the party was framing a long-term strategy to continuously attack ruling BJP in assembly and streets.

The picture, however, will become clear only after general elections as shape and size of monitoring teams will be finalised on the basis of the total number party MPs and MLAs who are likely to form the upper crust of such units.

Sources said each team would have members at State, district, block and village panchayat level. The job of members at different levels will be to fetch information about corruption and irregularities in works of their given departments. The party will use these data not only to assault the government, but also take grave matters pertaining to public interest to the court.  

 After winning State assembly polls for third time in a row, CM Raman Singh had instantly announced that his government would adopt zero tolerance policy on grafts. The Congress too promptly asked the CM to prove his seriousness by taking action on those scams and scandals it raised in last ten years.  

Later, when the government started a helpline number to lodge complaints against corruption in urban administration department, the Congress asked it to implement the system for all departments to ensure transparency in works.

The opposition has also objected over induction of panchayat and rural development minister Ajay Chandrakar in Raman Singh cabinet. Chandrakar is facing graft charges and a local court has recently issued probe orders against him. The party has also put this demand before Governor.

In the past, the anti-corruption drives of Congress could not pick pace due to indifference of it Central leaders. The party had also collected massive data pertaining to irregularities in MNREGA works in Bastar and Sarguja divisions and submitted to union panchayat and rural development minister Jairam Ramesh but nothing happened.

Chhattisgarh: Top IB official Anand Kumar will be new DGP

Raipur, January 25

Additional director of Intelligence Bureau Dr Anand Kumar, an IPS of 1981 batch from Madhya Pradesh cadre, will be new DGP of Chhattisgarh. He will succeed DGP Ramniwas who is scheduled to retire onJanuary 31. Meanwhile, a new row has triggered in the State over the government’s decision as the IPS lobby has reportedly expressed its displeasure over Kumar’s name terming him as an “outsider” and wants the government to follow the tradition by entrusting the post of top cop to next deserving candidate from the State itself.

By far, DG (Jail) Girdhari Nayak’s name was on top in race for DGP post. Nayak, an IPS of 1983 batch, has flawless career record and is said to be key strategist in dealing Maoism in State. However, the government ignored his candidature and preferred to go with Kumar whose intelligence background, it thought, would prove handy in intensifying counter-insurgency operations against extremists.

Surprised by announcement of Kumar’s name, the IPS lobby speculates that Nayak may go against the government’s decision by taking the matter to central administrative tribunal (CAT). In the past, the top cops in Maharashtra and Karnataka had challenged similar decisions of their respective state governments before CAT and got verdict in their favour.

The administrative experts too think that Kumar should not be considered for the top cop post as he belonged to other cadre and does not come under provisions of Chhattisgarh Police Act 2007. Some have even termed Kumar’s appointment as “an illegal attempt” by State government.

However, Chhattisgarh government can cite examples of Punjab and Bihar where DGPs were appointed from other cadres. While KPS Gills, 1985-batch Assam cadre IPS officer, was appointed as Punjab DGP twice, Jameel Ahmed Qureshi, an IPS officer from Madhya Pradesh cadre, headed Bihar police in late 80s. 

Kumar is likely to assume office in the first week of February after being relieved by Centre and Madhya Pradesh. He had earlier worked in Raipur and Bilaspur districts before constitution of Chhattisgarh State. Native of Uttar Pradesh, Kumar is MA, PhD. After Vishwaranjan, he will be the second IPS officer who has been appointed as Chhattisgarh DGP while working at senior position in IB.

Chhattisgarh's tops in fiscal management

Raipur, January 24

Ruling BJP in Chhattisgarh has reason to smile again. After winning three national awards in last one week or so, Chhattisgarh has been ranked as best performing state in the country in most of key fiscal parameters according to Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) latest report for year 2013-14. The BJP government is planning to launch massive propaganda drive across the State to encash its latest achievements in upcoming general elections.

Amid allegations by Congress that it had manipulated figures to win a host of national awards during its two tenures, the BJP has started its third innings in State by bagging Krishi Karman award 2012-13 for highest rice production, first prize for highest performance under MNREGA in 2012-13 and national award for Durg district for development of basic facility to urban poor.

With just two months remaining for Lok Sabha polls, the three national awards and RBI’s appreciation has reinvigorated the State BJP which was tirelessly searching unique selling points (USPs) to improve its brand image as a party with difference. CM Raman Singh and State BJP chief Vishnudev Sai are learnt to have talked to the party’s think-tank to include all these factors while framing comprehensive poll campaigning plan.

The RBI report says that Chhattisgarh has outperformed all other states in terms of efficiently managing development and social sector expenditures. The tribal-populated State’s development expenditure is 20.7 percent of gross state domestic product (GSDP), which is highest in the country. On this parameter, Bihar has been ranked second and Madhya Pradesh and Goa together share third position.

Social sector expenditure that includes education, health, SC/ST development, women and child development etc is another important aspect of state finance. By spending 14 percent of GSDP, Chhattisgarh again secures top position in social sector expenditure while Bihar keeps second slot. Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have been positioned at third slot.

Similarly, Chhattisgarh has second highest capital outlay after Goa with 4.2 percent of GSDP. Chhattisgarh also ranks among top five states in terms of own revenue generation with 8.9 percent of GSDP.

The RBI report further highlights that the State government's emphasis on development and social sector expenditures during the last decade have resulted in significant improvements and sharper decline in infant mortality rate, maternal mortality ratio and malnourishment as compared to all-India average. More importantly, despite heavy expenditure in development and social sector, the RBI study says that Chhattisgarh managed to keep its debt low through efficient and prudent fiscal management.

Modi’s survey says BJP will do well again

Raipur, January 23

BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s survey report has given thumbs up to the party unit in Chhattisgarh much before general elections. The report says the party has capability to win all 11 Lok Sabha seats if it will make slight attempt in consolidating its position in rural pockets. The report also sees increase in party’s vote share by fair proportion as compared to 2009 Lok Sabha polls and recently held assembly polls. The report, however, warns the party not to be overconfident as it might face tough challenge in three seats.

According to information, Modi has constituted a special team to conduct survey across the country ahead of LS polls. In this series, this team tested public pulse on different parameters in Chhattisgarh after announcement of 2013 assembly poll results. During survey, the team discovered that the party’s decision to project Modi as its PM candidate had clicked to large extent as not only urbanites, but villagers too wanted to know more about his vision and mission after learning that he hailed from a humble “chaiwala” family and elevated in BJP as the most deserving person to take the baton of the country.

The survey team also reached to conclusion that the people had come out of assembly poll fever and were likely to cast their vote with fresh mindset comparing the parties, candidates and persons in PM race. The team found that Modi’s rallies during assembly polls in State also set tone for the party for LS battle as people curiously paid attention to his speeches and held discussions over them in offices, streets, pan kiosks, etc.  

In the report, the team has expressed its concern over party’s weakening performance in Bilaspur, Korba and Kanker. The report suggests the State unit to find new and competitive faces for these three seats to retain them. In 2009, the BJP had won ten out of 11 seats except Korba which was won by Charandas Mahant. Presently, Bilaspur seat is vacant after demise of Dilip Singh Judeo while Kanker belongs to Sohan Potai.

The team has also advised the State unit to search new faces for Sarguja and Bastar where the party’s vote share dipped in assembly polls. Presently, Sarguja seat is vacant as party MP Murari Lal Singh passed away last month while Bastar seat is acquired by Dinesh Kashyap. It is learnt that central leadership has forwarded Modi’s survey report to State unit and has asked it alter the party cadres from top to bottom and engage them to work at grassroot level to get better results in polls.

Vishnudev Sai becomes Chhattisgarh BJP chief

Raipur, January 21

BJP has appointed Raigarh MP Vishnudev Sai as new president of its Chhattisgarh unit. Sai succeeds Ramsewak Paikra who resigned from the post of State BJP chief under party’s tradition of one-man-one-post after being inducted in Raman Singh cabinet as home minister. Sai’s appointment is said to be cautious move by the party ahead of general elections as it not only aims to appease its tribal vote bank but also wants the new chief to strike balance between organisation and government.

Sai, 50, is a young party MP who will take the significant job for the second time. He has been State president for about three and a half years (from October 31, 2006 to May 9, 2010) before Paikra’s tenure. He is credited to have led BJP successfully in his first term during which the party regained power in State in 2008 and posted thumping victories in ten out of 11 Lok Sabha constituencies in 2009.

Sai will be eighth president of State BJP. Earlier, he was sixth in the series in 2006. The party unit’s first president was late Tarachand Sahu who later rebelled and floated a new party Chhattisgarh Swabhiman Manch. Sahu was succeeded by Lakhiram Agrawal, Raman Singh, Nandkumar Sai, Shivpratap Singh, Vishnudev Sai and Ramsewak Paikra.

Besides, Sai, former State assembly Speaker Dharamlal Kaushik too was in race for the post of State BJP head. Though, both Sai and Kaushik are close to CM Raman Singh, Sai’s name was projected for the top job because of his past experience of handling the State unit.

Talking to Metro India after getting the new assignment, Sai said the BJP had been working as a unit for last 13 years or so and would win all 11 seats in ensuing Lok Sabha elections.

Asked his take over BJP’s dismal performance in tribal-populated Bastar and Sarguja divisions in recent assembly polls, he said the result in two regions was really shocking for the party despite Raman Singh government taking several initiatives for tribals.

“We will see what went wrong in Bastar and Sarguja and are hopeful to win the confidence of tribal community again,” he added. The BJP won four and seven seats in Bastar and Sarguja divisions respectively in 2013 as compared to 11 and nine in 2008.