FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014 DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU daily Excelsior Two VVIP seats hog Established 1965 The scent of a new order ? Founder Editor S.D. Rohmetra y the end of next week we will happening and Rahul Gandhi began to spend nights in rural homes to do some election limelight know who is going to be raise economic issues instead of bang- poverty tourism. ‘The prince needs to By Kalyani Shankar BIndia’s next Prime Minister so ing on about secularism and commu- see what poverty looks like…I don’t Water testing laboratories this is a good week to examine what nalism. Sadly, all that he offered vot- because I grew up in poverty.’ And, here is a big hype about the VVIP contest in two constituencies in Uttar Pradesh this endless campaign offered voters ers was more of the ‘rights based while Rahul continued to list the rights - Amethi and Varanasi - from where the two Prime Ministerial aspirants are by way of choice. This is a particular- development’ that has been the leit- and freebies that a Congress Govern- Tcontesting. As the AAP chief Kejriwal puts it succinctly, "Benares and Ame- &K claims to have large resources of water. ly important exercise because for the motif of his mother’s Government in ment would give people if re-elected thi are the only two contests that matter in this election. Our priority must be to have Owing to almost year-round snowfall on high first time in any general election Indi- the past decade. Indians have been Modi offered nothing by way of hand- Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi defeated." While there should be no surprise at both JHimalayan peaks, we have dependable source of an voters were given a choice between given the legal right to education, outs choosing to speak instead of how winning their respective seats, the challengers are trying to bring down their margin. water to flow into rivers, streams, nullahs, springs and two diametrically opposed economic employment, information and cheap India could become one of the richest Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is contesting from his family pocket borough ponds. All these resources are being tapped for supply ideas. In elections past the choice has food grain but when translated into countries in the world if everyone Amethi for the third time. Now that polling is over, we have to wait for May 16. Rahul been between divergent political ideas action these rights become meaning- worked together to make this happen. of piped water to the cities and towns. But not all towns had won the seat in 2009 with a 3.70-lakh margin. So why should his margin come but on the economy our two main less. What is the point of having a right He did not condemn Nehruvian down? Although ground level reports show that Amethi is quite disappointed with lack are connected to piped water lines. Villages do not political parties have been in agree- to education if there are not enough socialism in so many words but talked of amenities and infrastructure expected in a VVIP constituency, Rahul should be able have piped water at all. There are some kandi regions ment that India must remain of the ‘aarthic to retain the seat despite the anti-Congress mood in the country, many say. If Rahul also in Jammu province where there is scarcity of drink- socialist forever even if socialism So this time the Congress azaadi’ (eco- Gandhi loses the elections, then the challenger would also become a giant killer. ing water. We can say that no doubt we have plenty of has failed to provide Indians with nomic free- Secondly, Gandhi is facing two high profile challengers - Kumar Viswas of the Aam water resources but these are not equitably distributed their most basic needs. If the Con- Party seemed to be taken by complete dom) that Aadmi Party and Smriti Irani of the BJP - both outsiders. While Rahul is campaigning gress Party defined its socialism as came after the all over the country leaving it to his sister Priyanka Gandhi to campaign for him, the in the State owing to many geographical and topo- Nehruvian the Bharatiya Janata surprise when Narendra Modi made economic other two are camping in Amethi. graphical differences in three regions of the State. Party defined theirs as Gandhian reforms Thirdly, both the AAP and the BJP are keen to challenge the Gandhi scion. The BJP The Department of Public Health Engineering has and this was the only difference. In development and governance the two began. had shown that it could bring down the margin when it fielded Sushma Swaraj against the regular agenda of providing piped water to more the six years that India was ruled In the last Sonia Gandhi in Bellary in 1999 when Swaraj lost just by 55,000 votes. and more households in towns and villages and under by a BJP prime minister it became main pillars of his campaign. Modi’s days of the But comparing Varanasi and Amethi will be like comparing apples and oranges. several phased schemes this programme is being car- abundantly clear that Atal Bihari campaign the They have some similarities and also some dissimilarity. Both are witnessing a lively Vajpayee was no opponent of campaign message was ‘minimum Congress Par- fight - representing colour, caste, religion, emotion and symbolism. ried forward. However, it has to be noted that there is Nehruvian socialism. He tinkered ty has been While Varanasi is the ancient holy city for the Hindus, it is also important for the no modern and viable system of testing the drinking with privatization and built some Government, maximum governance’ forced to rely Buddhists and Jains. It is a symbol of Hindu religion, education and culture and there water consumed by either the town people or the vil- highways but made no effort to almost entire- is nothing surprising why Modi has chosen this seat It attracts not only pilgrims but also lagers. Some of the properties of water cannot be uni- reduce the powers of the state to and he managed to make the average ly on the tourists and has its old world charm in the 100 odd Ghats, lanes and by-lanes. The city form at all resources. Water that is put to the use of interfere in economic activity and vaunted is full of life as people are seen enjoying the famous Benarasi paan and lassi or buying no effort at all to improve gover- voter understand exactly what this drinking and cooking has different specifications in dif- charisma of Benarsi sarees. nance. the Dynasty. In contrast, Amethi is a sleepy rural constituency and comes alive only during elec- ferent parts of the State. It is necessary to subject all So this time the Congress Par- meant. tions. It has no signs of a VVIP constituency. The AAP and the BJP are fully utilising drinking water to laboratory tests and ensure that it So Priyanka ty seemed to be taken by complete has made the issues of lack of amenities, education and health. In the Assembly elections in 2012, does not contain any elements hazardous for public surprise when Narendra Modi herself more the Congress won only two seats in Amethi. made development and gover- ON THE SPOT health. It has to be remembered that there are several available to The BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Modi has chosen Varanasi as his second seat. nance the two main pillars of his water-borne diseases which could be even fatal. TV reporters First of all representing Varanasi is symbolic as he claims he has come from the land campaign. Modi’s campaign mes- TAVLEEN SINGH of Somnath to seek the blessings of Vishwanath. Most Prime Ministers including Vaj- People, by and large, are ignorant about water quality than usual sage was ‘minimum Government, payee had chosen the UP route to reach 7, Race Course Road. and has gone out of her way to attack parameters such as heavy and toxic elements, pesti- maximum governance’ and he man- schools? What is the point of MNRE- Secondly, Varanasi is considered a safe BJP seat as the party has held it for long. In Modi directly for such things as cides, chlorine by-products and bacteriological contam- aged to make the average voter under- GA if rural Indians are guaranteed the 2009, elections party's former President Murli Manohar Joshi narrowly won the ination. This is just because we don't have modern stand exactly what this meant. So only 100 days of employment out of ‘snooping’and for using language that seat. wherever I traveled during the cam- 365? What is the point of a legal right did not befit a man who wants to be Thirdly and more importantly, BJP hopes that the Modi magic might work not only water testing laboratories to warn and guide the con- prime minister. The ‘charisma’ card sumers. paign I met voters, rich and poor, who to cheap food grain when the public in 29 poorvanchal seats, but also 14 adjoining seats in Avadh region and nine in Bihar said they supported him because they distribution system is broken? has been played to the hilt with even influencing 52 seats in all. The Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation wanted ‘vikas’ and ‘parivartan’: When the Modi onslaught began Sonia Gandhi coming forward to Modi too has two min challengers - AAP chief Kejriwal and the Congress candi- has found it disappointing that there is no laboratory development and change. When ques- what made Rahul Gandhi’s task hard- make a televised appeal to the nation date Ajay Rai. Kejriwal has the track record of a giant killer. He believes in micro lev- worth the name in any one of the three regions of the tioned about exactly what they meant er was his seeming inability to under- for the first time in the ten years she el strategy. He has already held secret meetings with Hindu seers and sought the help State. Obviously, it means that there are more health by these two words they explained stand how much the average Indian has been India’s de facto prime min- of Muslim clerics. His campaign got a boost when the Jamait e Islami Hind extended risks for the people of the State because water is one that they were tired of hopeless pub- voter had changed. He appears not to ister. In this appeal she warned that its support to AAP. If Muslims help him, he will emerge as number two. India would lose her ‘bharatiyata’ if The Congress has fielded Ajay Rai, a sitting Congress legislator who is playing his of the main carriers of diseases if it is not treated before lic services and hopeless prospects to have noticed yet that the ‘aam aadmi’ improve their lives. Unemployment he pitches his speeches at has almost Modi became prime minister because Bhumihar card pretty well. The BJP has begun to take note of Rai whose campaign is it is bottled or piped for supply. In view of this discrep- has been the biggest election issue vanished. The ‘aam aadmi’ today her plurality would be destroyed. picking up steadily. The SP and the BSP candidates are almost non- entities. ancy in the State, the Union Ministry of Drinking Water wherever I have gone and nobody wears jeans and t-shirts and nearly In saying this she echoed senti- Getting ready for a photo finish contest in Varanasi, the opposition parties are qui- and Sanitation has agreed to provide two State level seems to have understood this better always has a cell phone. The ‘aam aad- ments that have been expressed etly working on a plan to make it a Modi versus the rest contest. There is a tacit under- and one regional level water testing laboratories for the than Modi. mi’ today has access to TV and when throughout the campaign by liberals standing between political groups to consolidate the opposition votes against Modi. The sudden withdrawal of Quami Ekta Dal candidate Mukhtar Ansari from the fray and his State. Of the two State- levels one each will be installed In an interview to the Times of he sees how Indians live in Delhi and and leftist intellectuals in the salons of India last week he said, ‘The first pri- Mumbai it makes him angry that he support to Ajay Rai gives clear indication of the regroupings. The caste is an important in the cities of Srinagar and Jammu and the regional Delhi and Mumbai ever since Modi’s ority of the Government will be to has been denied a better standard liv- long shadow first appeared. In these factor in their electoral fortunes. However, the 3.5 lakh Muslims hold the key to the laboratory will function in Leh. In this way, the Union success of the candidate as well as their margin. restore the health of the economy and ing and been given ‘rights’ instead. salons they use secularism as their rea- If Modi has impressed Varanasi with his mega road show, Kejriwal is everywhere Ministry has provided the facility to all the three regions put it back on track. This is not only The ‘aam aadmi’ no longer wants son to fear Modi as prime minister but of the State. Hopefully, the new laboratories will begin important for reviving growth, but handouts from the government he concentrating in rural Varanasi. He might have taken a leaf from late Kanshiram who what they seem to be more scared of said, "One fights the first election to lose, the second to ensure defeat of the party you functioning within six months from now. Once complet- also important for generating employ- wants a real job and a house and if pos- is that Modi’s popularity signals the ment. If there is one single thing that sible even a car. Rahul in the latter half want to replace…and the last one to win and seek political power". He meets people in ed and made functional, it will drastically improve monopoly on ruling India that people small groups, visits the Ghats, goes round the lanes of impoverished Muslim weavers I feel needs maximum attention, it is of the campaign changed his pitch to like them have had since 1947. They health conditions of the people of the state especially in generating employment for our include promises of free medicines and seeks the support of Dalits, Muslims and the economically poor. rural areas and villages. fear that with the ‘chaiwallah’ from Modi is packaged as the only leader who can give stable government and provide youth.’ In his campaign speeches he and homes with running water and Gujarat will come a new kind of elite Under the scheme of the Union Ministry each state has explained this in ways that have electricity but by then people had decisive leadership to bring changer. The entire Sangh Parivar is working overtime for that will change the way India has made complete sense to the new urban started to ask why these things had not him apart from senior leaders campaigning for him. is being provided with one state level water testing lab- been governed and that they who rep- The 3.5 lakh Muslims most of whom are poor weavers living in pitiable conditions middle class voter whose voice has been made available in ten years of oratory with all requisite paraphernalia. But in the case resent the old order will become and facing stiff competition from China are looking for a candidate who can defeat been heard loud and clear for the first Congress rule. of the J&K, two State-level and one regional-level labo- increasingly irrelevant. Their fears are Modi. The more the BJP flexes its muscle the more the Muslims fear Modi. In both the time in a general election. Modi capitalized on Rahul’s VVIP constituencies, the margin depends upon the Muslim votes. They have a choice ratories have been sanctioned. According to the Halfway through the campaign the dodgy comprehension of economic not entirely groundless but perhaps Secretary of the Union Ministry the norms were recon- the change they fear is the change that between the AAP and the Congress and they are probably moving towards AAP in Congress Party woke up to what was ideas by mocking him for needing to Varanasi and Congress in Amethi. (IPA ) sidered in the case of our State because of special con- India really needs. ditions and features. We should be thankful to the Dhurjati Mukherjee at the cost of the rural poor Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation for a Developmental growth should be entertained. In this generous gesture. The scheme also envisages training he last leg of election connection, Modi's assurance 2014 has sadly seen of in-service staff for running the laboratories and also of increasing agricultural sup- Talmost all political par- port price may help boost up training the local population of how to keep water clean ties mired in personal barbs at the sector. However, while and without pollution. each other rather than talk about Any vision on Gandhi's charkha ? such a policy has positive traits their vision and plans for the next In final analysis, we hope that the State Government which unfortunately got entan- for the poor. ment and adopt a policy of good defence expenditure. For rural of gearing up the languishing five years. The buzz word of will not rest content with the promise of the Union gled in a controversy of politi- Gandhi had questioned the governance with inclusive areas to develop, all types of farm sector, the resultant effect development has indeed taken a Ministry about the supply of three units of laboratories cising the college campus. mode of development that has growth that is so often voiced by illegal mining must be stopped of food inflation has also to be back seat. Additionally, poll But wasn't his approach very been adopted by Gujarat. He had our political leaders but rarely and strong monitoring considered. for testing the drinking water. It must ensure that ade- campaigning has revealed that much Gandhian in nature? He pointed out way back in the ear- put into practice. ensured. The Environment The question that obvious- quate staff, space and infrastructure are provided as the spirit of community develop- had stated that the human devel- ly 40s: "I do visualize electrici- Today, the problems facing Ministry has to play a crucial ly emerges is will the desired ment, that was once a part of our early as possible. The provisions of National Rural opment index indicators and the ty, shipbuilding, iron works, the country are of diverse nature role to see that the affected change in our developmental national behaviour, has steadily Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) envisage many cultural polarization of the pop- machine making and the like. from increasing pollution and population - who mostly reside approach come about? One vanished because certain traits more activities and these should be undertaken as per ulation show that "Gujarat has But the order of precedence has warming temperature, affecting in rural and/or remote areas -- needs to be optimistic on this like jealousy, greed and hatred had a terrible experience in the to be reverse. Henceforth indus- food production to declining are properly rehabilitated and count as there are enough indi- the guidelines. In most of the cases sponsored by the have overtaken the human indi- last 10 years". Schools for ordi- trialization has been so planned agricultural productivity to that mining activities do not cations of a transformation in Centre, the accompanying instructions and road map vidual. And politicians are no nary people were neglected as to destroy the villages and insufficient funds for health and cause much pollution - outlook occurring in the minds have usually been deviated from and this causes irrita- exception. while higher education hasn't their crafts. In the state of the education as also rise in unem- whether air, water or soil con- of some-- activists, econo- While the much-talked tion in relationship. We hope the State Government and been allowed to move forward. future it will subserve the vil- ployment and underemploy- tamination. Corporate houses mists and a larger section of about Gujarat model triggered a the PHE department in particular will take a note of this Likewise, renowned economist, lages and their crafts". This has ment. All these are primarily not adhering to the laws of the society. If the young genera- debate, its import has got lost in matter. Prof. Amartya Sen, too stated resulted in the rural sector being affecting the economically land have to be booked. tion gets the leadership of the the fight for votes on the basis of that "Gujarat's record in educa- neglected, there is heavy influx weaker sections, for whom the The rural sector has to be political parties, there is hope religion and caste. That develop- of a perceptible change in the tion and health is pretty bad" from the rural to the urban areas powers-that-be have little con- rejuvenated and the disparity ment means something that ben- developmental policies of the In CBI net though the State grew at over 10 and unemployment and under- cern. in incomes and facilities efits the masses, assures them government - both at the Cen- per cent between 2002 and 2012. employment showing an upward There is a need to focus on between cities and towns, on n a landmark judgment, a five-judge Constitution not just food but other basic tre and in at least some of the Moreover, the State's average trend. the rural sector and utilize max- the one hand and rural areas, Bench of the Supreme Court has invalidated Section necessities such as potable water States. monthly per capita income of Rs The college principal has imum resources for social and on the other reduced to the and sanitation and, of course, extent possible. One is remind- But one thing is certain that I6A of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act 2472 per person was lower than thus been realistic in noting that physical infrastructure develop- shelter - what politicians call ed of former President A P J the poor and the backward sec- (DSPEA), which protects top bureaucrats from being the national average though it no magic or divine miracle will ment. The amended Companies 'inclusive approach' - has not Kalam's vision of PURA (Pro- tions - the tribals, dalits and investigated in corruption cases without prior approval. may be considered relatively come to the aid of the Indian peo- Act, which has made corporate transformed into reality because viding Urban Facilities in Rur- other such communities - can- developed. It is only when there ple. "Their reasoned choice of social responsibility mandatory, In its bold judgment, the Constitutional Bench has said most present day politicians are al Areas) to ensure that sus- not be neglected for long as is social infrastructure develop- individuals and political parties must be utilized and the govern- that the joint secretaries and above can be quizzed by not interested in this vital aspect. tainable rural development this will have more serious ment, the poor and the econom- who promise to work for a real ment needs to direct them in this "Is the growth big business, takes place. If the new govern- consequences both on the the CBI without the prior sanction of the competent ically weaker sections can enter quality of life for all will see regard. A company should not be the making of huge profits, the ment has the political will and social and economic front. authority if it is felt that such a probing is needed in the the mainstream of life and activ- India prosper or flounder on the allowed to spend money in areas achievement of high production proper insight, making this a There has to be developmental course of investigation of a case of corruption. We ity. precipice". of its choice but there should be - what we seek? Or is it the qual- reality will not be an impossi- growth - more businesses by Indeed, the industrial growth If Modi follows Chi- a central committee of the Cor- strongly welcome this decision as it literally translates ity of life for the majority in ble task. the people, for the people and rate of a State cannot be the sole dambaram's policy of only porate Affairs Ministry which the principle that everybody is equal before the law. terms of affordable basic goods The whole point is that the of the people. The vision for criterion of grassroot develop- focusing on high growth rate should hand out the projects it The court has right inferred that the provision of CBI and services and the freedom to exodus from the rural to the the future should be based on ment of the people as such without adhering to other could take up. take forward the cultural aspira- urban areas has to be arrested Gandhiji's charkha, which sym- seeking permission of the competent authority is to progress has been seen to bene- requirements of grassroot devel- This could be one way of tions of our plural, social groups at any cost and this could only bolized that people would be indirectly shield the indicted officer whatever his rank. fit the business Houses. And, opment, the quality of life of the resource generation but other be done through micro-level that make up India?", was a per- earners and owners of their own Corruption is the biggest enemy of the State and the since such Houses have close poorer segments cannot be areas have also to be thought of, planning and rural develop- tinent question raised by a prin- enterprise - the new meaning of relations with political leaders, improved. Thus there is need to such as additional taxation of the ment efforts. No form of sub- inclusive democratic capitalism. people and no concession can be given to top bureau- cipal of a Mumbai college, crats on the plea that they are policy planners and these prosper, causing problems change the strategy of develop- super rich and reduction in sidizing the urban middle class INFA therefore should be spared the embarrassment of defamation if probed by the CBI. The question is the Upgrading teaching standard Refugees relief package in limbo higher the rank, the more caution is needed so as to Sir, Sir, distance from a situation in which blame is likely to Apropos news item ‘Governor’ for the sustained endeavour to upgrade the come to the officer. This judgment will prove a deter- standard of teaching and research (D.E. April 12, 2014) it is heartening to know Not to speak of payment of compensation for ines- Burning of crops rent to the entire bureaucracy. We know that our that the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir State, N N Vohra has shown keen timable losses, both of men and material sustained by Sir, between the ends and they touch interest in the system of education in the State. migrants and refugees of 1965, 71 and 1947 even what each other to cause sparks and the bureaucracy is highly patriotic and dedicated to the Unfortunate as it looks that a cause of the nation. They are the finest product of our He has rightly advised to put in sustained efforts to upgrade the standard was within the parameters of the State Govts like reser- fire. It should be the responsibility of teaching in universities, colleges, Hr Sec. Schools and schools of the State. farmer rearing and growing crops of the PDD to take note of the prob- intellectual segment. The Government provides them vation in professional colleges, recruitment etc. to facil- fears whether he can reap it safely It is high time, civil society takes keen interest in the education of their wards itate these unfortunates in their rehabilitation/resettle- lem and act to save life and prop- powers with responsibilities. Therefore the society in educational institutions rather than spending money on private tuitions which and wholly. Many times fires erty. ment and to enable them to have a normal life, hasn't would like to give them extra mileage. But when the has become the fashion of the day and a deterimental factor for failure of edu- destroy the crops and his hard Yours etc cation system. been sympathetically done. labour. Ravi Singh case of corruption is there, nobody should be spared The resentment of millions of displaced persons in The reports that at many places the rod of the law, whether he is a top bureaucrat or an The research should be relevant to the industrial requirements and allied R.S. Pura fields rather than a futile exercise to earn a Ph.D degree only. the State is obvious from unending agitations and demon- in Samba, Bishnah , R.S.Pura near- ordinary office worker. The issue had come up before Let the teacher be accountable towards the knowledge acquired by his/her strations before the Govt for redressal of their grievances. ly 200 to 270 canals of land with CORRECTION the Supreme Court seventeen years ago but remained student and also the personality development of the youth. Let the authorities It is hoped that before completion of the present term of standing crops were either burnt or The name of the author of article ‘Third Party Reproduction’ DE May 4 of Education Deptt. rise to the occasion and put the beleaguered system back coalition Govt their claims need to be settled at the ear- damaged extensively should cause in limbo. Now, the Apex Court has responded to a PIL is Dr Richa Sharma (IVF Consultant, on track. liest. concern. Electric short circuits , and the case is finally settled. We hope top bureau- falling electric lines on the crops Bourn Hall, New Delhi). Her name crats will feel relieved of a looming anxiety and the Yours etc... Yours etc... had not appeared in the article. A Singh Keshwa Nand Sharma when winds blow cause such fires. hands that are clean have nothing to hide. The wires are connected loose Inconvenience is regretted Digiana, Jammu Salehri (Sunderbani) —Editor