Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Understanding Indian Media
Another case of Media-Political bonhomie. Is Digvijay Singh comments and press statements basically sound bytes to increase media TRP's? Is this a case where media is paying politicians to make silly controversial statements to increase TRP's and provide pointless debating points? What ever it maybe, this exchange again is a tip of the iceberg on Media-Political nexus. Media in India has become completely unreliable to say the least.
How can we expect unbiased reporting when you share such bonhomie. No wonder media never reported Sheila Dixit corruption CWG even after being named in report .
How can we expect unbiased news from
Indian Media ?
This is only tip of iceberg.
Sachin Pilot of Congress & Barkha Dutt of NDTV . Are they celebrating media-politics nexus ?
Paid Media is not unfounded after all .
@Sowing seeds of Thought
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
December 6th : Ayodhya Liberation Day , Hindus Cleberate it as Shourya Diwas / Vijay Diwas
Proposed Sri Ram Mandir @ Ram Janma Bhoomi , Ayodhya
by Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
As per historians, since 1528 there have been at least 76 armed conflict in which over 300,000 Hindus sacrificed their lives to restore the Ram Janma Bhoomi temple.
Summary of these conflicts is as follows:
1. Babar's reign (1528-1530) - Hindus launched 4 attacks in which 100,000 people were killed.
2. Humayun's reign (1530-1556) - Hindus launched 10 separate initiatives to regain control.
3. Akbar's reign (1556-1605) - Hindus fought 20 battles.
4. Aurangzeb's reign (1658-1707)- Hindus fought 30 battles. One such battle was led by Guru Gobind Singh in which Aurangzeb?s army was defeated.
5. Four years later, Aurangzeb?s again attacked Ayodhya and regained control after killing 10,000 Hindus.
6. Sahdat Ali (1798-1814) - Hindus fought 5 battles.
7. Nasir-uddin Haidar (1814-1837) - Hindus fought 3 battles.
8. Wajid Ali Shah (1847-1857) - Hindus fought 2 battles.
9. British Rule (1912-1934) - Hindus fought 2 armed conflicts.
Hindus never gave up on one of their holiest places. Hence the only conflict free periods were when they were allowed to worship inside the disputed structure. For example, in order to avoid further conflict, during the latter part of his reign Akbar allowed Hindus to build a platform known as 'Ram Chabutra', and to install and worship images of Ram Parivar in the so called Babri compound. This practice was later opposed by Aurungzeb which resulted in most battles for the control of the shrine during his reign.
In 1751 A.D. Maratha Sardar Malhar Rao Holkar after defeating the Pathans in the plains of Ganga and Yamuna, asked Nawab Safderjang to hand over Ayodhya, Kashi and Prayag to the Peshwas. In a letter dated February 23, 1756, Nanasaheb Peshwa asked Sardar Scindia to annex Ayodhya and Kashi as
the handover of these holy places was already promised to Raghoba Dada by Suja-uddoula.
Later in 1789 A.D. Sardar MahadJi Scindia did annex Ayodhya, Mathura and Kashi, but due to his untimely demise was not able to restore the temples of Ram Janma Bhoomi, Krishna Janma Bhoomi and Kashi Vishweshwar back to Hindus.
Joseph Tieffenthaler (1710 - 1785), an Austrian Jesuit priest toured Oudh (Ayodhya) region between 1766 and 1771 A.D. His account of Indian History and geography was translated and published in French in 1786 A.D.
Tieffenthaler states 'The Emperor Aurungzeb destroyed the fortress called Ramkot and built at the same place a Mohammedan temple with 3 domes. Others say that it has been built by Babar. One can see 14 columns made of black stone .. which bear carvings ... Subsequently Aurungzeb, and some say Babar destroyed the (heathen) place in order to prevent heathens from practicing their ceremonies.
However they have continued to practice their religious ceremonies in both the places(inside the 3 domed Babri structure and the compound), knowing this to have been birth place of Rama, by going around it 3 times and prostrating on ground".
According to the British records by Thornton (1854 A.D.) and Carnegie (1870 A.D.) till 1855 A.D. Hindus continued to worship Ram in the 3 domed structure. During the First War of Independence of 1857 the local Muslim leader Amir Ali persuaded the Muslims to finally hand over the disputed place to Hindus and jointly fight with the British.
However the British won the War of 1857 and Amir Ali and Hindu leader Baba Ram Charan Das were publicly hanged from a tree near the Ram Janma Bhoomi.
The British subsequently put a railing wall between Babri structure and the courtyard and separated the Muslim worshipers who got the Babri structure and Hindus had no choice but to do puja outside in the courtyard. Hindus continued to worship at the disputed structure and never gave up struggle to regain control of Ram Janma Bhoomi since 1528.
Recent History - 1934 thru 1992 :
In 1934, during the armed conflict between Hindus and Muslims the Babri structure was damaged. Since 1936, the Babri structure was an abandoned building and did not function as a community mosque for local muslims. There is no evidence of any Mutawalli or Imam or Muazzin or Khatib or Khadim having functioned as the mosque management as such for the up keep and maintenance of the 'mosque'.
A Waqf report dated September 16, 1938 showed 'Syed Mohammad Zaki' as a Mutawalli. But later the District Waqf Commissioner found that Mutawalli Zaki was a Shia, an opium addict and most unsuited for the duties of a Mutawalli. Meanwhile the Sunni Waqf Board claimed that Babri mosque was under its control.
A report dated December 10, 1949 by the Waqf inspector Mohammad Ibrahim, to the U.P. Sunni Central Board of Waqf, states that 'due to the fear of Hindus and Sikhs? NO ONE OFFERED NAMAZ IN THE SAID 'MOSQUE'.
On December 23, 1949 the image of 'Ramalalla' appeared in the disputed structure and Hindus resumed prayers and worship inside. On December 29, 1949 Additional Magistrate Markandey Singh confiscated the building and handed over the posession to Priya Dutta Ram as Receiver, who assumed charge of the same on January 5, 1950.
After almost 12 years, on December 18, 1961 the Sunni Waqf Board filed the law suit seeking the possession of the disputed structure. This law suit was liable to be dismissed since the then prevalent statute of limitation for property takeover of 6 years had already passed.
Since December 23, 1949 there have been daily Hindu prayers and worship at the Ram Janma Bhoomi Temple. Yet, Babri was not a functional Mosque, and it has been a functional temple for atleast 42 years.
"Mosques built after destroying temples are the sign of slavery and Muslims should hand over the same to Hindu Society" -Mahatma Gandhi in 'Navjeevan' dated July 17, 1937. "Hindus profess secularism because they are cowards and are afraid of Muslim countries." - Syed Shahabuddin - Convenor of Babri Masjid Coordination Committee (BMCC) in 'Sunday' dated March 20, 1983.
On April 7-8, 1984 the Dharma Sansad (religious congregation) took decision to launch a movement for replacement of the existing mosque-turned temple with a proper temple structure.
Options offered by Hindu Leadership:
Prior to December 6, 1992 Hindus had offered following options: Muslims should hand over the Babri structure as a goodwill gesture to Hindus. The unused Babri mosque has no religious significance to Muslims what so ever, (since as per the administrative officials in Faizabad, Of the 26 Mosques in Ayodhya region just half are in use for offering namaz and the rest are in a bad shape), hence this is not an unreasonable request. If that is not acceptable, then this nonfunctional mosque should be relocated.
Hundreds of mosques in other Islamic countries have been relocated for minor reasons such as road expansion. So there is ample precedent for it. Since the location of Ram Janma cannot be changed the temple cannot be moved. If the superstructure is important to the Muslims then it can be relocated to another site, the way Abu Simbel temple in Egypt was moved out of the way of the Aswan Dam. Hindus will bear all the relocation expenses.
India has demonstrated technology for this operation since recently 800 year old Kudavelli Sangameshwara temple in Andhra Pradesh was taken apart and rebuilt 600 meters from the original site. Some Shia leaders had agreed to the latter plan. However to the prominent Muslim leadership (BMCC and BMAC) all such proposals were futile. The biggest concession they were willing to make was to allow a Ram temple next to the Babri structure (meaning the sign of Muslim conquest will continue to look down upon the temple, as an insult to Hindus).
The events of December 6, 1992 should be viewed in light of these facts.
The above article was taken from www.ayodhya.com
Thursday, December 1, 2011
My Confusion on FDI in Retail Sector
Iam reposting views i shared with my friend on my Facebook over allowing 51% FDI in retail sector . Mariappan is former student of IISc Banglore and Senior Scientist with GoI. He lives in Banglore.
If Retail American Giants like WALMART cudnt save American Farmers & American economy , how wud its entry into India be helpful to our Farmers ?? I was shocked when i read that in India every year 40 % of produced food grains/ Veggies/Fruits get destroyed coz of non availability of secured Godowns and Cold Storages . With FDI investments pouring in we mite see big leap in num of Cold storages coming up in rural side. Thats one encouraging point in opening up FDI in retail sector. Do you know most of the food grains are damaged by Rats ??
Building Cold Storages is not at all complicated one , it does not need Rocket Science to build one. Then knowing 40% loss of Food Grains.Veggies , why dint our govt encouraged farmers to build the plants ? Or is it that Indian Farmer believe in traditional storage rather than taking his harvest to cold storage ?? In any case, loss of 40 % food grains is not pardonable.Why oppose 51% opening of FDI in retail market, when we see Chinese goods are dumped cheaply into market. When we cudnot stop cheap Chinese products , then why oppose when Billions of US$ are waiting to come into country's retail industry ?? These incoming US$'s may give boost to Indian economy and arrest Inflation.
Cheap Chinese products are manufactured in China and dumped in Indian Market , thus they are not investing in Indian market and moreover they are depriving us from employment. This is serious issue and shud be dealt seriously. Maybe opening up FDI in retail market will arrest of Chinese Products into Indian market.
If 51% FDI is allowed in Retai Industry , we will see exit of millions of Small traders from market. Thats really bad , but we protected them for last 60 years , how long do they need protection. Even after 6 decades of State protection , if they cant stand on their own and fight then whom wud they blame?? . Its saddening but this the truth about Indian traders.
What angers me about Indian retail trader is despite the state protection wot did they done for the society. They never do proper billing , evade taxes , rob costumers with high rates . And above all wot troubles me is Indian trader plays with customers health by doing Adulterationin food items. Show me one Kirana store or Sweet shop anywhere which doesnt do Adulteration ??? As i write this, my Blood is boiling remembering their Adulteration acts. Feel like Cursing them.
Mariappan: Raj, pour as much angst you have against the indian traders, but what makes you think Walmart or any other foreign retailer is going to be better? They will bring in BT modified untested foods in the market, they would undercut the indian traders to begin with and when the indian trader is driven out of the market, they will make a cartel and monopolise the whole trade, at the stage the customer will have no choice but to go to them. Is that OK with you? As for government protection, what has the government protected them from? After 60 years has the government built in enough food storage infrastructure, has the government ever made any sincere effort to protect the traders from even the rodents that gulp the major part of the produce. The failure of the government should not be equated with poor practices of the trader.
My Take : I in my first post made myself clear that iam Neutral on opening up Retail sector to big overseas player. I was just posting all the 'stray' thoughts that made a place inside my head.
BT seed is already in the market since PV Narsimaha Rao days. FDI has least to do with it . My region Telangana is an victim of BT farming . After paddy cotton is grown widely in Telangana , but since farmers choose to move BT Cotton there is devastating turn of events . One American Cotton seed combany "Kargil" has destroyed many farmers lives . Despite warning by Agri-Scientists they still stick to "Kargil" seeds. Iam witness to daily deaths of these farmers in my Dist. The amount of pesticide it need to grow/survive is very much alarming , its caused in heavy health hazards . Its an big issue , ill ponder on it on diff day .
So coming back to FDI , it will eliminate the middle man and thus "may" be benificial to local farmer . Most of these companies buy directly from farmers , this has been their policy eveyrwhere. So when they eliminate "middleman" farmer get gud price over his harvest and it will lead to reduction in "cost" . This will further bring down the PRICES. So ypur fear fo Price rice doesnot stand in scrutiny.
Ypur another fear of erasing small/medium Indian players also does not stand . Coz if you read the Govt document , it clearly stated that the Big players can open their "Malls" only in Mjaor Cities. It means hardly 5o cities are thrown open for competition and remaingin thousands of towns and villages are still "protected" by state.
FDI in retail sector will unleash a big competition in retail market thus players have to be competitive in price and quality to stay in the market . Dont you think this price-war will be benificial to Billion Indian Customer. Adulteration food items will stop which has taken lives of many. Did you notice during last Diwali above 50% of Sweets were contaminated/adulterated . If this is the situation in National capital , then how bad it cud be in Towns.
When you rake up issue of 'why dint govt built storage houses' brings me laughs. I smell a 'socialist' in you. Did you read Chanakyas "Arth Sastra" , in it Chanakya clearly says that Govt duty is to Protect its citizens from External attacks and internal security . He specifically writes that Govt shud not venture into doing business . So i strongly belive his Arth Sastra principles. Govt has no duty/responsibility to build Cold Storages , its not his business. Farmers and Private entrepreneurs have to deal with it . Can you show me one area where Govt running businesses have a success growth in past decade . Let societs on its own evolve and design wot they neeed . Govt shud be an facilitator , shus work as an "catalyst" but not get into doing business
Mariappan : Raj, some of your arguements are perhaps ill informed or u chose to ignore the facts. The Retail market is allowed to be set up in places having a population of 2 lakhs, now imagine the havoc they are going to cause, the government which says a minimum of 10 lakh population is required to avail JNNURM funds doesnt mind giving licences for places with 2 lac population. You are quoting chanakya, fine, but has any government in india till date followed any of his tactics leave alone practice his principles. Fine if the business of the government is not to do business, why the hell, is the government involved in everything from making newsprint to broadcasting? Why is the government fixing minimum support price for farmers, why is the FCI buying grains from farmers and then allowing it to rot in their godowns? Again you are quoting just one instance of BT Cotton which is killing farmers, now imagine if the same BT food grains are marketed by these retailers, what would be the fate of our health and more specifically our stomachs? As for adulteration, this is a universal phenomenon, even in the so called advanced country like Europe, we have seen how avian flu and mad cow disease propagated. Here the direct cause may not be deliberate adulteration, but selling contaminated food is still worse than adulterating. Eliminating the middle man in the indian context is next to impossible my friend, it is not that the farmer is unaware the profits made by middleman, it is the need of the farmer that makes him depend on the middleman. A major part of the problem lies in our culture, our traditions and rituals. Everyone wants to follow rituals and you know rituals are money consuming and where else does the farmer go for money than the middleman. Do you think Walmart or any retail chain will give money to the farmer before his produce his ready for the market? As for price war between the retailers and then reduction in prices, has it happened with coca-cola, pepsi or should i say has your thums up rates come down? In fact the goli-soda still sells at 2 rupees, it is also coloured carbonated water without the marketing blitz. We have shell and reliance in the petroleum sector, did they ever reduce the price when the international prices came down, no, on the other hand when the government run petrol pumps operated at a thinner margin, these guys shut shop.
I remember those days when Pepsi made entry into India . Parle(Thums UP & Maaza) was leader in the market , infact they were monopoly . Parles Ramesh Chauhan dint believed in his product , out of fear he sold all his Products to Coca-Cola . When you dont prepare your entrepreneur for competition this is what happens , fearing the worst he meekly surrendered to Coca-Cola. Even after 20 yrs of sell out , Thums-Up has majority of market . If only Ramesh chauhan knew to stand to competition , today he wud have beed world leader in Aerated Drinks sector. Regarding ur taunts on increase in price of "my" Thums Up , is , its very much but Obvious to rise in price levels in 20 years. Price rice is seen all over , and same applies to Thums-Up as well. To understand the Price rise one shud study the Inflation and Rupee- US Dollar exchange value. its the market which determines the price .
Reg' your qustion on why govt into newsprint, broadcast and 100 other things , that what , it shudnt be anywhere which is called as business. One and only duty of Government shud be protect geographical boundaries and install a lawful governance system internally . Govt shud stop running Airlines, Railways, Public transport or any such function which can be a profit oriented .
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