CORRUPTION AND THE LOK PAL BILL.

Corruption And The Lok Pal Bill

Corruption in Indian politics has been gaining momentum even since independence; to start with it was slow and even invisible but today it is flourishing to the extent that it is being flaunted in the open market, as more and more scams are being exposed, over the years it has certainly gained enormous horizontal as well as vertical mobility and momentum.

Indians and Goans too have been sharing the same bed with corruption; it is we who have allowed the mole to turn into a gigantic range of mountains, under whose weight we are being crushed today, if we were not passive or even accommodating, corruption would have not been an anomaly that it is today, we have remained reticent through all these years and now needed a seventy two years old Anna Hazare to rouse us from our sleep.

Are we blind, dumb and deaf not to have realized the ever rising graph of corruption ? Today everybody is eulogizing Anna all over India and he deserves to be but why did we need an old and frail Gandhian to rouse us up ? Is it not our responsibility ? Have we all lost our civic and civil sense ?

Anna Hazare has not dropped from haven, he is a common man like any of us in all respect except unlike us, he stood up for what he believed, we may believe in the same principles but unfortunately we have not stood by them that is the difference between men of action and men in hibernation.

A lot of people now say where was Anna all these years ? Corruption has certainly not magnified over night, yes we are all to be blamed, when we ourselves did not stand against corruption, what right have we to question Anna ? If we believed corruption was an evil and fought against it, we surely wouldn’t need a seventy two year old to lead a nation wide agitation against corruption, would we ?

We live in a democracy and each one of us has rights and it is our duty to exercise those rights, it is when we fail to exercise our rights that we become victims of our own making. It is when we become morbid and indifferent to our rights and the rights of others around that we allow aberrations to sprout, strive and flourish and finally these aberrations become monsters that threaten our very existence.

Anna Hazare has dedicated his life for the service and upliftment of the poor, he strives to improve the quality of life in villages, the very nucleus of the Indian Nation. His crusade against corruption could not have come at a better time, as we have witnessed with aghast and contempt, scams after scams coming in waves far larger and more ferocious than the tsunami we saw hitting Japan. Still India survives. In a situation like this Anna gives us a glimmer of hope that we still have a semblance of a chance to uproot corruption and the perpetrators of corruption once and for all.

Anna has shown us what can be done if we stand by our principles, we have lit candles and took part in mass movements to show our solidarity with Anna and support his fight against corruption, hope everyone realizes that this is not the end of our fight but the beginning of our war against corruption and fight to the end.

Anna has forced our selfish, corrupt politicians to see the light of truth even if they were blinded by it. Let’s not question his timing or his motives, let us not take away the credit that he deserves for his fight against corruption, we should be wise enough to give credit where it is due, our support should be issue based and not personality based. Let the light shown by Anna take care of the darkness and let our actions be the answer to inactions.

At this very moment we are at cross roads, we claim to be a super power; we are an economic giant, while the whole world has reeled under recession, India has not wilted even marginally. In a few years we might have the most billionaires and a good number among the richest in the world but has the divide between the poor and the rich diminished in any way ? We have seen big business giants and our politicians amassing unaccountable wealth at the cost of the nation, this is because of the opacity that is very much prevalent in our system and governance. Lok Pal Bill should not just provide us with the much needed transparency in Governance and it’s dealings but also accountability at all levels.

Promises have been made under duress that the Lok Pal bill will be as virgin as it can be, but knowing our politicians who will do anything and everything possible not shoot themselves in the foot or put a noose round their own stinking necks. The Lok Pal Bill should be indeed castigatory with enough reformative and preventive measures incorporated and atoned, anything less will not serve the purpose, so all we want is the Lok Pal Bill and not just a look in to any silly bill, pal ! Anna Jai Ho !

Freddy Agnelo Fernandes.

INDIA'S CRICKET VICTORY AND POSITIVE & NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF SPORTS.

VICTORIOUS TEAM INDIA

A thousand congratulations to Team India for winning the most coveted prize in Cricket , The World Cup 2011. The myth that only the Western teams dominated by all the White Skinners can dictate terms to others in Cricket was destroyed beyond reparation. Also the other belief that Cricket is the sport of Lords and Maharajas turned out to be an illusion.

Cricket is no more the sport of the privileged Lords and Maharajas, now it is the sport of players coming from ordinary back ground also. After the dismissal of Nawab of Pataudi as Cricket captain of India in the late sixties the Maharaja influence on cricket in India was totally destroyed. In India Cricket was considered as the sport of the privileged Indians coming from elite background but this is now proved to be nothing but a big hoax since so many cricketers representing India in this edition were just commoners. Thanks to their skill in this sport, they became celebrities and demi gods in India. Within a night they became millionaires among them Dhoni the intelligent and lucky captain coming from ordinary family background becoming richer than the other players. In Bombay itself in particular and in Maharastra in general there are innumerable Tendulkars in waiting but they, unlike Tendulkar in the beginning, have no godfathers to push them higher due to lot of discriminatory factors existing in India.

As in other sports the Indian Cricket World Cup winning team gained on all fronts and deservingly they should because they all brought honour to their nation and nationals. The awards in cash and honours at official and non official levels were great indeed. When Brazil won the soccer World Cup for the third time in 1970, every player was gifted with one luxury house in appreciation of their achievement in acquiring highest honour for Brazil in World soccer. In 1976 when Kuwait won the Gulf Cup in soccer, each Kuwaiti player was given a luxury bungalow by Kuwait. Like this there are so many instances where the sports persons were given handsome prizes and awards for bringing sporting laurels to their respective countries.




ITALY V/S NORTH KOREA IN 1966 world cup


No doubt one has to admire the sports for creating positive outcome in the victories as it happened now in India following India’s victory but one has to condemn also the negative effects sports create in the defeats. When Italy lost miserably in the soccer World Cup in 1966 even losing in the preliminary round to the new comer and minnows North Korea, its players on their return to Rome Airport were pelted with rotten eggs and tomatoes. When the most magnificent Brazilian soccer team lost to Paulo Rossi’s Italy in the pre-quarter final in 1982 World Cup, its brilliant Manager Tele Santana was deeply hurt when his house back at home in Brazil was pelted with stones by the soccer crazy Brazilians thereby giving cardiac problems to Tele Santana. When Columbia lost a few years back in the World Cup against USA, after returning home one of their team members, defender Escobar who scored a self goal mistakenly against his own team was shot dead. In late sixties when Indian Cricket team under the captaincy of Ajit Wadekar suffered the most humiliating defeat in England in the Test series, Wadekar’s house in India was stoned by the Indian miscreants. Recently 4 years back Dhoni’s house was broken by Cricket crazy Indians when India lost in the World Cup tournament. But ironically, the same India is adoring Dhoni now like a God. It is nothing but Roses and Roses for Dhoni now but earlier 4 years back for the same defeated Dhoni it was nothing but Stones and pelting of stones on his under construction house.

Very few people in the world are ready to accept the defeat sportingly. Very few people in the world accept the defeat by accepting the reality, that is the superiority of the opponents and competitors. In 1970 Brazil under Pele had exceptionally talented and gifted players, experts say such a team never came before in this world nor will come again easily. In the final Brazil defeated the then mighty Italy led by their gigantic skipper Giovani Facheti. The score line too was not small but very big 4-1. However, when the defeated Italian team returned to Italy and landed at Rome Airport, they were greeted with flowers and garlands with big Banners and Posters saying ‘Welcome our heroes – the Football Champions of the world”. They were called Champions of the world because they admitted that after unbeatable Brazil, Italy is the best in the world. And the reality was that the Brazilian team of that tournament was really great and no football power on this planet could shake them.




DHONI'S HOUSE

In the just concluded Cricket World Cup, in the semi final, Pakistan under Afridi lost to India but when the Pakistani team landed in Pakistan they were welcomed as heroes and real Ambassadors of their country. Afridi even confessed the warmth he and his team received in India and finally shouting angrily to the Pakistani reporters posing anti-India questions said: “Why do you treat India and Indians as our enemies??” further adding that “we went there to play Cricket and we played sportingly and lost sportingly to the superior team”. In the preliminary match between Brazil and reigning Champions England in 1970 football World Cup which was considered the Match of the Tournament, English skipper Bobby Moore after losing the match by 0-1, said “Brazil were the deserving winners”. Bobby Moore was not only the great hearted captain of England but a great hearted human bing.




COLUMBIAN FOOTBALLER THE LATE ESCOBAR


Many people were surprised to see the two Prime Ministers of two countries India and Pakistan watching the Cricket semi-final in Mohali. I admire Pakistani Premier Gillani to be so broad minded in attending this encounter. Elsewhere such top dignitaries also attend great events and finals. The 1982 World Cup soccer final in Spain was attended by the heads of both the finalists, Germany and Italy; President Sandro Pertoni of Italy and Chancellor Smidth of Germany. And I still remember seeing how the Italian president jumping from his seat like a spring after every goal Italy scored while his German counterpart was silently watching the whole scene.

A. Veronica Fernands,
Kuwait.

End of a successful tenure: By Reaven D’Souza

Indian Ambassador Ajai Malhotra appointed India's next envoy to Russia
End of a successful tenure: By Reaven D'Souza

 

 

Indian ambassador to Kuwait Ajai Malhotra will be cutting short a vibrant posting here to take up his new ambassadorial assignment in Russia shortly. In a brief span of just two years Ambassador Malhotra has no doubt left an indelible mark in Kuwait beyond the realms of just international relations.
 
Kuwait has been an interesting and invigorating posting for Ambassador Ajai Malhotra, a career diplomat, who has won the hearts of both his large contingent of countrymen and the local Kuwaiti populace.
 
Displaying very strong diplomatic skills and efficiency in tackling issues facing the Indian community, he has never failed to use the excellent relations he had with the local authorities to resolve outstanding issues of the community.
 
Selflessly and tirelessly he has soldiered to further build and develop relations with the Kuwait government establishment while engaging with the Indian community. A sharp observer and keen listener, his insight and experience has played a pivotal role in identifying areas for improvement and change.
 
Barely a month after taking charge Ambassador Malhotra arranged the visit of the Vice-President of India, H E Hamid Ansari to Kuwait. Noting that such a high level visit last occurred more than 35 years ago, he realized that such visits took relations between friendly nations to new levels. Indeed, with practically the whole Kuwaiti cabinet turning up at the airport to receive the vice-president it was a diplomatic coup not witnessed by the Indian community for a long time.
 
The visit paved the way for renewed relations between the two nations with many MoU's signed to further strengthen the age old friendship. The visit also enabled the Ambassador to meet and develop a friendship with the leadership circle in the country. His warm and personable disposition was well received and he was instantly perceived as a dear friend.

 

 

His Excellency Ajai Malhotra with GCC Chairman Carmo Santos and its members 

These diplomatic "friendships" soon became the hallmark of his two years in office here. He had easy access to all the decision makers in the country and his advice was valued and welcomed at different levels. More so, Ambassador Malhotra strengthened the confidence of the community by always being available for either friendly advice or participating and supporting Indian community based activities.
 
During his tenure there were several visiting dignitaries such as Minister of External Affairs, Minister of State for Finance, business delegations, football teams, cultural troupes, journalists and politicians. The interaction between the two nations suddenly became more intense and prominent.
 
During the first year of his posting here the Indian community had grown to more than 600,000 and the demands of engaging with such a diverse and dynamic group was becoming an exercise that required patience, stamina, time and effort. On occasions the Indian Ambassadors presence was required at multiple locations. He gracefully managed these irrespective of their importance and showed a keen interest in the activities on all his visits.
 
"If the community feels honored and happy with my presence at their functions then I feel I am duty bound and happy to honor their requests," he always pointed out, downplaying his hectic schedule.
 
The Indian community has been heaped with praise by the Kuwaiti leadership for their hard work and sincere dedication. As law abiding citizens they have been preferred by their local hosts . Ambassador Malhotra's encouragement has always been a source of inspiration and motivation for the Indian community. He has frequently used his good offices to provide timely advice and guidance on several issues.
 
He has accomplished most of the tasks he had set out within the first year on taking office. Labour and welfare services were vastly improved while passport services were outsourced. The overcrowding at the embassy which had become the norm quickly thinned down. Two private centers were set up to service the needs of the vast Indian community.
 
Relief for labor and domestics was also one area Ambassador Malhotra took a keen and compassion interest in. Quickly reviewing recruitment procedures, making them more favorable to labor and also raising minimum wages, keeping in mind the rising cost of living. Clearly this has and will further reduce labor related issues for the community in the future.
 
Working closely with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, Ambassador Malhotra's has been instrumental in persuading the local government with labor friendly policies. Today, the Indian Embassy safe house for run-away maids serves as a role model for other embassies in the country and also for Indian embassies in the region.
 
It has not always been an easy task, given that he had to work within the limitations of Various  factors. Changing mindsets has never been easy, but his steely grit and determination to genuinely bring about a change made the difference. His calm perseverance has always kept him on course to achieve his objectives.
 
There were many instances, like during the Diwali celebrations last year, when only his personal intervention at the highest level, came to the rescue of Indian nationals. Similarly, when power shutdowns affected community members residing in Jleeb Al Shouk during the height of summer, he went out of his way to ensure their requirements were met. He never declined to support, participate or engage with the community at any instance. Ambassador Malhotra's earnest and sincere efforts always paid off when dealing with complicated issues.
 
Whether it was politics, business, culture or sports diplomacy Ambassador Malhotra handled these duties with an ease and comfort few can emulate. The Festival of India in Kuwait was among the crowning achievements of his tenure. The first ever one-week Festival of India in Kuwait was a masterpiece showcasing a culturally rich and diverse heritage by providing glimpses of performing arts and visual arts from all over India. For the very first time, residents of Kuwait a witnessed a cultural extravaganza on such a grand scale.
 
Ambassador Malhotra also went out of his way to organize a number of local journalist trips to India, which received wide media coverage in both English and Arabic press.
 
While he comes across as a serious and reserved diplomat, his amicable personality and exuberance is quickly reflected in all his interactions. People who had the opportunity to deal with him at closer levels are quick to point to his compassion and sensitive side and his sincere efforts to help those in need.
 
It is obvious that the support and encouragement of his charming wife Mrs Ira Malhotra has not gone unnoticed. Her strong presence alongside has made them among the most popular couples in diplomatic circles while in her own right she has patronized social activities in Indian and international women associations.
 
He will be fondly remembered as a friend and mentor of the community who did his best and made his country and countrymen proud of him having also raised India-Kuwait linkages to a qualitively new level. Kuwait's loss will surely be Russia's gain.