WHERE IS HINDU CHARITY

Uttarakhand is passing through an unprecedented disaster. CAG blames UK Government for ill preparedness and politicians of course blaming Gods for the cloud burst or each other. End of the day, lots of lives will be lost, property destroyed; netas carry aerial surveillance; announce relief packages and thereafter life continues as normal and very soon a new scam would take over and people will forget the disaster less those who have suffered.

Incompetence and lethargy of the governments of the day is well known, but what is deeply agonising is the human greed to exploit the tragedy. People from hill regions are more God fearing and humane in their approach to life. However the stories of greed and loot from the returned devotees are scary. Chapati which costs Rs 5/ and rice plate costing Rs 10/ being sold for Rs 300 and 500 respectively.

The NGOs who shout from roof tops on each and every issue and super rich temples/ gurus seem to be absent. During the Latur earthquake of early 90 vintage similar greed amongst tragedy was very apparent but the Gurudwars and RSS, a few HAM based operators and one of the TATA group youth brigade did wonders and restored one’ faith in the human good.

Langar run by one of the gurudwars, probably Nanded did untiring service in provisioning of cooked meals and there was never a clamour for media or any other glory.

RSS and TATA youth brigade restored the dignity amongst the dead. The human and animal dead bodies were rotting and rains rescue efforts more difficult and rotting bodies became worse. One saw young, well-educated boys and girls carrying masks and small entrenching tools and removing the dead without vomiting or disgust. It was done with so much discipline and dignity, it was amazing. Being present there and from uniformed background it was with great pride to see the youth rise to such great heights of charity in time of calamity. Surprising the local youth and some disciplined uniformed people were busy looting. Then there was a group of HAM operators, these people were so effective in meeting the crisis that it was sheer joy to see them working so efficiently. In one instance there were thousands of stoves delivered but without kerosene oil. This group managed to get it overnight when the official machinery appeared totally paralysed.

Then there were elderlies who came in for emotional support as loss of near and dear ones is disastrous. This group advised in a very interesting mix of religion, deeper meaning of life and recital of bhajans and satsang. The results were quite amazing. During the Tangdhar earthquake disaster a few years back the grudwars and Satsang dera Beas did such a commendable work that one has to see it to believe it.

Where are the Hindu organisations? The community claims to inherit the oldest civilisation known for sacrifice and the concept of we are the world. Our politicians do not take a minute to tear apart each other when it comes to their vote banks. Where are the swamis, temples, gurus who have amassed wealth in this hour of calamity? The only action one had read in reports is Baba Ramdev sending significant consignments from his personal funds. Where are the others? Gone into hiding. Shame on them all. Wish they had come together to rebuild Kedarnath and extend support by sending their devotees. Modi has offered to foot the bill but knowing Congress’s scare of Modi, they will neither do it themselves nor let him do it. Never expect government devotees to be half as efficient as the devotees. See kar sevaks if there is any doubt.

Where are the super-rich temple committees hiding? Starting from Vaishno Mata to Tirupati and Sai baba who have assets worth millions not contributing financially or with human help.

Where are the Ambanis, Tata, Birla and other industrialist who make such tall claims towards corporate social responsibility?

There appears to be little effort by million plus Hindus to help out their people in distress. Apart from blaming the Government or going on media for self-glorification, sincere effort is lacking.

If things continue this way, the community and religion known for what is best amongst the humanity shying away from sacrificing, the indicators are clearly we are hurling toward doom and be prepared to be ruled by outsiders as always.

For God sake arise and Make a Difference

RISE OF MODY: IMPLICATIONS

There are extreme views about the ascendency of Modi on the national Indian political scene. From an efficient administrator, visionary, deliverer to manipulator, anti-Muslim and extremely ambitious.

He is from a very humble background, has risen through the system through hard work and transformed Gujarat into the most vibrant state is all recorded and well known. People who have interacted with him speak high of him – humble; decisive; efficient; visionary and hands on control over his KRAs. On the other hand the national print and electronic media; some NGOs and large number of self-styled Muslim saviours blame him for events of 2002. The Gadara riots, where both Muslims and Hindus lost lives due to mob fury triggered due to burning of a bogie carrying Hindu worshippers returning from Ayodhya post demolition of Babri mosque. The needle of suspicion pointed towards the other community. Large number of inquiries, judicial investigations, PILs by self-acclaimed saviours of the communities found a great opportunity in self-gratification and extracting favours from the powers that be- Modi bashing was  ticket to both fame and favours from the central government because sympathy to a potential vote bank. Exploiting human pain rather than curing it became the choice profession of many. Both the haters and lovers have gained tremendously, therefore he raises fear or appreciation depending on which side of the prism one looks through.

Why the Fear

He is not corrupt, sets target and accepts results. This is what the management experts call Management by objectives. At the national level the results are measured in expanding the budget allotted and asking for more annually and if the department spends fully it gets additional amount. If someone spends less the axe will fall on that department. Thus the emphasis is on ensuring expenditure and not the results achieved. Most of the advanced economies are moving towards performance budget where in the expenditure is measured not in terms of money spent but the results achieved. CAG has been doing a wonderful work in pointing the wasteful expenditure but no one really cares. Moment the performance/results are factored into the money spent automatically the focus shifts towards accountability. This is the first step towards improved governance and accountable babudom. Accountability which is non-existent in government departments, cascading into lassie fair is a win win for lethargic machinery. Rights and perks matter. Results- who cares. This is the greatest fear amongst the government sector and biggest threat to Modi’s rise. Great for the nation but serious resistance from government employees- a huge vote bank

Perception: Muslim Hater

The national media and the central government machinery have taken pains to demonify Modi over the last decades. The perception amongst the masses may reflect this image unless serious actions are initiated to nullify the viscous propaganda, there would be trouble for Modi.

Should he succeed in polarising votes on religious lines, it could have extremely serious ramifications for the present power holders- there would be tectonic power shift jolting lots of influential players propagating family rule or scaring the minority vote bank of the ramifications and claiming we are the saviours.

Change the Rules

Merit and inclusive development where in everyone is facilitated and empowered to earn and live with dignity rather than creating beggars or parasites through free doles can be a game changer. Empowerment rather than free doles could make a huge difference for the nation and the Indian society to move from agrarian to knowledge based society in tune with the world at large.

This poses a mega threat to the existing system and may collude to ensure combined front to character assassinate, demonify and defeat Modi and Co. Media/CBI/Judiciary/NGOs and self-styled saviours plus other tools in the armoury of the government could be unleashes and coalition of the threatened may come into being.

Style of Functioning

Reportedly an autocrat who cannot tolerate the non- performers, Modi will need to carry the team. Being a federal structure with very powerful and aware state governments, any bulldozing could lead to rebellion or in the worst case fragmentation. Very potent threat which will need to be addressed pragmatically.

Transformation

The nation will be transformed with empowered and knowledge flushed youth; in-house industry; accountable bureaucracy; infrastructure and emphasis on perform or perish. National issues and threats will probably get a rational approach with long term policies and national/international cooperation of the willing to tackle terrorism/China-Pak threats.

Conclusion

Rise of Modi augurs well for the nation because he is perceived to be deliverer, honest and visionary. As of today he is the best bet for the country. He will need to survive the counter veiling forces which are massive and will combine to defeat him because his arrival means mega power shift.

 Issue is can he do it?

Let us all use our might to make a difference to help the nation come out from the present quagmire of corruption and pessimism.