Six months of Modi: achhe sitare more than achhe din

http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Swaminomics/swaminathan-s-anklesaria-aiyar-six-months-of-modi-achhe-sitare-more-than-achhe-din/

Swachh Bharat Campaign and the Larger Picture

PM Modi has highlighted within the first few days in office our seemingly minor problems of cleanliness and sanitation which are actually surface reflections of a much bigger and deeper malaise. While my blog may often seem to center around Indian politics and political leaders, SPEAK UP is more about PEOPLE'S role in shaping our democracy. I will continue to be critical about our role as citizens even though popular media is more about accountability of the government and I support free media for ensuring that. You can’t clean a ditch by swearing at it. You have to put your hand in it. Thus, the Nov 1 editorial piece in the TOI, by Chetan Bhagat was a breath of fresh air because it reinforces my belief that -

• Governments are mere enablers, WE have to do what we have to do. Government should just get out of the way. 
• The Political class and the Administration should give back the country to the people which they usurped decades ago from the British. (Lets not live under the illusion that we are a free nation and we elect our own representatives who shall act in the true interest of the people. Most recent example is how the elected representatives of Maharashtra are squabbling for "plump posts" in the cabinet. Power corrupts, but that's the topic of another blog post.) Back to my concept - the people of India must reclaim their country back from the rulers. Sorry, not rulers, claim it back from the Public SERVANTS.
• With Ownership comes Pride.
• PRIDE DRIVES EVERYTHING ELSE!! 
• Poverty, illiteracy, lack of administrative support, etc are no hindrance to a Swachh Bharat.

I invest in my home because I OWN it. I'm PROUD of my kids, not the neighbors'. I don't like it if someone dirties my property. But I don't see the country as MY property. I see it as toppled truck of beer cans which is being looted by my fellow villagers. They are all having a party. And why not? Soon the beer will go to dust. I'd be a fool to not join in the free Oktoberfest till it lasts. This is what has become of the country. Thankfully, there are several exceptions, no doubt.

I believe Mr Modi is addressing this larger problem of National Pride. As Indians we are more proud of our past than our present. Once revived, our Pride in this great Nation, will itself do wonders. For a long time, the imagination of a nation has not been fired by a national figure. Modi is doing a very dangerous thing. If awakened, at least the Gen Next of India will help strengthen the Institution of Democracy and will reduce the absolute power of political parties that they currently enjoy. Great for the nation, bad for the corrupt politician. I did a quick google search for National Pride to check if there was an index, and to my surprise I found a couple but with limitations (National Pride in the Americas http://www.vanderbilt.edu/lapop/insights/IO899en.pdf and another 2009 survey of only 33 nations by the Economist). 

Please don't miss the larger picture of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan (Clean India Movement). In the process of keeping my street, my city and my country clean, I will regain my sense of ownership and will fight all other "dirt" that defines my country today. What an idea, Modiji!

I like Chetan Bhagat's article because

• As usual its in simple language
• He reminds us that fundamentally Indians are clean, so why a million excuses for dirty public places?
• It addresses the root cause of the problem - We the people
• It addresses the larger picture of the Indian mindset

I'm not a Chetan Bhagat fan, but looks like our IITs and IIMs still produce thinkers! I always say - "its all in the mind". Actually, - "Its all in the Intellect". Enjoy the article-

Cleanliness Begins at Home
The Times of India, Nov 1, 2014

He has not referred to the Larger Picture but I'm convinced that if we can Clean India we can Win India. 

Free Media and Government Accountability

Sagarika Ghose speaks up for Free Media and Government Accountability

for Dharma in Administration

Dharma got wrongly translated to mean "religion". Dharma more closely relates to morality or ethics. Dharma should be taught in our schools to our kids and to our legislators. Let the textbooks and the teachers be religion-agnostic or even atheist but don't stop teaching. The British took it away from us and ruled us effectively. Bring back our biggest cultural loss to the colonial rule - DHARMA. Bring Dharma to everyday life, to governance, law and order, politics, etc.

Sagarika Ghose brings in clarity on the subject of Secularism in Democracy with new terms like "silly secularism" and "Righteous Administration" in her TOI editorial on Sept 17. In his first ever interview after assuming office, PM Modi has finally broken his silence on Indian Muslims. He says - "If anyone thinks Indian Muslims will dance to Al Qaida's tune, they are delusional. Indian Muslims will live for India. They will die for India. They will not want anything bad for India." That's good sound byte for the minorities. But it is still not clear what Modi's going to do to reign in the fringe elements in and around the party who have hijacked Hinduism. As far as the silly secularists in Congress, SP and other such "secular" parties, I think they are already finished or will be soon. Take a look at this interesting piece.

Rename secularism. Call it ‘dharma’ or righteous administration

Down with Pseudo-Secularism and Hindu Fundamentalism.
Speak up for Religious Neutrality and Dharma (Righteousness) in Governance.

Biased media - a threat to democracy

Arnab Goswami has countless fans in the country. However some people differ from the generally accepted view that Arnab Goswami speaks for the people and asks questions on behalf of the nation. I believe that he comes with preconceived verdicts and not only pronounces his target guilty on his Newshour show but also dispenses the punishment right there. Mr Goswami seems to subdue the voice of dissent and does not allow any room for defense. That's not a fair trial. Anyway, a TV anchor on prime time national channel is not supposed to hold a trial regardless of of how popular they are. Just allow both sides to have a fair debate. A good anchor is supposed to be a clever facilitator of a civil debate.

I urge friends to sit through a few of this popular Newshour show on Times Now at 9pm IST every weeknight, if you haven't already and judge for yourself. Unlike Mr Goswami, I would be happy to hear from everyone regardless of their views being different from mine or similar.

 

I want strong institutions ...

Even in the run up to the General Elections it was evident to most that its going to be - Abki baar Modi Sarkar. In April I wrote on this blog that even 5 years may not be enough for the Modi Sarkar to deliver the growth that we all crave for. I had cautioned that we should not expect Achche din in days, not even months. But I never expected public patience to be limited so much, fueled by irresponsible comments in the media regarding price rise and rise in passenger fare.

We should be impatient. But for the right things - strong institutions, lean and efficient governance and much-needed reforms however bitter the taste in the beginning.

Three sharp thinkers of our times - Swaminathan S A Aiyar, Swapan Das Gupta and Gurcharan Das - speak their minds in today's Sunday Times of India. If you can't catch the full text (links provided), here are some excerpts.

Swapan Das Gupta: A Lean Govt Machine.....

The Modi government has inherited a treasury that has been accustomed to spending more than what the revenues bring in....For far too long India has been living in a financial bubble that needs to be punctured urgently before the whole thing explodes in our faces... The next eight months must be devoted to shedding the accumulated flab of government.This is politically not as daunting as some may imagine. A lean government does not imply a mean government: it implies a more nimble and fit for purpose government. In Gujarat, Modi injected a new attribute to the functioning of the state: efficiency. Now, it is his responsibility to ensure that legitimate cuts in wasteful government expenditure are coupled with a change in the culture of governance.There are three aspects to this project. First, there has to be a discernible improvement in the quality of the interface between the citizen and the state. The state does not regulate every aspect of our public life. Where it does it must fulfill its obligations with courtesy and without the payment of the obligatory under-the-table ‘service charge’. Secondly, the budget must send out the clear signal that the future of development depends on the explosion of entrepreneurship. This does not cost money. It involves lessening red tape, scrapping over-regulation and injecting stability into the financial system. Finally, Jaitley has to begin the process of unplugging the life-support systems of a terminally ill public sector. The logic of what the Reserve Bank governor has recommended for public sector banks must be extended to all public sector undertakings. They must be encouraged to either perform or become history.In the political cycle, there is only a small window for being bold and establishing political distinctiveness. The first budget of a government blessed with a clear mandate is the obvious starting point. By rising to the occasion, the budget can set the tone for the entire first term of Modi.

Swaminathan S A Aiyer: ...Corporatize the Railways

Modi must declare he will convert the railways, currently a departmental enterprise, into a number of listed corporations within two years. Simultaneously , he should abolish the annual ritual of the railway budget. Back in 1991, a report of the Asian Development Bank estimated that the railways had half a million excess workers, but these were never trimmed.Passenger travel is in no sense an essential good requiring subsidies. Yet successive railway ministers have kept raising freight rates to keep passenger rates artificially cheap. An analysis by Avinash Celestine in The Economic Times reveals that the ratio of freight to passenger rates has risen in India from 2.13 in 1950 to 3.68. In China, it is less than one. That’s why China is a low-cost, highly competitive country, while India is the exact opposite.Ending the politicization of the railways will be impossible without corporatization 

I agree with Swami’s idea of Corporatization of the Railways. But before the NDA govt makes any such move I recommend that they first corporatize the public’s thinking. Strong public perception will have to be first created that corporatization does not necessarily mean higher fares and anti-people. Govt should get out of most business. Set clear and socially responsible guidelines, encourage free competition and let the marketplace take over. May be some shares be offered to Railway employees at discount to boost pride and efficiency. Let these small investors become wealthy by growing their Corporation through dedication and efficiency. This will be a good retirement benefit for them. Singapore did that 40 years ago already with their Bus service (SBS)!! Let ALL our public services except armed forces, judiciary and police be run like accountable corporate entities, not necessarily for-profit, not run by Govt but truly OF the people, BY the people and ofcourse for the people. 

But most importantly, as Gurcharan Das pointed out today, Modi must sensitize and educate his voters about what he really meant by Achche din and when will they come and about his so-called bitter pill. It would do him and us some good to slightly sugar coat it, but bitter pill he must administer. There's no going back.

Gurcharan Das- After months of talk, its go time for new PM: 

In one respect Modi should not be silent. He should learn from his predecessor’s mistake and insistently make a compelling political case for economic reform. He must keep educating Indians about the link between reforms, jobs, opportunities and prosperity . He needs to explain that only the competitive market (not giveaways) can deliver a middle-class society and that a rules-based capitalism leads to dignity, not crony capitalism. Modi has spoken about “tough“ decisions that are urgently needed to enforce financial discipline, and they risk losing popular good will. With this warning he has set the stage for a hard-nosed budget on Thursday.He is being advised to be prudent, to make incremental changes and not unsettle the system. But he must not forget that an aspiring nation has elected him precisely because he is an outsider and wants him to shake up the system. So, he must not listen too much to others and follow his own dharma.

So Friends, lets ask for Strong Institutions. Growth will automatically follow. With a weak government, achche din kabhi nahin ayenge!

Would be happy to see a different point of view. Please comment or share with your friends if you agree. 

Even in defeat, Aam Aadmi Party still matters

Even in defeat, Aam Aadmi Party still matters

http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Swaminomics/even-in-defeat-aam-aadmi-party-still-matters/

Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar

The 5 year vigil begins now

Highest ever voter turnout of 66.4%, the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) attaining simple majority and the prospect of a stable govt for 5 years. All reasons why the world's largest democracy should feel like a job well done. Time to sit back and relax. But wait - is the job really done?

Not quite. The 5 year vigil begins now. Jaagte raho, even if you have full faith in the newly elected leaders. I'm not doubting the abilities and integrity of the NDA government-in-waiting or its chances of performing. On the contrary, the question is how are WE going to perform as the electors and the ruled. 

As per the Democracy Index 2012 published by the Economist Intelligence Unit, India is considered a "flawed democracy" and ranked only 38 on that index! Much of this low ranking is because of us (the common man), not because of our leaders. We are not a "full democracy" yet like the Top 25 ranking countries with score of 8.0 or above. India is not far behind at 7.5 and with better political awareness and culture and an unbiased media, we can surely climb up that ranking in 2014-15. 

About 551 million Indians spoke their minds on voting day this time. We hope that they will continue to Speak Up every day for 5 more years. 

Stop the culprits, not the business

My favorite commentator hitting the nail right on the head.

Well-intentioned laws, courts cripple growth

http://swaminomics.org/well-intentioned-laws-courts-cripple-growth/

Actor-Neta Chiranjeevi tastes the Power of the Common Man

Applause as NRI stops Chiranjeevi from jumping voters' queue

http://www.ndtv.com/elections/video/player/news/applause-as-nri-stops-chiranjeevi-from-jumping-voters-queue/319283

Jaisi Praja, waisa Raja. Use it or lose it.

Take 3 minutes to read this inspiring success story from a small village near Rajkot, Gujarat that has made voting compulsory!
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/lok-sabha-elections-2014/news/Voting-is-compulsory-in-this-Rajkot-village/articleshow/34127219.cms
Two other interesting things about Raj Samadhiyala in democratic India: the move to prevent bogus voting and the unique way of allowing only small meetings with candidates, barring candidates from using large hoardings, banners and leaflets.

Possible in a small village. Also possible in a large country! Anything is possible. If authoritarian rule is possible over 1.35 Bio Chinese by single Communist Party then why not this? Compulsory right to exercise one's freedom to elect a government. Compulsory Freedom?! Sounds like a paradox?

I recommend: Withdraw the names of habitual non-voters from the electoral list. Why just Right to Recall the elected representative? First reform the people. Jaisi Praja waisa Raja. People of India, stop whining. The Satyamey Jayate show on elections in India is a must watch for all those who missed it and who feel that we need better leaders. Watch this and you will change your mind:

http://www.satyamevjayate.in/Criminalization-Of-Politics/EPISODE-5Watchvideo.aspx?uid=E5-EV-V1&lang=hindi

Speak up. Most of us end up wasting our most precious rights as citizens of Democratic India. As a first step, we must be prepared to Lose it if we don't Use it.

Jaagte Raho! - Aall is not well

Our duties as citizens are not over with the vote and the over-hyped black mark selfie. Jaagte Raho, all is not well....

We can't expect any push for the much needed electoral and judicial reforms from the leading opposition party in the 16th Lok Sabha, most likely Congress. Soon the election fever will cool off. The media's priorities may change. TV viewers are likely to go back to their daily soap, as a cure to election fatigue. Restaurants, marketers and radio channels will look for greener pastures. Till such time as another andolan by Anna & Co. is launched and attracts any sizeable TRPs, the 810 Mio voters have to continue exercising their right - the right to question. Speak up. That's called Democracy.

As per one survey, http://www.slideshare.net/iibea/digital-statistics-2014-india
while there are 200 Mio internet users in India in 2013, there were 73 Mio who browsed the net and 33 Mio Indians who searched blogs. A large portion (86%) of internet users used social media in 2013. These seem like small numbers compared to the 814 Mio eligible voters in 2014 but consider the growing influence of social media on the mainstream media and even on Indian politics! Speak up. That's called Democracy.

I want strong Institutions - not just Growth

I believe in Modi but at the national level he may have to make many compromises. National Politics - thy middle name is Compromise. I wonder how he will perform with regional parties and alliance partners like Shiv Sena and will he finally succeed in decriminalizing politics. I don't want neck-breaking growth for 5 yrs followed by deep slumber or goondaism again. I want deep systemic cleansing - ayurveda style. In a country as large as India nothing can be done in 5 yrs. If our system is cleaned from within and stays like this for 20 yrs then we will automatically excel.

Indians, by design of our DNA can't handle democracy. We need benevolent rulers - if there are any left. Rewind 300-2000 yrs in Indian history. The Pandavas laying aside all personal comforts and interests for re-installing Dharma. I don’t expect those types anymore nor does anyone expect a Krishna avataar. So we need leaders who may give us slow growth - ok, but rapidly and permanently strengthen our institutions such that no new leader can screw our naive public. India's core is good. Lost souls from world over come to India seeking direction. Once we have strong institutions like a TRUE democracy, transparent bureaucracy, justice system, educational system and healthcare system India will be truly shining.

I expect nothing in 5 years except ruthless reforms. AAP paid its price for impatience asking for Jan Lokpal in 49 days in Delhi. The NDA govt expected in June at the Center should neither give up too soon nor give excuses for this most important deliverable to the people of this great nation.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee advised the Gujarat CM in 2002 – “Remember your Rajdharma”. Let only these words ring forever in the ears of India’s new PM hopeful, effectively drowning the cacophony of the alliance partners or from within BJP. Good luck Mr. Modi, you have an extremely tough road ahead, whatever be the final numbers. 

Modi's most important promise

I was disappointed to note that both BJP and AAP have a high percentage of candidates with criminal charges. Also a survey has concluded that criminals have a high chance of being elected to parliament than non-criminals. Hence there is a very high chance that the new Lok Sabha will also be full of criminals. While Modi's plan of setting up special fast track courts to conclude such cases within 1 year sounds great, I wonder how easy it is going to be to execute this plan. Lets not forget this most important promise of this government after they come to power. 

http://m.ibnlive.com/news/modi-promises-jail-for-criminal-candidates-bjp-has-32-pc-of-them/466627-81.html

Arvind Kejriwal's Defeat - Democracy's Victory

Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Admi Party (AAP) are fighting a losing battle in India's General Elections 2014. They will make no significant dent on the BJP's tally in the end. The other major National Party - the Congress Party - seemed like a non-starter from the beginning. But we must understand the genesis of the AAP and its objective in first contesting for the Delhi Assembly and then for Lok Sabha. Anna Hazare, Kejriwal et al wanted to clean up Indian politics and government from outside, from Jantar Mantar but failed to do so. If one considers AAP's single point agenda of cleaning up the system from within, then despite their expected poor show in the on-going elections, the BROOM would have silently, swept the polls and more.

Consider how due to AAP's relentless efforts and mostly unconventional style, the tone of the discussion in the world's largest democracy has now shifted from caste, money power and personalities to ISSUES, CLEAN CANDIDATES, TRANSPARENCY and ACCOUNTABILITY. Sure, this election we still have tainted candidates, tons of money and liquor flowing freely, but there is an audible talk among the aam admi to make his/her vote count. Without doubting the BJP's claim to being clean, left to themselves, even they could not have single-handedly change the focal point of this elections the way AAP has done it. It is only because of the leaders of India Against Corruption (IAC) - Hazare, Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi, Prashant Bhushan and many others - did India witness the mass movements of the type we saw from 2012 and the cry for Lokpal and transparency, a demand to end the malaise of corruption in public life. Thanks to the short but impactful honeymoon of AAP with the media, the public outcry to clean the system reached the crescendo that it has in 2014. The Nirbhaya case and in small measures many other efforts like Aamir Khan's Satyamev Jayate, Baba Ramdev, etc. also helped keep the conversation alive. 

Whether AAP wins anywhere at all or is decimated completely does not matter. The Kejriwal team would have won because they have changed the way India chooses its leaders from now. I have a strange feeling that the Kejri team was the Trojan horse sent into enemy camp by Hazare. The IAC has won, the People of India have won!

The people of Delhi cannot blame AAP for running away. Can't the people of the Capital city make a small sacrifice for a national cause? By pressing the button next to the Broom, the Delhite was expressing her angst against the two main parties. Isn't that clear? Instead of None of the Above (NOTA), they pressed on Broom. Job done! Nobody expected it. The next Delhi Assembly election will clearly see BJP come with a thumping majority. But the people of Delhi cannot be ungrateful to AAP even though their decision to exit the Delhi government was political suicide and the decision to quickly jump into the national scene is considered hasty by many.

Lets not forget what AAP is here for. Lets not expect them to govern. At least I won't if I give my vote to Mayank Gandhi on April 24. On 27 September 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that the right to register a NOTA would increase voter turnout. The judges said that this "would lead to a systemic change in polls and political parties will be forced to project clean candidates". "Democracy is all about choices and voters will be empowered by this right of negative voting," AAP has become like NOTA-2 for those voters who don't want to be seen as "wasting" their precious vote in case they don't agree with any of the contesting candidates in their constituency. 

This is a landmark year for our Democracy. But, Oh People of this great country, your role is far from over by casting that vote and posting selfies of the black mark on FB. Whoever you voted for, your real role begins now. Congratulations BJP! Good luck BJP! India is now restless and alert.

What's "Democracy"?

With the world's largest democracy going to the polls this month, I wanted to know where India stands in terms of a Democracy Index. May be the biggest, but is it the best?

I found several interesting references and agencies that watched Democracies around the world. The Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy index is based on five measures: electoral

process and pluralism, civil liberties, functioning of government, political participation and 

political culture. Countries are placed within one of four types of regimes based on this Democracy Index: full democracies, flawed democracies, hybrid regimes and authoritarian regimes. The full report is at http://pages.eiu.com/rs/eiu2/images/Democracy-Index-2012.pdf. If you don't have time for the full report, take 3 minutes to read the significance of these 5 measures of democracy as per EIU on Page 26. Is it the responsibility of the political class or the government to deliver a fully functional democracy or are the masses equally responsible for the 54 flawed democracies as measured in 2012? What is the role of the people in making a democracy stronger? What are my responsibilities as a voter after the voting is over? Do I have any rights?

I invite friends to share inspiring stories from the world over on how PEOPLE's participation built powerful democracies in their countries or states. What makes Norway No. 1? May be there are lessons to be learnt for the world's largest democracy, India (Ranked 38 in 2012). 

Why Speak Up

I'm not the only one who's concerned about the way things are. The Speak Up Blog is intended to be an un-moderated medium for voices who wish to participate in the debate on major issues that affect the citizens of this planet today, be it Democratic Institutions or Healthcare Systems, Education or Human Happiness Metrics!

Looking forward to hearing and learning from voices different from mine. Expressing discontent is probably the first step towards change. But I also hope to hear success stories and constructive solutions from around the world so that we don't forget to celebrate humanity and reinstate hope and pride despite the negativity in the media around us.