Society of tomorrow is reflected by the kind of education that one gets today. If that be a benchmark, of how you define the society, Bihar is way behind then. Shiksha Mitras is a good concept however unless it is executed properly the output would be as good as having a "charwaha vidyalaya" & it won't be far that we go back to lantern age yet again. Good thing is that students have atleast started getting education but what is the benefit if the teachers just sit around & chat. I can quote atleast 3-4 examples where I know the teachers personally & by far I don't think they even fit the standard of even being called a teacher. It's not a question of what degree have you got or do you have the basic qualification to become a teacher or not, it's rather a bigger question of wheather you should have been at that position at the first place. To me teaching is not a profession although in most pragmatic terms it may, though, remains so. It's an enthusiasm, it's a committment to focus, It's a charm that one finds onself in while doing so. It's a passion to create future. Obviously it must be paid too, accordingly, for everything has a cost to it. Teachers don't live on air. They are also human beings like us who need good living & food.
Primary teaching apart, if we look at other side of the story too like secondary & even the professional teaching, one would be appalled by the type of teachers that we have or in most of the cases where we don't even have the basic requirement of the number of teachers that we need to have.
Just getting IIM's / IIT's won't help. Get the Basics right first. I know Nitish has already done a lot & it will take some time to set everything straight but one must understand without this you are digging your own grave, even in politics.
Thursday 9 December 2010
Sunday 21 November 2010
Recent Rendevous with Village Elders in Bhitbherwan: My Village
Recently visited Bhitbherwan, my village. The name must be sounding a little tounge twisting. Well, that's what English has for you. In Saral Hindi, it means "Mitti Ka Ghar". Idea was to celebrate Deepawali with all my uncles & cousins whom I hadn't met in the last 12 years. That was just a reason to meet all. and during one of these meetings started a discussion. So here I was, sorrounded by atleast five of them. All in their late 40's, some even late 60's. What else could be the topic of discussion when elections are on their way? Dad asked his elder bhaiyya, "kekra ke vote bhail ha aa kahan ke sama bandhail ba". well, in simple English it means, whom had he voted & who was going to win? His elder brother or my badka (Sr) Chacha ji started. Although Nitish has been voted but more or less we are not in his favor. why? was my immediate next question! He started off by mentioning about some of Nitish's policies where chakbandi has been proposed & that he was off to take some decisions that were not in favour of the land owners. My village is a Kshatriya polulated village with almost 100 households & rest all are from various other castes & religions including Muslims. Lalu was getting favoured by some of the sections including the Yadavs as they had started seeing their messiah in him after 5 years of rule by Nitish. Their extra grown tooth in Lalu days had been cut short by Nitish which was dis-liked by many in Yadav community but not necessarilly by the Muslims as such. Muslims may have got a special treatment by Lalu but internally I must say he hasn't done anything so good to them which others can't take the pie of doing to them as well during their rule.
My question to him was more to do with what the fuss around chakbandi? We have owned land for so long & there are poor who don't have any bit of that although they are the ones who work there. Moment I asked the question, Chachaji wasn't too surprised rather he answered very confidently & politely. Probably he knew my urban socialist thoughts & respected them instead of shouting at me. The babudom that we have today is what Zamindars were in earlier days. His rational was that the way the babu's make you run for your money today is the same way how Zamindars used to be in those days. Just that the nomenclature has changed. Both do the looting so why such a biased approach against the Zamindars specially when they do give the fair share to the workers who plough & crop their land. His rational was fix the Babu dom & things will fall in shape even without Chakbandi.
For once, I thought, he was mixing up the issue but later on I realized he wasn't saying too much wrong either. The issues that we have in the system are not really caused by the landowners but because a lot of the schemes that have been created for the poor are not reaching them. Good or bad, It's the government that is responsible for not being able to knuckle down the corrupt. Aangan wadi's are created yet the food is not reaching the poor school children, MNREGA was established yet the babu's are pocketing the money & it is not reaching the poor village youth then why target the landowners. Moreover why would one want to give off his land if he has it since ages? Equally for these landowners too their is no other source of income than this land. I felt, for once, their story is just like that of the Mumbai bar dancers who didn't do anything wrong but still were shut down from operating in bars because government felt they are causing much of the bad in the society. Infact when the Government stopped it, is when these bar dancers started doing illegal things. I thought it would be the same thing if the landonwers are forced to part from their land. For once, Government will have to explain it if it doesn't want any untoward incidence in the future by forcibly taking their land instead of checking corruption. This is not mere politics but playing with the livelihood of people & if the state is Bihar, one must be careful.
Overall, people are happy compared to the rule of yesteryears but the corruption has got so much in the system now that one can't breath. So Nitish may win this time on the development wave but I can tell that if he doesn't address this issue, he won't be there for long unless people feel that giving Rs 100 once as bribe is worth until you earn Rs 1000 / month. That was an eyeopener for me. By this time, people had started retiring for lunch & the discussion was left as it is, may be to start when we all would meet again (which typically happened quite often during those 3-4 days of my stay)
By the way, above all, everyone wanted me to come back & build a house in village than making it in some other city like many of village youth. For them, it is the village where you should be respected than buying a piece of land or house elsewhere. Have been pondering over that since then!!
My question to him was more to do with what the fuss around chakbandi? We have owned land for so long & there are poor who don't have any bit of that although they are the ones who work there. Moment I asked the question, Chachaji wasn't too surprised rather he answered very confidently & politely. Probably he knew my urban socialist thoughts & respected them instead of shouting at me. The babudom that we have today is what Zamindars were in earlier days. His rational was that the way the babu's make you run for your money today is the same way how Zamindars used to be in those days. Just that the nomenclature has changed. Both do the looting so why such a biased approach against the Zamindars specially when they do give the fair share to the workers who plough & crop their land. His rational was fix the Babu dom & things will fall in shape even without Chakbandi.
For once, I thought, he was mixing up the issue but later on I realized he wasn't saying too much wrong either. The issues that we have in the system are not really caused by the landowners but because a lot of the schemes that have been created for the poor are not reaching them. Good or bad, It's the government that is responsible for not being able to knuckle down the corrupt. Aangan wadi's are created yet the food is not reaching the poor school children, MNREGA was established yet the babu's are pocketing the money & it is not reaching the poor village youth then why target the landowners. Moreover why would one want to give off his land if he has it since ages? Equally for these landowners too their is no other source of income than this land. I felt, for once, their story is just like that of the Mumbai bar dancers who didn't do anything wrong but still were shut down from operating in bars because government felt they are causing much of the bad in the society. Infact when the Government stopped it, is when these bar dancers started doing illegal things. I thought it would be the same thing if the landonwers are forced to part from their land. For once, Government will have to explain it if it doesn't want any untoward incidence in the future by forcibly taking their land instead of checking corruption. This is not mere politics but playing with the livelihood of people & if the state is Bihar, one must be careful.
Overall, people are happy compared to the rule of yesteryears but the corruption has got so much in the system now that one can't breath. So Nitish may win this time on the development wave but I can tell that if he doesn't address this issue, he won't be there for long unless people feel that giving Rs 100 once as bribe is worth until you earn Rs 1000 / month. That was an eyeopener for me. By this time, people had started retiring for lunch & the discussion was left as it is, may be to start when we all would meet again (which typically happened quite often during those 3-4 days of my stay)
By the way, above all, everyone wanted me to come back & build a house in village than making it in some other city like many of village youth. For them, it is the village where you should be respected than buying a piece of land or house elsewhere. Have been pondering over that since then!!
Saturday 4 September 2010
Baher se dekhne main aur game Khelne main Bahut Antar Hai Mukhya Mantri Ji
While Chidambaram was trying to devise a strategy with all naxalite affected state Chief ministers, Nitish was off in Patna, thinking that giving 2 cents of "Gyan" would help avert any possible attacks of such nature in Bihar itself. Not just that he didn't attend the meeting, he also gave a piece of advice to Home minister that Maoists are part of the mainstream & that they shall be dealt with differently.
When the same Nitish is encountered with a catch 22 situation in Bihar with the Maoists abducting 4 policemen (1 now being killed), he is looking for advice from all people & has even called for a all party meeting.
whether Chidambaram was right or wrong then is a separate issue to discuss but it does now raise a question to Nitish that it is really different watching the game from outside while playing it, is really a tough ask. He is now at trying to be at wits end to determine what is the best approach. Good that he takes some lessons from it now.
When the same Nitish is encountered with a catch 22 situation in Bihar with the Maoists abducting 4 policemen (1 now being killed), he is looking for advice from all people & has even called for a all party meeting.
whether Chidambaram was right or wrong then is a separate issue to discuss but it does now raise a question to Nitish that it is really different watching the game from outside while playing it, is really a tough ask. He is now at trying to be at wits end to determine what is the best approach. Good that he takes some lessons from it now.
Wednesday 18 August 2010
What's needed in Bihar?
Not sure how much will I be correct in my assumptions however going by what I see in Bihar there is a need to do a few things very quickly:
Re-surgence of a political party that works beyond castes & religions: An area where Bihar has always lagged. I go to various sites (bihar related) where I see Bihar's youth fighting over like hell. Starts with a common goal discussion & suddenly you will find, in the midst, political debates ranging from Lalu to Nitish along with all abuses. So politically charged is Bihar's youth today that education is at the back burner. Irrespective of what the discussion is, it will move towards caste discussions & like wise. Unless, Bihar is able to provide a better governed party which focuses mainly of key issues, Bihar youth would most likely even wander like this on websites. Intially it was thought that Nitish would be just a development man however off late his political decisions & behaviour suggest something totally different.
Sprucing up the education system: This is one area where I feel even Nitish Kumar has failed. Movements are not run just by individuals. You have to empower ministers to take right decisions & drive the change. Getting IIT or NIFT won't really help Bihar. What is needed is the sprucing up the current education system & bring, on parity, Bihar colleges with the national ones. Provision of right number of teachers, facilities, better placement opportunities & Providing for more professional courses that increase saleability.
Protection to people: Although I would say that this area has improved alot however still if you go by the day light muders & dacoity in Bihar, it will outnumber any other state, specially in terms of the mere scale & not the volume. people do feel a lot safer than the earlier days however there is a good reason to believe that the honest officers are still being sidelined on the pretext of politics.
Job Opportunities: An area where not much seems to have happened in the last 4-5 years. Looks like that a lot of growth has happened however hasn't really resulted in the effective development of the people. Figures do suggest certain things but at times it suggests more of a farce than reality. Unless the migrated Biharis (both daily worker & the educated class) come back to Bihar, the intellectual quotient would not really enhance. This could happen only if good job opportunities are created both in the services as well as manufacturing sector.
Solve the Maoist menace: Although man made however this has gone beyond control. It does need to be controlled but more thru a socially interactive programs rather than bullet. Haven't really seen any great effort by the successive governments taking any effort to really solve this issue. People are being killed, schools being blown up & what not. If Maoists really have to teach a lesson, they shall do it to the administrations babu dom & the politicians & not take their anger on general public. They too are equally bitten as the Maoists by Bihar's political rajneeti.
Infrastructure: Although looks like that the roads have really been made good & the connectivity has really increased between villages & towns however Infra is not just about roads. It is equally about the Power sector, iririgation techniques for farmers & so on. This definitely needs a lot of work.Does look like that Central government has not helped Bihar much but it's time to go ahead rather complaining all times. Why can't Bihar be a model of Wind Energy or any other natural resource to create power. Why can't the husk system be implemented at a broader level.
Now the question is, "Is it just the governments job to fulfill all of this?". I could yes & a no. Yes, because unless the political system provides a conducive environment to enable primary requirements, things would not move further. It is not about an individual rather a system hence involvement of government is utmost necessary. No, because with your rights, come the duties & responsibilities. It is for the people to maintain once such facilities are provided & help the government develop the same beyond the lines of religion & caste wars, something that will be difficult to get Bihar rid of.
Not just that I bet with you so much is the caste war prevalent in Bihar that this time Lalu will really have a gala time. If not in a position to rule, he would definitely be a force to reckon with. You may like it or not, but lets not shy away from reality. Just Wait & Watch.
Re-surgence of a political party that works beyond castes & religions: An area where Bihar has always lagged. I go to various sites (bihar related) where I see Bihar's youth fighting over like hell. Starts with a common goal discussion & suddenly you will find, in the midst, political debates ranging from Lalu to Nitish along with all abuses. So politically charged is Bihar's youth today that education is at the back burner. Irrespective of what the discussion is, it will move towards caste discussions & like wise. Unless, Bihar is able to provide a better governed party which focuses mainly of key issues, Bihar youth would most likely even wander like this on websites. Intially it was thought that Nitish would be just a development man however off late his political decisions & behaviour suggest something totally different.
Sprucing up the education system: This is one area where I feel even Nitish Kumar has failed. Movements are not run just by individuals. You have to empower ministers to take right decisions & drive the change. Getting IIT or NIFT won't really help Bihar. What is needed is the sprucing up the current education system & bring, on parity, Bihar colleges with the national ones. Provision of right number of teachers, facilities, better placement opportunities & Providing for more professional courses that increase saleability.
Protection to people: Although I would say that this area has improved alot however still if you go by the day light muders & dacoity in Bihar, it will outnumber any other state, specially in terms of the mere scale & not the volume. people do feel a lot safer than the earlier days however there is a good reason to believe that the honest officers are still being sidelined on the pretext of politics.
Job Opportunities: An area where not much seems to have happened in the last 4-5 years. Looks like that a lot of growth has happened however hasn't really resulted in the effective development of the people. Figures do suggest certain things but at times it suggests more of a farce than reality. Unless the migrated Biharis (both daily worker & the educated class) come back to Bihar, the intellectual quotient would not really enhance. This could happen only if good job opportunities are created both in the services as well as manufacturing sector.
Solve the Maoist menace: Although man made however this has gone beyond control. It does need to be controlled but more thru a socially interactive programs rather than bullet. Haven't really seen any great effort by the successive governments taking any effort to really solve this issue. People are being killed, schools being blown up & what not. If Maoists really have to teach a lesson, they shall do it to the administrations babu dom & the politicians & not take their anger on general public. They too are equally bitten as the Maoists by Bihar's political rajneeti.
Infrastructure: Although looks like that the roads have really been made good & the connectivity has really increased between villages & towns however Infra is not just about roads. It is equally about the Power sector, iririgation techniques for farmers & so on. This definitely needs a lot of work.Does look like that Central government has not helped Bihar much but it's time to go ahead rather complaining all times. Why can't Bihar be a model of Wind Energy or any other natural resource to create power. Why can't the husk system be implemented at a broader level.
Now the question is, "Is it just the governments job to fulfill all of this?". I could yes & a no. Yes, because unless the political system provides a conducive environment to enable primary requirements, things would not move further. It is not about an individual rather a system hence involvement of government is utmost necessary. No, because with your rights, come the duties & responsibilities. It is for the people to maintain once such facilities are provided & help the government develop the same beyond the lines of religion & caste wars, something that will be difficult to get Bihar rid of.
Not just that I bet with you so much is the caste war prevalent in Bihar that this time Lalu will really have a gala time. If not in a position to rule, he would definitely be a force to reckon with. You may like it or not, but lets not shy away from reality. Just Wait & Watch.
Sunday 25 July 2010
Kab Sudhrega Bihar aur iska Babu Tantra
It couldn't have been more astonishing than this. Just reflects that it isn't just laloo but even Nitish has joined the race to transport quitals of food grain on Scooters. Click on the topic to read more.
"92.49 quintals of foodgrains carried on scooter in Bihar: CAG"
"92.49 quintals of foodgrains carried on scooter in Bihar: CAG"
Friday 23 July 2010
Bihar Boils
Bihar is boiling today more than it ever did. Yet again, more on the pretext of some narrow minded thoughtprocess of some insane politicians. what could it be more than a gimmick. How can we be so tolerant? Call it any political party & it has it?
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/bihar-brutal-lathi-charge-on-protesters-39009
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/bihar-brutal-lathi-charge-on-protesters-39009
Saturday 27 February 2010
Nitish shunts honest Manoje Nath
It's been time that I wrote on my blog however that doesn't mean that I wasn't following the news but just that the work overpowered me for a while now. Hope you understand. It takes a lot to be & remain consistently in the coporate world spacially when recession is in & around you. Nothing surprised me more than this news & almost compelled to come back on my blog in protest.
I really like Nitish & his work in lot of spehres & I had almost made up my mind that I am going to vote him in the coming elections. He has done so much after he assumed power. People from all walks of life have really commended him & even showred praise in terms of awarding him with "Business man of the year".
Well, doesn't it looks like a story of a reformer? Pause, Not exactly!! He did the same thing what others like Lalu/Paswan did in terms of polarising votes by caste, most of the universities are still without professors, crime is still there (a little less though), honest officers like Manoje Nath & Abhyanand are still to find a respectable place for themselves in the cadre, corrupts like Swapan M are still roaming free, doctors went on strike leading to many patients getting killed (murdered), eating with criminals at Chapara, no significant industrialization within the state & the list goes on. Someone might argue that this list is still very small against what good has he brought to the state. I would agree too however only thing that undermines that theory is that although small these things mentioned above are important things. It indicates his level of engagement in executing things or getting it done with a high level of partisan.
He, to me, is like any other political leader but not really a public leader who thinks beyond. Instead of changing / trying to change the society for good, he too plays like the Lalus of the world to amass votes, he like any other shunts honest officers who in their own right have done tremendous good to the society, so what is the difference & why are we liking him?
Well, a million dollar question but pretty easy to answer. We are in a comparative mode right now. We are comparing his rule to the previous 15 years. That itself is such a reprive for the people of the state that nobody wants to question him. People still fear that if he is gone, we will go back to "Lantern age"...but effectively, if he is to be compared on a chief ministers scale/role, he isn't yet there, where he needs to be!!! Obviously, he is a seasoned politician & he knows how to play the game, atleast, with people's sentiments!!!
I really like Nitish & his work in lot of spehres & I had almost made up my mind that I am going to vote him in the coming elections. He has done so much after he assumed power. People from all walks of life have really commended him & even showred praise in terms of awarding him with "Business man of the year".
Well, doesn't it looks like a story of a reformer? Pause, Not exactly!! He did the same thing what others like Lalu/Paswan did in terms of polarising votes by caste, most of the universities are still without professors, crime is still there (a little less though), honest officers like Manoje Nath & Abhyanand are still to find a respectable place for themselves in the cadre, corrupts like Swapan M are still roaming free, doctors went on strike leading to many patients getting killed (murdered), eating with criminals at Chapara, no significant industrialization within the state & the list goes on. Someone might argue that this list is still very small against what good has he brought to the state. I would agree too however only thing that undermines that theory is that although small these things mentioned above are important things. It indicates his level of engagement in executing things or getting it done with a high level of partisan.
He, to me, is like any other political leader but not really a public leader who thinks beyond. Instead of changing / trying to change the society for good, he too plays like the Lalus of the world to amass votes, he like any other shunts honest officers who in their own right have done tremendous good to the society, so what is the difference & why are we liking him?
Well, a million dollar question but pretty easy to answer. We are in a comparative mode right now. We are comparing his rule to the previous 15 years. That itself is such a reprive for the people of the state that nobody wants to question him. People still fear that if he is gone, we will go back to "Lantern age"...but effectively, if he is to be compared on a chief ministers scale/role, he isn't yet there, where he needs to be!!! Obviously, he is a seasoned politician & he knows how to play the game, atleast, with people's sentiments!!!
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