TWO CASES OF INJUSTICE :PUBLIC AND PRIVATE

TWO CASES OF INJUSTICE :PUBLIC AND PRIVATE

Dear Friends,

It’s very heartening to catch you up again, nearly after a month – My Quest for a new opening in Pondicherry University, preparing for interview, after getting selected obtaining relieving order from Annamalai University and finally settling down and starting a new spell of Academic Life in Pondicherry University, with new Colleagues, new students and new environment made me completely halt my thinking and writing. I know writing a blog is no easy joke – It needs consistent periodicity no matter how brilliant the writing is and marginal revolution is a good example for it. Its author writes almost every day – no matter how much, but he writes every day!

If not every day, I wish to write at least once a week, no matter what I do and where I am hereafter. Here are my frozen reactions for the affairs around me

1.      The Injustice of Public Road Transport – Can’t they learn from Railways?

This is about concession for children shown towards children. In Public Transport – say the State owned Corporation Buses follow a peculiar policy for child concession. They collect half the adult ticket charges for kids below 5 years and say that the kid should occupy only half a seat – 50% off and hence 50% space only!

More worse is that some of the buses have a specific line above the floor level drawn in the walls of the bus and any kid above the line though within 5 years should pay full fare – Does this mean a healthy child should be punished? We want ‘Complan Growing’ at one stretch and also accommodate that a five year old kid should be of a certain height only.

I am happy that this parochial attitude, thinking and subhuman contemplation have not percolated the Railway Personnel! Imagine the fate of a grand old man of six feet availing concession of one-third the actual fare?

How and why this happens?

            The Bus Conductors are issued their conductor licence only after proving that they are literate. But their rent seeking agenda back seats their public morality and ethics. These kind of issues could be effectively addressed by the personal experience of superior officers but which bureaucrat will travel with his wife and kids in a Public Transport? How many Yatendrakumar’s (IAS: MT :1996) are amidst us? I know this officer at more or less at personal level, who is/was austere to dangerous levels that most of his own colleagues developed a fear for his highest standard of Public Morality, Administrative Accountability, Administrative Ethics and above all his uncompromising attitude. I can boldly say that these people here and there are the practical manifestations of values and virtues what the world speaks of!

2.      Improper Urbanisation and Resulting Human Disaster

The end of last year 2011, Pondichery was devastated with Thane Cyclone. What was more devastating is the slow pace of relief measure that even bureaucrats official residence were not restored electricity even after three days! Why ? The roads and streets were too small for relief measure. The roads of the newly formed residential areas are in a crazy curve, sometime tapering in dead end and even to a sudden downslope – What is wrong?

(1)The absence of a definitive Land Use Plan for Urban Area (2) Vested Interest in sanctioning Layout approval without even bothering of accommodating the lay out in a futuristic master plan (3) Under the table dealing for reclassifying agricultural land for house plot and (4) a thorough absence of “public consciousness” about the far reaching consequences of improper urbanisation.

            There are ample surveys and studies being done in Urban Studies but the standard of Urban Slums, Urban Drainage system and its hygiene impact on kids and old and the relative escalating cost for health care, Indian Government’s impotency to provide “safe, clean drinking water” (Mind not food, just water) and this travesty need to be shared by all of us.

            Human Greed to buy land without proper approval and even if the layout is approved, the flouting of norms by the lower bureaucracy and above all our willingness to yield to this mal function in fact we need such malfunction for satisfying our greed are the few reasons.

Shamelessly we speak of providing Urban Infrastructure in Rural Areas!

What a self contradiction!

Building of Data Base of Tenants in Rented Premises: Police Authorities’ Intimidating Circular and a Common Man’s Lamentations

I could not write in my blog for a couple of weeks due to some important pre occupations and today, despite my other engagements, I could not keep quiet on seeing a circular issued by the Chennai Police Authorities. They say that they follow the model of Mumbai and Delhi in collecting the details of Tenants from the Land Lords. This action gains its own relevance and importance following the disputed “encounter killings” of five persons allegedly identified as Bank Robbers in Chennai on February 23^rd, who were staying in rented premises. I find the way, the tone and tenor of the circular issued by the Police Authorities are prima facie intimidating the land lords and would pave way for undisciplined police personnel to engage in extortion of Land Lords. If what Times of India reports is correct, that states as follows:-

“Those failing to do so can be booked under IPC Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) that attracts a penalty of a jail term of six months to one year and a fine, police said”

(http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/House-owners-told-to-give-details-of-tenants-to-police/articleshow/12129506.cms)

The above contextual content of the circular not only contradicts the formats issued in Mumbai and Delhi, but also raises certain unnecessary and complex issues compelling the Land Lord to investigate the details of tenant. Apart from that now the Land Lord need to investigate the names of the co-occupants, details of their previous residence of the tenant, his/her identity proof etc. And in the end, both the Land Lord and the Tenant should sign and hand it over to the Local Station House Officer – which means, that they have to approach the Local Police Station and obtain a receipt from the "Ayya"( Sub-Inspector)!!!

The authorities of Chennai City Police (CCP) have thus issued a circular “intimidating” the land lords (people who own house/accommodation) in Chennai City under the jurisdiction of the City Police.

Exposing of other structural weakness:

            Here, I find that this circular knowingly or unknowingly exposes the weakness of Urban Management, Urban Assets Management and also the poor Land Registry of India’s Metros including Mumbai and Delhi, that have similar “form filling” expensive ceremonies. Let me outline the main issues involved in the implementation of this circular.

 

When Land Lord Goes to Police Station “Ayya” will not be there

I say this expensive ceremony because “Ayya” (the Station House Officer of Tamil Nadu Police Stations), normally would be on rounds and would not be there when Land Lord and Tenants approach him/her. When the Land Lord is a female – Land Lady and the tenant is also a Female, their chances of returning safe from Police Station is also a big question! (That has pointed out by Supreme Court Verdicts). I wish the All Women Police Station should be made to receive such information forms and send it to SHO concerned. I wish the Home Secretary would read this suggestion and do the needful in the best interest of good will of people for the Government.

Importance of Registration Department – Mr. Inspector General of Registration, Hay when the Sunshine!

            If every lease/rental deed is registered before the appropriate Registration Authorities, then the question of this intimidating circular has no meaning, for if all the instruments of lease holdings are registered, as it happens in Bangalore, then with a click of a mouse, the Government can get the details of the tenants and the Land owners on a time series. At this point, I urge the Inspector of Registration, Chennai to take effective steps to have lease holdings registered. If only he/she wants to improve the coffer of the State Ex-chequer and not police personnel’s pockets, one circular that “The Intimidating Police Circular will not bind the Properties which have its Lease holdings Registered” will be the mother of all solutions. With the recent bio metric system of Registration of deeds and instruments, and above all keeping Police Personnel completely out of civilian administrative mechanisms will earn a good name for Jaya’s Government.

Why I consider the Circular inappropriate for being issued by Police Authorities?

            With all my respects to honest, non-corrupt and sincere police personnel even at the level of Constable, Head Constable, Sub Inspectors and Inspectors, I feel police personnel are misfit for carrying out executive functions. Just imagine the money a civilian normally asked to pay during verification of his form for application of passports. Now that the police personnel know that the Land Lord is not a “Aam Aadmi”, but a duck laying golden egg, they may even carry out periodical surveillance in the guise of verifying the details of co-tenants to fill their pockets and this might ultimately empty Jaya’s Vote Bank in Chennai City that she has gained after several decade! I wish the Secretaries to Chief Minister play some intervention to stream line the system. The Corporation of Chennai may be asked to gather the details or even the Collector of Chennai, with all the insignificance attached to the post (Though the post of Collector (DM/DC)  is very powerful in other districts of Tamil Nadu, in Chennai, the Police Commissioner enjoys more powers since Colonial Times). This is not the cup of the tea of Chennai Police, since they are over burdened with their other important routines.

The Fate of Marginalized and their Dependents

Among all other issues, I am petrified about the fate of millions of slum dwellers and their visitors and periodic tenants, who come for seasons ( based on seasonal employment), and they do not fall inside the classification of land lord –tenants classification as our Police Department defines. In the pretext of this circular, those subaltern populations might be subjected to more human rights violations and tortures. Somehow, I wish this aspect is addressed by the Commissioner of Chennai Corporation and the Collector. I sincerely wish that this circular should not open the gateway for police brutalities against Muslims, Migrants, Refugees and above all the State Less individuals who dwell among the Slum settlements, who neither fall in the category of Land Lord nor the Tenant, but form the sizable section of Vote Bank in Chennai.

In a Deviant Situation, would not Land Grabbers Connive with Police Personnel and Create Bogus Records of Tenancy?

            I wish this is a serious item of contemplation. In the present day situation that issues of Land Grabbing is on the high that the Government of Tamil Nadu have come out with specific laws to curb this menace, would not this “circular ceremony”, would create newer litigations and contestations? Just imagine an affluent person with the connivance of police personnel ( those who are known for their poor moral and ethical standards), would make this mandatory circular to create an alibi for  “adverse possession”? If not properly addressed, this move might make the Government unpopular among Land Lords in Chennai, who decide the winning candidates of MP/MLA/Mayor Eelctions.

The Issue of Conclusive Land Titling in India

            At last, coming to my area of research expertise, these are the moments when one has to applaud the initiatives of the Government of India in its effort to record every tenancy in rural farmland/homesteads and urban households. If the bill of Conclusive Land Titling  Bill is passed, and then the issue of documenting the Land Lord and the Owner becomes mandatory. The Land Records, Land Registration and the Revenue Authorities according to the Bill come under one roof . Hence forth  that the land document as per the "Conclusive Land Titling Bill" seals any notorious tenancy to claim adverse possession.It is this possibility of notorious tenants - police nexus would lead to a claim of "adverse possession". It is at this cintsxt, I feel that the crux of the circular issued by the Chennai Police in fact has deeper significance that apparently is not visible superficially.

Further, going by the business rules allocation of each department, the issuance of this circular is certainly not the cup of Chennai City Police Commissioner. This could have been done by Revenue/Local Administration/Registration Authorities and police authorities would have been permitted to play a supportive, periphery role. For the foregoing reasons, I am sure the Revenue Secretary , Home Secretary and the Inspector General of Registration of Government of Tamil Nadu would agree my view.

            With all humbleness and humility, I pray the Commissioner of Chennai City Police to warn the erring Police Personnel who by any chance try to pocket money from the Tenants and the Land Lords, because in the whole issue “Land” is involved! That too, with the recent laying of Metro lines, the propertis have undergone geometric appreciation, this circular becomes gains much contemplation of its possible implications.

Circulars as it is issued in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai – Compare it yourself

The circular issued by Chennai Police is available in the weblink : http://tnpolice.gov.in/pdfs/Application_Form-English.pdf

The circular of Maharashtra, that is reported to be the model of Chennai City Police’s circular is available in the following web links:-

http://www.punepolice.gov.in/pdf/PERSONAL_INFORMATION_OF_TENANT.pdf

The Circular followed by Delhi Police is available below:

http://www.dwarkaparichay.com/tenant_verification.pdf

A careful comparison between the formats issued by the Police Personnel of Delhi, Maharashtra and Chennai might reveal that the Chennai City Police have gone an extra mile in binding the Land Lord and Tenant in a document, what I feel is beyond the scope of Police Administration, when similar task is within the domains of Revenue Functionaries or the Local Bodies of the Registration Department ( who officially maintain the details of the Property)

Concluding Note

            I always say that we are known for finding imaginary solutions for real problems and real solutions for imaginary problems. This move by Chennai Police is certainly a mismatch for its traditionally known functions. Executive Functions and Civilian Administration are some things that should be kept completely outside the scope of Police Administration. In my opinion, the  circular issued today by the Police Commissioner of Chennai needs a quick review by the Government. I call upon the kind attention of Home Secretary, Revenue Secretary and the IG of Registration to make it better people-friendly.
I wish to conclude that they should not allow the men in uniform  to unwittingly  hijack civilian administration!It is a matter of concern for the public, bureaucracy and the Vote bank of the ruling AIADMK.
A Suggestion at the Interim:

Why not the Government facilitate the Land Lords to submit the information Online, in the age of Internet?

Nauseating affairs in the Legislative Assemblies of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka – Evidences of Democracy deficit or the End of Public Morality?

The position of ‘Leader of Opposition” reduced to a theatrical show in Tamil Nadu

The history of State Government (Provincial Government) in India takes root in the Government of India Act 1919 (very inception) and in Government of India Act 1935 (expansion to Federalism).  The debates of the Legislative Assembly are a treasure house with debates that would demonstrate the greatest acumen and presence of mind of the members. One peculiar aspect of Indian Democracy is that in an electoral democracy, the voices of dissent voters are also recognized through the opposition party/parties. Motilal Nehru, has held the position of the ‘Leader of Opposition’ in the Central Legislative Assembly.

Position of Leader of opposition

Many of our students of Political Science and Public Administration are not aware of that the position of “Leader of Opposition” of the Lokshabha, Rajyasabha (Indian Parliament) and also in the State Legislative Assembly. Apart from the definition what media has given for Leader of Opposition, such as opposing each and every activity of the ruling party, there are many other statutory responsibilities for a Leader of Opposition that includes being the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, in which any administrator can be summoned and called for explanation for non compliance of Legislative Directions/ Policies and also for audit objections. In fact, the model of business in Parliament is the source of inspiration of conducting the statutory meetings like Universities’ Senate, Academic council and the Syndicate. The debates of the assembly are carefully recorded, documented and preserved for future reference because that is the only source of documenting popular decisions in an electoral democracy.

Apart from the power of raising questions, moving of resolutions, motions while the Assembly is in action, there are very many legislative procedures that centre on the Leader of opposition. Apart from these, a leader of opposition is a part and parcel of the business of the following committees:- 

Committee on Estimates

Committee on Public Accounts

Committee on Public Undertakings

Business Advisory Committee

Committee on Rules

Committee on Privileges

Committee on Delegated Legislation

Committee on Government Assurances

House Committee

Committee on Petitions

Library Committee

Committee on Papers Laid on the Table of the House

Decorum of Conduct of Members of the House

            It is a sad reality that people who aspire for political leadership are seldom aware of the basic etiquette and public manners. Just like an advocate appointed as a Judge required to refine his public presentation, a candidate contesting for election need to change his attitude, focus and behavior once he gets elected. Gone are the days when honest, thical men used to contest in elections and nowadays the infamous saying of Bernard shaw on Politics is proving to be a bitter truth. This deficiency of public morality, the crisis of personal conduct, the erosion of values in public life is very recently testified in the Assembly of Tamil Nadu with the uncouth behavior of a responsible leader of opposition what is described as a “Rude behavior”.

The First Leader of opposition to be suspended in the History of Tamil Nadu Assembly – Mr.Vijakanth.

It is extremely shocking that the 14^th Legislative Assembly of the State Government of Tamil Nadu has suspended the Leader of Opposition from entering into the House for ten days. Yes, the Leader of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Mr. Vijakanth, the actor turned politician have been shown the way out by the speaker of the house for the first time in the history of Tamil Nadu’s History of Legislative Assembly. Many might say, it is the decision of the Chief Minister Jayalalitha or they might say decision by a ruling party with a ‘Thumping Majority’. Here the issue as telecast in television depicts Mr. Vijayakanth re-enacting his film shoot, shouting in a dramatized manner. During his earlier election campaigns, he categorically made it clear that he is drunk and coming for election canvassing, still the hatred, wrath and public anger earned by the “family politics” of Mr.M.Karunanidhi , the DMK leader and the then Chief Minister even pardoned the drunkard politician who was blabbering in public and manhandling his own party candidate in the eyes of the public.

            Thus, Mr.Vijayakanth has started a new episode of being the nastiest leader of opposition of Tamil Nadu Assembly!

 The Case of Karnataka – Three ministers Watching Porn Clips in the House

When its mere a comical tragedy that squared up Mr.Vijayakanth in Tamil Nadu Assembly, three ministers of BJP were caught on camera watching porn mms clips. What is subtle here is that the press persons have acted as moral police, who are equally unethical on other grounds. The three ministers, all married in their late 50’s, have been caught watching porn clips sitting inside the Legislative Assembly. Here the issue of watching porn clips has been made an issue with the backdrop that BJP has been the right-wing moral police known for its agitations against Valentine’s Day celebrations and Hindutva ideology. The shocking aspect is one of the ‘porn watchers’ is the Minister of Women and Child Health. This is a classical example of the end result of erosion of family values, public morality and ethical standards.

The far reaching consequences of sidelining moral values, making fun of an honest man as being a fool and living in unrealistic world, parents paying bribes for getting school admissions and even jobs in service sectors, shamelessness for the demand of dowry, pleasure seeking spirit at the cost of other’s pain, selfishness to the core, vote for cash, claiming corruption as a pride and above all, the erosion of Ethical values in Family, School, Community, Market have now reflected in the State Politics.

Immediate needs

1.      There is a great need for Psychological counseling for Mr. Vijakanth and also for the three ministers. In fact, they are mentally ill and unrealistic and live in a different world.

2.      The State and Central Governments should realize that mere lamenting on the erosion of values is not enough and a great thrust must be given for inculcating moral values among school, college and University Students.

3.      Just like USA went for a willful surrender of pistols, the Government might think of a definitive policy of delimiting the technical specification of Mobile Phones to be just mobile phone and not a multi functional device that could be permitted in Official places and schools.

4.      Legislative Procedures need to be taught from Schools and this should make the representatives of people right from Village Community to Indian Parliament, aware of their official etiquette and decorum.

Before I finish some Observations:-

1.      The media persons who exposed the three porn watchers should also be aware that they conduct a similar affair when featuring the personal lives of celebrities ( Jaya’s Beef Eating is a classic Example)

2.      The BJP, known for its conservative face lift in Indian Polity, should be aware that this is a universal phenomenon of all men who are suffering from sexual starvation – a mental condition. This is the reality. Just imagine what would be plight of the porn watchers, if they happened to women, instead of men. The BJP might take this as the yardstick in dealing with the Porn Watchers.

3.      Parents should know that this is the first Alarm bell that tells that inculcation of Moral values is the first duty then fulfilling their material needs! 

“Bhagavat Gita” – The Meeting Point for An American Scholar , An Australian Expert and an Indian

The Chinese word for "crisis" 

School Psychology Programme in Pondicherry

A couple of days ago, upon invitation from the Organizers of a “Five Day Training Programme in School Psychology” for the Government School Principals and Teacher Educators of the Union Territory of Pondicherry, I joined the team of National and International Experts in School Psychology. Prof. G.B.Thakur, former Chairman NCTE and a phenomenal personality , Prof. Bill Pfol, President, International School Psychology Association and Professor, Western Kentucky University, USA and Ms.Coosje Griffith, a practitioner of school psychology in Western Australia with a very good reputation.

I was the part of the training team and was invited to speak on Indian School Education System, Right to Education Act and the Policy Dimension of School Education.

The audiences were school principals with more than three decade of service in schools in and around in Puducherry.

Indian School Education’s Condition

I was almost to suffer a heart attack that none of the participants have ever seen a copy of India’s National Education Policy, 1986 and its amended version of 1992. When Prof.Bill Pfol was speaking about Policy Advocacy in US on School Psychology and Ms.Coosje Griffith was speaking about “a definitive School Policy” as a guideline for a program of action plan, it is a sad reality that our Teachers are kept in dark about the National Education Policy, 1986, that is the guiding light for Indian Educational System! At least we lack the developed countries by six to seven decades in knowledge growth! I wish to write about this in a separate occasion and hence reserve my comments on the same.

An Interesting Piece of knowing Chinese Word for Crisis

            In course of our conversation, I found I was talking more on Western Thinkers like Maslow, Freud, Jung and Prof. Bill was speaking more on Eastern Thinkers and the Oriental cultures and Ms.Coosje, the Australian versatile person and a sweet person was almost obsessed with Tagore as she was quoting him in and out.

            It was in that encounters, Prof.Bill Pfol introduced me about the Chinese word for Crisis. Popularized in a public speech by JFK in 1959, in a convocation address, where he mentioned as follows:-

When written in Chinese the word crisis is composed of two characters.

One represents danger, and the other represents opportunity.

( Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_word_for_%22crisis%22) and also there are some counter arguments for the same http://pinyin.info/chinese/crisis.html).

            Mentioning the above, Prof. Bill Pfol, asked me if there is any Indian equivalence for the Chinese Expression of Crisis.

            I after making a quick references, replied Prof.Bill as follows:-

Regarding the Indian response for Crisis:

This is my understanding that I also cross checked with some good friends who have a great depth in Indian Philosophy and Mysticism.

You would be surprised to note that according to Hindu Traditions, our acts and deeds are outcome of our own actions ( Karma). (You can find the correlation of Einstein’s third law of motion – Every Action has an equal and opposite reaction). Further, there is nothing called Good or Bad, Crisis or Bliss since this world itself is an illusion (Maya- which goes hand in hand with the word “void” of Ecclesiastes of the Old Testament).

Therefore, the question of crisis management or rejoicing is to be treated alike by a stable human ( Sithapragnyan), as Bhagavat Gita, the sacred Text of Hindus say. With these backdrop, I would like to draw your attention to what “Acceptance Theory of Hindu Tradition to whatever happens”, is elicited in the summation of Bhagavat Gita called “ Gita Saaram” ( ‘saaram’ means essence). It is as follows:-

The ‘Gita Saaram’, or the wordings which Lord Krishna told to Arjuna during Kurushetra War is translated in English as below.
Whatever has happened is for good.
Whatever is happening is going on well.
Whatever will happen will also be good.
Why are you repenting for whatever you have lost?
Have you brought anything with you that you have lost?
Have you produced anything that is destroyed?
Whatever you have gained, you have taken it from here.
Whatever you gave, you have given it here.
Whatever belongs to you today, belonged to someone yesterday,
And It may belong to someone the day after.
“Change is the Rule of Nature”. 

            This is the absolute essence of a Hindu way of encountering Life/World.

I wish you this mail would have given you some clarity. If not, please get back to me.

Sincerely,

Sd/-

However, on a deeper thinking I wonder whether the ‘Gita saram’  is a deliberate construction for consoling the weak and the meek and do not have nothing to do with people who are deeply self motivated. Does it not enforce “Status Quo” or a standstill of all activities and simply enforce an implicit discipline to accept things as they are? Does it not sound that it addresses the “Losers” or does it really caution a victorious person not to be complacent?

In any case, When Hinduism itself is a democratic institution that even accommodated atheism as a part of it ( Choonyavadh – again reminds me few selective portion of of Ecclesiastes of the Old Testament),  does this ‘Gita Saram’ really a part of the understanding of Gita? Because, I am alarmed at the mechanic approach it applies to human liberation and slavery, both alike! I started thinking on it seriously wish you also join me, despite our other chores and expected functions to fulfill all our existential needs!

            How beautiful is this world of Ideas?

(I again sound a caution to the readers that I have given the treatment of Bhavat Gita for this very particular context and not the whole idea of society, caste and divisions)

Paddy Cultivation – A Key Determinant of Land Revenue Assessment and Inland Water Resource Management in Madras Presidency (1902-1956)

Paddy Cultivation – A Key Determinant of Land Revenue Assessment and Inland Water Resource Management in Madras Presidency (1902-1956)

Introduction

          The History of World Civilizations has taught us that, the creative intelligence of humans manifesting through arts and aesthetics   have always been concomitant with the surplus availability of the basic needs viz., Food, Clothing and Shelter. Of the three needs for human survival, Food gains immense significance. A society facing a huge resource deficit that creates a “resource competition” among men and women can never think of peace and harmony. Apparently the primary responsibilities of the States since the beginning of their evolution have dealt with stabilizing a consistent mode of Food Production by way of a neatly woven system of Agricultural taxes (Land Revenue) and the paramount importance that has been attached to the maintenance of Inland Water Resource management. In Tamil Culture the Water, Food Production and Agriculturists have been glorified. The ‘Sacred Kural’ dating to 2^nd Century BC popularly called ‘Thirukkural’ a book of couplets composed by sage Thiruvalluvar hails water as the basis of life of this world.   Further in ancient text like “Pura Naanooru”, (Four Hundred verses on socio-political life) water management have been given due importance as a sovereign function that is complimented by Paddy Cultivation. Hence in Tamil Culture, the paddy cultivation and inland water resource management have been an essential function of the State and the same must be in the reset of India too. It is also worth mentioning that famines are associated with lack of Food and Water and hence the Governments regardless of their political identity have always attached paramount importance to Inland Water Resource Management and Paddy Cultivation. Numerous folk songs have been sung in Tamil on Paddy Sowing, Irrigation, Cultivation and Paddy harvest. The same followed suit in Colonial Period during British Rule with their scientific knowledge of soil chemistry, cadastral survey, levy of a systematic Land Revenue and above all the legal arrangements they made to preserve inland water resources. There was land that was earmarked exclusively as “Paddy lands” in different parts of South India and in Madras Presidency, in particular. Thanjavur, called the Granary of the South is mainly because of this inland water management and the state support for Paddy Cultivation.

Enough getting romantic of the past, we need to examine the present with the wealth of information of the past on Paddy Cultivation and Inland Water Resource management on the following vital and valid realities:-

1.    That paddy production is steadily getting reduced in those areas called as “exclusive paddy land” that is complimented by

2.    The disappearance of  inland water resources and supply channels with a far reaching impact on

3.    Increasing Food and Water insecurity.

          With the above three present day situations the following issues require to be examined in depth :

1.    What were the Political and Administrative Arrangements made by the Erstwhile Government of India in Madras Presidency (1902-1956) to make paddy Cultivation as sustainable means of Agriculture?

2.    To what extent Inland Water resource Management augmented Paddy Cultivation in erstwhile Madras Presidency (1902-1956)that includes the total Land Revenue Collection inclusive of  ‘Water Cess and the Betterment Levy Contribution’

3.     The trajectory of depletion of the Inland Water Resources and its consequential impact on Paddy Cultivation in select locations of four agro-climatic zones of the erstwhile Madras  Presidency ( 1956 to 2000) and

4.    Identify the vital areas of policy advocacy for restoring Paddy Cultivation and inland water resource management.

Hypotheses

          In order to fix up the research questions for a precise understanding, the following Hypotheses are could be also validated:-

1.    Paddy Cultivation in Madras Presidency  is dependent on the Inland Water Resource management

2.    Paddy Cultivation is the key factor for Land Revenue Assessment in Madras Presidency and

3.    The Inland Water Resource mismanagement had an impact in Paddy Cultivation in the Madras Presidency.

    A research on the above line should be certainly beneficial to the country because The whole effort while taking lessons from the past tend to aaddress the issue of Food Security through Augmenting Inland Water resources Paddy Cultivation, the need of the hour.

Give us a Fishing Rod and the Path to Fishing Lake and not Fishes

In the news yesterday: Some Villagers, the stakeholders (no more beneficiaries), of the expensive Welfare scheme of the Government of Tamil Nadu, distribution of Goats for rural poor free of cost, were being sent to the neighboring Pondicherry’s Meat Market. Those goats with the metal tags in their ears testified that they are the welfare scheme goats. Immediately the beneficiaries were being complaint to Police in the District of Villupuram for selling the goats illegally and other bureaucratic actions would also follow suit. Let us hope the end users of the meat the innocent consumers of Pondicherry would be spared from the wrath of the State Government of Tamil Nadu for eating the goats given by the Government as part of the freebies.

            It is at this point a series of questions arise in my mind:

(1)   What is the offence committed by the beneficiary? and

(2)   If at all an offence made out does the offence confine to the beneficiary alone?

The above news is available in this link, thanks to my dear friend Mr.Bosco Domique of Times of India.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JQ0gvMjAxMi8wMS8yNSNBcjAwOTAw&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom

The History of Freebies in Tamil Nadu

            An economics post graduate, scholar, playwright, novelist, writer and Tamil Nadu’s ever memorable public speaker and the founder of ‘Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’ (DMK) Mr. C.N.Annadurai came out with a sensational campaign slogan to oust the congress from the power in the year 1967. Since it was nearly twenty years after Independence that the entire country was ruled by the Indian National Congress, and that even Pandit Nehru was no more (He passed away in 1964), the congress party was slowly getting de-institutionalised. Congress men were very complacent during the elections as they thought they would come back. In Tamil Nadu, because of the clash of personal whims and fancies of Mr.Kamaraj Nadar and Mr.C.Rajagopalachariar, the Congress was already weakening.

            It was at that time the DMK was extremely socially mobilizing with every nook and corner of the State and student movements became identical with DMK’s party ideology. CNA( Mr.C.N.Annadurai) anchored his political ideology in Tamil Language and Identity and revived a cultural revolution perhaps from getting inspired from China at that time. In that context to mobilize people, CNA used this slogan ‘Two measures (roughly three or more kilos) of Rice for Re.1”.This campaign slogan was a mega hit and since then started this freebies mania among Tamil nadu Politicians.

Karunanidhi’s Expansion of Populism

            In a short sentence, one can say it was Mr.M.Karunanidhi who expanded the supermarket of Populist Politics and extended to Slum Clearance and free distribution of food, clothing and shelter and paved the way for a new Political culture that party’s political manifestos became a kind of a honey trap of innocent voters.

MGR’s Improvisation

            Mr.M.G.Ramachandran, who eclipsed Mr.M.Karunanidhi and DMK in Tamil Nadu, a very popular cine actor turned Chief Minister ( Since then Tamil Cinema Heroes developed the confidence of becoming the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu) went One step ahead of improvising Karunanidhi’s freebies into “ Transposing the family responsibilities over the State”, that his popular schemes completely made a common lay man of Tamil Nadu to get deeply re-inforced that State Government is a facilitator for a comfortable living, however lazy a person/head of the family is.

Later Days

            Since late 1990’s the DMK has become a party for promotion of family’s welfare of Mr.M.Karunanidhi and for the AIADMK, the welfare of Sasikala and her relatives and in this process, populism was the only dose of opium for the furious voters who lacked choice as they are in between the ‘Devil’ and the ‘Deep Sea’.

            Karunanidhi’s Rs. 2 for One Kilo Rice and now free rice (When the market price of Rice is not less than Rs.20/-) are the utterly foolish and irrational schemes devised without any application of mind. When the food grains are distributed through PDS (Public Distribution System), it is obvious that they get into the markets of the neighboring states that Rice prices went down in Kerala and Andhra because of TN’s free rice scheme!

Goats and Cows and What Not?

            Look at the fate of public policy making in Tamil Nadu. There are no grazing grounds for the cattles to graze, but State spends on free distribution of cattles. There is no market access for end produces as in the case of Punjab, but here in TN free cultivable land is given. When the Government is least bothered about controlling the price of Agricultural inputs such the increasing price of Fertilizers, Farm Equipments Government is boasting of its free electricity. Now to add on to this mockery, free distribution of goats and cows are given without paying any attention for improving the quality of life of an average man.

            We need enhanced public expenditure on service sector especially School Education and Higher Education. We need to eradicate farmer’s suicides and their distress. Instead of improving capacities and capabilities that Amartya Sen always keep pleading to Modern States, we are addicted to ‘adhocism’. Goats sent to Market is a classical example.

All in the Game

            Along with the beneficiaries who sold the goats, the entire political parties of the State are the culprits for maintaining this status of people as if they need to be ever be dependent on the elected Governments. If not AIADMK, then DMK or some others, the Political Parties always seek to keep this situation stable to maximize their survival.

            Undoing and Doing welfare schemes is as wise as the picture afore states – using a correction fluid to correct the sentences printed in a computer’s screen through a word processor. Imaginary Solutions for Real Problems!!!

Let us touch our heart and say, Don’t the people in distress need fishing rod and not fishes and more importantly “ An Access to Fishing Pond” – which is conveniently ignored by the ruling Political Class? What legitimacy we have to open our mouth and speak about “Achieving an All inclusive Growth in the XII Plan?”

My Brain is not your Dustbin: a Silent Cry of a Kindergarten Child

Dear Mom and Dad, My Brain is not your Dustbin: a Silent Cry of a Kindergarten Child

Dear Mom and Dad!

            It's your kid through Raja Uncle through his blog. You may ridicule my effort, you may think I am talking too smart, but when you enjoyed my over smartness even at a smaller age, when I called "elders" a “Fool”, Mom, you clapped your hands and even looked my Nanna and Nanny with pride of my child prodigy. When some joke is played at the cost of thers, you relish, but this is all about you, just you. You may pretend to miss reading/misreading this; but I know your heart will.

I am not your pet Animal but a baby!        

            When you both showered your love and affection and felt my little sickness as your heart attacks, my cries as Ambulance Sirens and reacted promptly, I have been all along thinking I am in safe hands. But Mom and Dad, how come you never realized that I am not a pet animal but a human baby?

            You trained me like a Puppy to smile, to talk and even cry. When a total stranger came to our house, I was the centre of amusement and you taught me the nastiest terms of “Flying Kiss”, “Good Morning” whether it is 7:00 PM or 7:00 PM and just like a circus animal, made me sing and sometimes even dance! If I repeat the same after my teenage with my boy/girl friend starting from “Kiss” to “Flying Kiss”, will you tolerate? So, this means I can do certain things only at your choice and not mine!

            Ma and Pa, mostly you are either second generation or sometimes third generation learners. That is to say my grandparents whether it’s your parents or Dad’s parents, they are illiterates. So, born of illiterate parents, when you have developed so much, why don’t you apply the same logic to me? When at three years of age, you both have not seen an electronic calculator, I am operating “Paint Brush”, that even now you both do not know.

A Factory Called Nursery School

            When the academics of the whole world repeatedly say that age five is the right age to begin primary education, just for your conveniences you dumped me in a dustbin called Nursery School. There I find teachers behaving like saints in front of you and they instantly turn as “demons”, by the time your heads disappear. It is an abdication and a gross dereliction of your duty to dump me in the dust-bins called “Nursery School”

Shameless Boasting

            How come Ma and Pa, you ask me to be honest and not to tell lies when you bribed the school to get me an admission? What hypocrisy is this? Further you without any shame boast to your friends that you paid a huge sum donation to get a seat for me in Nursery? I feel like spitting on your face and even spitted, but you were thinking it’s my act of love! To boast your status am I a scapegoat? When you justify for bribing a nursery school to get my LKG Admission, would you not grumble if I ask you to pay capitation fee for my Medicine Engineering Courses when I grow big? Again shamelessly you will recover from the bride’s house and I would be sold for a dowry. What is it that you gain?

            What is the joy you derive in reducing me as a “commodity” all through my life?

Dual nature – You are my Guru

            The factory called school has teachers who are not even fit to sell bananas. In fact Mom and Dad, I learn lots of filthy language and nasty words only from them and the ‘Aayas”, who are our God Mothers in the factory called Nursery. When you say Potatoes Chips are junk foods to neighbors, then why the hell you pack the same as my morning snack? You scold grandparents in their absence but speak pleasingly in their presence? What sort of creatures you are Mom and Dad? If telling lies is a punishment if God will blind my eyes, then you and mom should be blind for 1000 lives for the manufacture of lies and double tongued talks.

School Activities – Are Status Symbols

            The School views me as a potential target of monetary exploitation and you two people;s ignorance are their investments.

            Each time when I am asked to come with some projects, you spend thousands to get it from outside – an elephant or a Camel or any other! What you have not shown me in real in zoo or in Television, you brought it to school to boast your status.

            In the sports day, all your cheers on me just sounds like “Come on..Come On”, as shouted in race courses – just like betting on winning horse! Remember I am a baby and not an animal.

Preparation for School Tests

Mom and Dad, I know you are very well versed in English Alphabets and Hindu - Arabic Numerals. Just because you know them too well, you cannot demonstrate your scholarship on me a little three year old child. How long can I be trained as a “parrot”. Would you not let me think? I am your baby and not a “Dust bin”.

Just touch your heart and say, what would happen when I go to Higher Secondary. You bloody know nothing of differentiation or Integration ( calculus) or even Complex Numbers, and you never bother to prove your scholarship in telling “ When I was in school” – a boring nauseating 1947 despicable story.

First know that school tests are the traps set for parents by the school managements to create an impression that the money collected from the parents are spent judiciously. In fulfilling consumer satisfaction my tender fingers are crushed. When I say this, you would smile in as sadistic manner – It is all for good future!

Competitive World – may be Correct, but Not for me

            For the inhuman attitude of teachers on young children and your harshness, Mom and Dad, you would say you that it’s the making of a man/woman. Why not you  please note that we are also human beings. We want to study what we want. The famous Jesus was interested in carpentry, but how many priests would like their relatives to become a carpenter?

Mom and Dad, I know you are entangled in a meaningless, mad race. It’s your chosen path. But please do not pull me inside your dirty path.

            Let me choose my hobbies and recreation. You don’t have to suggest because I am well informed by the television. Please recognize me as a free thinking human being a baby

            That I became your child was not in my hand, but what I should become is my decision. It is my right. Please understand my heart.

A Final Word

            Mom and Dad, my nursery school is not the place to prove your social status. All that I want is clean clothes and not always new clothes. All I want it time for playing and not forced like I am subjected to a mad exercise as it happens now. Please Ma and Dad my head is not a dumping yard. Please don’t dump the dust you have accumulated as your unfulfilled ambitions. Those are yours, never mine! Also you are Parents and not Patients!

(This piece is written On seeing the plight of the tender flowers – the young two, three old year kids sent to factory called “Play School”, “Kinder Garten” and subjected to a meaningless mad rat race, witnessed with a sadistic pleasure of the kids parents (patients?). I would call it a gross violation of human rights, a literal child abuse and a heartless act of a ‘dog trainer’)