One and only feedback thread

[NCSinha]

Keep this awareness level high. Keep also informing those by your side. We have to launch an information war, a blitzkrieg of the kind not seen before if we really want to rid ourselves of this malaise. Anna has done the spade work. It is now for us now to do the real ground work.

[Ganesan]

Hi All,

Given the situation we are in now, esp. after the Mumbai fiasco, I feel we could do the following, which incidentally is one of my old postings in April, 2011.

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Given the diversity of the backgrounds of the civil society, and given that we are up against the wall (read, "the Government"), we need to discover a simple yet effective way to demonstrate to the Government, the media and ourselves that we are gaining strength every day.

I have a suggestion for Anna's team. Shall we start wearing 'BLACK' badges/ bands in our top dress (shirt/ tops/ kameez/ saree) every day till we get the kind of Lokpal Bill we want? If they agree, they need to promote this idea strongly.

It is easy for all of us to influence others in our families and in our friend's circles to wear the same too. Black badges are easy to get anywhere in India, they can be in any shape or size, they won't cost much, they need not be designed and dispatched to other places, and this could come to symbolize our protest against CORRUPTION.

Also, expecting people cross India to actively do something else to show our solidarity, which can also be noticed, will be difficult. Black badges/ bands will make it easy for people to show their solidarity with the Lokpal Bill movement.

And seeing this, even those who are not aware would enquire what it is all about, and we'll get a chance to explain.

The Press will also find a symbol of this movement to focus on.

We can explain that this black badge/ band signifies that we're in darkness, and till we see light, we'll wear black badges.

Typically, gathering critical mass is difficult, and even as we gather critical mass, it is difficult to demonstrate that we have, in deed, done so.

And when everyone realizes that we have gathered critical mass, this could help us step up our efforts to the next stage, if need be.

If you agree, can you please draw the attention of your friends and relatives to this suggestion?
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Thoughts?

Ganesan. :~)

[NCSinha]

Good Idea. Deserves a look in.

[BHAGVAN]

I saw a blog in the Speaking Tree of TOI where Dr Manmohan Singh was compared to King Janaka, father of Sita. I said he is like the Bheeshma in Mahabharta.

Bheeshma was the Captain of Kaurav Sena and he unwillingly supported Duryodhna. Dhritarashtra the blind king supported his son Duryodhana all through his misdeeds. Bheeshma had Itchamrityu boon- which meant he would die only when decided to. So as long as he was catianing the Kuravsena, Pandavas could never win the war. So Lord Krishna took Arjuna to Bheeshma’s tent one night and directly asked the secret of winning the war against Bheeshma. It must be noted that Bheeshma was a great devotee and admirer of Lord Krishna and he Lord Krishna’s key role. So Bheeshma revealed the real secret and the next day, Shikhandi stands in front of Arjuna, and bheeshma lays down his bow and arrow and Arjuna shoots arrow- though unwillingly against unarmed Bheeshma and then Bheeshma lays wounded on a bed of arrows. He is incapacitated and later Pandavas go on to win the Mahabharta war.

Here is Anna team of 5 people fighting a Mahabharta war where Dr Manmohan Signh is the Captain of UPA Or let us call the entire political class. Sonia (like Dhritarashtra) blinded with love for her son, Rahul, wanst him to be the next PM. Kiran Bedi, like Draupadi, is keen to see that CBI is included under the Lokpal and is part of Anna Team. Lord Krishna (is visible through so many souls- call it the mass movement / the common man) is supporting the Anna Team. Arvind Kejriwal- like Arjuna is now totally confused and is looking for suggestions.

So my suggestion (like coming from Lord Krsihna) – please be nice to Dr Manmohan Singh, ask him to reveal the truth behind the scene drama going on. Like Bheeshma, Dr Manmohan Singh should know he is fighting the war – (hope unknowingly or unwillingly- like Bheeshma) – on the side of Adharma. He too is going to be vanquished in any case – for siding Adharma. Like Lord Krishna does approach Karna- to win him over and reveals the truth that is the eldest of the Pandavas – WE THE PEOPLE have revealed to Dr Manmohan Singh and team our real intentions (don’t expect Lord Krishna to walk down and tell him the reality).

Address an open letter with this tone and let us see his reaction. If he fails to take the hint, Lord Krihsna will take the decision. No need to go on fast or dharna etc. The Power of destiny is far greater than that of any human soul. India will definitely see changes for the better. All political parties including BJP, SP, BSP, AIADMK, RJD, TMC will introspect. WE THE PEOPLE (representing Lord Krishna collectively) will never forgive all politicians for having looted the nation and making a drama in the pretext of “Parliament is Supreme”. The Constitution of India was written by patriotic Indians, who never expected that the elected representatives will consists of criminals, thugs and MPs who loose tough with WE THE PEOPLE. What we are witnessing is mockery of democracy, buying and selling MPs, babus, MLAs. The electing people are forgotten.

[NCSinha]

Interesting analogy. Makes an interesting reading and makes sense. Thanks. Keep doing such exercises.

[BHAGVAN]

Do keep the pressure on Dr Manmohan Singh. He is a very highly qualified, seasoned professional. He strayed into politics - as Finance Minister under Mr Narsimha Rao. But as Prime Minister - he is leading a pack of wolves, thugs, criminals, corrupt politicians- for whom corruption is their profession. Why so many qualified professionals fear to enter politics? As whistle blowers many IIM graduates with oil companies have been murdered. MMS must write his memoir, expose the inner circle for the benefit of common man. Like Bheeshma- if he really is devotee of Krishna- he will have a conscience. His conscience will definitely will prick him- use that route. Brahmakumaris' Rajyoga is extremely powerful. MMS is the right person.- for civil society to deal with. Also ask him how he wants to be remembered by history- as what kind of Prime Minister- certainly not as a person who got a weak Lokpal passed. He might have been the first person to have introduced reforms-but even MMS knows that the economic growth – just created a few rich individuals. GDP went up. The there is no equitable growth. Do note now-a-days he is talking of INCLUSIVE GROWTH. Development and growth must benefit economically all sections of society and environmental issues and growth has to be sustainable.

BBC is putting out a serial documentary called “The party’s over: How the West went bust”. There is a specific reference to how Margaret Thatcher introduced reforms in UK – like MMS and why the west, Europeans etc are having recession today. I too am hoping that economic reforms introduced by this great western educated economist will not take India to similar brinkmanship. As per that GDP will grow, a few will amass wealth, stash it abroad, there will be huge disparity, naxalism and civil revolt will take place (we already witnessed when Anan went on fast first time).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/search/?q=The%20Party's%20Over%3A%20How%20the%20West%20We nt%20Bust

I will give some more suggestions – to perpetuate (after Anna) this movement- do not call it “India against Corruption” and Anna Focused. Poor man is 75 year old. He has done a great job, but should not be forced to go on fast, dharna etc. Now internet is there. Times Now TV is helping you. Form a watchdog panel of eminent people – which will discuss and debate Government moves in a non-partisan way. So it will eb better than opposition part- as they only like to always keep opposing.

[NCSinha]

Appreciative of your observations and methodologies. About Dr. MMS one thing has to be made clear. He did not stray into politics. He is there by design. He is Rajya Sabha MP from Guwahati. Now we all know he is not a resident of Guwahati. But he signed a declaration in an affidavit that he is a domiciled citizen of Guwahati when he did not live there even for a day, gave his address under care of Hitendra Saikia, the ex-CM who is no more. Will you call such a man an honest man who strayed into politics? Is giving false affidavit not a crime in the eyes of law? If he was a man of integrity, he would not have stayed on when so much scam tainted the image of the country, and all under his direct leadership and supervision. Okay, Mahabharata analogy is understandable and well taken, but the inferences drawn can be far fetched. We are living in a different time zone.
But yes, there is need for a watchdog panel and there is need to keep pressure on UPA. The problem is Dr. MMS does not have power to take any action. He is not in control. Watchdog panel of 'eminent people' has to evolve because the moment you or I form it, questions will be raised on who decides who are eminent and who are not. This is because people by and large are more interested in personal gains, name and fame. Look at the leaders JP movement gave us. Therefore, we have to trod carefully. But trod we must if we wish to bring about the desired change in the political spectrum.
Your suggestion is worth giving a try by taking all precautionary measures and let us hope the panel you have suggested evolves sooner than later. Let Anna in the meantime convalesce and regain his lost energy.

[BHAGVAN]

1. Do not loose patience just now. the election results to the 5 states is worth waiting for. Mhamtma Gandhi/ Annie Besant did start Civil Disobedience movement agaisnt British like this. But hold on till elections are over and results are out.
2. Just now - the Lokpal bill is in Parliment. Give a long rope to Parliment before acting. Right now - just lie low.
3. About Dr MMS getting elected from Gauhati by giving local adress there- Kindly do not make a big issue. A citizen of a country should be able to stand from any part- as long as he is popular naywhere- he will get elected. May be a seat from Gauhati fell vacant and tehre was urgent need to see Dr MMS was needed to get elected to become Finanace Minister. Just a question of coincidences. It did happen to Amitabh Bachan- I think. Do bring it to attention of MMS- and get teh Peopel's representation act ammended (I am not an expert- but needful to be doen to seethat any Indian can stand from anywhere and get elected). Indira Gandhi got elected from Bellary in Karnataka.
4. So pl focus on bigger picture.
5. Look at Judiciary asking Sukharam to be arrested nearly 20 years later and then granting him bail because of his poor health- all seems to be a big drama. Do highlight judiciary's tilt too. They too are not clean and are under influence of ruling party- why only CBI?

[NCSinha]

Not a big issue that he got elected from Rajya Sabha. No one quarrels with that. What however is a big issue for me is that he had to swear a false affidavit to achieve that objective. Does means justify the end? Should we have a prime minister who lies to become an MP? As for being popular, he should give it a try to becoming a Lok Sabha member. The notion of being popular will go.

On rest of your asseverations I am with you and go with you, for I believe what you say is true. Only I refuse to accept Dr. MMS as a man of integrity. Men of integrity do not swear false affidavits whatever the temptation.

[Tikam Patni]

"Team Anna" has reached a point of total disconnect with people by going political. Soon this word will carry the same bad taste as the word "Politician". May be it already has. Please stop using it in the context of fight against corruption. Call the crusade against corruption and other future agendas as "Anna Movement" instead.