Please see the full post here:
http://lspjunction.wordpress.com/2009/12/15/taking-a-stance-on-telangana/

Asking for consensus is all good and fine, but to make an impact as a political leader for the masses, JP has to take a stand one way or the other. People look for guidance from their leaders and when opportunity presents itself, an aspiring political leader like JP should use it to demonstrate his capabilities. Everyone knows he is a great intellectual and policy maker, but many are not yet convinced if he is a great political leader. JP won the minds of the people, but will he win the hearts of the people?

On Sat, Dec 12, 2009 at 5:25 PM, Shashi <sasime2@...> wrote:

�

Nineteenth Century Politics Over Telangana

Posted: 12 Dec 2009 09:48 AM PST

---

The casual and arbitrary approach of the Union Government, short-term vote-bank politics of parties and shameless political duplicity have led to a wholly avoidable crisis over Telangana, says JAYAPRAKASH NARAYAN.

---

Suddenly, the State of Andhra Pradesh and the whole nation are in turmoil. The tranquil climate, so vital for economic prosperity at a time of tough global challenges and great opportunities, has been vitiated by the pursuit of vote-banks and the arousing of primordial loyalties.

Politicians playing with fire have now opened the Pandora's Box and have sown the seeds of discord in many pockets of India. A dangerous message has gone out: Elections, constitutional process, reasoned and healthy public discourse are not important; indulge in rabble-rousing, promote violence and obstruction, and the government will yield.

To understand the tumult in Andhra Pradesh now, one should imagine what would happen in Tamil Nadu if a new state of North Tamil Nadu, along with Chennai, is carved out; or the consternation in Karnataka if South Karnataka with Bengaluru is carved out as a separate State.

For the first time, a region with a large capital city wants to separate as a State. So far, every demand for a new State has been from far-flung areas away from the State capital. Hyderabad is not just another city. It is on par with Chennai and Bengaluru, and with 85 lakh people, accounts for over 25 per cent of the population of Telangana and 60 per cent of the economy of the region. Millions from all over the country and the various regions of AP have made it their home.

Every significant political, business or civil society leader has made Hyderabad home, and is emotionally attached to the city, even if the political base may be elsewhere. In such a situation, the all-too-casual approach to separate Statehood is calamitous.

Firm stand

The Indian nation is still in the making. Indira Gandhi was both powerful and, on occasion, autocratic. But even when her party had monopoly of power, she understood the fragility of the nation and worked hard to find a compromise on demands for Statehood.

Two major agitations for separate Statehood shook Andhra Pradesh � in Telangana in 1969, and in the Andhra region in 1973. Indira Gandhi had complete political sway over the whole State without any challenge, and yet she recognised and stated that if each group of districts, or sub-region, wants separate Statehood, eventually every district would become a State and the nation would be ungovernable. At that time, the population of Hyderabad was 10 lakh.

Once the Congress government in Delhi amended the Constitution (32nd Amendment), inserted Article 371-D, and hammered out a six-point formula to protect the interests of Telangana, there was peace and quiet for over 30 years. Hyderabad grew very rapidly and became a major economic hub. And now, again, the casual and arbitrary approach of the union government, short-term vote bank politics of parties and shameless political duplicity have led to a wholly avoidable crisis, that has further undermined the eroding legitimacy of politics and parties.

Losing resources

There are serious economic issues to be examined on the issue of carving out a separate State in Andhra Pradesh. First, the capital city is a serious bone of contention, and once people and investors lose faith in the future, it will decline rapidly.

This will hurt both Andhra Pradesh and India, because large cities are now important clusters of growth, and if a Mumbai or Delhi faces economic hardship, the whole nation will be impacted by the fallout.

Second, parts of the coastal region are agriculturally well-developed and have resources and surpluses. For instance, the coastal region generates surplus revenues in the power sector, and is subsidising power for farmers in Telangana and Rayalaseema. A separate State will be burdened by an unviable power sector.

Costal regions are always engines of growth all over the world. Telangana is land-locked, and losing the costal region would retard growth and opportunities. Again, this is the first time a land-locked region is seeking to separate from the coastal belt. When passions subside, the pain and deprivation will be felt.

Water resources are always a bone of contention in a monsoon-fed country. Even in a relatively well-managed city of Mumbai, enjoying abundant rainfall on the West coast, water riots took a life recently. In a water-starved region, river water disputes will escalate, and sharing of Krishna and Godavari waters will be a nightmare.

In the K-G basin off the Andhra coast, abundant natural gas reserves have recently been found, and are being tapped. Already, there is the challenge of sharing natural resources between the home State and the rest of India, and now Telangana will be further depleted.

Large, unviable lift irrigation projects � at a capital cost of Rs 3-4 lakh per acre and Rs 40,000 per year per acre maintenance cost � have been unwisely proposed in Telangana. They will be a permanent drain on the economy of the region, undermining it without ensuring benefits.

Politics of inclusion

Poverty, backwardness, corruption, lack of opportunity and unemployment are endemic to many of the country's States and sub-regions. These are caused by failed policies, misgovernance and the politics of plunder, leading to kleptocracy.

Large parts of Telangana and Rayalaseema, most of north coastal Andhra Pradesh, upland areas of delta districts, and many families suffering discrimination by birth in every village � all of them are victims of terrible misgovernance and political failure.

The perpetuation of poverty and under-development is largely the result of the plunder of local politicians and bureaucrats. A change of the State's name or boundaries or capital will not alter anything.

The need of the hour is to accelerate growth and promote equity and opportunities. What every sub-region of Andhra Pradesh, indeed every part of India, needs is empowerment of people, district governments and third-tier of federalism to help people fulfil their potential.

We cannot use 19th century notions of divisive politics in a 21th century world.

Source: Hindu Business Line

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On Mon, Dec 7, 2009 at 3:33 PM, G R Vora <grvora@...> wrote:

�

�

�

Dear Gaurang,

Thanks, now we know the exact time and place, let us focus our attention to the core issues:

1. In which meeting of TA, this proposal was on the agenda?

2. When and by whom this budget of 1.5 crores sanctioned? How this is going to be spent?

3. Which species of trees are going to be bought? What will be their age? What will be their height?

4. Have you found out what type of soil, fetiliser, pesticides, antifungal medication will be required for these trees? How much water will be required?

What are the chances of these tree surviving in Mumbai?

5. Have you identified the sites at which these initial 100 trees will be replanted?

6. Who will look after these replanted trees? What is the specific plan?

7. Did you ever find out whether these species are available in Maharashtra from local growers and suppliers? Have you tried to find out what will be the comparable cost including transport? Why local marathi manoos is being bypassed?

8. Why are you delaying our own Tree Bank Project and what is its status?Why is�R A Rajeev�in such a tearing hurry to import from AP?

9. What is the record of survival of BMC's transplanted trees?

10. Whether temporary MC can take such a decision for such a big budget when he is chairing only one meeting?

11. How and who has formed�the 4 member committee?..............

�

U N Singh, Niranjan, anyone, can you add any other question/s?

�

Dr Nilesh Baxi�� 9820085007

�

�

7.12.2009

�

Dear all,

About half an hour ago DMC (Gardens) - Mr C B Rokde had called to say that the newsitem in newspapers on the proposed expenditure of Rs. 1.5 Cr by BMC for tree plantation is erroneous.

�

He said he is willing to clarify the matter and answer our queries. So I have taken appointment with him�on 9.12.2009 (Wed) at 11:00 am at his office at Rani Baug (Jijamata Udyan).

�

So please make it a point to attend this meeting to get your doubts clarified and know what exactly is their plan to afforest Mumbai.

�

Regards.

�

G R Vora

========

�

On Mon, Dec 7, 2009 at 2:20 PM, Debi Goenka <debi@...> wrote:

Does anyone know how many trees are involved totally in the Big Tree Plantation project?

----- Original Message -----

From: bhavika jain

To: Dr Nilesh Baxi

Cc: Rishi Aggarwal ; U. N SINGH ; Niranjan Shetty ; G R Vora ; Kisan Mehta ; Nayana Kathpalia ; Dr. Nandinii Kulkarni ; Jayshree Patil ; atulsethi72@... ; Biju ; priya salvi ; Kiran Desai ; varsha kulkarni ; sukhada tatke ; Ashwin Aghor ; Jagrut Nagrik Manch ; Loksatta ; elsie gabriel ; Vivienne Choudhury ; Neera Punj ; Gerson da Cunha ; sunish kunju ; Act_Bhaskar_Prabhu ; Indrani Malkani ; Sudhir Badami ; Rajesh Sachdev ; mesn@googlegroups.com ; Karmayog Yahoo ; Jagdeep DESAI ; cc Vag Shantharam Shenai ; Arun Inamdar ; mumbaimangroves@yahoogroups.com ; mumbainaturalists@yahoogroups.com ; bharat mansata ; Prabha Krishnan ; Debi Goenka ; info ; Ateeq Shaikh ; reshma.jathar@... ; ashutosh77777@... ; geetadesai72@... ; linah baliga ; kundanv@... ; Krishnaraj Rao ; Krishnaraj Rao ; G R Vora ; sarina_lopez@... ; Suresh Mehta ; Harshad Kamdar ; priya salvi ; soubhik.mitra@... ; sunita godbole

Sent: Monday, December 07, 2009 10:42 AM

Subject: Re: 1.5 crores for trees from Andhra - Letter to Mr. Rajeev

Hie� ...

As told to rishi and a few others there was a factual error in the stry published it HT on November 28 the headline and the copy� said that the cost for the first 100 trees is Rs 1.5 crore which actually is the cost of the entire 'Big tree ' plantataion project and that the 100 trees are just the first consignment.
A correction was issued the very next day ,novemnber 29 on Page number 6.

On Sat, Dec 5, 2009 at 4:50 PM, Dr Nilesh Baxi <drnilesh.baxi@...> wrote:

Please do not forward this email to Kubal. He is on the committee appointed by R A Rajeev and also he is in favour of importing these trees.

Dr Nilesh Baxi

ps My answers are in blue.

On Sat, Dec 5, 2009 at 12:07 PM, Rishi Aggarwal <rishiagg@...> wrote:

Hello everybody,

In the past hour I have spoken to Kisanbhai, Mr. Vora and Mr. Wani the SG. Following is my understanding from the conversation with Mr. Wani.

The current Big Trees project is still a proposal for which a 1.5 crore budget has been proposed and it is yet to be approved. It moves only after approval. Will Dr. Baxi, Niranjan, Avinash, Kisan bhai and others in the know please throw light on the exact procedure of how a proposal gets approval and the stages its passes through, the committees and individuals who deliberate on it and how the final disbursal takes place? This is a fit case more for our education than activism I think. No sir, this is not a proposal, it was not on agenda for meeting held on 25th November 2009. It was an informal discussion but R A Rajeev took it as discussed and passed otherwise how this 4 member committee was formed the same evening? This was like dictatorship, they never thought it will be opposed. It was a premeditated decision to form a 4 member group, send them to Ap with powers to buy the trees. Beauty of the things is that tree species also has not be decided!

In fact the TA members on this list could have atleast scanned the relevant docs with them and provided to this group? There must be atleast one official doc which has a mention of the project and which is available with the nominated members? There is no official document/s as this topic was not even expected. Even Rajeev mentioned that this was his first & last meeting as charman of TA. How can a temporary chairman discuss a new subject and talk about 1.5 crore budget which was never proposed, talked or deliberated upon?

In my opinion the chaos has been caused because Mr. Rajeev summarily and pre-maturely decided to call for a press conference to announce the project. The journalists then maybe understood as a project already passed and carried the story likewise. If a subject is not on the agenda, nor officially discussed, nor in any of the previous minutes, never budgeted, in a democratic set up, how can one release a press statement and mind you it was at a press conference and not mere release of press statement.

Mr. Wani has agreed Wednesday for meeting and will check with DMC Rokde also for his appropriate time. Will get to know final time on Monday.

What time is the meeting? Let me know so that I can fix up DMC C B Rokde's time right away.

I think we can now only have further discussion after Dr. Baxi and other TA members throw light on the new revelations which are quite contrary to what we have been discussing and also after meeting on Wednesday. Of course the fundamental idea of local tree banks remains. I have been told out of this 1.5 crores only 10 lakhs are are meant for buying 100 trees from AP, what will happen with remaining 1.4 crores, GOK(God Only Knows). This comes out to be Rs 10000 per tree!!!!!!!!!!!!! We bought 77 trees 7 to 10 feet tall for Marine Drive Promenade for app Rs 2000 per tree(includes transportation cost) from near Khapoli, Maharashtra. There are number of growers and suppliers in Maharashtra. Why bypass locals and go to AP?

They have been lax about establishing Tree Banks in Mumbai, put one up at Rani Baug on our persistence, forgot to put up one in every ward(almost 18 months old proposal). They have the required staff and horticulturists. They do not have to employ a single additional person. This a clear case of huge funds which can be easily misappropiated!!!!!!!!! Kisanbhai is right and rightfully aggrieved that this is blatant corruption and we are merely witnessing it...........Dr Baxi

Regards,

Rishi

2009/12/5 G R Vora <grvora@...>

5.12.2009

Dear Rishi and others,

Mr Rajeev may have his reasons for planting thousands of 10-15 feet high saplings (and it may be justified too), but then why spend on bringing them from Andhra ?

Yesterday, Mr Kisanbhai Mehta had called to express strong protest against this proposal and convey his dismay at citizens' weak protest against�this absurdity.

I believe speaking to DMC Gardens - Mr Rokde or S G would be a needless exercise. Rather than that we meet Mr Rajeev and seek clarifications on this�issue straight from the horse's mouth. �I am sure Mr Kisanbhai and many others would be interested in this meeting.

I request others too (including Kisanbhai ) to express their views on whom to meet so that we have some consensus and then move ahead.

Regards.

G R Vora

=======

On Fri, Dec 4, 2009 at 9:59 PM, Rishi Aggarwal <rishiagg@...> wrote:

Mr. Vora, Dr. Baxi,

In the afternoon Mr. Rajeev called me since I had called up his office a bit earlier to enquire about his schedules next week. he stated that he had been very busy past few days and hence had not been able to follow the emails. Within that he also said that he had not red my original mail and that he was not receiving the recent mails. Some contradictions but what to do. I forwarded him the mail again requesting him to respond if he thought important.. I couldnt write in my first mail in the afternoon since I was busy.

He says that there is a lot of misinformation floating around. He mentioned that he had called TOI and HT editor on 28th Nov itself and they carried corrigendums the very next day. If anybody can locate the links please post. I could see nothing on the HT epaper edition. This also brings to light that the concerned journalists being part of this email discussion since the beginning have not bothered to suitably intervene in the light of any appropriate information available to them after writing the articles. I do not appreciate that and would like to express my displeasure. May I request Bhavika and Sukhada to kindly respond. We are all making mistakes continuously but it is responsibility to intervene at such moments and clarify.

I informed him that we are planning to be at Byculla next week sometime to which he suggested we spend time with DMC Rokde and SG to understand the project.

He insists on his view that around the country it is now becoming a practice to plant 10-15 feet high trees and he gave example of area around Delhi airport and Metro where too the trees have been procured from the same nursery in Andhra. According to him the economics of taking care of a younger sapling in terms of regular watering, saving from cars running over, pollution etc. turns out to be the same ultimately. We are a suitable research starved city otherwise this was a good thesis study project. Anyways I am sure Dr. Baxi and Mr. Singh will be able to provide accurate response.

According to him the grown up sapling cost is 400-500 and it is worth it. There are a lot of inconsistencies in the figures and we need to sit with the files.

I think meeting Mr. Rajeev would be best only after we have understood the details well and spoken to the core people involved. Mr. Rajeev was holding additional charge and is now not holding the same. He may even refuse discussion on a technicality.

So my view is that we first meet at RB on the date and time which Mr. Vora will let us know and then go to the MC?AMC welll read and aware.

Regards,

Rishi

2009/12/4 Dr Nilesh Baxi <drnilesh.baxi@...>

Rishi,

I have no problem. We can have it on 9th or 10th. 9th preferred.

Gaurang please do the needful. RTI is a must + Meeting MC.

Also, I have been told that they are going to spend Rs 10 lakhs for 100 trees which comes to Rs 10000/-per tree. We recently put up 77 trees of 7 to 9 feet at Marine Drive Promenade at less than 2500 per tree!

I do not know what�happens with the remaining 1.4 crores and where did he get these funds sanctioned from? Why was he in such tearing hurry when he was presiding over this meeting on temporary basis? Isn't there more to it then meets the eye?

Dr Nilesh Baxi
�

On Fri, Dec 4, 2009 at 12:19 PM, Rishi Aggarwal <rishiagg@...> wrote:

Can we please keep it for 9th or 10th please? Have things tied up on 8th.

We have to meet the new MC also as he is the Chairman of TA.

2009/12/3 Dr Nilesh Baxi <drnilesh.baxi@...>

Gaurang please go ahead with Tuesday meeting and give notice.

Dr Nilesh Baxi

�

RISHI, MAROON COLOUR IS MERELY HIGHLIGHTING CERTAIN POINTS IN THE MAIN TEXT IN GREEN. I HAVE REMOVED R A RAJEEV & AVINASH KUBAK FROM FROM THE LOOP AS THERE IS NO POINT IN INFORMING THEM ABOUT WHAT WE ARE CONTEMPLATING.

DR NILESH BAXI

On Thu, Dec 3, 2009 at 3:47 PM, G R Vora <grvora@...> wrote:

�

3.12.2009

�

Dear Rishi,

Yes, I think we should meet at S G's office at Rani Baug and ask for the papers relating to this 1.5 Cr. decision :-).

�

Shall we met at 10:30 am on 8th Dec. 2009 (Tue) at Rani Baug ?

�

If we agree then preferably we should give notice (in writing or otherwise) to SG to keep the relevant papers ready.

�

I request all to reply.

�

Regards.

�

G R Vora

9869195785

==========

�

On Thu, Dec 3, 2009 at 11:30 AM, Rishi Aggarwal <rishiagg@...> wrote:

Completely in agreement Kisanbhai. To extend my gratitude to the wonderful internet I must say that emails are important for us to be able to come to this stage. Ten years back we would have had to call and convene a meeting to decide a course of action. Now we can spend time at 2 am to be able to gauge the sentiment and decide on a course of action :) I will call you tmoro I think...very busy today..

Should we convene a meeting at Rani Baug itself at the Garden Department? Like Gaurang bhai has suggested there can be a suo moto disclosure of the information and so we can see the papers relating the contract. If 50 of us make it there the pressure will be enough to scrap the contract anyways.

Or we can convene a meeting with the new MC who is a very reasonable and logical man I think?

Regards,

Rishi

2009/12/3 Kisan Mehta <kisansbc@...>

�

Dear Rishi. Gaurang. Nilesh,�and�other colleagues,

�

We are, I am sorry to point out,�are all� doing hadow

fighting� within our small group like efficient emailers.�

Our noise is not more than of empty vessels making crackling

though we are potentially capable of trembling the seats of the nonaccountable bureaucrats.�

What is required is putting up real against what is totally

wrong from all standards.��The BMC and its insensitive officers should realise that their nonsensical antipeople stepswill not be totleated by the community in the name of which they are prepetrating nonsense. That cannot be realised by restricting to email fighting.

�

Go in the public, not restricted to email facility provided people

like ,e and you, show what the couurage of conviction of people would not allow the irresponsible working of bureaucrats.

�

Tell me if I can help. (9223448857).

�

Best wishes.

�

Kisan Mehta����������������������������� Priya Salvi

***********************************************���

On 12/2/09, Rishi Aggarwal <rishiagg@...> wrote:

Dr. Baxi,

Thanks a lot for sharing this! Its is more than time that public officials or citizens who come into public capacity start sharing critical info over email (we are yet to hear from Mr. Rajeev).

BUT you have removed Mr. Rajeev from the email loop and that is not helping at all. This mail is on a number of yahoogroups all of which Mr. Rajeev will be a part of. So he is aware but cannot be made accountable to reply to your reply below. With your permission I would like to a more detailed response only after I can copy him back to this loop?

I am not able to get the difference between the green and the maroon colors - which is to be ascribed to whom?

Regards,

Rishi

2009/12/1 Dr Nilesh Baxi <drnilesh.baxi@...>

Hi!

This is the most outragious decision of Tree Authority in last 30 months! with an attitude of "I care two hoots, do whatever you want to do."

This was not even proposed. In the last Tree Authority meeting, this was informally discussed for 4 minutes. This was not even on agenda. No sooner Rajeev suggested it, we(myself, Niranjan Shetty & U N Sing-renouned horticulturist) opposed it tooth & nail. I told him that you are not even aware that for almost 2 years we have been after TA to establish Tree Banks in all the wards of the city(atleast in 1 BMC nursery/ward)

�

After a special meeting in the garden dept. (on 10th July 2008) with me & U N Singh, they decided to accept Tree Banking. In�Jan 2009 they started a Tree Bank at Rani Baug nursery. They have been delaying this project or else by now it would have started in 24 nurseries. Interestingly, no budget was sanctioned even then and now. What 1.5 crores is he talking about? It is absolutely extra constitutional!!!

�

U N Singh pointed out that these trees will face a problem of acclamatisation and will bring pests and diseases along with them We also pointed out that the party from whom he�is planning to buy doesn't enjoy a good reputation. Rajeev was very vehement on that the supplier is the cheapest. When I pointed out that U N Singh is the largest Tree Banker in Maharashtra, he said that if he can supply at a lesser rate than AP supplier we'll buy from him(?lollipop). U N Singh said he was not interested in doing business with BMC!

�

Rajeev suggested to form a 3 member committee where one of the member could be a horticulturist. U N Singh again refused to be on this committee if BMC was going to buy from that AP supplier. No committee was appointed on that day and now we find 4 member committee!

�

MR Rajeev went on giving example of trees planted by this AP party at CSInternational airport. How can one rely on one example? Why he wants to do business with a tainted party? Where dis he get 1.5 croes sanctioned from? Why he not interested in developing BMC's Tree Banks? High handedness.

�

�

"To"days generation is restless and wants quick results.� For almost 3 to 4 years, Barringtonia saplings were not growing beyond 2 to 3 feet at Marine Drive Promenade. We approached him in Jan 2009 to give us permission to plant 6 to 9 feet tall trees instead of these saplings as we told him this a prime tourist spot and trees must grow fast. He took 4 and 1/2 months to give permission! We eventually planted 77, 6 to 9 feet tall Barringtonia at Marine Drive Promenade under what we call PPP, public-public project. We have spent for the trees. He did not remember this as an example!

�

�SUMMARY:

• How can one rely on one example?
• Why he wants to do business with a tainted party?
• Where did he get 1.5 croes sanctioned from?
• Why he is not interested in developing BMC's Tree Banks?
• What is the record of survival of BMC's transplanted trees?(here again he went on giving example of Napean sea road transplantation. Everyone knows this is happening only in D Ward. What about other 23 wards? Are their horticulturists not capable? Again when I pointed out that Christmas trees are not transplantable, he went of giving example of one tree transplanted by C B Rokde. In science we talk about in large number of trees and not one example!)
• Why is he in such a tearing hurry?
• He was on the chair only for 1 meeting, how can he take such a decision? The 4 member committee was not formed in the meeting. He has treated tree authority as his fiefdom!
• This was not on the agenda. This decision is extra-constitutional.
• If newspapers are to be believed, it is 1.5 crore for 100 trees, i.e. Rs 1.5 lakh per tree, my my my my.................

�

��

Dr Nilesh Baxi �98200 85007

Civic & Social Activist

Ex-columnist, Bombay Times

Treat TREES with Tender Loving Care

Member-BMC's Tree Authority

�

--
"Our ignorance is not so vast as our failure to use what we know."
-- M. King Hubbert --

--
Kisan Mehta������������������Priya Salvi
Save Bombay Committee and Prakruti
Krishna Mansion, II Floor, 9, Mysore Colony
Opp. RCF Gate #2, Chembur Anik
Mumbai 400074, India.
www.savebombaycommittee.org
Kisan Mehta:�� 0091 9223448857
Priya Salvi:������0091 9324027494

--
"Our ignorance is not so vast as our failure to use what we know."
-- M. King Hubbert --

--
G R Vora,
Plot - 275 / 3, Gope Nivas, Sion E, Mumbai - 400022.
Ph - (022) 24091193 / 9869195785.

For info on RTI Act and it's usage please visit :
http://www.box.net/handyrtiformats
(Click on "Key to contents of HandyRTI Folder..doc" file on this folder to know about all the files contained in it.)


IF WE ARE NOT A PART OF THE SOLUTION,
THEN WE ARE A PART OF THE PROBLEM.
==========

--

Dr Nilesh Baxi �98200 85007
Civic & Social Activist
Ex-columnist, Bombay Times
Treat TREES with Tender Loving Care
Member-BMC's Tree Authority

--
"Our ignorance is not so vast as our failure to use what we know."
-- M. King Hubbert --

--

Dr Nilesh Baxi �98200 85007
Civic & Social Activist
Ex-columnist, Bombay Times
Treat TREES with Tender Loving Care
Member-BMC's Tree Authority

--
"Our ignorance is not so vast as our failure to use what we know."
-- M. King Hubbert --

--

--
"Our ignorance is not so vast as our failure to use what we know."
-- M. King Hubbert --

--

Dr Nilesh Baxi �98200 85007
Civic & Social Activist
Ex-columnist, Bombay Times
Treat TREES with Tender Loving Care
Member-BMC's Tree Authority

--

Dr Nilesh Baxi �98200 85007
Civic & Social Activist
Ex-columnist, Bombay Times
Treat TREES with Tender Loving Care
Member-BMC's Tree Authority

Dear Suren,

This sounds defeatist.

I hope not.

If LS loses heart, there is no hope for anyone else to stay in the game.

Manjeet

On Sun, Nov 29, 2009 at 7:47 AM, Surendra Srivastava <surendra.srivastava@...> wrote:

�

�

Media Release

(Hyderabad, 28/11/2009)

�

�

Lok Satta debating ways of saving

People from manipulation

�

�

The three-year-old Lok Satta Party is now deeply immersed in finding out how people should be involved in transformational politics.

�

The Lok Satta Party came into existence three years ago with a view to cleansing the political system which has failed to eliminate poverty, destitution and ill health and make people stand on their own legs.� Over the years, politics has been turned into a lucrative business by certain dynastic families or individuals.� They succeed in wooing voters with money and liquor or other inducements, come into power only to abuse it for personal gain.

�

Although large sections of people are aware that the present-day politics are rotten, they do not come forward to transform the system, going by Lok Satta experience.� Viewing the elections as a fight among certain parties or politicians, the voters by and large remain indifferent or play only a peripheral role of casting their vote on the polling day.�

�

What is tragic is that people do not realize that they are the main players in the democratic process and not parties and politicians.� Instead of playing the central role since they are the prime agents of change, they become pawns in the hands of traditional parties either wittingly or unwittingly.�

�

Pointing out that unless people take matters into their hand and choose to act, the status quo can never be changed, the Lok Satta leaders Mr.YD Rama Rao, V.Laxman Balaji, Panduranga Rao, Mrs. Saroja Devi told media today. They recalled what Abraham Lincoln said more than a century ago, �Public opinion or sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail. Without it, nothing can succeed.�

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The Lok Satta leaders point out that perhaps people by and large are vulnerable to manipulation because of their innocence and gullibility since times immemorial. Otherwise, would Jesus Christ have been crucified? When Jesus was arrested and threatened with execution for blasphemy, his captors led by Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor, offered to spare him if enough people called for his release. �On that day, Jesus and another prisoner, Barrabas, were due to be killed. Pilate�s wife asked him to spare Jesus, who was innocent.� But the religious elders and priests, who hated Jesus because he undermined their authority, persuaded the mass of people to call for Barrabas to be spared instead.� When the crowd was asked what should be done with Jesus, they shouted, �Crucify him.� Pilate believed the execution of Jesus was wrong.� Since it was the will of the people, he publicly washed his hands to show that he took no responsibility.

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Again, there are people of talent, integrity and competence in all walks of life who thirst for dramatic changes in the political system.� But they remain dreamers on the sidelines, since they are not inclined to take any responsibility to change the system by devoting a portion of their time, energy and resources.

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The Lok Satta leaders say they are not disheartened by the poor performance in the GHMC elections since victory in an election is merely a means to transform politics and not en end in itself.

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The Lok Satta even to this day subscribes to the philosophy that the country can be rid of poverty, destitution and ill health only if new politics are ushered in and people are empowered.� The Lok Satta has never nurtured the illusion that it alone can transform politics.� It, therefore, is now debating how best it can associate common people and the elite on the sidelines with its mission.�

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� For Lok Satta Party

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Regards

Surendra Srivastava
Founder - Maharashtra Chapter & Volunteer - Lok Satta Aandolan
Base Unit-4, Bycula Service Industries Premises,
Dadoji Konddeo Road, Bycula (East), Mumbai 400027
Tel: 00 91 22 2377 2242
Email: loksatta.maharashtrachapter@...
Web: www.loksattamovement.in
If India wins, who loses?

Dr. JP said, “There is no magic wand which can transform society and improve people’s lives.  Even if Mahatma Gandhi were to be reborn, he too would fail unless people are empowered as envisaged by him decades ago.”