Reality Bites!!

The deadly and audacious attack on CRPF jawans by Naxalites on 6^th April raises so many questions on our understanding as well as strategy to deal with the left extremism. As our Prime Minister said “Naxalism is the gravest internal security threat to India”. Some other has described this massacre as a war on Indian Parliamentary Democracy. This is the time we must realize the need to root out the actual problem. This issue which began as a socio-economic problem became law and order issue and gradually turned into insurgency.

The Early Naxal Movement started in 1967 from a village called ‘Naxalbari’ in West Bengal by Charu Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal and Jangal Santhal. Initially this movement was against the landlords. So it got support from the landless laborers. Inspired by Mao’s doctrines, they believed in armed struggle by Indian peasants and tribals to overthrow the Indian Democratic State by 2050. It has spread over 200 of the 626 districts in India.

The popularity of the Naxalism is increasing in the undeveloped areas primarily among tribes.  As we know, 33% of India’s population still lives below poverty line. These days one particular phrase is very popular: “India Mein Do Hi Cheez Hai; IPL Aur BPL.” As per report only 7 individuals have net worth equal to 30 crores Indians. Can we solve this problem through ‘Operation Green Hunt’? Is this a viable option?

The economic conditions of most tribals are miserable. Schools, Roads and Hospitals are invisible. They have to walk miles to fetch a bucket of drinking water. Due to vote bank politics, only creamy layer got benefitted from the positive discrimination policy.

By and large, tribal society is egalitarian. There is no hierarchy. Men and women have equal status. Mother-in-laws treat their sons’ wives as their own daughter. So there is no difference between sasural and mayke. Dowry system does not exist. More importantly they are not greedy. Even in the early Vedic Age the tribal leader was seen as “primus interpares” i.e. first among equals. Ironically, modern world is known as ‘Global Village’ not ‘Global City’!!

Can we say ours so called modern materialistic value neutral society as egalitarian? Is this society free from social evils? Male chauvinism still exists in some form or other. Everyday there is news on dowry deaths. (Dis) honor killings decorate the front page of the newspapers. Saas-Bahu Ki Ladaai To Jag Jaahir Hai. Do our leaders behave themselves as first among equals? Is this development? Is this modernization? This is merely westernization not modernization. In 63 yrs we have achieved economic growth but definitely not development. Our per capita income has increased but on social development parameters we lag far behind. There is no equal distribution of social and economic wealth. Even Planning Commission has accepted the fact that LPG policy has widened the gap between the rich and the poor. So steps must be taken to bridge this gap. Besides, special attention should be given to bridge the digital divide too.

“FCI Godowns Mein Ann Sadate Hain Lekin Karodon Logon Ko Do Waqt Ki Roti Nahin Milati! Jinake Paas Pahanane Ko Kapade Nahin Hain Use Hey Drishti Se Dekha Jata Hai. Lekin Kuch Logon Ke Kam Kapadewale Dress Bhi Fashion Ban Jaate Hain! Kahin Aasmaan Hi Chhat Hai To Kahin Chhat Par Helicopter Utar Sakate Hain!” Yehi Hai ‘India Shining’!! Wearing scanty dresses, listening western songs and speaking foreign languages don’t necessarily signify modernization. Modernization of heart is essential which should be reflected in thoughts, ideas, perception and attitude towards socio-economic-political development. The recent studies say that occidentalists are heading towards spiritualism in search of mental peace whereas orietalists towards materialism in search of material happiness which leads to agony. In this regard Swami Vivekanand’s speech in ‘Parliament of World's Religions’ (Chicago, 1893) is very important. He said “each must assimilate the spirit of the others and yet preserve his individuality and grow according to his own law of growth.”

Now the question is how to tackle this biggest challenge posed by the ultra left. First of all we must know that it is not a war. We can’t wage war against our own people. Some of our own people who are deprived of basic amenities have sympathy for left wing extremists. It shows the failure of governance and administration. Ram Rajya or Good Governance is still Utopia in India. Concept of SMART governance (Simple, Moral, Accountable, Responsive and Transparent) is only on paper. Due to weaknesses in delivery system allocations are not reaching to whom it is targeted. Poverty, unemployment and rampant corruption have provided the congenial environment for Maoists to get popularity among tribes. We have to make distinction between the Maoists and ordinary tribals. Every Maoist is not a tribal; neither is every tribal a Maoist.

Government alone can’t solve this problem. Public-Private Partnership can play a big role. Now time has come for private sectors to discharge their social responsibilities. They can train these socially, economically and educationally backward and alienated but culturally rich, faithful and lovely gift of God through opening of special educational institutions. E-learning can play a big role in remote areas. At the same time government of India should promote these initiatives by offering more tax benefits. Even it is responsibility of every individual to contribute in any form for the upliftment of the weaker sections of the society. Only then we will be able to become Developed State by 2020. Putting 240 million hands together can make anything possible.

Holistic approach is the need of the time. In short term strategy comprehensive security arrangement must be done. Focus should be given on better training, effective command & control system, rapid action, anti guerilla techniques etc.

Top brass naxal leaders are well educated, highly motivated and trained in guerilla warfare. There is a general impression among tribals that Maoists don’t kill innocent people and punish guilty government officials. So we should take every step to win the hearts of the tribals. In long term strategy, these steps must be taken to eradicate the menace of naxalism:

1. Right to education- This is effective from 1^st April this year.
2. Right to food: This is on government’s policy agenda and a draft is expected soon.
3. Right to health: At least one state Assam has taken initiative in this regard.
4. Right to Employment: This is not on government’s agenda.
5. Delivery mechanism to be made more effective and accountable: As per Transparency International Report India is ranked 84^th on Corruption Perception Index. The recently held Twenty20 friendly match between the Union Minister and IPL Commissioner truly justified this ranking! Expectantly, BCCI- the Board of Cricket Corruption in India- didn’t play the role of watchdog over IPL- the Indian Paagalpan League!! Stringent law with effective implementation and promotion of ethics in governance and administration are few steps which could be considered.
6. Land Reforms: We have to relook the law pertaining to tribal rights over forest land which is a major cause of concern regarding tribal displacement.

MPs’ Salary Hike- Revisited!!!

Persistent double-digit inflation, growing fiscal and revenue deficit, shadow of recession but 300% (Rs 50,000) salary hike and still dissatisfied MPs- are the unique characteristics of world’s largest democracy!!. As per Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Act, 2010, a package of 1.6 lakh a month for legislators have been ensured by way of pay and allowance with retrospective effect. Again, an MP is eligible for pension of Rs 20,000/month if he serves for five years!! Can we expect pension for life just after 5 years in office? Is salary hike justified?

We are living in a democratic setup where People’s Representatives have been given highest rank. Maintaining offices at different places, frequent visits to their constituencies, entertaining public coming from their constituencies, price rise, autonomy and independence of legislators and accountability for public policy justify this hike. But conscience of common people does not allow this hike. Are they really accountable People’s Representatives who decide the fate of our current as well as future generations?

First of all, this violates the principles of natural justice- one can’t be judge in his own case- the core principle of the Rule of Law. This decision could have been taken by independent body. Secondly, most of our MPs do not attend Parliament session. Even if they come, their sole motive is to disrupt the proceedings. Only 10% questions were answered orally during Question Hour in this Monsoon Session. Do our poor MPs get salary to create pandemonium in the Houses?

According to the National Election Watch (NEW), a nationwide campaign comprising of more than 1200 NGO working on electoral reforms, improving democracy and governance in India, in the 15^th Lok Sabha there are 162 MPs (29.83%) with pending criminal cases. There are 76 MPs (14%) with serious pending criminal cases. There are pending criminal cases against 9 ministers in the current Lok Sabha. Should law breakers be allowed to become law makers?

Again, 315 of 543 MPs are crorepatis. The average assets of an MP is 5.33 cr. Interestingly, the chances of winning based on assets of candidates are 32.65 % (more than 5 cr), 18.47% (50 lakhs to 5 cr), 6.28 (50-10 lakhs), 0.43% (less than 10 lakhs). Statistics clearly reveal the role of money and muscle power in Indian elections.

There are 49 crorepati ministers in the new Lok Sabha. INC has 40, DMK has 5, NCP has 2 and JKN & AITC has 1 crorepati minister each. This is just the calculation based on disclosed assets and in reality it can be manifold. All the 13 MPs from Punjab are crorepatis. Do these poor crorepati MPs need salary hike?

They equate themselves with Secretaries of Government of India who get salary 80,000/month. But they forget that Secretaries are public servants and they are not allowed to run business. At the same time the majority of the MPs run their own businesses. It is rightly said that the emoluments to MPs should be measured on CTN (cost to nation) basis like in companies where the concept of CTC (cost to company) is prevalent.

As for as educational qualification is concerned we found that out of 543 MPs, 151 are graduates, 132 are post graduates and 107 are graduate professional, 54 are 12^th, 46 are 10^th, 21 are Ph.D, 9 are 5^th, 9 are 8^th, 4 are literate, 7 are others, 3 are not given. We have several instances of MPs uncomforting while taking oath!! Is it good practice to have no minimum educational qualification for MPs?

Can we compare profiles of these MPs with CEOs? Nowadays, politics is no more service. It has become business. Criminalisation of politics and politicisation of crimes have made things worst. They don’t know even national anthem and national song!! Rape accused becomes minister of state for home, and scam accused becomes Cabinet Minister in the name of political compulsions!! Netaji publicly says ‘Hum Jail Se Raaj Karenge’ aur aisa Karke Dikhate Hain!!

Why do we elect tainted representatives? In fact, we are left with Hobson’s choice. Clean persons are not willing to enter politics. I still remember one incident. A guy asked a question to T.N. Seshan, the former Chief Election Commissioner of India, ‘to whom we should vote?’ in a seminar on ‘Electoral Reforms: Role of Youth’. The Physics genius and Palmist IAS replied ‘Jis candidate ke saath apani behen ki shaadi kar sakte hain’.

So Electoral Reforms not salary hike is the real issue. Most of our honourable MPs are unable to utilize even MPLADS fund. Gentlemen we are the future of India. We are expected to rise above personal interests. We must use franchise but use judiciously. Doston, hamare netaon ne to menhgai se nibatane ke liye apana rashta nikaal liya!! Now is the time for us to awake, arise and fight!!

NIIT: An Innovative Institution!!

This is all about Annual Day Celebrations held in NIIT. Like previous year presence of each NIITIAN was mandatory on this so called auspicious occasion!! Obviously, most of us participated unwillingly- Aur Sunday Kharab Ho Gaya! Some of us didn’t turn up. And few NIITIANS joined the function in the anticipation of getting Excellence Award!!

Lekin Hamaari Aashaon Par Paani Fir Gaya (Most of us got disappointed)! This year number of Awardees was reduced. Also, some of the citations were very confusing. One of my friends rushed towards stage to collect the award but stopped in time because citation was written for him but Naam Kisi Aur Ka Tha!! Courtesy: Selection Committee and Citations Committee!! We appreciate the diplomatic and tactical approach adopted by the jury members while finalizing the name of the awardees!! The process of selection made both-  awardees and non-awardees happy. Non-awardees are happy because at least citations were written for them! Awardees are happy because Citations Se Kya Fark Padta Hai Award To Use Hi Mila!!

So I decided to reach out to the people who were expecting but couldn’t get award. I did talk to several NIITIANS and there was unanimity on one point - Award is one of the 4 Instruments of Illusion by which Management placates resources!! My closest friend told me that only Manager knows how, when and where to use these instruments of pacification!! These instruments of illusion are:

• Award
• Performance Band
• Role Change
• Onsite Visit

To get award or good performance band you just have to maintain good relationship with your Supervisor/Project Manager! For role change you have to maintain good relationship with your reporting manager as well as reviewing manager!! But if you want role change, good performance band and award simultaneously, you will have to do one more thing. Just deliver a dialogue- “I have many offers, Aap Batao Kya Karein.” It will work like Raam Baan…you will be awarded, promoted and will get best band simultaneously! In fact, I did try all these tricks this time but unfortunately, couldn’t succeed! According to reliable sources there was some hidden hand behind it!! A fact finding committee has been formed to find out the role played by this hidden hand!! So that I would manage to get it next year!! As far as Onsite Visit is concerned, it’s just like a special offer! Once someone decides to move on, it is offered as a last resort!! Guys try this tested formula, success is guaranteed!! 

In NIIT Human Resource is the only evergreen organization which has done brilliant job consistently! HR personnel know how to play with the structure of the salary. Like Indian Meteorological Department forecast, Appraisal Policy didn’t disappoint us!! Their innovative ideas, initiatives and complex formula make everyone feel great initially but cheated later!! During economic meltdown it led from the front and set the example by not distributing trophies to star performers. Saving few hundred rupees is an achievement in NIIT. Under ‘Go Green’ policy we may expect ‘e-trophy’ very soon!! It is the same organization where most ambitious Contract System and most (un)popular VC Policy germinated. They believe in the philosophy of NIITIAN first in every aspects of life except bucks!! As we know real friends help in crisis and HRO has proved it beyond doubt. They might not recognize your work if you perform exceedingly well. But they won’t forget to reward you, if you don’t perform!! Not surprisingly payment of star performance reward starts after one year and in installments. This is the hallmark of the organization. Hats off to HRO!!!

In fact, NIIT is not only an institution but a movement too. So it is expected from every employee to strengthen this movement by providing fruitless services!! Guys achievements of life aren’t measured by what you have but who you have. So NIITIANS’ standard of life, not standard of living should be kissing the sky!! It may take years to achieve set objectives but your contributions would be remembered forever!!

Friendship Day

Last night one unusual thing happened. I got an email from one of my friends...Happy Friendship Day in advance. I was quite surprised. We always remember our friends but for the first time I received friendship day greetings. I asked my friend, ‘why do we celebrate Friendship Day’? ‘Like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day we have Friendship Day’, she replied. I was not convinced. I asked her that there is a reason behind any celebration. Kindly let me know the reason to celebrate Friendship Day. Interestingly, I got the reply ‘Aapane Had Kar Di’.

Friendship day is celebrated on the first Sunday of the August month every year. Friends meet and exchange gifts on this day. There is nothing wrong in its celebration but now commercialization of relationship has been started. It shows the proactiveness of market forces. Friendship i.e., feeling of love, affection, intimacy, brotherhood, protection etc can’t be measured in terms of gifts. We may expect Break-up Day, Divorce Day, Tie-up Day...in near future!!

It’s easy to make friends but very difficult to find real/good friends. Generally, it is said that good friends possess qualities like; honesty, trustworthiness, supportive, compassion, stick with you in all times particularly in bad times. But I believe that it’s ‘Care’ which distinguishes a good friend from friends. 

Good friends don’t necessarily agree with you on everything but give impartial opinion. At the same time they do their best to stick up for you when you are in trouble or crisis even if you are not justified. What I mean to say that it’s duty of good friend to be rational and forbid him from committing any wrong doings. But if he still sticks to it then rally behind him.

Fortunately, I have got 2-3 real friends. I still remember one incident. It so happened that after graduation my friend took admission in other university for pursuing career in International Relations. Although we were in the same city but living together was not feasible. One day while on the way to AIIMS for medical check-up suddenly my condition started deteriorating so I informed him to reach AIIMS immediately. He was there before I could reach. After check-up when everything came normal, we decided to spend some time together in hostel. While walking in the night, I came to know that his exam had already commenced and he preferred me to appearing for exam. I was very angry with him. I asked him, ‘why did you drop paper’? ‘Exam to hota hi rahta hai’, he replied with smiles. Later, his thesis was awarded as best dissertation submitted in last ten years.

In fact, virtues like Caring-Sharing (emotional support) and Forgiveness-Unselfishness provide the foundation of real friendship. Sacrifice is the synonym of friendship. Everyone knows Sufi singer Wadali brothers. The elder brother (Puranchand) refused Padmashree award when it was offered only to him. In Mahabharata, Karn sacrificed the crown offered by Pandavas for the sake of his friendship with Kauravas.

Good friends are those who can make the meaning of silence. Sometimes silence speaks a lot. Watch the face of your friend, try to read facial expression, feel his feelings and you will get the answer.

Let’s remember (feel) the feelings of real friends and celebrate Friendship Day!!

Penitence or Repentance

In April while I was on the way to Mt. Abu, I met with a guy named ‘Shantanu’ popularly known as ‘Guddu’. He is a symbol of social responsibilities in his village. We were discussing on the burning national issues. When I came out of his chamber, an elderly man who was waiting outside asked me “Guddu Kahan Hai?”(Where is Guddu?) “Who is Guddu?” I asked. ‘Wo to Bhagwan Hai,’ (He is like God) replied old man. I became curious and asked him to narrate Guddu’s past. He told me that Guddu’s father was a farmer. He had three children- two sons and one daughter. Guddu was the eldest. His father’s earning was not enough for three children to continue studies. So, he started doing tuition not only to continue his higher studies but also to support his family. Being eldest son he had the full sense of responsibility of an elder brother.  He used to send money home regularly. He completed his masters degree with good marks. In course of time he fell in love with a girl to whom he was teaching. He expressed his desire to marry the girl to his parents. But the parents turned down the marriage proposal. They told him that if he would marry a girl from other caste, who would marry his sister. They insisted Shantanu to marry within same caste. But the boy very clearly told them that he would marry only her else he won’t marry.

After few years Shantanu’s sister got married to a doctor and the couple left for UK. He left no stone unturned to see his younger brother at zenith. His brother got through IIT exams and after completing his B.Tech in Computer Science, got selected by MNC. He joined a company in USA and got married with an American girl of Indian Origin. When he had left for USA he was alone. But when he came back to India to see his ailing father, his parents saw their first grandson. They returned to USA after a week. In the meantime, Shantanu completed his Ph.D and is now teaching in the same college. His parents are living with him. He is still unmarried and looking after his parents.  Now he spends most of his time in social activities. Providing free coaching classes to needy and quality education to street children are his hobbies. His parents are now eager to see him married, but to Shantanu, it’s no more relevant. Shantanu does smile but his smiles put many questions on society.  Lines appearing on his forehead clearly show the expectations from an elderly child and lack of maturity in the social set up. Nobody knows whether it is penitence or repentance by his parents. But definitely it is a supreme sacrifice by a man who does not give preference to his personal life and desires but to his duties and responsibilities.

Software Engineering: Tester’s Perspective

Being a member of a Test Team it is imperative to know the meaning of 'Test’. It can be safely taken as examination, experiment, assessment, investigation, ordeal, trial, analysis-leading to failures and successes. 

In IT, ‘Testing’ may be defined as an art of critical thinking which paves the way to detect variance between the actual and the expected result. So it is expected from every member of a testing team to think and think differently! Now question arises, if they think differently then what is the binding force behind them? How do they work as a team?

It is stated that in IT primary background of a sizeable number of testing professionals is non-IT. Hence they can think differently! Even testing professionals having IT background, have got expertise in some or other fields rather than software!! Most of them preferred testing unwillingly!!  It shows multicultural identity of the software testing team. It represents the true picture of ‘Unity in Diversity’ in India. This is the field which welcomes professionals from every quarters of the society!!  I heard one IT professional advising his friend…..PEHALE BANK P.O., CDS, NDA DEKH LE...KAHIN NAHIN HOGA TO TESTING MEIN AA JAANA!  So this is an assurance to all bright students which would make the future of India! It is just like Rozgar Guarantee Karyakrama of Government of India. In fact, it is better than that because to get benefitted from Employment Guarantee scheme, enrollment in voter list is a must. But in software testing anybody can become ‘TESTER’, I am sorry Test Engineer (Tester word sounds derogatory to testing team member) without having any formal degree/knowledge of testing!!

There was a time when ‘Engineer’ word was quite appealing, reputed and rare. Software engineering particularly testing played a vital role in liberating this word from the higher echelons of the society. Nowadays does it denote educated class? No… no… it doesn’t. It denotes only the literate class!! Thanks to Software Test Engineers!! One of my dev friends described this employment guarantee program as better than 11^th Five Year Plan in terms of employment generation!

Is software testing really so easy? One more thing which ignites my mind is Testing Vs Development debate. It is believed that testers are non-technical persons whereas developers are technical. Both have their own arguments in their favors and both have their own limitations. Now it has taken the shape of Generalist Vs Specialist. Development team can have a sharp vision in a particular technical arena. At the same time testing team has a broad vision which ensures overall functionality, reliability, performance, serviceability and usability of the end product.

As we know, in India most of the Government Policies failed to achieve set objectives because it has been found that these are made by so called elite class and this class doesn’t understand the language (conditions and requirements) of the common people. The testing team strives hard to test the application from end user point of view which ultimately ensures the high quality of the deliverables. It is actually the fighting spirit and killer instinct of testing fraternity which binds them together. Their logical, judgmental and persuasive abilities make them effective testing professional. Besides, testing without specification brings them closer to perfection! In a nutshell, the role of each team is supplementary and complementary to each other. We must know that Technology is as good as it serves the purpose of human needs and fulfilling this purpose should be our sole objective. 

So becoming an effective test engineer is not an easy job! Next step is sustenance and promotion. Like GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade now renamed to WTO) there are general acceptance criteria which have been laid down by private sector for promotion: Yes boss attitude! Sycophancy! Work less speak more behavior! Argumentative attitude without any sound logic or understanding of the facts! Ability to take credit for good work done by others and passing accountability on others for any wrong doings! And Social Networking (Setting)!! Quality work doesn’t matter! KAAM TO SAB KARATA HAI…KAM YA JYADA…WAISE BHI JO THODA  KAAM KARATA HAI USE GALATI KARANE  KE CHANCES  KAM HO JAATE HAIN…. So it can be overlooked!!

Women Empowerment is the need of the time in country like India, but ‘how’ is the most difficult question where society is already divided on the basis of race, religion, sex and caste. Even government of India is ensuring greater participation of weaker sections of the society in decision as well as policy making. But one should not forget that to achieve a good end (Goal), means should also be good. There is a general impression among the male counterparts that females are promoted on the basis of their gender rather than merit and hard work. This has been summarily disproved by the results in board and other examinations. Given the equal opportunity they perform equally or better. The question is- are we providing non-discriminate atmosphere in Indian offices? Do they enjoy same privilege, same network and non-frightening milieu? And finally think of an office without girls- I will be the last one to join there. Guys get over the MCP attitude.

When I was writing this blog I got a phone call from Ahmedabad. My niece, who studies in Standard VI, asked me a quiz……born in 1809…lost his mother at the age of 9….failed in his earlier  professional endeavors…. lost first election of his political career…..separated from his wife……lost his 3 years son...lost bid for Senate seat…..lost the Senate race to Democratic candidate……known for his misfortunes and failures…………….but finally became the first bearded President of that nation …………………………Who was he?

I asked her if she can tell me his name. She told…He was the 16^th President Of United States of America……he defined democracy which is regarded as the basic tenets of modern democracy (Government of the people, by the people and for the people)….and he was none other than...Abraham Lincoln: The Unforgotten Hero of Modern Democratic Era.

So failure and success are part and parcel of life. It varies over time, space and region. It is the initial failure which provides sound and everlasting foundation to grand success. We couldn’t have Missileman President Dr Kalam, the pioneer of Integrated Guided Missile Sytem in India, had he become pilot. One should keep in mind that one has to learn from mistakes and should try to avoid same mistake. There are no shortcut to commitment and sincerity. It is the noblest characters which act as a precursor to successes in life i.e. graceful in poverty, content in hunger, cheerful in grief and friendly in hostility. Who knows!  Someday visionary leadership may emerge from within us who will take the nation to a new height by his contributions to world wisdom.

Delhi Dazzles in Corruption Wealth Games-2010

Sports play an important role in this globalized era. It’s not just a matter of entertainment and games but highlights the economic prosperity, cultural mosaic and heritage, social cohesion of the host nation and provides an opportunity for cultural acculturation. Besides, these events are used as a propaganda strut to get international recognition. Hitler used the Berlin Olympics-1936 to promote Nazism. Recently, China used ‘Beijing Olympics-2008’ as a way to legitimize the regime in post-Tiananmen Square massacre period. Though, Delhi dazzled in the inaugural ceremony but Commonwealth Games –Delhi could be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

The spectacular opening ceremony can’t hide the fact that the organizers of the XIX Commonwealth Games have tarnished nation’s image. The fiasco has badly hurt Brand India. Corruption, shoddy infrastructure, hygiene and cleanliness have become unending debate. India’s capacity to organize mega events, infrastructure building capacity and its reputation as a tourist destination are being questioned.

Incredible India, Atithi Devo Bhavah, Mera Bharat Mahan...promos can’t be made relevant by sizzling dance performances!! Irreparable damages have already been done. It’s being rightly called as commonwealth loot games, common worries games and commonwealth corruption games.

The initial budget for holding the games was estimated to be at Rs 345 crore, but has now swelled to some 35,000 crore (unofficial estimate of more than 70,000 crore). Politicians and babus (bureaucrats) associated with the Organizing Committee, Urban Development Ministry and Delhi Government have looted common men’s money and now they are passing bucks. Successful opening show can’t justify empty coffer.

Chetan Bhagat has rightly said that it is a loot fest. Damage control exercise has been started too late. So, Union Government can’t shy away from taking accountability. Every official accountable for this mess must be severely punished. They have played with the pride of India. This is not a question of only corruption. They have put our country in a shameful state. 

Unfortunately, the punch-line of an ad -HUM HINDUSTANIYON KO APANI JAGAH PATA HAI, VIDESHIYON KO BAAD ME SAMAJH AATI HAI- truly justifies CWG fiasco!!

In our culture guest is treated as God (Atithi Devo Bhavah) and the so called high profile officials proudly say westerners have different standards of hygiene and we have different. No wonder, they might declare that westerners have their own standard of winning medals and we have our own. Westerners win 100m race gold in 9.5 sec, but for Indians it should be 15 sec!! 

Anyway, we Indians least bother about medals!! We never give them a fight just to get chhota sa medal!! We always laugh at winners...how fool they are...they are wasting millions of dollars to get medals of few dollars!! At the same time we make millions of dollars for not winning medals!!

There are few positive outcomes of this fiasco too. CWG has exposed the weaknesses in our culture. The head and members of the Organizing Committee represent the mentality of a common Indian. They are not at fault! Anyone would have done same thing what these officials have done. Most of us are honest because we haven’t got an opportunity to loot money.

If we look at the scandal reporting by media, it’s strange that some of the media houses are not taking up these issues seriously because they are official partners. Some of them are reporting because they are not paid!! If they are paid, I’m sure they won’t speak up!! This is the tragedy of our culture. We are living in the ‘corruption of culture’ where every member of the family feels proud in getting upari kamai (bribe).

In 1990’s Late Sh. Chandrashekhar, former PM of India said that corruption was not an issue in India because only 5% Indians are corrupt. But the problem is who these 5% people are?? They are people who take the decisions, formulate policies, implement policies and deliver justices. So, can we overlook this issue? Once the games are over, the whole charges of corruption and nepotism must be investigated by CVC. I don’t know how many of us will rise to the occasion because AAP SOTE HUE KO JAGAA SAKTE HO, LEKIN JO JAAG KAR BHI SOYA HAI USE NAHI.