Major General G.D. Bakshi and Smriti Irani

 Major General G.D. Bakshi

On Arnab's debate today I suddenly realized the difference between us soldiers and others. it suddenly hit me. It hurt me deeply to see what we have become. We have problems now with flying our national Flag.? I learnt with the greatest shock that so far the national flag has not been flying in our Universities? Why pray? Are they UN enclaves in Free India beyond the pale of our sovereignty? Are we required to sing the Communist international there instead of our National anthem? Are the universities paid for by our taxes required to celebrate every Afzal Guru , every Maoist? Celebrate every 76 brave CRPF boys who get killed by the Maoists? Celebrate every single soldier who gets killed in J&K? The problem is the sophisticated debate that these bastions of Leftist liberals have created. Every patriot is a lumpen. The smart set , the real cool intellectuals support Afzal Guru. For that is the fastest way to a Noble peace Prize or even a Magasay Award (Get rich quick guys- who cares for that land called India). Only soldiers like us are stupid enough to become EXTREME NATIONALISTS. Only soldiers make that extreme sacrifice !! And all along we were told it was the SUPREME sacrifice .The Flag my friend is NOT a piece of tattered silk to us soldiers. It is the SYMBOL of who we are. It is for this piece of tattered silk that we have to Fight and DIE- we have NO choice. You DO! That’s the difference.

HRD Minister Smriti Irani to 

Maj Gen (Retd) Bakshi on TheNewshour

“I am calling tonight not as a minister. I am calling tonight as an Indian citizen who see tears in the eyes of men like GD Bakshi. This is a message only for him. There are political battles, explanations, picture and debate which will ensue in the forthcoming session of the parliament..… But as an Indian citizen tonight I want to tell men like GD Bakshi. It is the greatest tragedy of my nation today, that I see tears in the eyes of a brave soldier like you, Sir... Let me say this as every Indian watching you tonight would say. Men like you have bled for our country, men like you have never asked us for anything in return. And tonight as you weep on News Hour, I will only say this, as an Indian citizen we are grateful for your sacrifices, we are grateful for your service.  And, under the flag, every day - knowingly and unknowingly - know this, we will be grateful for ever."

------*------*-------

Dear Friends,

Please see the enclosed which are self explanatory, It is true, many of us do not even pay attention whether any university in India has national flag flying on its campus. When we walk into any campus of universities abroad, UK or US etc you can see both national flag , state flags along with university emblems all flying together.

It is good that HRD minister Ms. Smriti Irani took notice and expressed sympathy to tears of Maj Gen Bakshi as an Indian citizen. Hope as a HRD minister , her ministry orders the offending universities to fly national flag with all due honors and protocol . 

Hope the universities know  what Indian national flag looks like.  May be HRD ministry can send a picture along with the required order. We don't want to go or visit an University in India and see a Pakistani or Chinese flag flying there regardless of rights and freedoms of expression that allows their students to shout Pakistan Zindabad.

Best wishes,

G V Chelvapilla

Predictions on Future of India

by ASHOK GHAI

What is happening in India was predicted by a Parsi saint about one hundred years back.

Dr. Meher Master Moos, President of Zoroastrian College, Mumbai, in an article published in 'Mystic India' in 1995, had discussed the predictions made about one hundred years back by a Parsi saint regarding the future of India.

Zoroastrian College, situated at Pheroz Shah Mehta Road, Mumbai, has been accorded the status of a 'Deemed University' by many universities of the world. The said predictions have been recorded and are kept there. The saint Ustad Saheb Behramshah Nowroji Shrof had met the Rana of Mewar at the beginning of 20th century and had made these predictions which have proved to be astonishingly accurate, particularly in light of the fact that the period when these predictions were made was about fifty years before India's independence, and then no one could even think such events to take place in future.

The Parsi saint had predicted following:

1. Swaraj is of no benefit to the people but it will come anyway as it is in the destiny of the country. But by getting Swaraj, the people of India will not be happy. Inflation will rocket sky high and everything will become so very expensive that the ordinary man will not be able to afford to live. A new kind of rulers of India will make the people their servants.

2. The age of princes would be over and age of ordinary people would set in.

3. After the British Raj in India was over, India would be divided in two countries and a man from the North would rule India.

4. Then a man would rule for a very short time, after which a woman from the North would rule for eleven years.

5. She would be followed by a man from Gujarat and then she would again rule for a short time.

6. After that there would be chaos in India.

7. Thereafter, a ruler guided by the cosmic powers would control the situation and take India in a golden period.

At the beginning of 20th century, when these predictions were made, no one could think that the age of princes would be over and democracy would set in. Also, fifty years before independence, no one could think that the country would be divided. The first ruler, as predicted by Ustad Saheb as 'a man from North', turned out to be Pandit Nehru. Then a man (Lal Bahadur Shashtri) ruled for a short time. Thereafter, as predicted by Ustad Saheb, a woman from North (Indira Gandhi) ruled exactly for eleven years. She was followed by Morarji Desai (man from Gujarat), and she again came back to rule for a short time.

The assassinations of Smt. Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were accurately described by Nostradamus indicating even the periods of their death. Ustad Saheb had also described that there would be chaos in India, and inflation will rocket sky high and everything will become so very expensive that the ordinary man will not be able to afford to live. After the Britishers, a new kind of rulers would rule India, who will treat the people like their servants. That situation has already come, and we are witnessing a silent revolution against the establishment in India

Do you think that what has happened in Delhi elections is exactly as predicted by the Parsi saint.

Arvind Kejriwal also said in his oath taking ceremony that what has transpired in last two years seems to be a miracle formulated by God?

As given in ancient scriptures of all religions and faiths, there is going to be total change of order in the world, starting from India. This has been revealed to us in our scriptures like KALKI PURAN and SRIMADBHAGWAT, and also through prophets like Soordas, Guru Gobind Singh and Nostradamus.

According to Nostradamus, the world has entered a calamitous period marred by natural disasters, hatred, selfishness and terrorism, to be continued till the mankind learns a lesson and then a representative of God or God’s consciousness will take control over the minds of people. Thus, the war between THE GOOD and THE EVIL would reach a crucial stage after July 2013, and the process would be completed by 2025 according to other prophecies of Nostradamus. This is corroborated by the prediction given in SRIMADBHAGWAT that the advent of the said cosmic power on earth would be known to everyone when Sun, Moon, and Jupiter would conjoin in Cancer (corresponding date –27th July 2014).

My observations as to what is going to happen in Delhi elections were published by EXPRESS STARTELLER (a magazine of Indian Express Group) about one year back. These observations have proved to be correct. I had written :

“As the activities of the said cosmic power would start in India, the corresponding events have been mentioned in KALKI PURAN, and also been hinted by Nostradamus. According to Kalki Puran, when the Supreme Consciousness takes over the happenings in India, the cosmic powers would affect the minds of persons to get the desired results before July 2014. The first attack of these cosmic powers would be on ‘Kikatpur’ (Bihar) and the cosmic powers would manage to defeat the existing corrupt government there. It has been explained by Acharya Shri Ram Sharma in his commentary on Kalki Puran that Kikatpur means Bihar. Their other action would be in a place ruled by a woman, and these powers would manage her defeat also.  Both these events have happened; in Bihar and U.P. respectively.

Their next action was to be in Delhi. This has also proved to be correct. Here something strange has been described in Kalki Puran; but its meaning can be understood. It may mean that cosmic powers would form a group of noble and honest persons, which, as a political party would contest the elections. Thereafter, this new group would be helped by an already existing party and their coalition would form the government.”

The results of next general elections may also be hinted in Kalki Puran. The army formed by the Kalki Avatar would fight against a king, who is already a devotee of Lord Vishnu. But, he will still fight against army of Kalki because it is his duty as king of an army to fight against any attack; even if it is by the army of Vishnu. After the fight is over, both these groups would unite and rule over India. The groups described as devotee of Lord Vishnu may be BJP which may be compelled to form a coalition with Kejriwal’s party which has been described as new party comprising of honest persons. 

This coalition would rule under the cosmic guidance and would take the country in a golden period.

Nostradamus might have given a hint regarding the new party. He had described the group that would help in this cosmic mission by the name of OGMOIS or OLMOIS. According to most of the Nostradamus scholars, this would be the name of an organization which would be formed to help the cosmic powers in their mission. However, in one of his prophecies (Cen. 10, Q-72) Nostradamus has added the words AN in the name of this group and has referred it as ANGOLMOIS. It could be to hint ANNA HAZARE, which would mean that this group would be formed/guided by Anna.

By these prophecies, I interpret that the cosmic powers are giving us this information in advance; as to what the God is going to do in India. All those persons who believe in God and his powers shall bring such parties / coalition in power that would sincerely act according to the providence of God, thereby bringing a change order – first in India, and thereafter in the entire world. 

Many observations given in the above article is part of book 'FATE OF THE WORLD BEYOND 2012' published in 2012 by M/S DHINGRA PUBLISHING HOUSE (dphbooks@gmail.com).

You may get more information from ashokkrghai@yahoo.co.in.

A Handsome Tribute to the Great Tatas

This is a remarkable tribute to the House of Tatas. There cannot be a better compliment than one coming from one of his competitors. No amount of money can make others speak well of you behind your back. Accomplishments speak for themselves and they shine like the sun in the sky. Men often compete with one another till the day they die but they keep on building comradeship along the way that they cherish till the day they die. Men value comradeship more than anything else. Great leaders don't lead for personal gains. They lead to serve mankind. Great leaders are simple and sincere. When you need them, they'll be there standing beside you. And, don't you ever forget that.

This article was originally published in "Asian Age" on 05 May 2004 a good 8 years back. The link to it is http://www.tata.com/company/Media/inside.aspx?artid=Vk+nlnXuRKI=. However, its relevance would remain even today, as well as in times to come and for every one or corporate or any CEO in the world to emulate, including one of the greatest Indian CEOs Mr Laxmi Mittal of Arcelormittal fame.

Jamshedpur is where India is shining

by Suhel Seth

I visited Jamshedpur over the weekend to see for myself an India that is fast disappearing, despite all the wolf-cries of people like Narayanamurthy and his ilk. It is one thing to talk and quite another to do, and I am delighted to tell you that Ratan Tata has kept alive the legacy of JN Tata, perhaps India's finest industrialist.  Something that some people doubted when Ratan took over the House of the Tatas, but in hindsight, the best thing to have happened to the Tatas is unquestionably Ratan. I was amazed to see the extent of corporate philanthropy, and this is no exaggeration.

For the breed that talks about corporate social responsibility, and talks about the role of corporate India, a visit to Jamshedpur is a must. Go there, and see the amount of money they pump into keeping the town going; see the smiling faces of workers in a region known for industrial unrest; see the standard of living in a city that is almost isolated from the mess in the rest of the country.

This is not meant to be a puff piece. I have nothing to do with Tata Steel, but I strongly believe the message of hope and the message of goodness that they are spreading is worth sharing. The fact that you do have companies in     India, which look at workers as human beings, and who do not blow their software trumpet of having changed lives. In fact, I asked Mr Muthuraman, the managing director, as to why he was so quiet about all they had done, and all he could offer in return was a smile wrapped in humility, which said it all. They have done so much more since I last visited Jamshedpur, which was in 1992. The town has obviously got busier, but the values thankfully haven't changed. The food is still as amazing as it always was, and I gorged, as I would normally do. I visited the plant, and the last time I did that was with Russi Mody.

But, the plant this time was gleaming, and far from what it used to be. Greener and cleaner and a tribute to environment management. You could have been in the mountains. Such was the quality of air I inhaled! There was no belching smoke, no tired faces, and so many more women workers, even on the shop floor. This is true gender equality, and not the kind that is often espoused at seminars organised by angry activists. I met so many old friends. Most of them have aged but not grown old. There was a spring in the air, which came from a certain calmness, which has always been the hallmark of Jamshedpur, and it was something I savoured for a full two days, in between receiving messages of how boring and decrepit the lacklustre Fashion Week was.

It is at times such as this that our city lives seem so meaningless. Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata had created an edifice, that is today a robust company, and it is not about profits and about valuation. It is not about who becomes a millionaire and who doesn't. It is about getting the job done with dignity and respect, keeping age-old values intact, and this is what I learnt. 

I jokingly asked someone whether they ever thought of joining an Infosys or a Wipro, and pat came the reply: "We are not interested in becoming crorepatis, but in making others crorepatis."

Which is exactly what the Tatas have done for years in and around Jamshedpur. Very few people know that Jamshedpur has been selected as a UN Global Compact City, edging out the other nominee from India, Bangalore. Selected because of the quality of life, because of the conditions of sanitation and roads and welfare. If this is not a tribute to industrial India, then what is? Today, Indian needs several Jamshedpurs, but it also needs this Jamshedpur to be given its fair due, its recognition. I am tired of campus visits being publicised to the Infosys and the Wipros of the world. Modern India is being built in Jamshedpur as we speak. An India built on the strength of core convictions, and nothing was more apparent about that than the experiment with truth and reality that Tata Steel is conducting at Pipla.

Forty-eight tribal girls (yes, tribal girls, who these corrupt and evil politicians only talk about, but do nothing for) are being educated through a residential programme over nine months. I went to visit them, and I spoke to them in a language that they have just learnt: Bengali. Eight weeks ago, they could only speak in Sainthali, their local dialect. But today, they are brimming with a confidence that will bring tears to your eyes. It did to mine.

One of them has just been selected to represent Jharkand in the state archery competition. They have their own women's football team, and what's more, they are now fond of education. It is a passion and not a burden. This was possible because people like Ratan Tata and Muthuraman haven't sold their souls to some business management drivel, I guess, which tells us that we must only do business and nothing else. The fact that not one     Tata executive has been touched by the Naxalites in that area, talks about the social respect that the Tatas have earned.

The Tatas do not need this piece to be praised and lauded. My intent is to share the larger picture that we so often miss in the haze of the slime and sleaze that politics imparts. My submission to those who use phrases such as "feel-good" and "India Shining" is: first, visit     Jamshedpur to understand what it all means. See Tata Steel in action to know what companies can do if they wish to. And what corporate India needs to do. Murli Manohar Joshi would be better off seeing what Tata Steel has done by creating the Xavier Institute of Tribal Education, rather than by proffering excuses for the imbroglio in the IIMs. This is where the Advanis and Vajpayees need to pay homage. Not to all the Sai Babas and the hugging saints that they are so busy with. India is changing inspite of them, and they need to realise that.

I couldn't have spent a more humane and wonderful weekend. Jamshedpur is an eye-opener and a role model, which should be made mandatory for replication. I saw corporate India actually participate in basic nation-building, for when these tribal girls go back to their villages, they will return with knowledge that will truly be life-altering.

Corporate India can do it, but most of the time, is willing to shy away. For those corporate leaders who are happier winning awards and being interviewed on their choice of clothes, my advice is visit Tata Steel, spend some days at Jamshedpur and see a nation's transformation. That is true service and true nationalism.

Tata Steel will celebrate 100 years of existence in 2007. It won't be just a milestone in this company's history. It will be a milestone, to my mind, of corporate transparency and generosity in this country. It is indeed fitting that Ratan Tata today heads a group of people who are committed to nation-building than just building inflluence and power. JRD must be smiling wherever he is. And so must Jamsetji Nusserwanji. These people today, have literally climbed every last blue mountain. And continue to do so with vigour and passion. Thank god for the Tatas!

Living with the difference

by M J Akbar

That infallible icon of contemporary mores, Oprah Winfrey, seems to have suffered deep and choking revulsion at the sight of Indians eating with their hands. The very rich and extremely civilised Oprah must be eating with her feet. All of us eat with our fingers. Some of us feel the need for metal or wooden appendages to our fingers. To each his own; why get smug about this?

The cutlery-wallahs believe that spoon and fork are hallmarks of cleanliness. This logic seems a trifle dubious. At least your fingers belong to you. Cutlery does not. Do you really want to know who shoved the fork into his mouth just ahead of you in a restaurant? You don’t want to go there, so unconsciously keep such questions out of your mind.

Convention can become a barrier to the obvious. Those who do not believe in being spoon-fed simply keep their hands and fingers clean. They wash before a meal. Moreover, the Indian climate is conducive to bathing; a bath is not considered a special event, as it was in colder climates before central heating and running hot water.

History confirms that the major power of an era determines what becomes socially correct within the penumbra of its influence. Power, empirically measured by economic growth and military supremacy (the two are not entirely unconnected), is a cyclical occurrence. Egypt, India, China, Mexico, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, Turkey, Mongolia, Kampuchea, Russia, Britain, France, Germany, America: all have had their turn. Success sets the standards of usage and behaviour. The beard was doubtless all the rage when Darius ruled the routes; and Bernard Lewis notes, wryly, that the gentlemen of Cairo began to prepare for the Mongol onslaught after the destruction of Baghdad in the middle of the 13^th century by adopting the drooping moustache of Chengiz Khan. Mughal dress influenced court and popular wear all across southern Asia from Herat to Rangoon for an age, and the bright red Ottoman fez was a defining visual of Muslim identity up to Hollywood films of the 1950s, long after the reformer Mustafa Kemal Ataturk had abolished them in Turkey as a memento of medieval nostalgia.

The British gave us trousers for which I, at least, am deeply thankful. They are far more comfortable than the lungi or dhoti of my ancestors — although I may now be talking like a victim. The British gave their empire and its huge hinterland a dress code. The Americans gave us food. It was fast, but it was food.

This is entirely appropriate as a difference between a democracy and a plutocracy, which is what Britain was during its imperial phase. British food may or may not be described as an oxymoron, but it was designed for the stomach, not the palate. America, on the other hand, does not quite understand dressing up. It is stretching a point to call jeans, America’s contribution to clothes, haute couture. But only in the Age of America could something be created for obesity, such as the McDonald’s burger, conquer the world. You can eat this burger after a stern party committee meeting in Beijing, or after a pilgrimage in Makkah, or after a holy dip in the Ganga at Allahabad. Wherever you go, McDonald’s follows you. You can, with some luck and creative positioning, avoid the American Army, but you cannot escape the American McDonald’s.

The law of capitalism is unflinching: no army can defeat a market force. Any prevailing superpower can influence style and surface behaviour, but when it tries to permeate through culture, the effort begins to congeal.

Style has a value; it can be purchased. Culture, to use a familiar line, is priceless. Culture is far deeper than modern needs, compulsions or attractions. Let me end with an example from India. We inherited English from the British empire and have turned it into the operating language of the ruling class.

We govern in English. We write our balance sheets in English. While news is available in every language, English news in print or television still earns a premium in both advertising and influence. We seem to have everything in English, but we do not have television soap operas in English. Why? Because we still laugh and cry in Hindi, or Urdu, or Bengali or Tamil or Bhojpuri — in the tongue of the mother. We can turn for news to BBC or CNN, but Oprah Winfrey would flop on Indian television. Not because she is good or bad, but simply because she is the voice of a different culture. She thinks fingers are distasteful; we consider finger-licking a gesture of great appreciation. No one is right, and no one is wrong. We are merely different, and long live the difference!

OUR WORLD - The Palitana Temple in Gujarat (India)

 Palitana is the greatest and biggest pilgrimage center and sacred place of Jains. The Shwetambar Jain community believes that the hill of Palitana (Siddhachal) is eternal. Rshabhadev (Adinath), the first Jain Tirthankara, came here several times and preached. Billions of monks and nuns have attained Nirvana (Salvation) from this hill from times immemorial.

It is also believed that hundred millions monks lead by Dravida and Varikhilla attained here Nirvana on the auspicious day of Kartika Purnima (Full moon day in the month of Kartika according to Indian lunar calendar) and fifty millions leaded by Nami and Vinami on Chaitri Purnima (Full moon day in the month of Chaitra according to Indian lunar calendar).

 Palitana is a city in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, India. It is located 50 km southwest of Bhavnagar city .

 The Palitana temples are considered the most sacred pilgrimage place (tirtha) by the Jain community, and is the world's largest Temple Complex. There are more than 3000 temples located on the Shatrunjaya hills, exquisitely carved in marble. The main temple on top of the hill, is dedicated to 

1st tirthankar lord Adinath (Rishabdeva).

 On the top the Shatrunjai Hill is a cluster of Jain temples, built by generations of Jains over a period of 900 years, from the 11th century onwards. The temples are managed by the Anandji Kalyanji Trust of the Kasturbai Lalbhai group.

 From the foot of the hill to the top there are 3,800 and odd stone steps cut to facilitate climbing.The steps were hewn out of the rock in the 13th century CE during the time of Jain minister Vastupal.

 The temples are exquisitely carved in marble, veritable prayers in stone. To an observer, these appear to be ivory miniatures when seen from a distance. Created by master craftsmen, the most important temple is that of the first teerthankara, Shri Adishwar. It has ornate architectural motifs, though in its 

overall plan it is simpler than the Choumukh.

 Other notable temples are those of Kumarpal, Vimalshah and Sampriti Raja. Kumarpal Solanki, a great Jain patron, probably built the earliest temple. The temple has a fabulous collection of jewels, and these can be seen with special permission.

 The temples date from 11th to the 20th century

 On one special day (Fagun Sud 13), which usually falls in February/March of every year (According to Hindu Calender, it is 13th Day of Sud Cycle in the month of Falgun) there is a huge crowd of thousands of people visiting its place as it is said that on this particular day, millions of Jain followers attained salvation from this Hill. Also the pilgrim on that day is almost 3 times as compared to any other day which is also called as "6 Gaon" which is approximately 15-18 Kilometers of walk and climbing of Hilly terrain.

 Every devout Jain aspires to climb to the top of the mountain at least once in his lifetime, because of its sanctity. The journey is arduous. The walk up the stone stairway hewn into the mountain face takes about an hour and a half. For those unable or unaccustomed to the strain, sling-chairs are available at a bargain.The code for the climbers is stringent, in keeping with the rigours of the Jain faith. Food must neither be eaten nor carried on the way.They can, however, drink water and water posts are provided all along the route

 Moti Shah Toonk (Temple) at the top of Siddhachal hills

 The descent must begin before it is evening, for no soul can remain atop the sacred mountain during the night. Such is the mystique of Palitana, the summit of Shatrunjaya. While atop one can also visit a Muslim shrine of Angar Pir. The childless women seek the Pir's blessings to be blessed with children. They offer miniature cradles to the Pir and the shrine is strewn with such cradles.

 Facts about Palitana :

Shetrunjay Temples: Steps: 3364

Height: 2000 ft; 7.5 miles

Pratima (Idols): 27007 Jinmandir: 3507

 A recently concluded count reveals that there are a total of more than 27,000 idols of 

Jain gods on this mountain alone

 No one is allowed to sleep overnight including the priest, because the temple city 

has been built as an abode for the Gods

 There are 900 temples big and small on the two summits. The sculptures that adorn the marble temples present a feast to the eyes. You need not be a Jain to admire the spectacle. Generations of Jain all over the country have contributed their mite to make Shatrunjay Hill what it is today.

 Samavasharana temple in Palitana valley

 It is said all the Jain Tirthankars, excepting Neminath, had attained nirvan on Shatrunjay Hill. This fact adds to the veneration the devout have for the place. The place is therefore called Siddhakshetra where one attains moksh.The mountain is associated with Rishabhdev, the first Tirthankar who is also known as Adinath.

 Carving in lime in Neminath Temple, Shatrunjay Hills, Palitana

 The main temple at the top contains his idol in padmasan. He belonged to the Ikshvaku Dynasty of Ayodhya. So Rama was his ancestor. Adinath visited the Shatrunjay Hill 93 times.

 Every shrine has idols of Tirthankars adorned with jeweled eyes.

 Jain sacred symbol Hrimkara with 24 Tirthankaras

 Jain sacred symbol Omkara with Pancha Parameshthi

 Tirthankar Sumatinath, Mulanayaka, Sancha Sumatinath Temple, Talheti, Palitana.

Sri Adinath Rshabh Deva, Mulanayak, Agam mandir, Palitana Talheti

                             May Lord Rishabhadeva in Palitana make our lives as blissful as this temple.


By the courtesy of 


Parthasarathy CA 
chetlurpartha@yahoo.com

90 percent Indians are Fools

“Speak the truth, speak the pleasant, but do not speak the unpleasant truth,”

Former judge of the Supreme Court and the Chairman of the Press Council, Markandey Katju, quoted shastras before revealing the unpleasant truth that 90 percent Indians are fools.

“The country’s situation today requires that we say “Bruyat satyam apriyam”, i.e. “Speak the unpleasant truth” he wrote in The Indian Express which said, “The truth is that the minds of 90 percent Indians are full of casteism, communalism, superstition.”

Katju has been judgmental about a variety of aspect in the society and their many failings, and has been into many controversies in the recent times for his remarks on media, corruption etc. However, unlike his usual targets of criticism, this time Katju has attacked his best supporters, the middle class TV viewing public – when he said 90 percent Indians are fools.

Katju’s first point of justification is that – “when our people go to vote in elections, 90 percent vote on the basis of caste or community, not the merits of the candidate.” So are people such as Phoolan Devi with criminal backgrounds gets elected to the Parliament.  However, his precise number of 90 percent seems quite vague as there are no concrete data to suggest that 90 percent vote based on their caste and community. In fact, the recent UP elections show the number is incorrect as the figures suggest that all communities were divided between many political parties.

“90 percent Indians believe in astrology, which is pure superstition and humbug,” he further writes. “Even a little common sense tells us that the movements of stars and planets have nothing to do with our lives. Yet, TV channels showing astrology have high TRP ratings,” he justifies. In a reply to Katju’s article, R Jagannathan of Firstpost writes, “If belief in the unscientific is proof of foolishness, half the world is a fool. In a world where people clutch at all kinds of straws to make some sense of the madness around them, astrology is hardly the defining factor for foolishness.”

The media hype for cricket and Bollywood has always been Katju’s pet topic and this time and he came down very hard on Indian media’s obsession with the above mentioned and said, “cricket has been turned into a religion by our corporatised media, and most people lap it up like opium.” He says the real problems are the socio-economic issues such as unemployment, education, price rise, housing, poverty, malnourishment, lack of healthcare etc. that 80 percent of the population in the country faces. He laments over the media hypocrisy as it minimizes or sidelines these issues and gives greater importance for on the lives of film stars, cricket, fashion etc. He condemned the way how Indian media depicted events such as Sachin’s 100th century and Dravid’s retirement as the most important events of the country while facts like a quarter of a million farmers’ suicides and 47 percent Indian children being malnourished were severely sidelined.

The former SC judge then went on to comment on the media hype given to Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption agitation and said the media promoted the agitation as a solution to the problem of corruption. He says the Lokpal Bill will create a parallel bureaucracy.

Quoting different sections of the suggested Lokpal Bill, Katju says “There are about 55 lakh government employees (13 lakh in the Railways alone) and there will be several lakhs more in other categories coming under the definition of public servant according to the Prevention of Corruption Act. This will necessitate the appointment of thousands of Lokpals, maybe 50,000 or more, to supervise and decide on the millions of complaints that will pour in against the lakhs of public servants. “Considering the low level of morality prevailing in India, we can be fairly certain that most of them will become blackmailers,” he says. “It will create a parallel bureaucracy, which in one stroke, will double the corruption in the country.” He said the movement was not rationally analysed and termed it as a hysterical mob that gathered in Jantar Mantar and Ramlila grounds in Delhi thinking that corruption would be ended by shouting “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Inquilab Zindabad”.

Finally, Katju clarifies his stands and justifies why he calls the 90 percent fools. “When I called 90 percent of them fools my intention was not to harm them, rather it was just the contrary. I want to see Indians prosper, I want poverty and unemployment abolished, I want the standard of living of the 80 percent poor Indians to rise so that they get decent lives.”

The only way out for this to happen, the Indian minds have to come out of communalism, casteism and superstition and should start thinking scientific and modern.  “Having a modern mind means a rational mind, a logical mind, a questioning mind, a scientific mind,” Katju writes.