Reflections on the Delhi election 2015

‪#‎DelhiVotes‬

1. Interesting to see Anna Hazare warming up to Arvind Kejriwal!
Power changes status I guess. I would respect Kiran Bedi more than Anna Hazare.

2. While Aam Aadmi Party is rejoicing today, they should remember power and trust are double edged swords and comes with great responsibilities. If you don't keep promises, the Aam Admi is watching.

3. The center - state relations would be interesting to watch.

4. The winner is clearly the one with the better marketing strategy!

Congrats Arvind and team. Sleep well tonight for tomorrow you got to get out and deliver.

Consumer Psyche

Petrol and Diesel prices hiked

This is just in. Indian Government has hiked the prices of Petrol and Diesel today. Consumer Psyche had predicted this hike and suggested to refuel your vehicles before the hike yesterday. Now are you going to buy that atta and rice?

Don't cling to this budget

Everyone has their eyes on the Indian Finance Minister would rise to present the budget on 6th July. Many expectations have been built in the minds of people due to continuous propaganda by the media. The media has been spinning many ideas as to what, how, why should a budget be. This hyped it all. I am not expecting anything big from this budget though. The finance minister has to tackle recession, fiscal deficit and a lot of other problems. The budget is going to pull the stocks down, rise the prices of goods and common people are going to feel the burnt too. Coming to investing as of now, Keep your cash in the same form till then. I think you should think getting your vehicle refueled as the prices are going to hike. Same goes with your rice, cooking oil, vegetables, milk, etc.

The appointment of Nandan Nilekeni as National ID card project is welcome step in reducing the corruption more than changing the security. Private participation in public assignments not only makes things close faster but also refines the way work is done.

The Australian incident

From Dil Chahta Hai to Chak De India! traveling south to Australia has been shown as a friendly country that Indians can co-exist peacefully. The 97,000-strong Indian student community comprises 18% of the total international student population and contributes to Australian economy, culture and workforce. More than 1400 attacks isn't an off incident. Racism raised its ugly head once again and is the cause of much pain and anguish for parents and families back home. Indian and Australian governments should work fast to resolve these issues and prevent further attacks on Indian students. We should together ensure that no divisive power should win. I spoke to some of my friends in Australia and they tell me that the situation is brightening. Many Australian citizens are offering shelter, help and support to their cause which is a good sign. The spirit of freedom should be allowed to win and not bow down for a few law breakers. At the same time they are scared of going to certain blocks and neighborhood.

I condemn the attacks on Indian students and the intent. And I want to point at the mirror. I think this is a time when we should let go of all our biases, racism, caste and religious differences in our home land, fight and stop all kinds of oppression. This should remind us disquietingly of the face we see in our own mirror. Care to wash it?

One thing is for sure. Whether this issue calms down peacefully or not it won't help persuade Indian parents that Australia is a safe place to send their children. And this is not good for Australia. So let the repair work begin and better be fast.

Women Reservation Bill

Well if something can be postponed they always do. However stale it may be Women's Reservation Bill has been pending and dragging on forever. It is known that because of the inbuilt prejudice against women, male candidates will have an unfair advantage in elections. Parties tend to allow women candidates to fight elections from their weak constituencies. To expect one-third of the male members to accept political sanyasam is unrealistic. They are no Gandhians. They will not give up their privileges so easily.

While it is clear that women are not asking for grace and charity. Their contribution to the cause of nation-building exceeds that of men. An International Labour Organization study shows that "while women represent 50 percent of the world adult population and a third of the official labor force, they perform nearly two-third of all working hours, receive a tenth of world income and own less than one percent of world property." Therefore, reservation for women is not a bounty but only an honest recognition of their contribution to social development.

The proposed legislation to reserve 33.3 percent seats in Parliament and state legislatures for women was drafted first by the H D Deve Gowda-led United Front government. The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on September 12, 1996. Though it has been introduced in Parliament several times since then, the Bill could not be passed because of lack of political consensus. These are the same MPs who unanimously pass salary hikes, allowances, etc. With definite majority on its side UPA has a tough call to ignore it this time. The opponents want the membership of the house to be increased to facilitate 33.3% more seats which would take more time and encourage multiple leaders, constituencies, bureaucracy and corruption.

It has been a long wait. All we expect now from UPA is to stop deliberating and pass the damn bill. It is not just a social necessity but a national obligation.

Hail Miera!

All is well with UPA at the centre and stable government it is. One thing still concerns me among all the hue and cry about Meira Kumar being elected as the first female speaker of the country. I am happy for her and most of the credit in this decision goes to BJP for acting with character. I am ready to forget its gains though. UPA has many achievements to boast about.

• 1st woman Prime Minister - Indira Gandhi 1966
  
• 1st woman president - Prathiba Patil 2008
  
• 1st woman speaker - Miera Kumar 2009
  
• Many dalits at the helm

Meira Kumar has an illustrious career behind her with multiple wins and dalit tag which saw her sail through and bag a seat at the helm. Being the daughter of former deputy Prime Minister Babu Jagjivan Ram helps but is not her only qualification. Just looking beyond the dalit, women tags she is more qualified than many of her peer MPs. Her qualifications include...

• MA
• LLB
• Served as an IFS officer at Spain, UK, Mauritius, etc.
  
• Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment from 2004 to 2009
• A keen sportswoman and holds medals for rifle shooting
• Also a poetess

Beat that? I hope people will start recognizing talent above gender, caste and other divisive forces.

I hope this Lok Sabha behaves decently this time and does work unlike the last few sessions when Somnath had to literally ask the honorable members to behave. Having a woman at the helm should bring in some change. Its hail women and hail India for maturing to a stage where women are accepted as leaders.

Who is at the helm?

The next Finance Minister holds a very responsible position to take up the economy of India and the financial crisis to a safe level. Who is the best man for this job? Well many suggestions are available but here are the main contenders:

• Palaniappan Chidambaram
• Montek Singh Ahluwalia Check profile here

Both have excellent record behind them in shaping the robust business and economic models and have held various places. Dr. Manmohan Singh wants to send a strong signal by appointing one of them as the next Finance Minister. Congress, with its victory, needs to take strong steps and send confident signals in its decisions, actions and policies. If the rumors are right P. Chidambaram is being made Home Minister. With the top three,including Dr. Singh, at the helm it is going to be a safe ride ahead. I am still watching Rahul.