What is the Reason Behind the Uneasiness/restless Mind?

 Dear Bloggers, Why mind is so restless? What is the reason behind the permanent status of sadness? I used to ponder on these questions frequently. It is difficult to find easy answers, I guess. I used to doubt on myself whether I am suffering from mild depression? Do I need consultation from some doctor? Though, apparently, everything seems good and there are no other symptoms of depressions at all. It indicates that it is not mild depression, it is something else. With God’s grace, good health, good family, stable job with time bound promotions and increment, healthy Childrens etc etc. Then what is the reason behind the permanent feeling of sadness in the back of mind. I read somewhere that one should always be in same mode, in extreme happiness and in extreme sadness.  If one is able to maintain status quo, he/she is termed as awakened soul. My interpretation might be wrong, but I think such interpretation led me to dull lifestyle where I am unable to celebrate success openly or show emotions during rainy days in life. Someone can correct me on this. 

      Going through all such ups and downs, I reach to the conclusion that one should do something which makes one very happy internally and get the feeling of satisfaction. I zeroed on writing. Someone might find satisfaction in doing something else. I found joy in writing something on different topics. I think, there is joy in creating something. This is the basic fundamental of mother nature. Every creature around us is busy in creating something, be it animals, plants or human being. If we start creating something with mind fullness, then I think that will give us immense satisfaction. Seeding any idea, sowing it, working on it and seeing it grow give a different feeling altogether. I don’t know whether I am able to convey my feelings clearly today, but I think it is important to know the source of restlessness as early as possible. It will happen only when We give time to ourselves, sit in solitude and ponder over the real issues. For me, creating something gives me pleasure. Since, I don’t have much time to construct something physically, so I think creating something in the form of writing is one of the easy things to find inner peace. I may be wrong but at this juncture, I am trying to gain peace through writing. Suggestions are welcome. keep on blogging. 

Is my kid misguided? The Halloween effect !!!

Retrospective evaluation...Hazaron Khaweshein Aishi..ki har Kwahish pe dam nikale

 Dear Bloggers...I am sorry to not to write regularly on this platform. Today India is celebrating republic day...On this occasion, I want to wish each one of you a very happy Republic day....On this day, I want to evaluate myself after getting in to civil services...Where was I before the entry in to coveted Civil Services of India and after that...I belongs to middle class family where hard work, honesty, sincerity and discipline are few of the traits which I have learnt from my parents. These traits are part of my solid foundation. It was a tough life before getting in to civil services. After entry in to civil services, I had a dream of serving Nation in whatever capacity I get opportunity. In this process post selection, I think that my life became little bit stable with assured career progression with some powers, aspirations,comfort and perks associated with government job. However in this process of bureaucratic evolution, I found some of the fundamentals were challenged at every time. Some are still with me and some I have left behind unknowingly or to say knowingly...The sense of greater contribution has been lost somewhere..More individualism came in to sacrificing the bigger dream...I feel that at this juncture, I feel empty though I had very comfortable life with happy family and set routine. Being a middle class person, I had dream of doing millions of things simultaneously. Some times, I feel confused and without any purpose...just flowing with water. At this stage of my life, mind is full of ideas/confusions/dilemmas...Some time getting restless after realising that life is actually slipping away from my hand without having much worthwhile to report or recall. There is great dilemma of  "Hazaron Khaweshein Aishi..ki har Kwahish pe dam nikale"...But then I feel that life is always like this..We all the times think that there will be one day when we shall get everything in life and then we shall relax and have fun with several counting in hand about our contribution on this planet. But honestly, apart from doing routine work, very few are lucky to get opportunity to do some thing earth shacking which can impact life of millions...I feel that persons birth is insignificant and death is very very significant event in one's life..We need to strive excellence and positivity. Every big things start with a very small idea. If one can sustain with the idea and put his sincere effort, that small idea can become a big impact idea. I think one should focus on it and try to minimise the distraction. Though in the age of digital world, it is getting difficult to minimise distractions but still through this digital age, we can keep our self motivated and engaged with world...these are random thoughts i had today though to share with all of you...will try to post more often.. Once again, wish you all a very happy new year and happy republic day....keep on blogging..

India and Minorities

Dear bloggers, the minorities in India are in news again and being discussed at various platform due to recent development. Primarily, issue of minorities got flare up due to controversial amendment of Citizenship Act,1955 through Citizenship Amendment Act,2019  popularly known as CAA. The controversy around this amendment Act seems on wrong interpretation and largely on fear psychology of proposed action by central government on National register of citizen preceded by National population register. It is propagated that through these measures,the condition of Indian minorities will be further deteriorated.

    In the above background, let us examine the condition of minorities in India based on facts and statutory arrangements under Indian Constitution.

    Before looking in to the condition of Indian minorities,let us have a brief look on the condition of minorities in other countries. As per the 29^th Annual world report, 2019 released by Human Rights Watch which is a prestigious International body, there are extra judicial killings by the authorities in Philippines. These killings were in the name of war on drugs. In Syria, a devastating war on minority civilians is going on specifically in the province of Idlib leading to mass killings. Saudi Arabia has been alleged for killings and starvation of Yemenis through attack/ blockade. In Burkina Faso, people there reported that by day ,they fear the Army and by night, the Jihadist. Similarly,Turkey and Egyptian authorities have been blamed for locking up thousands for their political views. In Itlay, reports says that government has closed its ports to refugees and migrants.

    Now, We take a look towards the condition of  minorities in neighboring countries of India. This report says that Chinese authorities are torturing Turkic Muslims(Uyghurs) in Xinjiang province. They have been pushed to mass detention centers. These minority Muslims are being forced to disown their Muslim faith under “Re-education” programme. The report further alleges that one million government officials have been deployed to keep watch on Muslim homes in the province by China.

    In Afghanistan, around 10,000 civilians have been injured between January 2018 to December 2018. Report says that Islamic state of Khorasan (Afghan branch of Islamic state) is involved in targeted bombing on minority Shia population.

    In  Myanmar,this report alleges that Military of Myanmar is involved in mass murder and rapes of Minority Muslims which led to forced migration of 7,30,000 Rohingya in Rakhine State.

   In Bangladesh, report alleged that there have been killings by authorities. Around 100 people killed in the name of war on drugs. Around 10,000 suspects have been put behind bar.There are allegation against Rapid Action Battalion for extra judicial killings.

   In Sri lanka, Report says that people of Tamil origin is still waiting for justice for the atrocities done during civil war between LTTE and Sri lankan forces.

  In Pakistan, during 2018, 17 people are on death row under Blasphemy law and hundred more awaits trial mostly from Ahamadis minority community in Pakistan. UN high commissioner for human rights observed that “human rights abuse in POK were of a different caliber or magnitude to those in Indian Kashmir”

     In the light of above discussion, Now we should see the institutional arrangement for protection of minorities in India and what statistics says about Indian Minorities for better understanding.

Indian constitution recognize six minorities in India i.e. Muslims,Christian,Sikhs,Buddhists,Parsis and Jain. In India, the population of Muslims is largest in world only after Indonesia. It is equal to the population of Muslims in Pakistan and Bangladesh. The population of Minorities is 19% of India’s total population. Out of 19%, 13.4 % are Muslims only. As per population census of 2001, there are 13.8 Crore Muslims living in India which increased to 15 Cr in 2006.

     If  the data of population Census 1961 and 2001 is compared then we can see that Hindus population has decreased from 83.5% to 80.5% whereas Muslims population has increased from 10.7 % to 13.4 %. Rest of the minorities composition in population remains almost same.

     As per the 66^th round of National Sample Survey data, average household size in urban and rural areas for Muslims is higher than any other religious groups in India. The proportion of land cultivation is more than 4 hectare for Sikhs,3 hectare for Hindus and less than 1 hectare for Christian and Muslims. The literacy rate is highest for Christian in India. The monthly per capita expenditure is highest in Sikhs followed by Christian community. The condition of Parsi community is known to everyone in India and world.They are one of the most wealthy people in India.

   There are enough safeguard for minorities in India through constitutional arrangement and provisions to provide the sense of safety to Indian minorities. These safeguards are in the form of fundamental rights. Article 14 provides equality before law. Article 15 provides prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of religion,race,caste,sex or place of birth. Article 25 provides freedom of religion. Article 26 gives freedom to manage religious affairs by minorities. Article 27 gives freedom as to payment of tax for promotion of any particular religion. Article 28 provides freedom from attendance at religious instruction or worship in educational institutions. Article 29 provides protection of interest of minorities and Article 30 gives right to establish and administer educational institutions belonging to minorities.

   It is evident from these provisions that Indian constitution has elaborate provisions for safety of minorities in India and is committed to equality of citizens and responsibility of state to preserve,protect and assure the rights of minorities in matters of language,religion and culture. It has focus on “Doctrine of unity in diversity”.

Apart from it, a separate ministry named “Ministry of Minority affairs” in Central government is established in 2006 to formulate policies,schemes and programme for the welfare and socio-economic development of minorities. Ministry has taken multi pronged strategy for educational empowerment,infrastructure development and economic empowerment of minority community in India.

    There are several constitutional and statutory bodies which have been set up to look after minority issues such as Central Wakf Board, National Commission for minorities, Commissioner for linguistic minorities under Article 350 B of Indian Constitution,  Maulana Azad educational foundation and National Minorities development and finance corporation, etc.

      In 2018-19, 4700 Cr rupees of budget was sanctioned for the minority affairs ministry which is implementing numerous schemes such as Skill India, Seekho aur Kamao,  Nai Manzil  for education and livelihood, Nai Roshni for leadership development for women, Jio Parsi for containing population decline of Parsi community in India and numerous scholarships scheme for minority community.

    Based on above discussion and data, It is safely presumed that there is no reason to fear for minority community. They should feel proud for being Indian and try to contribute in Nation building...keep on blogging

Long term impact of ''Balakot Strike", "Main bhi Chowkidar" campaign & '"Änti Satellite missile" test on Indian psyche

Dear bloggers....On perusal of various incidences occurred in India recently such as Balakot strike, main bhi chowkidar campaign and Anti-satellite missile testing, I strongly feel that these incidences will impact the long term psychology of Indian people.
     India was slaved  by foreign people for more than thousand years. It has badly impacted the psychology of Indian common masses. How  the mis- rule of  Britain has adversely affected every part of life is not hidden to every one such as Introduction of English in Indian education system has permanently affected the millions of children living in rural areas as English has spoiled their power to think innovatively as their minds are busy in translating their mother tongue to English. Several examples can be given on this pattern which indicates the adverse effect of slavery on long term basis. It has impacted the will power,morale and confidence of common masses.
    Now, the incidence such as Balakot strike by Indian Air force has led to the upliftment of confidence of common masses in their capability to defend their home. This feeling of confidence is a biggest gain of this incidence. Such successful action strengthen the morale of forces also.
   Further, the political movement of BJP "'Main bhi Chowkidar" has been misinterpreted by numerous people on the ground that PM is advocating to be Chowkidar in literal sense. I think such people are understanding it in a wrong way and in literal sense only. They have not gone deep in to the spirit behind such political movement. I think the main spirit behind this political movement is to unite the common masses of this country by being vigilant and attentive to their rights and duties. If everyone become attentive to their rights and duties, any wrong action/corruption/non performance/looting/rules violation etc by anyone will be identified easily. Wrong doers will be fearful and punished. Merely by making law will not eliminate corruption or ensure right and timely action on any thing. A public participation will definitely ensure such things. We have seen success of Swach Bharat mission in some areas just because every one became attentive on cleanliness. Now common attentive citizen is raising alarm on person who is throwing garbage on common places.Therefore,I believe that such slogan is raising the common conscience of people.
     Other than this, the test like Änti-satellite missile "' or Moon mission or Nuclear tests uplift the overall confidence of country. One can visualize easily that by sending man on moon by USA has grossly uplifted the scientific temper of school going children and students of USA. Similarly such scientific successful testing gives enough confidence to student to pursue science related courses in higher studies which will further boost the supply of quality scientist/teachers/PHDs and research papers.
 India is at cross road where We can afford such action to defend our mother land, to raise confidence and enhancement of scientific temper of Indian citizens. It takes full century to take out people from slave mentality once some country has been ruled by foreigners. So,I am very happy to see such indigenous movement in this country which will be  helpful for making India a developed Nation....keep on blogging.     

From Reel to Real Life, Challenges Faced by Women in Police Are Manifold

We are likely to be assessed less competent and less suitable for high level positions. We are likely to be sexually harassed by superiors and colleagues and held responsible for it.

Women in police. A recent phenomenon in a centuries old organisation with a colonial history and a strongly masculine work culture. It continues to be known as the police force. And being a force, it places a premium on machismo and valor more than on service.

Ask a child, how a police officer is. You are likely to hear some or all of these phrases: a prominent moustache, serious and grim expression, loud and coarse voice, tall and muscular, aggressive body language, one who doesn’t listen, but orders. A stereotypical image reinforced by popular media.

How many police officers fit this description? How many women in police fit this description? Can they? Should they? How are the women going to navigate through this system? And in turn, how would they be altering or modifying this system, if at all?

Women have the biological and sociological responsibility of bearing children. They also disproportionately shoulder the burden of the care economy, particularly in a traditional and patriarchal society like India. Their view of work, family and work-family balance is different from that of men.

The women in police, the few that there are, are either accused of hyper-masculinity, acting and behaving like their stereotypical male counterparts to prove themselves to be equally worthy; or of hyper-femininity, exaggerating the proverbial feminine weakness for short-term benefits.

These hypotheses must be tested in the context of the everyday lived realities of the women in uniform. This should be followed by an objective assessment of the extent to which the police force has attempted to understand and accommodate such realities.

A film on women police officers

To be able to look at things from the perspective of women in police, their stories need to be told. Just as the Netflix film Soni (2018) does. It takes us through the worldview of two women: Soni, a police sub-inspector and Kalpana, an officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS). While we see them at work and get an opportunity to contrast their working style with that of their male counterparts, we also get a peek into their personal lives.

How do they look at policing issues like crime, its prevention and investigation? What kind of relationship do women leaders in police have with a set of police officers who report to them? How do they strive to achieve the professional-personal life balance, the responsibility of which is also thrust upon them being women?

What kind of sexual harassment do they face from people inside and outside the police force? I have deliberately not called it ‘casual sexism’ or ‘teasing’ or ‘taunting’, as these terms would rob it of its gravity as an offense.

In Soni, like in real life, the women in police respond to sexual harassment typically by means of certain conditioned responses. By remaining silent, ignoring it, smiling, laughing it off or normalising it.

But are there any possible alternatives? Atypical responses to typical situations?

Soni, after whom the film is named, is transferred to a Dial 100 call centre as a “punishment posting”. She is the film’s angry young woman. One may argue that she has poor control over anger, using excessive force and refusing to mend her ways. While this has been an integral part of police sub-culture for centuries, it is seen in the film as an alternative response of a woman in police to sexual harassment that she faces while discharging her official duty. Breaking all stereotypes, she is fearless. She charges on the goons when they do not respond favourably to her bonafide orders. She even engages in a fist fight with three goons at once.

One scene strongly resonated with me: “He had occupied the ladies toilet, he was found consuming drugs and he was the one who misbehaved with me (read misbehaved as sexually harassed) and I am the one who is being asked questions.”

On one hand, this scene reflects the police’s victim blaming attitude, typically exhibited in cases of violence against women. On the other, it highlights that often in the eyes of the citizen, a woman police officer is first a woman and then a police officer.

How does this effect her personal life? It appears that her long working hours and the passion for her profession makes her partner insecure about their relationship. Despite constant nudging from an elderly female neighbour, Soni stays firm that she doesn’t need the crutches of the presence of a man in her life. At least not this one, who is unable to figure out what he wants from his own life. The man, on the other hand, is convinced that his presence in her life is necessary, for her safety and protection.

Kalpana’s tale

In contrast, the calm and young Kalpana smiles her way through the overt and covert harassment from her husband’s mother and sister over her late night shifts, not being present at family functions and not having a child. Her husband (also an IPS officer), is equally guilty of these. Yet, she is the only target.

In her profession, she is a meticulous follower of rules and procedures. She is an officer with high emotional intelligence. Remaining calm under situations of grave provocation, she is empathetic and a good listener who is highly motivated and self-aware. She is also sensitive, especially to victims of crime.

Her leadership style is people oriented. Though there are no right or wrong leadership styles, she is criticised and branded ‘too emotional’ by her husband, a service senior.

“You have chosen to be an IPS, behave like one. Four years into the service, do I need to tell you this?” he says. Despite her husband being critical of her personal engagement with subordinates, Kalpana has a meaningful relationship with Soni. They share passion, anger and frustration, though they express it differently.

The professional and personal lives of the husband and wife – engaged in the same service and the same state – are too intricately intertwined. Her every action at work comes to his knowledge. There is discussion. And the inevitable disagreement. They are different personalities and different officers. Is it fair that he expects Kalpana to be the officer that he is? As his wife, is she bound to take professional decisions from his perspective?

Feeling judged, snubbed, humiliated, she finally checks him, “Why are you raising your voice at me?” But she remains calm and persistent.

This character is nuanced and deep and the audience witnesses the resolve of this woman police officer become firmer with each passing scene. She is in the becoming, a police officer first, and then a woman. Her authentic self relies on her conviction, not merely on rules and procedures. It also evokes an alternative response to the sexism and misogyny she faces: courage, dedication and moral turpitude.

A Soni and Kalpana in each one of us

There is a Soni and a Kalpana in each one of us, the women in police. From reel to real life, challenges are multifarious. Once we remove our uniform, we are just another woman. As likely to face sexual harassment on the streets and in public transport. As likely as any other woman to be asked for dowry, subjected to domestic violence, to be the primary care givers and the lesser partners in marriage. To be expected to sacrifice career opportunities to make way for our partner’s career progression. And yet, highly likely to be harassed and judged professionally ‘non- serious’ or ‘non-ambitious’ for seeking maternity and childcare leave.

When in uniform, we are more likely to be discussed for our manner of walking, talking, laughing, dressing and marital status, rather than professional competence. We are likely to be complimented as ‘Well done boys!’. We are likely to be interrupted more often in meetings as compared to our male counterparts. Likely to be assessed less competent and considered less suitable for positions with a high level of responsibility and challenge. We are likely to be sexually harassed by superiors and colleagues and to be held responsible for it.

As women in police, do we stand by other women in police? Especially those in so called subordinate positions? Though cutting across hierarchy, we have certain experiences in common. Like Kalpana and Soni.

Taking another example from the film, a woman sub-inspector on duty at a Dial 100 Call Center  is responsible for receiving phone calls from complainants, recording the complaint and transferring it to the officer concerned for action. When faced with unwarranted and undesirable personal questions from a caller, she simply laughs it off. Scoffing, she says, every day one or two such people call. This is normalisation of sexual harassment.

Has there been a strong organisational response to this menace spread across all call centers? Despite civil as well as criminal legislation and evidence available in the form of call recordings, it continues. Leading to the vicious cycle of non-reporting and non-action, perpetuating the culture of silence.

For women in police to perform to their full potential, it would take sustained increase in their strength, meaningful networking within themselves and an institutionalised support system in the current social realities. Then, they will be the women that they are, the police officers that they are. It will allow them to be their authentic selves, agents of change. To achieve. To lead. To serve the people....Keep on Blogging....

(Alankrita Singh is an IPS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre. Views expressed are strictly personal and do not reflect the views of the service or the organisation she belongs to)

Source:- thewire.in 

Is the Indian media being subdued on raising questions against NDA government?

Hello everyone...I am perturbed by discussion on several electronic media channels on the allegation against the present government that if they raise any legitimate question against establishment,their voice is being subdued or they are being castigated as Ánti-Nationals''...Is it true? let us analyze.
     Free press is very important for any flourishing democracy.It is considered as fourth pillar of democracy. In our country there are roughly more than 20000 news papers and magazines registered with government catering audience from English,Hindi and several vernaculars. Similarly, there are more than 900 news TV channels in the country. Apart from it, there are numerous websites,news apps etc. Can any channel claims that Government is hitting them hard on airing or telecasting negative reports on government? I don't think so.Is there any blackout of TV reporting in recent times? Is there any major IT,ED or CBI raid against the owners of these channels or media houses in recent times ?...Is there any crackdown on social media groups or online news platforms for raising voice against government? I don't think so or I have not noticed. If government want to suppress the media of any form, it is very easy for the government to do. Therefore, it appears that such allegations are not true. There have been some incidences that during some debates or panel discussions, somebody or spokesperson of ruling party might say that someone is anti national..but that does not mean that every dissent voice is being suppressed. In fact,I have observed that the Prime Minister of India, Mr Narendra Modi is one of the most criticized and abused PM in the history of this Country. It might be due to his strong style of functioning. His every action or speech is being criticized by opposition parties and media. Even then,PM never tried to suppress any media on this count. Though, PM has replied very strongly against some people but he also has right to reply. Therefore, allegation of suppressing media by government seems not correct. We are one of the most open and free society where everybody has the right to express their opinion. It is true that sometime government has taken tough stand on some anti national elements who are playing with the security of this country,but that is required also. One can't hold country on ransom in the name of freedom of speech. Media should formulate some Do's and Dont's for their members and it should be followed by every one. Media has important role to play in the democracy. Their role to provide correct information to the citizen of the country is very significant. They should stick to that. But sometimes, in the greed of TRP, media cross the boundary and leveled as national or anti national. It is their internal problem, it should be sorted out by the media itself. Government can't do anything about it. Media should generate their revenue based on the content and other methods. They should not depend on government support or some unhealthy and non transparent finance. If they are able to function transparently, there is no need to fear.They must be fearless and oppose any sort of arm twisting techniques of incumbent government if there is any. This will happen only when the media is self dependent financially.....keep on blogging...   

A Budget of hope presented by Mr Goyal

Dear blogger...extremely sorry for not updating the blog for long due to hectic schedule and change of priorities in life.Hope all of you are enjoying the dawn of year 2019 with hope and energy.

     In this line,Honb FM of India has presented the interim budget for remaining period of 2019 till the new government comes in to power. FM and PM termed it as budget of hope and aspirations for new and vibrant India. Of course, numerous provisions such as Income assistance to farmers,pension scheme to workers in un-organized sector,income tax rebate up to five lakh taxable income etc will benefit millions of people with extra disposable income in their hands. India is a vast country with huge chasm between one corner to other corner and between one sector to other sector. It needs long term policies,vision and stability in government approach. The present government tried to do all possible things on these fronts. However, the position of farmers is not improving significantly due to uncertain market condition. Although government has increased the MSP for roughly 20 crops but its implementation on the field is far from expectations. This needs some correction and alternative thinking. The problem of farm sector is multi fold. Government needs to provide real time information to farmers regarding cropping acreage of a particular crop across the country so that farmers can take informed decisions regarding the crop they should plant. It will reduce the overproduction issue and thus low price in the market for e.g. if farmer of western Uttar pradesh comes to know that potato has already been planted by farmers of Punjab,Karnataka,west Bengal,Gujarat etc in thousand of hectares then at least he will have the option to not to grow potato in his or her field for the current season. This might save him for crash of prices. Other then this direct benefit transfers in to bank account is a good step and it should cover all type of government subvention to reduce the chance of corruption and pilferage of government money. I hope that this year's interim budget will bring hope to millions of people of India...keep on blogging..   

Withering bureaucracy under PM Mr Narendra Modi ???

Dear readers, I am posting here an article published in an online version of The Week here with my comments at the end of this article. Readers are requested to offer their commenst.

    "when he assumed office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit the ground running with the clarion “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.” He had primed himself to this during his high-octane election campaign. And within four days he set 10 ‘governance priorities’: (i) remove hurdles in economic growth and containing inflation, (ii) put education, energy and water on fast track, (iii) reform infrastructure sector for attracting investments and make India a global manufacturing hub, (iv) provide a proactive, people-oriented government and governance putting people at the centre of development process, (v) ensure time-bound implementation of policy, (vi) maintain consistency in policy, (vii) promote transparency by adopting e-auctioning in government tenders and works, (viii) improve inter-ministerial co-ordination and clubbing of ministries where needed, (ix) build confidence in the bureaucracy and (x) empower and provide freedom to the bureaucracy and incentive to innovate.

Given India’s administrative system, priorities 'ix' and 'x' would drive the entire exercise and the speed and sincerity with which these priorities were to be implemented depended on IAS bureaucrats occupying key positions in the Centre and the states and the innovative way they conceive and deliver governance. Question was whether the IAS is equipped—mentally and intellectually—to be independent and innovative. Originally it was a command oriented, revenue collecting administrative machinery which hardly called for any innovation.

Due to a process of evolution and democratic/developmental compulsions, it has been under pressure to become an instrument of participatory, flexible, multi-sectored public service, spanning government, corporate and civil society. And this new concept of public service is characterised by change and dynamism more than status quo and constancy. But IAS had not responded to this ‘change and dynamism’ at the cutting-edge of administration where it was most needed. Modi was expected to remedy this and help civil servants to reinvent themselves to become a fearless, independent, honest and efficient entity.

On this Nripendra Misra, principal secretary to the prime minister brought some hope when he stated, “Mr. Modi does three things: he guarantees stability in tenure for as many as four to five years for competent officers, offers tremendous freedom to innovate and deliver, and takes personal ownership of all decisions.”

But in the last three years, decision-making has become individualistic, politics polarised, and governance straitjacketed with civil services reverting back to command-oriented culture. Despite cacophony of slogans and noises, reforms have not touched civil services and basic governance. Only two things seem to have happened—the strange apparition of IAS probationers starting their field training from the top (assistant secretaries to Government of India at Delhi instead of assistant commissioner/collector in a far-off district) and steeply reducing the role of IAS at the decision-making level of joint secretaries in Central government departments and replacing them with personnel from other services.

For the first time, over 30 per cent of joint secretaries in Central government are from services outside IAS. It is getting worse as would be seen from the recent appointment of joint secretaries. Out of 21 officers, only seven (one-third) are from IAS and the rest are from Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Revenue Service (IRS) and other Central Services. Another disturbing trend is that several IAS joint secretaries have sought and obtained premature repatriation to their respective state cadres and very few empanelled IAS officers are seeking deputation to the Centre.

Equally disturbing is the empanelment of secretaries wherein even the limited practices and conventions evolved over a period of time to reduce arbitrariness was thrown to the wind and there was complete overhaul of the way assessments were made. This led to almost 35 per cent of the officers, who were due to be empanelled, being left out for no rhyme or reason. The new process was supposed to be merit-based with the confidential report (CR) dossier being loaded with diverse inputs drawn from a variety of sources. No one knows what these inputs were. There are no explanations as to why some people have been left out or what criteria have been followed, what kind of inputs were obtained to make the assessment or where they were obtained from. There was also no redress for an officer who felt unfairly treated. Introducing such uncertainty in career advancement at the end of a career is not just inexplicable, it is whimsical and arbitrary in the extreme.

To quote Amitabha Pande, a former civil servant: “For the bureaucracy, a clear statement is being made. The authority of the prime minister and the prime minister's office (PMO) is absolute and no one else matters. The sphere of a minister and a secretary is that which the PMO decides, and while suggestions and initiatives are welcome, such initiatives will be subject to the close watch of Big Brother. Access to the top will be filtered through the chosen few and decisions taken by the chosen few may or may not be based on prior consultation. Officers will have to live with uncertainty regarding their future, which could be bright if they read the signals right but bleak if they get it wrong.”

All these seem to be part of an orchestrated move to ease-out the IAS from the Central government and bring in ‘experts with domain knowledge’. In their support, proponents of this move are quoting the observations of Chairman of the Seventh Pay Commission Justice A.K. Mathur and its Member Rathin Roy: “Senior management and administrative positions in government have evolved considerably and are growing more technical, requiring specific domain knowledge.”

But they need to answer one moot question: In the Indian context what is the needed ‘domain expertise’ for those who run the government? Is it corporate-pandering and pushing predatory ‘development’ models thrust by rich ‘movers and shakers’? Or is it basic grassroots governance delivered through effective and just governments that could uplift the miserable millions. If it is the former, the IAS is certainly dispensable. Not so, if it is the latter.

Due to the herculean efforts put in by Sardar Vallabbhai Patel, IAS was established to "give a fair and just administration to the country and manage it on an even keel". The expectation was that the liberal educational background and sharp intellect of the IAS entrants, valuable village/grassroots experience they gain, their wide contacts with the public and political leadership right from the stage of their first posting, and their variegated exposure in different assignments will be a boon for people-centered policy making, conceiving and designing development-cum-welfare projects/programmes and their effective and expeditious implementation. None of these except the education and intellect can be claimed by the members of the Central Services who begin and end their careers in cities and towns with hardly any contact with the people or their elected representatives. They have no grassroots experience and can be manipulated by carpetbaggers!

By promoting this governance model, Modi is erasing what his icon Sardar Patel built. This has brought in a sense of foreboding in the bureaucracy and civil servants are no longer sure of themselves. In pursuit of personal hegemony and corporate agenda India’s most potent instrument of governance—civil services—is being run to the ground. This does not augur well for the country’s future."

Source:-http://www.theweek.in/news/india/narendra-modi-withering-bureaucracy.html(Writer is former Army & IAS officer)

Neutralviews:-  The writer of this blog differs from the opinion of  the above views by ex Army & IAS officer. He may have expressed the opinion as an IAS officer but the time and reality has changed. It is the failure of IAS which led this country to such a situation. Had they been completely meritorious, fearless, non -corrupt and impartial, things would have been different. There have been several examples where huge corruption related allegations have been made and proved against IAS officers.There have been incidences where even senior IAS officers found acting in partial manner. They are even crawling in-front of petty politicians just to manage their plum postings. Therefore, blaming PM for withering IAS and promoting other services officers and lateral entry at Joint Secretary level is not correct. UPSC conducts  single exam to recruit for various Grp A positions. At the time of recruitment, every body is equal having difference of marks ranging from 1 to 100. Subsequently, it is IAS who created a partial system to not to give enough exposures to other services except them-self. Had Central Services officers been given enough exposure to all types of administrative wings, this logic of specialization would not have arrived. Therefore, in the era of globalization and digital economic world where physical boundaries have lost their relevance, merit only should be the criteria for administrative positions be it private or government. Mr Nilekani did wonderful thing being head of UIDA. The specialist organisation like ISRO did wonders. This is the right time that IAS hegemony should be removed and everyone with proven merit should be given opportunity to work in the progressive march of this great nation....keep on blogging..    

The polygamy myth about Muslim community...a must read article by all

A news headline that grabbed my attention recently was from the neighbouring Pakistan about three men who among them have fathered nearly 100 children making their modest contribution to Pakistan’s skyrocketing population, which is being counted for the first time in 19 years. Allah, they say, will provide for them, a standard reply of most Muslims in Pakistan.

Fortunately in India, religion is not a factor for high birth rate among Muslims. Nor is the birth rate comparable in the two countries. While in Pakistan it is 3.7, in Indian Muslims it is 2.4 ( national average 2.3) (2016 World Population Data). It is clear that the prevalence of family planning among them is the lowest of all communities but that is because they are at the bottom of the ladder in education, economic status and the access to health services – the main determinants of fertility behaviour. That can be analyzed in a separate article. Here I examine if religion is the contributor to high birth rate. This is a subject which is characterized by mass ignorance and it is time someone explodes the myths.

At the centre of the debate is the belief that Islam encourages polygamy which leads to a spurt in population growth. The reality is that though Islam does permit polygamy but it is subject to not one but two conditions – that they are orphans and will be treated with absolute equality.

“And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you , two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one”. ( Al Nisa:4.3)

The polygamists conveniently miss both the conditions. This is the only verse in the Quran that refers to polygamy and that too in the context of fair treatment of orphan girls. The emphasis of the Holy Quran is very clearly on monogamy.

Is polygamy widely prevalent among Muslims? The only report on the subject is that of the Committee on the Status of Women in India, 1974, which revealed that polygamy was not exclusive to Muslims but was prevalent among all communities of India: tribals (15.2), Buddhists (9.7), Jains (6.7) and Hindus (5.8). Muslims were, in fact, found least polygamous(5.7).

Polygamy is not even statistically possible in India as the number of women per 1000 men is only 940. Experts have opined that polygamy cannot lead to high birth rate, since the number of polygamous men, small though they are, would leave an equal number of men unmarried. It is also observed that second wife of a man has lesser number of children than the first/only wife. A study showed that the average number of children from the second wife of Muslims was only 1.78 as compared to 4.67 from the first wife.

Polygamy apart, what does Shariah say about family planning?

Quran and Hadith are replete with verses and traditions supportive of the concept of family planning. It is extremely important to note that nowhere has the Quran prohibited family planning! There are only interpretations, whether for or against.

Anti-family planning interpretation is based on the following concepts: Tawakkul (Reliance on Allah), Qadr (Predestination), and Rizq (Provision).

“Do not kill your children (for fear of poverty); We make provisions for you, and for them too.” (Sura 6:152 and 17:31). “And Allah has made for you, your mates from yourselves and made for you, out of them, children and grandchildren.” (Sura 16:72). “Your wives are as tilth unto you, so, approach your tilth how you wish” (Sura 2:223)

Pro-family planning interpretations, on the contrary, are many more and these are based on: Tranquility of conjugal life, emphasis on ease, injunction about breast feeding (that delays conception and promotes spacing), preference for quality over numbers, and permission for Al Azl (withdrawal method), etc.

Foe me the clinching verse of the Quran is: “Let those who find not the wherewithal for marriage, keep themselves chaste, UNTIL Allah gives them means out of His grace”. (Sura 24:33). This is amplified by the Prophet: “O young men! Those of you who can support a wife and household should marry. For, marriage keeps you from looking with lust at women and preserves you from promiscuity. But those who cannot, should take to fasting, which is a means of tempering sexual desires”. (Bukhari).

Then there is Hadees that refers to restricting the size of the family. Abu Sa’ad, a companion of the Prophet, reported, ‘A man came to the Prophet to ask about the practice of al-azl ( withdrawal) with his mate. He added “I do not like her to get pregnant and I am a man who wants what other men want. But the Jews claim that al-azl (withdrawal) is minor infanticide.” The Prophet strongly dismissed this contention saying “The Jew lied, the Jew lied.” (Authenticated by Abu Dawoud, lbn Hanbal and al-Tahawi).

Please note that the first is the Quranic injunction, the second is the elaboration of the same by the Prophet and the third describes the method of birth control. I consider this a complete prescription for family planning. This interpretation is strongly reinforced by the following narrative based on Quranic versus and traditions of the Prophet.

Islam is a Religion for Ease. This is what the Quran says: “Allah desires for you ease (yusr); He desires not hardship (usr) for you”.(Sura 2:185). “No soul shall impose (upon it) a duty but to its capacity; neither shall a mother be made to suffer injury on account of her child, nor shall he to whom the child is born (be made to suffer) on account of his child”. (Sura 2:223). And know that your wealth and your children are a persecution (or trial) (Fitna). (Sura 8:28 and 64:15).

And the Hadees amplifies it. “The most gruelling trial is to have plenty of children with no adequate means”. (al-Hakim). “A multitude of children is one of the two poverties (or cases of penury), while a small number is one of the two cases of ease”. (Musnad al- Shahab).

Importantly, even the Purpose of Marriage is conjugal tranquility.

“It is He who created you from a single soul (nafs) and therefrom did make his mate, that he might dwell in tranquility with her.” (Sura 7:189). “And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your hearts.” [Sura 30:21)

Islam is a Religion for Quality. “How oft, by Allah’s will, has a small force vanquished a numerous force”. (Sura 2:249). “Allah has given you victory in many battles; but on the day of Hunayn, when you exalted in your multitude, it availed you naught. And the earth, vast as it is, became tight for you, then you turned back in retreat.” (Sura 18:46)

The prophet is emphatic about quality. “The right of a child on his parent is to be given good breeding and good name”. (al-Baihaqi). “To leave your heirs rich is better than leaving them dependent upon people’s charity.”( al Bukhari)

Quran also prescribes the right of children to breastfeeding which not only ensures their health but also helps child spacing. “And mothers shall suckle their children two full years to complete breast-feeding” (Sura 2:233) and (Sura 31:14)

Islam’s emphasis on gender equality is also important. There are numerous Hadees on this. “Men and women are equal halves.” (Abu Dawoud). “Do not hate having daughters, for they are the comforting dears.” (al-Tabarani). “It is a woman’s blessing to have a girl as her first child.” ( Mardaweih )

It is well known that many Indians, driven by the cultural/traditional son preference, continue to have children ending up with a large family. Islam enjoins gender equality. Fortunately,Indian Muslims have less discrimination against the girl child and least female foetus abortion. This explains the marked improvement in their female gender ratio.

The opinion of the great Imams:

Based on their understanding of the Islamic law, the opinion of the great Imams is supportive of family planning. Interpreting verse 4:3 of the Holy Quran, Imam Shafei opined that more children should not be produced if they cannot be properly supported. Imam Raghib, interpreting 17:31 verse of Quran, says that it is not only the physical killing of children which is prohibited in Islam, but also spiritually and intellectually. The denial of access to education, for example, amounts to killing them intellectually. “Those few (qalil)”, records a Hadith, “who are virtuous are superior to those many who are undesirable”. It implies that the number of children should be restricted to the capacity of parents to make them virtuous. Imam Ghazzali, a sufi of great eminence, mentions a tradition from the Prophet: Smallness of a family (qillat al’ayal) is a facility (yusur) and its largeness (kathrat) results in faqr (indigence, poverty).

A plethora of opinions of contemporary Ulama and fatwas strongly support family planning. For example, Sheikh Sayyid Sabiq (Saudi Arabia, 1968) opined, “The use of contraception is allowed, especially if the husband already has a large family, if he cannot bring up his children correctly, if his wife is weak or sick or has repeated pregnancies, or if the husband is poor.” 

There is no verse in the Quran forbidding the wife or husband to practise family planning. I, for one, do not feel that Islam interdicts family planning to ward off hardship in Muslim married life”. ( Haji Nasiruddin Latif, Indonesia, 1974).

“Family Planning in Islam starts with the choice of the wife and places a great emphasis on raising children physically, educationally and spiritually, that is why quality is favoured over quantity.” (Sheikh Abdel Aziz, Jordan, 1985). Several Hadiths listed by Imam Ghazzali underline benefits of ‘Azl’: (1) preservation of wife’s beauty and charm; (2) protection of her health and life; (3) shielding her from hardship (kathrat al-haral) on account of child birth; and (4) keeping away financial hardship from the family.

Sheikh Mahmoud Shaltout, Great Imam of Al-Azhar in his fatwa of 1959 “strongly endorsed the use of contraceptives on an individual basis for health, social or economic reasons.” Under certain conditions contraception becomes mandatory, he added. Fatwa of Advisory Council on Religious Matters (Turkey, 1960) allowed contraception with the wife’s consent and even without wife’s consent in case of war, turmoil or conditions where bringing up children becomes difficult.

Opinion of Indian ulama is on the same lines:

Allama Shah Zaid Abul Hassan Farooqi, Delhi.

All the four Imams regard Azl as permissible. However, in one Hadith, a condition has been prescribed that it should be done only with the wife’s consent. Ibn Abidin, Tahtawi and Abus Saud opine that even a woman has the right to shut off the mouth of her uterus without the permission of the husband to avoid pregnancy.

Anti-pregnancy pills and medicines are also permissible.

When permissibility of Azl is proven, the use of other comparable measures (like condom, etc.) stands automatically endorsed. (Maulana Masood Ahmad Qasmi, Nazim-e-Deeniyat, Aligarh Muslim University). “Preventing conception temporarily which does not lead to permanently impairing the capability is legal. The use of loop (IUDs) and Nirodh (condom) is equivalent to the practice of Azl.”(Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, Sadar Mudarris, Dar-ul-Uloom, Sabeel-ul-Islam, Hyderabad).

To prevent short space between children which will make them naturally weak, use of temporary contraceptive methods like loop (IUD), Nirodh (condom), medicine or ointment is valid. (Maulana Jamil Ahmed Naziri, Jamia Arabia, Ahya-ul-uloom, Mubarakpur, Azamgarh).

“If there is a valid reason or disease because of which a woman cannot bear the hardship of pregnancy, in such a situation, Shariat allows temporary birth control measures.” (Mufti Zafir-ud-din Miftahi, Mufti, Darul-Uloom, Deoband)

“It is thus amply clear that Islam is fully supportive of the temporary methods of family planning. However, sterilisation or irreversible methods are disallowed by almost all sections of the Ulama though some Ulama have a positive interpretation about sterilisation too.

Prof Abder Rahim Omran (1992) of the most respected Islamic University, Al Azhar, observes, “It is a wonder to the thinkers of today that Islam should give so much (importance) to child spacing and family planning so early in human history, and in the absence of compelling population pressures,“

The above analysis should cause a rethink among those who think that Islam is opposed to family planning. On the contrary, it should be understood that Islam is indeed the originator of the concept. It is true that Muslims are most backward in family planning practices but the reason lies in their socio- economic backwardness, not their religion. Literacy, income and better delivery of health services hold the key to planning of family size. The future of the country and all its constituent communities lies in the quality of upbringing of the children, with education as the key strategy.

Source:- The writer is former Chief Election Commissioner of India. The views are personal. A longer version of this article is available on www.indianexpress.com

The Dilemma of a ''Sarkari Karmachari"......Part-1

Hello everyone...I am sharing you an anecdote based on some real life experience of my colleague..It might appear in parts...hope you will enjoy it..
           Mr Dilkhush Chaube [henceforth Mr Chaube] has a single dream to crack UPSC exam...a somewhat prestigious exam in India. He belongs to a very backward area of Uttar Pradesh. His father was a school teacher, a very honest and disciplined. In his entire career as a school teacher, barring one or two occasion, he never reached late in School. These were the qualities completely absorbed by Mr Chaube.
           Mr Chaube, in his entire school days, saw only one IAS officer who visited to his village once. Till that time, he nurtured the dream to become an IAS officer. After graduation from a local government degree college in arts, He landed in Delhi for UPSC preparation. He landed at Mukherjee Nagar, the mecca of IAS aspirants.
           Mr Chaube was perplexed and bold out completely when he saw thousands of IAS aspirants roaming in shorts and tea shirts with Cigrate in one hand and tea cup in another. When he was leaving from his village, he thought that he is one of the few who are quite sincere and intelligent enough to prepare for Civil Services. But when he saw ocean of aspirants, he was confused and full of dilemma.
           After a long struggle, he was able to clear Civil services exam. He was very happy including his entire village,family and relatives. Mr Chaube was on cloud 9.
          After completion of probation, he landed to his first place of posting. He has several dreams to fulfil, several ideals to be followed. He thought that he will be a very strict and disciplined officer like his father. He thought that he will be punctual in office and will ensure that other should follow him.
         With this load of optimism, Mr Chaube started his first day in Office......
[what happens on First day will be published subsequently]
    keep on blogging.....                   

Speak UP...a much desired trait every honest Indian should have...

Hello everyone, extremely sorry for not writing since long due to my lethargy and misguided priority in life. Today, I am sharing you a write up written by an IT professional working with MNC in Pune.
   "" Indian IT industry is struggling to speak up. Western and Americans say we are good at doing what we are told to do. But we don’t speak up. We don’t tell the client upfront how they can do better. They want consulting and innovation from us. We want to take only orders and directions. This trait is not only limiting our IT industry but affecting our society at large too.

There are a few bad guys around us and many more good people. But in a city of 20 Lacs population, only two hundred odd men can take out a noisy procession and make it feel like they guide the thought process of the whole city. Surprised? Because good people don’t speak up. Ghalib wrote- Chahiye achho ko jitna chahiye, Ye agar chahe to fir kya chahiye. He understood the importance of speaking up!

Well, I got opportunity to spend some quality time with a great saint of India in UK. We both standing in front of London bridge while sight seeing, I was thinking of what I can ask him as we were only two and I had a great opportunity. With his inspiration I believe, I asked one question and this was the only question I asked throughout the day. Dadaji, what is the greatest thing to do, devoting one’s life for spiritual service like a Saint (in my mind I meant him) or devoting one’s life to social service like Gandhjiji. Basically I considered these two things separate and wanted to know who is the greatest of the two. He answered in just one line, ‘Adhyatm ke baad hi to log seva mei jaate hai’. Not only he blessed me with the answer but wiped the question itself. There were no two but one and the same.

Did Vivekanandji, Guru Gobindji, Kabirdasji and many great spiritual personalities not spoke against evils? Did that distract them from spirituality? Is it not one and the same?

All good people, and more so spiritual aspirants since they are inherently genuine, should limit themselves to isolation? Should they not speak up more? This is the dire need for our country’s financial, physical and spiritual well being.

Today’s weapon are not arrow & sword but words & propaganda. Please speak up!.....""

keep on Blogging..

Source:- https://chandrakeshsingh.wordpress.com/2017/03/07/speak-up/

Sign of Changing time?...An era of Parity among Civil Services?

 Hello All,I am sharing a news article which may be a new begining towards most discussed topic now a days i.e. Parity among Civil Services:-
"Senior IAS officers working in Andhra Pradesh are fuming over handing over of key posts to juniors ever since the TDP stormed into power last year. Recalling that a similar 'experiment' in Uttar Pradesh by the then chief minister Mayawati had cost her dear, senior officers in AP argue that doling out key posts to non-IAS officers is against all established norms and service rules. 

Mayawati had shunted out most of the senior IAS officers to insignificant posts and handed over senior cadre posts to junior officers. This had created a furore in the administration forcing the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to intervene. Some of the UP officers had even knocked the doors of the administrative tribunal on the 'ill-treatment' by Mayawati government. 

"A similar situation now exists in AP. Many senior officers were relegated to minor departments like tribal welfare, youth services, sports and environment. Whereas officers who joined recently have been elevated to senior cadre posts and given plum posts in corporations," pointed a senior IAS officer on condition of anonymity. 

Take for example, special chief secretary cadre officers AK Parida and LV Subramanyam. While Parida is holding environment and forests, Subramanyam is left with youth services. Another senior officer Vidya Sagar continues in the tribal welfare department and Giridhar, who left the CMO recently, was posted in AP Public Service Commission as its secretary. Nilam Sawhney was given women and child welfare and another special chief secretary cadre officer Dinesh Kumar is waiting for posting for the last one month. 

The administration has received a serious blow as junior officers including non-IAS cadre are occupying important chairs. After Chandrababu Naidu became the CM, about a dozen non-IAS officers have landed in Hyderabad in the name of inter-state deputation. Top of it, they were given plum posts pushing senior officers to unimportant positions, senior officials argue. 

"The state government does not have any control over the officer who came to the state under inter-state deputation. If he fails in his duty, the state government can't take any action but to surrender him to the parent department. This service rule is working as a shield for non-IAS officers who are queuing up to the state. But what about accountability in administration?" pointed out a senior IAS officer. 

Officers from the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) are thronging to AP by obtaining inter-state deputation. After getting the deputation, they are lobbying for plum posts through different channels. Several IRS officers have got good postings much to the displeasure of senior officers. Indian Railway traffic service officer K Sambasiva Rao was posted as the MD of infrastructure corporation, while IRS officer P Venkaiah Chowdary was posted as the MD of AP Mineral Development Corporation. Anther IRS officer Ch Gopinath was posted as the MD of Medical Infrastructure Corporation. Phani Kumar was given information technology department and Sandhya Rani from Indian Postal Service became the commissioner of school education department. 

Another Indian Postal Service officer M Venkateswarlu was posted as MD of Bhogapuram International Airport Development Authority. IRS officers P Naresh, J Krishna Kishore and M Rama Rao were also given key assignments. 

"The TDP government is slowly pushing out senior IAS officers from key departments. Never before so many non-IAS officers have joined the state administration and were handed over plum posts," pointed another IAS officer. Senior officers are now planning to complain on this anomaly to the chief secretary and DoPT."....keep on Blogging..
SOURCE:- The Times of India(Hyderabad Edition)