CORRUPTION: INDIA-2010

India, a land of diversity. Amongst the population, one finds variation of color, caste, religion, eating habits, living & politics. For a common man, very existence is riddled with success only after he has greased some palm or the other. Corruption, has almost become second nature to ones’ livelihood in India.

Right from the time a child is born in a Govt. run hospital, the Parents finally take home their newly born loved one only after the ‘ayah’ / nursing assistant, the documents issuer etc have been given their gratifications. One is not guaranteed a comfortable & smooth stay for the duration, in the health centre, unless adequate bribe has been paid. The very supply of essentials is not forth coming, if the concerned official has not been provided for.

As the child grows up in years, to be eligible to start to learn the three R and to learn to dot the i, the Parents again have to cross the hurdle of DONATION, non payment of which does not assure admittance to the temple of learning. This is prevalent in the higher education stage too. There have been cases, under investigation, of institutes where seats reserved for foreign students have been ‘sold’ to local candidates. Some Teachers are known to demand ‘gratification’ to assure good grades. There are students who have been identified to coercer teachers / invigilators to succumb at the point of threat to look away to facilitate copying in examinations. Depressing, but mercifully most of such cases are spotted and deservingly punished. In spite of such cases, education in the Country is of high quality.

We in the country have a high population of qualifying graduates passing out each year. Unfortunately, jobs are not very many to come by. This assures an ever prospering market for the touts to exploit and officials in the right departments to ensure constant in flow of requisite sums in bribe. Contractors, have built-in the tender quotations, the anticipated sum, which is required to ensure smooth passage of the contract and timely payment thereafter on completion. Quality of the produced work suffers and the Public is at a loss.

The above is the case in almost all walks of life. Most in the Public domain reluctantly have to accept the situation, as protest does not result in immediate remedy and the whistle blower usually ends up murdered. If lucky, looses out to an almost isolated and neglected existence.

Whom do we blame for this state of affairs? The ‘leaders’, some who have to their credit, stigma in the eyes of law, pending. Then there are those who at the helm of affairs find themselves, targeted by media, rightly often. Media in India enjoys full democratic freedom and mostly proved to be unbiased. Investigative journalism is of very high standards in India and often wins accolades, the world over. It’s to the credit of the media, that a ‘big’ scandal concerning Common Wealth Games to be held in Delhi was exposed and the ‘rot’ stemmed. Still, the ‘corruption’ in construction is of such magnitude that almost all that was to be constructed could not be completed till near the beginning of Games. This deprived the ‘home’ advantage for our selected players & athletes. I am sure; the world is amused looking to our performance and our ‘honesty’ in work.

If the Common Wealth Games go through and without any problems it would be due to Gods Grace and certainly Him having put in extra hours to shower BLESSINGS.

All our ills are not entirely attributable to the apathy on the part of the Govt. A large percentage of our sorry state is the contribution of the Public at large. We are not respecters of laid down rule & regulations. We lack in civic sense. We have amongst us who feel elated in breaking and flouting all norms of decent public behavior. We spit any place; we do not hesitate to urinate in the open. We take pride in destroying and defacing public and private property and get away as the law does not bother to implicate any one, or does not have the will to do so as the power behind is usually a person with clout, either in local govt. or at Delhi. We have decisions taken by committees filled by members who never declare conflict of interest, as it suits them to not to do so. Thus, you will find an airline owner as member of committee to formulate rules pertaining to airline operations. Similarly, there are many such examples

One can list many instances to prove rampant corruption in India. But, keeping in mind the size of the population the total number of such undesired persona are few, yet sizeable enough, to pollute the Nation. The future seemingly looks good, as there is an awakening amongst the population, especially the youth, to endeavor to change the scenario at National level. Many, as part of Groups, NGOs’ Institutions and similar such organization are looking out to educate the masses. They are making people aware of correct and good living. Correct approach to ensure hygienic conditions in and around their living space, their working space etc. Awareness of environment & clean atmosphere is fast making the public to avoid urinating and defecating in the open. Help understand the importance of elections and to cast their vote correctly. Soon, the results will show change, for the good

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I N D IA : 2 0 1 0

India, a peninsular country, ruled last by the British for 150 years, set free, reluctantly though on 15 August,1947.

SIXTY THREE years, an Independent democracy, India is emerging as a fast developing Nation. Her journey, a travus to the present, has been Progressive but equal mix of ups & down, though. She had to face THREE wars, with her immediate neighbours: Pakistan and once with China. Declared a Republic, it celebrates the day on 26 Jan every year. Population, a multi facet society, the Country is unique due to its diversity. Secular, it tolerates all religion, through the written Constitution which guarantees Right to EQUALITY before Law,to FREEDOM, the Right to TRAVEL and to acquire PROPERTY.

The strength of the Nation lies in its Population. Tad over populated though, but intelligent. In spite of a greater percentage of this population being illiterate, it is very imaginative to use its adult Franchise in the times of General elections, held every five years. The Country, also is very proud of its Defense Forces. Supporting the third largest Army in the World, which has been very effectively deployed in times of aggressions, natural calamities and on secondment to augment U N Forces, all round the Globe.

The country, blessed with a good educational base, has been turning out graduates, post graduates and PhD every year, by the thousands. This has resulted in the Country having a fairly broad based industry, to be able to produce from a pin to satellites to circumnavigate the Moon and back. We have the capability to produce ICBM, N-bombs etc. though we have restrained our self. Our agriculture, progressive but not enough, to avoid imports of some essentials. We have a market that is very attractive to entrepreneurs the world over, to produce their products here and export. We have business men who grace the top echelon of the FORTUNE 500 list.

While all above is one side of the coin, we do disgrace our self on the other side. We exhibit our self as people who are corrupt to the core, to say the least. Our lack of EDUCATION makes us to disgrace our very being in public behavior. We proudly deface our side walks & walls with PAN spit. We urinate in public. We defecate in the open. We take pride in breaking a queue, if at all there is one in the first place. Our officials, with exceptions of a few,do not progress your query without their palm be greased first. There are quiet a few who take the money and produce no results at all. We have Government and semi-government bodies which are not capable to provide basic amenities to its public, due to corrupt practices. Though, I will not hesitate to add that the public does not respect the facility provided, because of lack of civic sense. We take pride in travelling without valid ticket be it in railway, bus or any public utility. Our level of corruption is high enough to vote in lawless individuals, as members, in our highest civic body, the Parliament. Some of our 'leaders' after they won the election, behave in a manner from where the erstwhile MAHARAJAHS' have left off.

In this Country, money is well invested by some corrupt & conniving rich and those who are in places of position to produce and sell to unsuspecting public, synthetic milk and milk products. Lentils adulterated with grime and stones. Sell flour ground from a mix of wheat, chaff and other adulterants.Produce, adulterated medicines which offer no cure but often death. Copy of many a renowned brands in Clothes, cold drinks, eatables and what have you.

In spite of the fact that above makes feel a bit down and perhaps make us wonder if we have reached the nadir in our being. No, we can and we will achieve to get rid of the antisocial elements in our society if all of us, resolve to be honest, in our efforts and our output. Let us take upon our self to get all educated to go & cast their ballot in the next election. Educate the illiterate, to see reason and help in casting his/her vote correctly and for the correct candidate. Practise honesty, and help all others to be honest in their approach to all aspects in life.

Happy Cooking:MURG-Gulbadan Kofta....Indian Masala

In the land, as diverse as our Country, it is to expect that our culinary range is vast. Every raider had left behind, a repertoire of good lip-smacking recipe, both in the vegetarian and non-vegetarian layout. At home, our household were the domain of our women folk and they ever so ready to please the family, produced some remarkable dishes that are simple to cook, very tasty and excellent accompaniment to the family dinning spread.

The desi ‘murga’ in different regions was cooked under given conditions and flavored by the local produced Masala and herbs. This recipe, originated in the Northern plains, has under gone a sea of change, and if at all has only helped to improve, than otherwise.

Flavor is of essence in the preparation of this dish. To prepare a serving for two, you would require:-

Mince of chicken -300 gms
Onion diced fine – 02 cups
Tomato diced fine -01 cup
Fresh single cream -02 tbps
MASALA in powder form -02 tps each of-
Jeera
Dalchini (Cinnamon)
Choti Elaichi (Green Cardamum)
Dhania (Coriander)
Red chili
Turmeric
Branded Chicken Masala
Cloves -05
Salt to taste
Fresh curry leaves -10
Garlic press & dice fine -06 pods
Ginger diced fine – 25 gms
White of one egg - beaten
Corn floor -01 tps
Cooking Oil – as per requirement
Water

METHOD


Step one


1 In a bowl, sprinkle the mince with a little salt, 01 spoon of elaichi powder, 1/4 Dalchini and 01 tps Chicken Masala.
2 Mix, and add enough egg white and Corn floor. Blend with hand to form dough to make balls of 1” diameter.
3 Keep in fridge for 30mts.
4 In boiling water gently, one by one, put in the balls and boil for 04-05 mts.
5 Remove, and set aside the balls to drain.
6 After the balls have drained, make + incision deep enough, but not lower than half of the kofta
7 After the balls are sufficiently dry, gently fry them on low flame till golden. Each ball will open up like a flower.

Keep aside for later use.


Step two

1 In a wok / Kadai put in 75ml Oil on medium flame, when hot put in the Onion and fry along with cloves, ginger and garlic.
2 When the onion is transparent sprinkle a little salt and fry.
3 As the Onion start to brown, put in all of the dry Masala. But retain half of the Elaichi powder. Stir, add the Tomato, blend and stir fry.
4 Sprinkle water time to time, to help blend and to avoid the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
5 Take one of the fried kofta, smash it and put it in to fry along with the Onion. Stir fry and watch for the oil to separate from the Masala.
6 Put in the curry leaves, fry. Adjust salt and pour in a little over 1&1/2 cup water. Bring to boil.
7 Put in the fried kofta boil for 03 mts and remove them without the gravy to serving dish.
8 Continue to boil the curry on low flame in covered vessel for few minutes or till the curry gets to semi thick state.
9 Remove from fire, pour the Masala over all the kofta in the dish. Garnish the dish with the single cream and finally spread the Elaichi powder over the dish and serve.

A THOUGHT FOR INDIA

Never a day passes by, in this country of ours we seem to produce, in regularity, cases of corruption, mayhem, lawlessness and waging war against the Nation. Discouraging, ‘set-back’ state of affairs. Whom do we blame? When will it stop? Should we begin to accept the fact that this is going to be an unending process? Is this the price to be paid because we are a populace big Nation, striding ahead to achieve ‘Super Power’ status.

Is it because, we were so busy to achieve a growth level that we have erred in paying due attention to the required infrastructure of policing and internal security. Is it that our increasing population has produced persons proportionally in numbers both avaricious and shellfish? Many having little, or no, Nationalist feelings. That our Defense Officers can succumb to bribe and flaunting flesh! Almost, daily the media highlights or breaks out in the open nefarious activities of well placed individuals and institutions. Even the very citadel of Democracy vibrates with ever raising questions of impropriety in Public life.

We are engulfed in a very serious situation. Nations, far and near will plan to take undue advantage of the economy. If not checked, the Country may have to face a very grim time in future. Criminals will abound. Our generation next will perforce inherit a weak and crumbling infrastructure. It then will be difficult to accord defense and security to Citizens and the Nation. Such conditions prevailing, attracts close border and far placed Nations to feel encouraged to try and apply their nefarious writ.

It is yet not too late to do a mid stream course correction. Plan to strengthen the infrastructure. Uphold the Law against all and sundry for every rule infringed. Inculcate honesty in the rank and file of our organized forces. Orient our young, who are the future, and educate the values of life and good living. While we ensure literacy, effective planning for better socio-economical conditions will reduce, beside others ill effects, crime in the Country.

Notwithstanding the above, I feel encouraged on the strides we have made in our National life. We have a vibrant Democracy in place that makes all feel proud. We have the technology to produce almost all that can be manufactured. We are fast acquiring the knowledge to reach the Moon. Our National productivity is on the up. We nearly achieve our predetermined growth rate. While the world went through the upheaval of economic crisis, we managed to sail through and some.

LET US RESOLVE TO BE BETTER CITIZENS

A percentage of our Country’s city population is educated. A larger percentage, over the entire land, may not be people of letters, but do keep a sane mind on their shoulders. A few have to be explained, and motivated to react favorably to our purpose: and we will succeed in our resolve to be better Citizen. In doing so, we will become a better Nation, a more appreciated Society and we will earn respect internationally.

No doubt in my mind that it will be hard work, de-motivating at times but in the long run we would win applauds and accolades for the effort we would have put in, collectively.

We ALL in our own sphere of life: where we live, where we work, where we can, without appearing to interfere, softly and surely, motivate the people living therein to try and understand and put in to practice the points listed below. If, we all together, make a small beginning, soon the effort will acquire shape of a movement and the purpose would be achieved. I am confident.

Let us, and get all around us, to understand and emulate on the points listed:

• Begin by help keeping your surroundings clean, teach people to understand the value of cleanliness. Assist the local body to remove thrash and maintain hygienic drainage system.
• Be aware and make all those living around you, of importance of security of life & material. Plan your area watch groups, in demarcated zones and report to police of ANY unusual OCCURRENCE.
• Accord assurance to the elders, women and children of your area of residence and work. Get them to be of assistance in any manner which is within their reach and feasible
• Carry and explain to all in the vicinity, the advantage of carrying any sort of recognized identification on person, at all times away from place of residence.
• Be civic minded, and explain the benefits of Civic amenities. Encourage all to stop abuse of these amenities. Report, rather than taking on the onus of correction on your own self.
• Stand in queue where one is required to, and encourage others to stand in line as well. A QUEUE HELPS ALL, CONVEYS A SENSE OF EQUALITY AND ENCOURAGES FAIR ADVANTAGE TO ALL.
• DEMAND to be attended to, where you are expected to be attended and report where this privilege is not extended to you, fairly.
• Give way to Senior Citizen, medically handicapped, women and children. WHENEVER and WHEREEVER.
• Teach school going children by example. DISCOURAGE rowdies.
• Without falling back on to the politics of the situation, encourage all to follow a given idea and gain majority in consensus.

It would be to every ones advantage if you encourage all those with you to add to the above list and achieve.

Whenever, you feel that your effort has produced the desired result, do not hesitate to celebrate the fact, and, praise all and sundry, at the same time, for this achievement.

PUBLIC DISCIPLINE : WHY WE ARE NOT RESPECTED

The other day my wife and I were at McDonalds’. It is expected, of customers, as it is anywhere in the world that one comes up to the ordering counter in a queue. In spite of the fact that there were not many waiting to be attended to, a young man of about 28-30 years overstepped my turn and started to place the order. Of course, he was curtly turned away.

Now this behavior is quite evident anywhere and everywhere in India. It does not speak well of our upbringing, our quality of education and public morality. Outsiders, visiting our country take back with them a very low opinion of us. It is surprising that many countries try an avoid having us amongst them.

I was born in Mumbai and as a youngster saw this practice of lining up at bus stops, railway ticket counters, cinema and theaters, and at many places where there is perforce public attendance. There was very little rude behavior. The young showed respect towards ladies. Children and the elderly were given way to. I and many others would get up and offer seats in the bus, trains etc to ladies and elderly gents. One hardly comes across such chivalry these days. Today, the attitude is to ‘grab’ before somebody else gets to it. I witness such regardless behavior, almost daily. We seem to lack in regard for those around us.

Surprisingly, many Indian I have come across abroad, and I have travelled some, are a changed lot when there. But, the moment they land back they display no such level of manners or etiquette. Truly, a ‘Dr Jekyll & Mr.Hide’syndrome. There is a sizeable number who take pride and encourage young to adopt such tactics to get what ever is desired. They applaud, when their wards narrate their ‘bravado’ in breaking rule and regulation of decent behavior.

The question is why? Why do we conduct our self in such a manner? Shouldn’t we take pride to be respected and be known & seen as law bidding Citizens, of our Country? Are we afraid that by not teaching the correct way of living, our children may not find themselves to be fit to survive in the world we live in?

There are countries that discourage the entry of Indians. We are told a simple statement, learn to stand in a queue, also, respect your fellow beings’ Democratic Right. I am afraid; we have in this country paucity in ‘roll models. Instead, we have, who can best be listed as ‘perverts of Law’. In our society we have many who by example show that they got all because they knew how to get, and, not because they deserved to get it. We who love this Country, and, our Children, have to ensure that such ‘humans’ are ‘discouraged’. This will ensure non-dilution of public morality.

Perhaps, we will succeed soon to be known as ‘Law’ bidding and be respected