Is Rahul Gandhi a Youth Icon?
Posted On Saturday, March 15, 2008 at at 10:19 by rk rishikesh sinhaAgain lot of political speculations over young turk Rahul Gandhi's new move. This 
time his 'Discover India' tour has triggered off debate among political leaders and analysts. He kicked of his four day journey on Friday from the tribal-dominated Nuapada district of Orissa. Such kinds of speculations were made earlier also, when he was appointed as the chairman of the NSUI and the Youth Congress and as a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC).
Nevertheless, it could be assessed that Rahul is progressing in his political career. He is gradually catching the nerve of being a politician. However, his progress has been contributed by his inherited legacy!
At a time, when UPA government and Left are at loggerheads over Indo-US nuclear deal, Rahul's 'Discover India' tours seems to be just a political stunt of Congress. Rahul is now being posed as an icon for Indian youth by his party. Is he really?
Who can be termed as an icon? One who has a standing of his own, whose individuality created inspirational aura, whose works set certain ideals and principles.
Well, Rahul is charismatic and he could be no less than an icon for youth but at the present situation, however it is explicit somewhere that his charisma is not accessible to everyone beyond his constituency.
It could be said that he is still in a incubator under certain favourable conditions. This has resulted into a wide gaping between him and the common man of India.
He seems to be more of a pampered prince safeguarded by his mentors rather than a well trained and brave soldier of an army.
It is undeniable that present political scenario demands young shoulders to carry the carriage of expectations of the entire nation. Congress has taken initiative in this field.
Congress has offered a platform to the youth and has given them opportunity to participate in active politics. We appreciate its move. But being a grand old party of India, its steps should be genuine rather than tinged with the colour of politics. Rahul has to be his real self rather just a trick of his party to win the election by attracting people.
Word: Pranati Saikia
Please subscribe to the blog.
“I am proud, I am a Bihari!”
Posted On Sunday, February 10, 2008 at at 19:55 by rk rishikesh sinha
“I am proud, I am a Bihari!” Have you ever heard this sentence? Not to mention, you have heard…at Mariana Trench, terrorism infested state Jammu and Kashmir, Capital city Delhi, Commercial city Mumbai, even in the thick jungles of Assam, or in permit driven state Arunachal Pradesh [visitors have to take permit to enter the state]…
You name it, and you will find people who utter this sentence.
Unfortunately, this sentence comes out as a reaction to defend oneself from ignominy that usually builds up when two elements adds: first there is a Bihari and, second there is in air - a topic on
Uhhhh!!! No body on earth utters this sentence than Bihari people do. Interestingly, we all love our soil we belong to. But, the momentum they build on by saying “I am proud, I am a Bihari!” seem childish. It is something like a child caught red handed while stealing stuff and defensively blurts out: I told you, I haven’t done it. That’s it.
It is ironical that wherever in any part of
It shouldn’t happen since we are all brethren of the great country
Again, on an average we all pay respect to other persons’ genetic and political make-up. We are inquisitive to other person’s caste, religion and the state he belongs to. And there are many myths, proverb and funny stuff lingering in and around any state and caste.
The word “Bihari” means a lot. Anyone being called a Bihari is being taken with disdainful, scornful, inhuman note. It is still a mystery why Biharis doesn’t like being called a Bihari.
There is no point reacting to any such comments if it is made. It must be taken with a bit of humour. And if possible, maintain the golden rule: Silence.
It will give a very positive response. Biharis must learn. If not, it solidifies another myth: Ek Bihari so bimari.What Rahul Gandhi's life has in store?
Posted On Tuesday, October 09, 2007 at at 10:52 by rk rishikesh sinhaBy Pranati Saikia, NEW DELHI,INDIA
At a time when left’s tough stand on nuclear deal is creating political havoc for center’s UPA government, congress president Sonia Gandhi took a decisive step in latest reshuffle of the party’s organization. However, this assessed to be a preparation for looming mid-term polls.
In this much-awaited reshuffle, she elevated her son, Rahul Gandhi to a congress post by appointing him as the AICC general secretary in charge of the Youth Congress and NSUI and member of the congress working committee. This significant development has an important implication for both, 37 year old Rahul’s future prospects as a politician and the congress as party as well.
In his first interview with foreign media, Rahul regarded himself as uniter of the country and expressed his commitment to fight against divisive politics based on caste and religion. His recent induction into the organization of the party is an opportunity for him to groom his lacklustre image into a sharp, refined national level congress leader who can not win just electoral victory but also a nation’s trust.
His induction also signifies that the old congress party, though lately has started believing on the potential of younger generation leaders who have power of youth, freshness of ideals and strong ambitions. Rahul seems to represent a generation that could bring back remarkable political achievements to the party.
Nevertheless, it is indispensable for Rahul to emerge as a young leader having own individual stature of goodwill and strength. He has to transcend the boundary of inherited political legacy.
On the other hand, congress has to retrieve back its initial position of being India’s single most dominant political party that laid the foundation of the democratic political system in the developing world. During country’s freedom struggle, it represented nationalist cause to unite a heterogeneous society of people.
It is regretful that now party has lost its idealism and innovation. Gradually due to dissidence and defection, it lost its intra-party democracy and cohesion. These loopholes have to be dealt with mellowness. Induction of Rahul Gandhi could be regarded as renovation of party’s organization in a sense that it could help overcoming old deficiencies and generating new constituencies having new voters below 30 and appreciate Rahul as a young national leader to represent them, their aspirations wishes.
On the other hand, party has to extend its organization across the whole nation and down to the village level. For this purpose, Rahul has to work extensively with sincerity by visiting remote areas too, where people have lot of problems unsolved. Is Rahul Gandhi hearing?
Amit Paul and Prashant Tamang : The Political Prawns
Posted On Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at at 12:55 by rk rishikesh sinhaNEW DELHI,INDIA
Since the first day of it’s beginning, Indian Idol has been inviting artists as guests from Indian film industry, Bollywood. Explicitly, it is a not a new phenomenon that has been added in the show. However, in recent times it has become the best marketing tool to promote any programme. 
One thing is sure, the media advisers of both the two political bigwigs Sonia and Manmohan did honest political manthan, atma manthan (introspection) before suggesting them to appear with Amit and Prashant, the two last finalists of the show.
If one sees from the other perspective of the show, that is, from the promoter and the marketing team fence, the appearance of Sonia and Manmohan Singh came as a winning situation.
The primary reasons that prompted Sonia and Manmohan Singh to align towards the participants may be counted on the popularity of the contestants Amit and Prashant in their respective regions or say on the creed they belongs to. Amit Paul is a bengali and Prashant is a Nepali. Associating them might help the grand old party Congress to score it in the vote bank politics. 
It is not that every act on the part of the politicians should be scanned and given a political twists and turns. They being the powerful persons of a country it becomes their responsibility to encourage the youths who are talented and enthusing them to excel in their respective fields.
Mr. President – we all love you
Posted On Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at at 20:57 by rk rishikesh sinhaMany names that have been cropping up in the race of President are Union Minister Pranab Mukhejee, Shivraj Patil, Sushil Kumar Shinde and senior Congress leader Karan Singh. Another name which is doing round in the political circle is Vice-President BS Shekhawat’s candidature for the coveted post.
It is not that people of political lineage are only in the fray; there are many illustrious people from different walks of life from bureaucratic to corporate, to scientist, and to actors, whose names are being taken vigorously. But politicians of the land are not backing their names; even if they are backing them their number is miniscule.
Nevertheless, with the mainstream political parties going with the United Progressive Alliance’s (UPA) ultimate decision in this matter, and National Democratic Alliance not coming out clearly on this issue, it is certain that the constituent parties in the government would virtually decide who will be coveted in the constitutional post of President.
Other parties are taking the decision on this matter seriously. In this effort to come to a consensus decision, newly elected Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati and Tamil Nadu Chief Minster M. Karunanidhi had met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The CPM politbureau has reiterated that the person occupying the post must have a political background and firm secular credential. “The future President must be able to exercise judgment to maintain the balance between the Parliament, executive and judiciary, ” it said in a statement.
Now, when the ground has been laid and rules-to-be-implemented has been worked out; especially those children and youngsters who have met with him and participated in his whirlwind lecture are feeling sorry, that their icon wouldn’t be in the Raisana Hill. He appeared as a teacher, scientist, leader and motivator for them. His coming to the office had indeed sent a positive signal that the Rashtrapati Bhawan is accessible for them.
I remember my friends who have interviewed him saying, “He is so polite, generous and communicating.” It is not that only children and youngsters have been influenced by his charismatic personality. I come to know his impact of his personality on the masses of the people when an old person whom I was interviewing in the midst of the interview took up his book ‘Wings of Fire.’
Well for me it remained as a dream to meet with him. I find and more like me had built up a common chord with him since we all had carried the dream of becoming a scientist. And when we find a scientist is leading the country, it is natural to get inclined.
A party, which plays a role in the present government, expects the incumbent to maintain the balance between the Parliament, executive and judiciary, and not with the people of India.
Nandigram, Singur - the place to refer to
Posted On Sunday, March 25, 2007 at at 01:30 by rk rishikesh sinha
People are flummoxed so are the main political parties of the state and the center on the events that were sequentially turning up in the two places. With the involvement of politics and business, all coming with their own version and speaking the same language of growth and progress of the effected people, the whole episode has now become more complex and caricatured.
The West Bengal government so to catch up with the industrial developments that had swayed in the other states, though lately wants to accelerate industrialization in one stroke by clutching big chunk of lands from the farmers and giving it to business houses. Such acquisition by the government in the name of development is not a new affair. In the past and still the trend is followed by the governments to acquire lands for developmental purpose. That we all know.
The question is – in this purchase exercise that was followed in Singur and Nandigram what went wrong and where? Is it government’s initiative to buy lands for the private parties or its adamant stand to defend its policy to develop Special Economic Zones?
Why people in these two regions, though fuelled by the parties like Trinamool Congress, are fighting tooth and nail not to surrender their land?
Why the developmental pill offered by the government does not sway people to swallow? Is it because the antidote of politics prescribed by the Mamta Banerjee to the people is more powerful than the government’s pill?
These two places, no doubt, have added a new page in the so called manufactured development carried out by the government by taking away covertly or overtly lands from the farmers and peasants.
Congress fail is BJP win
Posted On Saturday, March 03, 2007 at at 21:57 by rk rishikesh sinha
The picture that is coming out from the three states is that in Uttarakhand BJP leader and former Union Minister, B.C. Khanduri has been appointed as Chief Minister; in Punjab, the doyen of Indian politics, Prakash Singh Badal will hold the key of the government; in Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh will play his second innings in this north eastern state.
In the assembly results of the three states, the combined alliance of the Akalis and BJP, of the 117 legislative assemblies in Punjab, it garnered 48 and 19 seats while Congress got 44 seats. Election held in 71 assembly seats of Uttarakhand, BJP acquired 34 seats, 1 seat short to make clear cut majority government. In this newly built state, Congress end up with 21 seats. While in Manipur, Congress limps back to power with 30 seats, 1 seat short to make government.
CONGRESS DEBACLE IN PUNJAB
After the debacle of the Amarinder Singh’s Congress in the state, party heavy weights, despite showing development in the last 12 months, cites shooting prices of essential items, anti incumbency factor and rampant infighting, are reasons that had costs them dear .
Moreover, missing cohesion between Amarinder Singh and his deputy Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, some relate as the reason for the slip in the assembly election. The abrasive method followed by Amarinder to punish opponents by opening cases is also considered another reason which alienated voters against him.
CONGRESS DEBACLE IN UTTARAKHAND
Animosity between former CM ND Tiwari and state party chief Harish Rawat over the chief ministerial berth sank the boat of the party in the state. Tiwari’s refuses to campaign demanding post CM plans for him is one more major reason for the party’s sinking. Lal Bhatti culture along with ever-increasing prices of the essential items added fuel to the voter’s disenchantment, making them going against congress.
CONGRESS IN MANIPUR
The stability factor of the Secular Progressive Front (SPF) of Okram Ibobi Singh, remaining in power uninterrupted, led voters to swing towards the alliance between the congress and the CPI .The pre-poll arithmetic of the Federal Party of Manipur merging with the Revolutionary Peoples party to form MPP failed to encash the regional tone over the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
CONCLUSION
The poll results means a lot for the political bigwigs: congress will not able to play freely over the President’s post; left parties are likely to get more assertive and ask for policy ‘correction’; congress will loose the maneuvering space in the government, above all BJP definitely got a new lease of political life and momentum. At the end of the day, congress has to introspect within, and ponder over the reasons, before it is too late.
The juggling figures of Union Budget 2007-08
Posted On Friday, March 02, 2007 at at 00:48 by rk rishikesh sinha
- There Finance Minister P Chidambaram ignites the Union Budget for 2007-08, here it catches fire in the news room, irrespective of the fact what they are taking it seriously may not be fully or partially comprehended by the general public.
Caught by the infamous bug inflation and the recent setback it had faced in the Punjab and Uttaranchal legislative elections, for the Finance Minister surely it was not an easy walk.
The budget primarily outlayed hike in the agriculture (Rs 8558), health (Rs 14,363) and education (Rs 28674) sectors. Defence got Rs 96,000 allocation in its kitty. Again, it is all about nerve wrecking figures. Just take this budget as the budget allocation as we all see and witness in our homes.
Here is the glance of the Union Budget 2007-08
PERSONAL AND SERVICE TAX RATES remain the same.
INCOME TAX EXEMPTION THRESHOLD increased by Rs 10,000 for all assesses, giving a relief of Rs 1000.
EXEMPTIVE LIMIT on banking cash transaction tax for individuals, Hindu undivided families raised families raised from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000.
SENIOR CITIZENS - Exemption raised from Rs 185,000 to Rs 195,000, giving a relief of Rs 2,000 in income tax.
- Deduction in medical insurance premium under section 80D raised to Rs 20,000.
Senior citizens who are house owners can get monthly income mortgage.
THE CORPORATE WORLD
Corporate tax rate remaining same
Surcharge on income tax on all firms and companies with a taxable income of Rs 1 crore or less to be removed.
DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTION TAX RATE raised from 12.5 % to 15% and to 25% on dividend paid by many-market mutual funds liquid mutual funds.
In addition to all these addition and subtraction, an allocation of Rs 500 crore for the Commonwealth Games 2010 to be held in Delhi was earmarked. Commonwealth Youth Games to be held in Pune next year got mentioned in the budget with Rs 50 crore earmarked for it.
The budget as usual doesn’t come in sync with people’s expectation, it is understandable one possibly cannot keep everybody happy. For some, like Kumar Mangalam Birla, N Nilekani, Mukesh Ambani and Pawan Munjal, no doubts, the budget paints a rosy picture. But for Sitaram Yechury whose party is a component of the central government and Yashwant Sinha, former FM, the budget has failed to come to the expectation of aam aadmi.
The bottomline of the whole exercise is that market and the people would not even remember it in a few days.