Save 'Constitution of India'

Constitution of India has given right to express to all citizens. Some of my friends' recent comments in social networking sites against Lokpal bill, Anna Hazzare and his fight against corruption made me to write blog to express my views and to spread awareness.

Anna's movement has raised some fundamental questions about Indian democracy. With all humility, I first wish to counter the myth that Parliament is supreme. It is not. The people of this country are superior to Parliament. How?

PREAMBLE OF CONSTITUTION OF INDIA :

"WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:
JUSTICE, social, economic and political;
LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;
EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;
and to promote among them all
FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation;
IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION."

In 1947, when the country became independent, there was neither a constitution, nor a Parliament but just the people of India. These people, through the Constituent Assembly, wrote a constitution. The Preamble of Constitution says: "We, the people of India, give ourselves this constitution." This Constitution then created the Parliament. Therefore, the Constitution of India is superior to Parliament and the people of India are superior to both the Parliament and the Constitution. Our Constitution puts “we, the people” above Parliament. The will of “us, the people” rests in our Parliament, elected by our votes.

In 1950, we adopted representative form of democracy. People elect their Member of Parliament for five years. He is supposed to be the "voice of his people" in Parliament.

In their own distinctive ways, the three major streams of our freedom movement, Gandhi, Netaji and Bhagat Singh, reflected the respective beliefs and ideologies, and competed in the philosophical space of nation-building. Democratic plurality, ideological diversity and argumentativeness were integral to our freedom movement. Which is the reason why, not just independence, but also such a marvellous Constitution emerged from it. Read the debates of the Constituent Assembly. The founding fathers of our nation differed, disagreed and argued with each other, but nowhere did one pull out the flag and say to the other: if you are patriotic like me, you have to agree with me.

Each word in this preamble was discussed, argued, fought over, and after much debate was included in this, arguably one of the best Constitutions ever written for any Democracy. Should we not at some time ask after 65 Years of Independence, ask if any fundamental words have been achieved? If not, is it not time, after 65 years, to stop blaming individuals or Governments. But blame the system that has usurped Indian Democracy into self serving, power hungry groups and organizations.

Now whether democracy really "by the people, of the people, for the people"? Too much power gets concentrated in the hands of a few people after elections. Between two elections, India almost becomes a dictatorship of the high command of the ruling party.

The struggle for Lokpal has thrown light on the dirty picture of our democracy. It is increasing controlled by criminals, vested crooked interests, money power etc. Electoral reforms bill which is sleeping on tables of law ministry should be passed prior to lokpal bill to save democracy. The struggle for lokpal is turning into a struggle to save our democracy.

Some of unfortunate facts relating to India. (the list can be quite long)

(1) India has the highest percentage of undernourished children in the entire world, measured in terms of the standard criteria;

(2) India spends a far lower percentage of its GNP than China on government-provided health care and has a much lower life expectancy; and 

(3) India's average rank among South Asian countries — India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan — in the standard social indicators, varying from life expectancy and immunisation to infant mortality and girls' schooling, has dropped over the last twenty years from being second-best to second-worst (even as India has surged ahead in terms of GNP per capita).
After 65 years of the parliamentary system of course there is Justice, Equality and Dignity of the Individual. But only for those that are in a position to demand it, are in position to force it. India may be the world’s second-fastest-growing economy, but more than 400 million Indians live in poverty according to government figures, who barely manage to survive or die of malnutrition. There is no dignity and justice for the world’s largest number of poor in the world that live in India.


Is Indian Parliamentry system a slap in the face to the founding fathers of Constitution?

Let’s debate.. We need to go back to the original concepts of our Constitution.

Age of 24-26

‎24-26 is not a nice age for a man. Your ex-gfs are getting married. Your career has just started. Elders treat you as unproven theorems. College guys feel that you are too old to have in there group. You seem to enjoy both cartoon and news. You can no longer eat whatever you wish without putting on weight. You look like an ape if you don’t shave daily. You are not invited for weekend cricket matches. Every aunty you meet ask “When is your marriage?" while uncle asks “Whats your career plans?" When the reality is that you are just riding the wave and going with the flow.

You have all the confidence in the world but little achievements to show, You already have the first hand experience of the life, You know that whatever you have been taught about the world in schools has been sheer waste of time. You can be denied a job even after passing the test and you could be given a job if you know someone placed high enough. Politics till now was a dirty word but now you feel it everywhere. You know now love is not that blind and that friendship has its terms and conditions.You know there is nothing for granted and free lunches are not free. Your overconfidence is now making way for a humble conscience. You now know it is not exactly what you thought it would be....... :)

Quotes from late Apple founder Steve Jobs

Here are some key quotes from Steve Jobs, the legendary co-founder and former chief executive of Apple Inc, who died at the age of 56 after a years-long battle with cancer.

You left your mark on our desks, on our ears and in our hands..RIP Steve Jobs..

COMMENCEMENT SPEECH AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY, 2005

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.”

INTERVIEW WITH BUSINESS WEEK, 2004

“Innovation comes from people meeting up in the hallways or calling each other at 10:30 at night with a new idea, or because they realized something that shoots holes in how we’ve been thinking about a problem. It’s ad hoc meetings of six people called by someone who thinks he has figured out the coolest new thing ever and who wants to know what other people think of his idea.”

“And it comes from saying no to 1,000 things to make sure we don’t get on the wrong track or try to do too much. We’re always thinking about new markets we could enter, but it’s only by saying no that you can concentrate on the things that are really important.”

INTERVIEW WITH FORTUNE MAGAZINE, 2000

“In most people’s vocabularies, design means veneer. It’s interior decorating. It’s the fabric of the curtains and the sofa. But to me, nothing could be further from the meaning of design. Design is the fundamental soul of a man-made creation that ends up expressing itself in successive outer layers of the product or service.”

“My position coming back to Apple was that our industry was in a coma. It reminded me of Detroit in the ‘70s, when American cars were boats on wheels.”

INTERVIEW WITH WIRED, 1996

“These technologies can make life easier, can let us touch people we might not otherwise. You may have a child with a birth defect and be able to get in touch with other parents and support groups, get medical information, the latest experimental drugs. These things can profoundly influence life. I’m not downplaying that. But it’s a disservice to constantly put things in this radical new light — that it’s going to change everything. Things don’t have to change the world to be important.”

INTERVIEW WITH PLAYBOY MAGAZINE, 1985

“I don’t think I’ve ever worked so hard on something, but working on Macintosh was the neatest experience of my life. Almost everyone who worked on it will say that. None of us wanted to release it at the end. It was as though we knew that once it was out of our hands, it wouldn’t be ours anymore. When we finally presented it at the shareholders’ meeting, everyone in the auditorium stood up and gave it a 5-minute ovation. What was incredible to me was that I could see the Mac team in the first few rows. It was as though none of us could believe that we’d actually finished it. Everyone started crying.”

Life is more than just earning the money..

I saw this note in facebook and i thought of sharing it here in my blog..this note is more relevant in this era.

I have worked in UAE and I personally experienced it. If i continue to stay in that country, I will be spoiling not only my life, but also that of my future generations. It was one of several reasons why I left my job in UAE.

We should earn money for our livelihood. But be cautious that money can destroy/ruin our lives.

Yeah...Life is more than just earning the money.

A Bitter Reality...heart touching...

ONE BEDROOM FLAT...WRITTEN BY AN INDIAN SOFTWARE ENGINEER..
(Courtesy: Facebook)

As the dream of most parents I had acquired a degree in Software Engineering and joined a company based in USA, the land of braves and opportunity. When I arrived in the USA, it was as if a dream had come true.

Here at last I was in the place where I want to be. I decided I would be staying in this country for about Five years in which time I would have earned enough money to settle down in India.

My father was a government employee and after his retirement, the only asset he could acquire was a decent one bedroom flat.

I wanted to do something more than him. I started feeling homesick and lonely as the time passed. I used to call home and speak to my parents every week using cheap international phone cards. Two years passed, two years of Burgers at McDonald's and pizzas and discos and 2 years watching the foreign exchange rate getting happy whenever the Rupee value went down.

Finally I decided to get married. Told my parents that I have only 10 days of holidays and everything must be done within these 10 days. I got my ticket booked in the cheapest flight. Was jubilant and was actually enjoying hopping for gifts for all my friends back home. If I miss anyone then there will be talks. After reaching home I spent home one week going through all the photographs of girls and as the time was getting shorter I was forced to select one candidate.

In-laws told me, to my surprise, that I would have to get married in 2-3 days, as I will not get anymore holidays. After the marriage, it was time to return to USA, after giving some money to my parents and telling the neighbours to look after them, we returned to USA.

My wife enjoyed this country for about two months and then she started feeling lonely. The frequency of calling India increased to twice in a week sometimes 3 times a week. Our savings started diminishing.

After two more years we started to have kids. Two lovely kids, a boy and a girl, were gifted to us by the almighty. Every time I spoke to my parents, they asked me to come to India so that they can see their grand-children.

Every year I decide to go to India... But part work part monetary conditions prevented it. Years went by and visiting India was a distant dream. Then suddenly one day I got a message that my parents were seriously sick. I tried but I couldn't get any holidays and thus could not go to India... The next message I got was my parents had passed away and as there was no one to do the last rites the society members had done whatever they could. I was depressed. My parents had passed away without seeing their grand children.

After couple more years passed away, much to my children's dislike and my wife's joy we returned to India to settle down. I started to look for a suitable property, but to my dismay my savings were short and the property prices had gone up during all these years. I had to return to the USA...

My wife refused to come back with me and my children refused to stay in India... My 2 children and I returned to USA after promising my wife I would be back for good after two years.

Time passed by, my daughter decided to get married to an American and my son was happy living in USA... I decided that had enough and wound-up everything and returned to India... I had just enough money to buy a decent 2 bedroom flat in a well-developed locality.

Now I am 60 years old and the only time I go out of the flat is for the routine visit to the nearby temple. My faithful wife has also left me and gone to the holy abode.

Sometimes I wondered was it worth all this?

My father, even after staying in India, dad a house to his name and I too have the same nothing more.

I lost my parents and children for just ONE EXTRA BEDROOM.

Looking out from the window I see a lot of children dancing. This damned cable TV has spoiled our new generation and these children are losing their values and culture because of it. I get occasional cards from my children asking I am alright. Well at least they remember me.

Now perhaps after I die it will be the neighbours again who will be performing my last rights, God Bless them.

But the question still remains 'was all this worth it?'

I am still searching for an answer.................!!!

START THINKING

IS IT JUST FOR ONE EXTRA BEDROOM???

LIFE IS BEYOND THIS..... DON'T JUST LEAVE YOUR LIFE & PARENTS........

START LIVING IT .......

LIVE IT AS YOU WANT IT TO BE....... BCZ LIFE IS PRECIOUS!!!!

My First Post..

Hello everyone...

This is my very first blog.I have been planning to write a blog since one year,but unfortunately laziness won the battle. Also this blogger website perplexed me and last year I hardly had any boring days as I was in hostel.But this year, I'm away from my hostel, as i am doing project at Trivandrum. So its gonna be boring and decided to start.

You mite have thought that why I didn't start writing earlier during leisure times. I'm soo lazy to write. Recently some of my friends started blogging. I don't know from where they got inspiration as they are also lazy fellows like me. To be frank, when they started blogging, I got confidence and of course inspiration.

I wont be a regular blogger..but I will try to be.. :)