Bye Bye 2015 ....... Happy New Year 2016

2015 was the litmus test year of the Modi Govt and Modi style of politics and functioning. Mr Modi promised moon to the people while contesting elections in 2014. In reality, we knew a lot of it is marketing plank or promises before elections. It was to Mr Modi’s that he could sell it and people bought it as well. Achhe din (Better Days) are still a distant dream. But Mr Modi fired his power behind every idea he sold to the people. Whether those ideas culminate into something, only time will tell, we still have three and half years.

DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) seems to be working but long time to make it overall success. When it comes to the politics, Congress showed the same chip to BJP and BJP had performed in the opposition. But a good part came out of it, Mr Modi followed his words of sabka saath, sabka vikas by talking to opposition leaders to allow the House to function. Let’s see how Congress tries to scuttle next time and whether anything good comes out of it or not. But the House will function this year. Rajya Sabha equations are bound to change a little with BJP gaining more voice in the Upper House.

Aamir commenting on intolerance became a laughing reference for social media and the media alike. The issue of intolerance did take a lot of media coverage and perhaps some fear in the minds of the minorities. Certainly this issue will carry forward in 2016. Congress can do such things and nobody will notice but high pitched speeches of hard working PM does get a drubbing for not anything on sensitive issues.

RSS mouthpiece costed heavily on the BJP fate in Bihar elections. With Lalu 2.0 and Nitish’s third term drubbed BJP in the State elections. PM’s sharp jibe and derogatory remarks on Lalu and Nitish were derogatory to his chair even if apt for the leaders of Bihar. Delhi Assembly became AAP’s headquarters with 67 out of 70 seats won by them. AAP’s fights with the Central Govt. continued through most of the year and will continue through 2016 as well. Elections in five states of 2016, that too bigwigs, like UP, WB and TN and small ones, Kerala and Assam will witness less of Modi, as he is PM, he should be PM and not BJP chief campaign voice.

On international diplomacy, Mr Modi held various public meetings and displayed strength of Indian diaspora in USA (East and West Cost), UK, Canada, Australia and so on. India is definitely gaining respect in those high diplomatic circles. He ended the year with a surprise visit to India’s distant brother and arch enemy, Pakistan and hugging Nawaz Sharif wherein Nawaz Sharif broke the protocol to receive Indian PM at the airport. What happens next in Indo-Pak relations is a deep story which only time will reveal?

The need to build healthier planet, India and Mr Modi made waves in the Paris Climate Summit and India won acclaim from developed world for the progress in the solar space. Developed world reflected on toeing India’s line on solar policy. Whether India brings developed finances for carbon credits or not is a long term play.

Oil, a major pain point of Manmohan Singh Govt. had dropped to $40 making economy a cakewalk for the Modi Govt. India’s largest import bill is for oil. With oil cooling, it was respite for the Govt. forex outflow and Govt. kept hiking taxes on the same which ensured they could meet the budget targets alongwith the development. It will continue to slide or lay low for the coming year.

Onions made everybody cry this year followed by tomatoes for a while and then we had new price index for pulses. A common food’s cheap of rice and dal is suddenly expensive. It will be interesting to watch whether Govt. will try to bring correction. Highly unlikely, these are the new levels and we may see few more points hike in the same.

Yakub Menon was hanged to death and the week before his hanging, like his life was wavering from hope and despair and so was country heavily and deeply through those days. The marauder of Priya Singh, who said, ghusa usme or the only survivor of the rape convicts raised brouhaha and protests because of his early release as juvenile detainee. A change in law was required and has been brought in.

Indian economy is holding put against all the odds and the global turmoil that is happening especially the great commodity crash. The stock markets lost 26% during the year with some of the big heavyweights taking the lead. Economy may perform with some of the major projects undertaken by the Govt. which will keep it floating. The markets are expected to recover due to great fall but with the US crisis looming, it is hoping against hope but it will hold fort.

Banking crisis which was a mess earlier is now a pile of rubble. In addition of the already deteriorating bank finances and the core sector companies not performing, cement, steel, coal, power, etc aluminium and copper are also joining the league. Hopefully Govt. does the cleaning act quickly which is the requirement of the day.

Technology space will break new barriers as we already record investments in the space with Flipkart, Ola, Amazon and Uber becoming part of everybody’s life and space. More consumer related apps will be successful and function in the market. Plus Google, Microsoft and Facebook will be offering free internet services in rural India through balloons, jets flying in the stratosphere or perhaps a signal from the moon.

And the year ended with the last laugh by Shah Rukh Khan, as the campaign started to boycott his film, Dilwale, due to his intolerant statement, remarks or whatever it was. He made the most horrible movie of his career that even protestors were put to shame.

Nanhe balak chor or sirf choos (Cute kid as thief or sheer stupids)

Back in 2013, I was travelling the long route from South Delhi to ISBT by auto and then I saw four – five stalled autos in front of us at the traffic lights with AAP banner with their eponymous jhadoo symbol. I was surprised to see, new party on the block and I asked my auto driver, which is this new party and he tells me, “sahib, these banners are bought by these auto wallahs and not given by the party. The price they have paid has gone into party koshers”. I was appalled at the discovery of this new party and how poor people are contributing towards it.

Going back to election results of New Delhi 2014 elections, the election results were a true shocker for the average working class and the elite political class of India. When Kejriwal took oath, he read his own oath after the ceremonial oath about no bribery, honesty and blah-blah-blah and then he sat on a dharna as a CM against the Home Ministry and the Central Govt. True to their form as erstwhile leader of AAP Yogesh Yadav said, we are group of individuals on how to gather people or perform a dharna or make appropriate noise to be heard. We are not traditional political party, we know little about politics and we are learning fast. Kejriwal was blinded by his victory and aimed to become the PM, rising on his Delhi elections result and resigned after 49 days at the helm of Delhi State. Again a damn new thing in the Indian political history, portrayed by Kejriwal and AAP.

With eye on the Lok Sabha elections, they coined catchy slogans like all:

“Delhi mein Sheila haari hai, ab Modi ki baari hai” (Sheila lost in Delhi, it’s Modi’s turn now) 
 “Jo Kejriwal se darta hai, do-do jagah se ladhta hai” (Those who fear Kejriwal contest from two constituencies) 

“Bhrashtrachar ka ek hi kaal, Kejriwal, Kejriwal” (The scourge for corrupt people is Kejriwal)

“Baba ladhe the Goron se, Hum ladhenge choron se” (Baba fought the British, we will fight the thieves) 

“Chahe Mama ho ya bhanja, Jeeja ho ya sadhu, sab par bhari padne wali hai, aam aadmi ka jhadu” (Aam Aadmi’s jhadu will prevail over uncle-nephew, brothers-in-law)

BJP announced Delhi elections warily in 2015, although there confidence was nauseating low but somehow the inevitable had to happen, but AAP got such a majority in Delhi and it’s a record even compared to Nehru and Indira times of Congress. Delhi Assembly looks more like an internal meeting of AAP, then a State Assembly. Especially the remarks from Our aam aadmi CM makes completes the picture, like he is talking about Modi’s salary to Obama’s salary, I mean do State Heads need to talk about Assembly or do they talk about how many millions voted for them.

From the day our CM has taken charge of Office, the Central Govt. has completely hostile attitude towards him. It may be true. Ever since, the State of Delhi was brought into formation and from the first Govt till today, first Govt. belonged to BJP in 1994 and Madan Lal Khurana was the first CM. The clash of duties and responsibilities exist. During Sheila’s time, LK Advani had said that Delhi CM should have his/her word with Centre on certain issues and they reached an agreement in some context but never the changes were brought on paper. For ten years out of 15, Sheila enjoyed as Central and State Govts were Congress.

Whether it is BJP or PM, it doesn’t matter, Kejriwal is only CM for entertainment and he is digging his own grave. Getting to the current issue of CBI raid on CM’s Chief Secretary is a big question on Kejriwal. Like Kejriwal has sworn to honesty, Mr Modi has also sworn to honesty. Attacking Mr Modi in his heydays is not going to do any good to AAP, his Govt or to the people.

His officer is guilty of misappropriation or not, will come into the investigation. Moreover Kejriwal does not have to attack as the charges against the officer are subject to validation and he has gone berserk as if he has been named in the report. But Kejriwal shows his intelligence by calling PM, a coward and psychopath. I don’t know, what makes him say this, whether he becomes khaas aadmi or elevates as the best aam aadmi.

Like PM’s bitter tongue pre-election or in campaign in Bihar is not good, a nation’s capital’s CM is calling the Head of the State names is a disaster. Or attacking the FM openly, will absolve him of his stupidity. Definitely his clean record is allowing him to stay in his office but the day he slips up, he will be in deep trouble. One may not be happy with the superiors in the Office but calling on them openly is not good for the country, for themselves and for the people.

He has every right to fight with the PM and the BJP to take complete control of his State but at the same time he has to remember, he is not a protestor or a street fighter fighting for so-called social causes, he is the head of the State, head of the Govt. so his demeanor has to reflect the same. Now the aam aadmi, Kejriwal is CM and hence donned politician’s garb wherein he finds excuses for not doing his job properly just like every other politician. Rather than questioning or attacking the Central Govt., he needs to fix the issues of Delhiites rather he is busy playing political mud slinging match.

I don’t understand does he ever realize the mandate he got? Does he ever realize on what promises he is voted to power? Despite his sheer buffoonery the first time, people still supported him in droves and yet he is hugging Laloo Yadav and saying what not against the Head of the State.

The more apparent thing for him to do is stop fighting the lost battle which is not good for anybody and focus on governance. I am very certain, his green plank esp. of odd-even formula is going to bite him in the ass. It’s a strategic political battle which he is bound to lose.

The most important thing for him is to try and stop himself to be a politician and continue to connect with the people on the basis on which he is voted to power. He may continue his political struggle with the Central Govt. but in a dignified and genteel manner. But governance should be number one and number two and number three priority.

Heck, I feel like a buffoon at times, thinking that he may bring different style of functioning in Indian politics and Indian bureaucracy.

From AAP to TU (Odd - Even is bound to FAIL)

I am planning to buy a car in the price range of Rs. 8 – 11 Lakhs. My best choice remains Hyundai Creta, an SUV. But given the latest stupidity of Mr Arvind Kejriwal of plying odd-even car numbers on alternate days, it might be better if I buy two hatchbacks in the price range of Rs 5.00 Lacs with one in odd number and the other even. But then I was just discussing with my friend, why the hell two cars for this stupidity and buy Creta from Haryana and you are good. Govt will not be able to track other States car coming in and out of Delhi.

Before I make my decision to buy new car, let’s take a look at the buffoonery of Arvind Kejriwal and his AAP Govt. in Delhi. I understand his predicament with Mr Modi and why and how Central Govt. is not allowing them to function the way they want to and their head is stuck in their asses. But if Modi has gotten Kejriwal’s head stuck in his own ass that does not give the right to Kejriwal to harass the people of Delhi. He may continue his fight in whichever way he feels comfortable with the PM but he can leave people out of it and not drag everybody into the mud.

Odd-Even Alternate alternative is done in the wage of standing attack against the Govt. of Delhi to not able to do anything to provide clean air to the people. The environmentalists have been sounding the bugle to do something for quite some time and this is what the Govt. can offer its people in lieu of the fact that Delhi’s air can be cleaned.

It seems Mr Kejriwal has still not gotten into the mode that he is the CM and not the protestor against the Central Govt. I mean he had no issues to get into the suit of the politician when he is fighting for rights and autonomy from Modi Govt. or hugging the messiah of masses/chariot of Fodder Scam, Mr Laloo Yadav to make political statement but CM suit is too big for his size.

If the said solution to control pollution is to embarrass the Home Ministry because Delhi Police is under Home Ministry then I guess he has struck bang on. Again a political statement but not for something for which their party, apparently termed AAP, got huge mandate to govern Delhi. Such stupidity or idiotic order is pretty difficult for Delhi Police to comply especially when there is shortage of staff, the VIPs they have to protect, keep a check on terrorist elements and last but not least protecting people of Delhi.

Implementing such an order will be an administrative nightmare for Delhi Police. What will be the happenstance of hundreds of thousands of people commuting from NCR to Delhi for jobs, work and business? Will this apply to them as well or only to vehicles with Delhi number plates. This order will wreak havoc on dealers/agents dealing in automobiles in Delhi and not to mention the revenue loss to Delhi Govt.

I understand and I stand with the environmentalists that we may send our kids to Moon but we will struggle to offer our next gen clean air and adequate water. The present generation has to set its foot in the door to try and jam the process. I am sure as a nation, as a State, as a person we can do better than odd-even number alternate days solution. There have been other nations where such formula was implemented but it failed.

In Singapore, Govt. has imposed such high taxes on cars that they discourage people to own cars due to paucity of space in their city country. But at the same time, the Govt. has provided an excellent metro network interconnected with Mercedes feeder buses and other shuttle services which uses single payment system, cards issued by Metro Authority, that one is really comfortable using their public transportation system. For people who enjoy driving on their own, there is alternate system of cars with red number plates which can ply on roads from 8 PM to 8 AM, Sundays and national holidays.

A nation is developed not when the poor can afford cars but when rich can use the means developed for the poorest. Mumbaiites have more resources than Delhiites but still they use public transport system because their feeder system is auto-rickshaws and kaali-peeli (black-yellow) cabs which are professional and efficient. They don’t waste their time and commuters time by haggling over fares instead honestly take the shortest route and charge you to the exact paise on the basis of the rates set by Govt. and hardly ever say NO to a customer, no matter how short the journey route may be. But in Delhi, Kejriwal’s vote bank are auto rickshaw drivers who will quote double or triple the fares or else take you on Delhi darshan for destination which is stone’s throwaway from you. Delhi’s autos and taxis hardly switch on the meter and worse they will ply on their favourite routes and not to commuters service.

To control pollution, traffic regulation has to be studied and mined and mapped more appropriately so that halted vehicles and slow moving traffic do not pollute uncessantly on roads but the traffic has unrestricted flow. To follow Mr Modi, who is working so hard to generate the additional power required for the nation through solar and wind farms for which he is gaining laurels internationally. Modiji is offering subsidy/incentives to people building solar/wind farms. Individuals who are installing solar panels on their roof tops, incentivizing them to switch to clean energy.

More updates are coming for the policy, but my question is, so many people drive in from Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan everyday for meeting purposes to Delhi, will it apply to them as well? Women are exempt from this scheme, which means people will be clobbering into the cars of their woman colleagues. Worse if it applies to taxis and autos. Companies are already thinking on how to ensure their workers reach office without the convenience of driving in their own car which they own but is parked at home. Delhi is full of jugaadis, let’s see what innovation they bring to beat the Govt. for their stupidity. More so, second hand car dealers will rake in moolah and definitely the number of cars purchased will go up. In six months, we will be back to the same traffic and same pollution from cars if this scheme continues for long. 

The question and issue of Motorcycles/Scooters has not been brought into this article, that how much an aam aadmi will be harassed by the notification of Delhi Govt. run by Aam Aadmi Party.

Do we foresee accusation of hiked bribes by Home Ministry and Delhi Police by AAP?

Delhi Govt. can levy more taxes on diesel and reduce taxes on petrol as petrol is much cleaner than diesel. Removal of taxes on CNG kits so that more people shift to CNG, which is cleanest alternative and cheaper as well and increase accessibility and availability of CNG. Considerable reduction of taxes on cars running on batteries will be beneficial. Making your Pollution Check Centres efficient that they do not renew certificates of vehicles which do not pass the standards.

A person who is buying a car is already paying road tax upto 8% for roads and pollution in addition to the excise duty, sales tax on the vehicle they have paid and still Govt. has the audacity to show its stupidity. A person who owns a vehicle is paying approximately 25 – 30% as taxes to the Govt. one way or the other and the least the Govt. can offer is to allow them to drive their vehicle to their convenience on whatever conditions of roads the Govt. had provided.

But instead Kejriwal is working hard to prove Mr Jaitey right, that the experiment that Delhi’s people have undertaken with AAP will only be a hindrance to the people. Everything is a protest for Kejriwal and he doesn’t seem to understand the word or term, “Governance”.

Come January 1^st, we may see a bigger mess on Delhi roads.