Remove politicians' security. Now!

Sudarshana Dwivedi
December 03, 2008

I am scared.

Scared of venturing out, scared of the unknown terror lurking somewhere -- on the train, in the taxi, in the mall, at the theatre. Of a person brushing against me in a crowded area or lift.

Scared whether I will return in one piece -- or return at all -- every time I leave the safety of my home.

More than myself, I am scared whenever a loved one steps out. I am tense and pray until they all come back. Then, I heave a huge sigh of relief -- only for the tension to return the next morning, when someone steps out again.

I am angry. Angry at myself for being scared.

I have travelled every single day to my Times of India office opposite the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in near empty trains during the infamous Mumbai riots.
I walked the length of the roads from CST to KC college trying to get in touch with my son on a day of another terror attack when bodies were being hurried into siren-blazing ambulances, when loudspeakers were blaring appeals for blood donations and when jammed phone lines added to the mayhem.

But scared? No!

Angry and disguted? Yes! But never scared.

Until now.

I think it has been increasing with time, this disgust and disillusionment with political figures. As their greed, hunger for power, complete irreverence to ordinary lives, their callousness to our suffering increased, so did our anger.
But it did not result in an outburst.

Even when an upstart proclaimed himself the deliverer of Mumbai, questioning my right to being a Mumbaikar even after spending a good 36 years of my life in this city, the feeling increased.

Incidentally, this is the man who was nowhere to be seen when Mumbai was burning.
A part of me by then had already started seething with rage. The terror attacks only intensified the feeling of being vulnerable, directionless and headless. There was no security blanket. There was no succour.

As I sat glued to my television screen, looking on in complete horror and disbelief at the surreal drama unfolding before my eyes at CST, my feeling of helplessness grew every minute.

The mind, numb with shock, refused to register it for real; it looked like a gangster movie unfolding in front of my eyes.

And when the action shifted to the Taj and Oberoi hotels, the magnitude of the tragedy increased manifold. These were the places one went to relax and celebrate. I could see my daughter visibly crumbling. The Taj has always been something very special to her.

How? Why? What next? Questions arose in quick succession; and died unanswered.
As the tale of death and disaster progressed through three days and three nights, I found myself unable to tear away from the gruesome viewing; unable to sleep, or eat, or talk.

I felt angry at my defencelessness. The disgust at those who had sworn to protect and nurture the country started increasing.

They, the politicians, are called the leaders of the country. They use my -- taxpayers' -- money to guard their precious selves and leave me at the mercy of terrorists; like the defenceless ward boy of Cama hospital who manned the gate against terrorists -- and got a bullet as reward.

Why do these so-called leaders need to be guarded? Even if all of them are killed in terrorist attacks, is there even a single one of them who cannot be replaced the very next day? What entitles them to deserve the security for which I pay with my hard-earned money, and which is diverted from necessary weapons and protection to those who guard me?

They call themselves leaders. Who are they leading? With what?

Their insulated and inflated egos make them speak in deriding and patroniSing tones to a martyr's father. They make fun of a multitude of mourners. They make light of a calamity that has not only claimed lives but scarred whole families.
Do they care at all?

No sir. They resign listening to the voice of their muted conscience only when sure of being booted out otherwise. Some even then cling on to their chairs like a dying man does to an oxygen mask.

Politics has become big business. They call it service to the nation but in most of the cases it means amassing assets totally disproportionate to income. They enjoy unlimited clout and wield ruthless power on the same unsuspecting public whom they claim to serve.

Devoid of this only means of luxurious livelihood, most of them will not know how to fend for themselves. This is the only profession they are proficient in. This unique quality surpasses 'qualifications' of beliefs and ideologies.

No one at the helm cares for the country more than he does for himself. The generation that freed India from the British rule had left the comfort of homes to rough it up in jails for a mission. The current crop of politicians seeks the solace of politics for those very -- or greater -- comforts.

That is why personal safety was never a concern for those who lead India.
My father used to narrate an incident that happened during Partition. Pandit Nehru was visiting a riot-hit area in his car with a lone bodyguard. Suddenly, he asked the driver to stop the car and jumped out. A rioter was about to stab another man.
Nehru slapped him and snatched the knife from his hand before his stunned bodyguard could even react.

He was a leader who mingled freely with the masses and never had to resort to a bullet-proof car or screen to interact with his people. Gandhiji, uncaring of his safety, fell to these very bullets.

These were men who deserved to be protected -- yet they didn't care.
Why should we spend money on protecting worthless men and women who cannot look beyond protecting their own interest? Why should we pay for the protection of those who mock the common man's misery?

Let each of these politicians be stripped of the security cover and perks. Let them feel like the common men they really are. Let them understand that they are the servants of the people -- and then let us find out how many of them actually want to serve the nation.

The money then can be directed to where it is really needed. Let only those serve us, for whom politics has not become a business. The only face I could recall mixing with impunity with people post 26/11 was that of Milind Deora. I would any day be happy and feel safe having him or Rajdeep Sardesai or any former military chief as my chief minister.

At least they sound honest.

Incidentally Rajdeep was the only editor-in-chief was not firing salvos from his desk but was at the war zone. Replacing a Deshkmukh with a Shinde a Chawan or Pawar is a meaningless exercise. They are clones. We need dynamic people at the helm of affairs.

It is time our politicians got over their 'till death do us part' romance with power. It is time to give the young a chance.

Everyone is hankering that an Obama is needed to save an India. But Obama does not need to spell Mayawati. Obama is who he is because of his sincerity, honesty, decency and dynamism.

This is what we require in a person to lead us. Let the state taste this at the helm of affairs. We will get our Obama at the Centre too.

God knows we need the change. And fast.

LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER

Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

I am a typical mouse from Mumbai. In the local train compartment which has capacity of 100 persons, I travel with 500 more mouse. Mouse at least squeak but we don't even do that.

Today I heard your speech. In which you said 'NO BODY WOULD BE SPARED'. I would like to remind you that fourteen years has passed since serial bomb blast in Mumbai took place. Dawood was the main conspirator. Till today he is not caught. All our bollywood actors, our builders, our Gurkha king meets him but your Government can not catch him. Reason is simple; all your ministers are hand in glove with him. If any attempt is made to catch him everybody will be exposed. Your statement 'NOBODY WOULD BE SPARED' is nothing but a cruel joke on this unfortunate people of India.
Enough is enough. As such after seeing terrorist attack carried out by about a dozen young boys I realize that if same thing continues days are not away when terrorist will attack by air, destroy our nuclear reactor and there will be one more Hiroshima.

We the people are left with only one mantra. Womb to Bomb to Tomb. You promised Mumbaikar Shanghai what you have given us is Jalianwala Baug.

Today only your home minister resigned. What took you so long to kick out this joker? Only reason was that he was loyal to Gandhi family. Loyalty to Gandhi family is more important than blood of innocent people, isn't it?

I am born and bought up in Mumbai for last fifty eight years. Believe me corruption in Maharashtra is worse than that in Bihar. Look at all the politician, Sharad Pawar, Chagan Bhujbal, Narayan Rane, Bal Thackray , Gopinath Munde, Raj Thackray, Vilasrao Deshmukh all are rolling in money. Vilasrao Deshmukh is one of the worst Chief minister I have seen. His only business is to increase the FSI every other day, make money and send it to Delhi so Congress can fight next election. Now the clown has found new way and will increase FSI for fisherman so they can build concrete house right on sea shore. Next time terrorist can comfortably live in those house , enjoy the beauty of sea and then attack the Mumbai at their will.

Recently I had to purchase house in Mumbai. I met about two dozen builders. Everybody wanted about 30% in black. A common person like me knows this and with all your intelligent agency & CBI you and your finance minister are not aware of it. Where all the black money goes? To the underworld isn't it? Our politicians take help of these goondas to vacate people by force. I myself was victim of it. If you have time please come to me, I will tell you everything.

If this has been land of fools, idiots then I would not have ever cared to write you this letter. Just see the tragedy, on one side we are reaching moon, people are so intelligent and on other side you politician has converted nectar into deadly poison. I am everything Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Schedule caste, OBC, Muslim OBC, Christian Schedule caste, Creamy Schedule caste only what I am not is INDIAN. You politician have raped every part of mother India by your policy of divide and rule.
Take example of former president Abdul Kalam. Such a intelligent person, such a fine human being. You politician didn't even spare him. Your party along with opposition joined the hands, because politician feels they are supreme and there is no place for good person.

Dear Mr Prime minister you are one of the most intelligent person, most learned person. Just wake up, be a real SARDAR. First and foremost expose all selfish politician. Ask Swiss bank to give name of all Indian account holder. Give reins of CBI to independent agency. Let them find wolf among us. There will be political upheaval but that will better than dance of death which we are witnessing every day. Just give us ambient where we can work honestly and without fear. Let there be rule of law. Everything else will be taken care of.

Choice is yours Mr. Prime Minister. Do you want to be lead by one person or you want to lead the nation of 100 Crore people?

Prakash B. Bajaj
Chandralok 'A" Wing, Flat No 104
97 Nepean Sea Road
Mumbai 400 036
Phone 98210-71194

इस बार नहीं

इस बार जब वो छोटी सी बच्ची मेरे पास अपनी
खरोंच ले कर आएगी
मैं उसे फू फू कर नहीं बहलाऊँगा
पनपने दूँगा उसकी टीस को
इस बार नहीं

इस बार जब मैं चेहरों पर दर्द लिखा देखूँगा
नहीं गाऊँगा गीत पीड़ा भुला देने वाले
दर्द को रिसने दूँगा,उतरने दूँगा अन्दर गहरे
इस बार नहीं

इस बार मैं न मरहम लगाऊँगा
ना ही उठाऊँगा रुई के फाहे
और ना ही कहूँगा कि तुम आँखें बंद करलो,गर्दन उधर कर लो मैं दवा लगाता हूँ
देखने दूँगा सबको हम सबको खुले नंगे घाव
इस बार नहीं

इस बार जब उलझने देखूँगा,छटपटाहट देखूँगा
नहीं दौडूंगा उलझी डोर लपेटने
उलझने दूँगा जब तक उलझ सके
इस बार नहीं

इस बार कर्म का हवाला दे कर नहीं उठाऊँगा औजार
नहीं करूंगा फिर से एक नयी शुरुआत
नहीं बनूँगा मिसाल एक कर्मयोगी की
नहीं आने दूँगा ज़िन्दगी को आसानी से पटरी पर
उतरने दूँगा उसे कीचड में,टेढे मेढे रास्तों पे
नहीं सूखने दूँगा दीवारों पर लगा खून
हल्का नहीं पड़ने दूँगा उसका रंग
इस बार नहीं बनने दूँगा उसे इतना लाचार
कि पान की पीक और खून का फर्क ही ख़त्म हो जाए
इस बार नहीं

इस बार घावों को देखना है गौर से
थोड़ा लंबे वक्त तक
कुछ फैसले
और उसके बाद हौसले
कहीं तो शुरुआत करनी ही होगी
इस बार यही तय किया है

-- प्रसून जोशी

धमाकों के तमाचों से आंखें तो खुली होंगी

धमाकों के तमाचों से आंखें तो खुली होंगी,

गर अब भी न उठा हाथ तो यह बुज़दिली होगी।

चूहे-बिल्ली का यह खेल आखिर कब तक चलेगा,

आज दहली है मुंबई, कल ख़ाक में दिल्ली होगी।

है गफ़लत कि ऊंघती सरकारें जागेंगी धमाकों के शोर से,

सियासतदानों की कुछ देर को महज कुर्सी हिली होगी।

ज़ंग ज़रूरत है अमन की हिफाज़त के लिए वरना,

ख़िज़ा के साये तले सहमी चमन की हर कली होगी।

"सौ सुनार की तो एक लोहार की" याद रहे "कुरील",

जब हम लेंगे हिसाब तो हर चोट की वसूली होगी।

-- मनोज 'कुरील'

कहीं भुला न देना इस आतंकी घटना को

ऐसा हमेशा से देखा गया है की जब भी हमारे देश में कोई भी आतंकी घटना होती है तो देश की जनता उसे कुछ दिनों में भुला देती है | ऐसा इसलिए होता है क्योंकि आम आदमी अपनी दैनिक समस्याओं में इतना उलझा रहता है की उसे अब ऐसी बड़ी आतंकी घटनाये भी रोज़मर्रा की ज़िन्दगी का एक हिस्सा लगने लगती है | उसकी इसी मजबूरी का फायदा राजनेता ये बोल कर उठाते है की "ये तो हमारे शहर की स्प्रिट है" और अपनी जिम्मेदारियों से बड़ी आसानी से पल्ला झाड़ लेते है | और तो और इन राजनेताओं को ऐसी घटनाये भी बहुत छोटी लगती है और ऐसी घटनाये उन्हें बिल्कुल भी प्रभावित नही करती क्योंकि उन्हें पता है की ऐसी आतंकवादी वारदातें अब सिर्फ़ आम आदमी को निशाना बनाती है | आम आदमी आतंकवादियों के लिए सॉफ्ट टारगेट होता है | उसे मारने में आतंकवादी को भी बहुत जद्दोजेहेद नही करनी पड़ती और भारत जैसे देश में उसे स्थानीय मदद भी आसानी से मिल जाती है |

पर इस सब से हमें ये याद रखना ही होगा की :

* अब से हम ऐसी घटनाओ को भुलाये नही बल्कि हमेशा याद रखे की हम लोग अगर ऐसी घटनाओ के शिकार हो रहे है तो ये ज़रूर जाने की इसके लिए जिम्मेदार अधिकारियों और मंत्रियों के ख़िलाफ़ क्या कार्यवाही की गई है |

* हमारे देश के गृह मंत्री ने इस घटना की ज़िम्मेदारी लेते हुए तुंरत अपने पद से इस्तीफा क्यों नही दिया |

* महाराष्ट्र के गृह मंत्री आर आर पाटिल ने इस घटना को एक छोटी घटना कहने की हिम्मत कैसे दिखाई और उसके बाद आम जनता से इसकी माफ़ी मांगते हुए अपने पद से इस्तीफा क्यों नही दिया |

* शहीदों के लिए राज्य सरकार और केन्द्र सरकार ने जो घोषणा की क्या वे सच में शहीदों के परिवारों को मिली या सिर्फ़ घोषणा मात्र बन के ही रह गई |

* शहीदों के परिजनों को इन सहायताओं का लाभ पहुंचाने सरकारी अधिकारी स्वयं उनके घर तक गए या उन परिजनों को अपनी एडियाँ रगड़नी पड़ी|

* जैसा की पहले भी हुआ है की शहीदों के परिजनों को उनका हक पाने के लिए रिश्वत देनी पड़ी थी, क्या वह सब कुछ कहीं दुबारा तो नही दोहराया गया |

* केन्द्र सरकार ने आम जनता की सुरक्षा के लिए क्या कदम उठाये और अमेरिका की तर्ज पर हमारे देश में अब तक किसी राष्ट्रीय स्तर की किसी एजेंसी का गठन क्यों नही हुआ |

* ताज, ओबेरॉय और नरीमन हाऊस पर हमले की घटना के बाद फ़ौरन अफज़ल गुरु को फासी क्यों नही दी |

* जब अमेरिका पाकिस्तान के आतंकवादी ठिकानो पर हमला करने की हिम्मत कर सकता है तो आख़िर भारत की सरकार ऐसा करने की हिम्मत क्यों नही कर पा रही है | कहीं कांग्रेस को अपने अल्प संख्यक वोट के खोने का डर इतना तो नही सता रहा की वो इस वजह से देश की अस्मिता से समझौता करने को तैयार है |

* इस आतंकवादी हमले के दौरान विभाजनकारी राजनीति करने वाला राज ठाकरे क्यों गधे के सर से सींग की तरह गायब हो गया और क्यों नही उसने उन NSG के सैनिको को अपनी श्रद्धांजलि नही दी जिन्हों ने मुंबई और मराठी मानुस को बचाने में अपनी जान कुर्बान की |

* सारे राजनेता एक जैसे है और उनके लिए सत्ता और राजनीति ही सर्वोपरि है |

* तुष्टिकरण और अल्प संख्यकों की राजनीति करने वाले देशद्रोही नेताओं और पार्टियों का सफाया करना होगा तभी हम सब सुरक्षित हो सकते है |

* आने वाले चुनाव में ज्यादा से ज्यादा लोग अपना मत दान करें और इस गैर जिम्मेदार सरकार को उखाड़ फेके |

कब तक सहेंगे हम इस आतंकवाद को

कब तक सहेंगे हम इस आतंकवाद को| कब तक हम मूक दर्शक बन कर लोगों को सड़कों पर मरते हुए देखते रहेंगे| कब तक हम इन गैर जिम्मेदार नेताओं को तुष्टिकरण की राजनीति करने देंगे| क्यों नही हम आवाज़ उठाते है और जवाब मांगते है अपने नेताओं से जो की ताज, ओबेरॉय और नरीमन हाउस पर हुए हमले की पूरी जानकारी रखते हुए भी उसकी रक्षा करने में नाकामयाब रहे | हमारे देश के उद्योग कब तक ऐसी आतंकी हमलों को झेलेंगे| ऐसा कब तक चलता रहेगा|

अब समय सिर्फ़ सवाल पूछने का नही है बल्कि हमे सीधे तौर पे ये समझना होगा की ये नेता जब तक अपने आप को पूरी तरह से सुरक्षित मानते रहेंगे तब तक वो आम जनता की सुरक्षा के लिए कुछ नही करेंगे | अब हमें ये दबाव सरकार पे डालना होगा की ऐसे नेता जो की सीधे तौर पर आतंकवादियों का साथ देते है उन्हें कोई भी सुरक्षा न प्रदान की जाए | मुलायम सिंह यादव, अमर सिंह, फारूख अब्दुल्ला, मायावती, वाइको आदि ऐसे ही कुछ नाम है जिन्हें की सीधे तौर पर जनता को देश के राजनीतिक परिदृश्य से मिटा देना चाहिए क्योंकि ये तुष्टिकरण की राजनीति के नाम पर देशद्रोह कर रहे है | आज देश की जनता लगातार होते इन हमलों से उकता चुकी है और उकता चुकी है ऐसे नेताओं से जो पिछले ६० सालों से धर्म निरपेक्ष राजनीति के नाम पर सांप्रदायिक राजनीति करते आ रहे है | इनमे सबसे प्रमुख और सबसे गैर जिम्मेदार रवैया रखे वाली पार्टी है कांग्रेस जो की देश के गद्दारों की मदद से देश की सत्ता पे काबिज़ है |

आज हर आम आदमी के मन में दुःख है और गुस्सा है की क्यों सारे समझौते उसकी सुरक्षा के साथ ही किया जाते है | सबकुछ मालूम होते हुए भी समय पर कार्यवाही क्यों नही की जाती | क्यों हम करदाताओं के अरबों रुपये इन नेताओं के नाश्ते और ऐश में खर्च किए जाते है | संसद सत्र के दौरान क्या क्या होता है हम सभी देखते है और इन नेताओं को देश का समय बरबाद करने के लिए भी करोड़ों रुपये मिलते है | क्यों हम ये सब देख कर भी इन नेताओं से सवाल नही करते | सूचना के अधिकार का कानून क्यों सांसदों पर लागू नही है | क्यों आज हर एक सांसद अरब पति है और देश की ८०% जनता २० रुपये रोज़ पर गुज़ारा करने पर मजबूर है | क्यों इन नेताओं की सुरक्षा में लगे हर कमांडो के हाथ में एक ऐ के ४७ होती है जब की आम नागरिक की सुरक्षा के जिम्मेदार सिपाही के हाथ में मामूली सा डंडा |

आज जब देश इतने बड़े आतंकी हमले को झेल चुका है तब हम पाकिस्तान से सिर्फ़ बातचीत का रवैया क्यों अपनाए हुए है | क्यों नही अमेरिका की भाँती हम भी आतंकवादियों के ठिकानो पर हमला बोल सकते | आख़िर ये नेता वोट बैंक की राजनीति जिस समुदाय विशेष के तुष्टिकरण की खातिर कर रहे है वो समुदाय भी तो आतंकवाद की चपेट में आरहा है | इन धर्मनिरपेक्षता की राजनीति करने वाले नेताओं को ये समझना होगा की पाकिस्तान द्वारा प्रायोजित आतंक के निशाने पर सिर्फ़ हिंदू नही है | उसके लिए पूरा हिन्दुस्तान उसका दुश्मन है और यहाँ पर रहने वाले मुसलमान भी उसके दुश्मन है | उसके भेजे आतंकी सिर्फ़ हत्या करने नही आते है बल्कि उनकी कोशिश ये होती है की भारत की अंतर्राष्ट्रीय छवि को कैसे नुकसान पहुँचाया जाए और ये आतंकी ऐसा करने में कामयाब भी हुए है |

आतंकवादयों की हिम्मत इन नेताओं के लचर रवैये के वजह से इतनी बढ़ गई है की अभी अभी एक हमला ख़त्म भी नही हुआ है की और धमकी भरी मेल भेजी जाने लगी है | अब समय आगया है की देश के लोग इन नेताओं के सामने ये सवाल रखे और और उनसे जवाब मांगे तभी इस देश का आम नागरिक सुरक्षित हो सकेगा |

मुकुल शुक्ला

An article by one of the youngest millionaire from Singapore

An article posted at internet by one of the youngest millionaire from Singapore – so real so true …………is even applicable to company finances….. at times we are on spending spree because the power to spend makes us feel important and superior. Happy reading!

A Blog Posted by Singapore 's Youngest Millionaire !

By Adam Khoo | For more on this young fella… www.adam-khoo.com


Some of you may already know that I travel around the region pretty frequently, having to visit and conduct seminars at my offices in Malaysia , Indonesia , Thailand and Suzhou ( China ). I am in the airport almost every other week so I get to bump into many people who have attended my seminars or have read my books.

Recently, someone came up to me on a plane to KL and looked rather shocked.. He asked, 'How come a millionaire like you is travelling economy?' My reply was, 'That's why I am a millionaire. ' He still looked pretty confused. This again confirms that greatest lie ever told about wealth (which I wrote about in my latest book 'Secrets of Self Made Millionaires' ). Many people have been brainwashed to think that millionaires have to wear Gucci, Hugo Boss, Rolex, and sit in first class in air travel. This is why so many people never become rich because the moment that earn more money, they think that it is only natural that they spend more, putting them back to square one.

The truth is that most self-made millionaires are frugal and only spend on what is necessary and of value. That is why they are able to accumulate and multiply their wealth so much faster. Over the last 7 years, I have saved about 80% of my income while today I save only about 60% (because I have my wife, mother in law, 2 maids, 2 kids, etc. to support). Still, it is way above most people who save 10% of their income (if they are lucky). I refuse to buy a first class ticket or to buy a $300 shirt because I think that it is a complete waste of money. However, I happily pay $1,300 to send my 2-year old daughter to Julia Gabriel Speech and Drama without thinking twice.

When I joined the YEO (Young Entrepreneur' s Organization) a few years back (YEO is an exclusive club open to those who are under 40 and make over $1m a year in their own business) I discovered that those who were self-made thought like me. Many of them with net worths well over $5m, travelled economy class and some even drove Toyotas and Nissans (not Audis, Mercs, BMWs).

I noticed that it was only those who never had to work hard to build their own wealth (there were also a few ministers' and tycoons' sons in the club) who spent like there was no tomorrow. Somehow, when you did not have to build everything from scratch, you do not really value money. This is precisely the reason why a family's wealth(no matter how much) rarely lasts past the third generation. Thank God my rich dad (oh no! I sound like Kiyosaki) foresaw this terrible possibility and refused to give me a cent to start my business.

Then some people ask me, 'What is the point in making so much money if you don't enjoy it?' The thing is that I don't really find happiness in buying branded clothes, jewellery or sitting first class. Even if buying something makes me happy it is only for a while, it does not last. Material happiness never lasts, it just gives you a quick fix. After a while you feel lousy again and have to buy the next thing which you think will make you happy. I always think that if you need material things to make you happy, then you live a pretty sad and unfulfilled life.

Instead, what make me happy is when I see my children laughing and playing and learning so fast. What makes me happy is when I see by companies and trainers reaching more and more people every year in so many more countries. What makes me really happy is when I read all the emails about how my books and seminars have touched and inspired someone's life. What makes me really happy is reading all your wonderful posts about how this BLOG is inspiring you. This happiness makes me feel really good for a long time, much much more than what a Rolex would do for me.

I think the point I want to put across is that happiness must come from doing your life's work (be in teaching, building homes, designing, trading, winning tournaments etc.) and the money that comes is only a by-product. If you hate what you are doing and rely on the money you earn to make you happy by buying stuff, then I think that you are living a meaningless life.