Letter from former President Dr. Abdul Kalam

 

Why is the media here so negative? 

Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements? We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. 

Why? • We are the first in milk production. We are number one in Remote sensing satellites. We are the second largest producer of wheat. We are the second largest producer of rice. 

 Look at Dr. Sudarshan , he has transferred the tribal village into a self-sustaining, self-driving unit. There are millions of such achievements but our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters. 

I was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the day after a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. The Hamas had struck. But the front page of the newspaper had the picture of a Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert into an orchid and a granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to. The gory details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the newspaper, buried among other news. 

In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime.. Why are we so NEGATIVE? 

Another question: Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? We want foreign T.Vs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology. Why this obsession with everything imported. Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance? 

I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture, when a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal in life is. She replied: I want to live in a developed India . For her, you and I will have to build this developed India. You must proclaim. India is not an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed nation. 

Do you have 10 minutes? Allow me to come back with a vengeance. 

Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, choice is yours.. • 

YOU say that our government is inefficient. YOU say that our laws are too old. YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage. YOU say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke. The airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination. YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits. YOU say, say and say. 

What do YOU do about it? Take a person on his way to Singapore . Give him a name - 'YOURS'. Give him a face - 'YOURS'. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your International best. In Singapore you don't throw cigarette butts on the roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud of their Underground links as they are.. You pay $5 (approx. Rs. 60) to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM. YOU come back to the parking lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of your status identity… In Singapore you don't say anything, DO YOU? 

YOU wouldn't dare to eat in public during Ramadan, in Dubai .. YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds (Rs.650) a month to, 'see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else.'YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, 'Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I am?). I am so and so's son. Take your two bucks and get lost.' 

YOU wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand .. 

Why don't YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo? 

Why don't YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston? 

We are still talking of the same YOU. YOU, who can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in your own. 

YOU, who will throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the same here in India? In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan .. Will the Indian citizen do that here?' 

We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility. We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. 

We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place nor are we going to stop to pick a up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin. 

We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms. 

We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity.This applies even to the staff who is known not to pass on the service to the public. 

When it comes to burning social issues like those related to women, dowry, girl child, and others, we make loud drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. 

Our excuse? 'It's the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my sons' rights to a dowry.' So who's going to change the system? 

What does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbors, other households, other cities, other communities and the government. But definitely not me and YOU! 

When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr. Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away. 

Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to England . When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf. When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian government. Everybody is out to abuse and exploit the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. Our conscience is mortgaged to money. Lets do what India needs from us. Forward this mail to each Indian for a change. 

Thank you, 

Dr. Abdul Kalam

NOTE: This article has not been verified as the original speech of Dr. Kalam. Kindly read it for its content and not necessarily for its author. Thanks 

Growing Older and Maybe Wiser....

"To celebrate growing older, I wrote down the lessons life has taught me.” 

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 

 3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 

 4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch. 

 5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 

 6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 

 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. 

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. 

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. 

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. 

12. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 

13. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. 

14. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks. 

15. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. 

16. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. 

17. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. 

18. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. 

19. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer. 

20. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy suit. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special. 

21. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple. 

 22. The most important sex organ is the brain. 

23. No one is in charge of your happiness but you. 

24. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?' 

25. Always choose life. 

 26. Forgive everyone everything. 

 27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time. 

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 

30. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 

31. Believe in miracles. 

32. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do. 

33. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now. 

34. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young. 

35. Your children get only one childhood. 

36. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. 

37. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. 

38. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back. 

39. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. 

40. The best is yet to come... 

41. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 

42. Life isn't tied up like a present, but it's still a gift."

 

 

 

“Are Private Western Security Companies Mercenaries?”

The term “mercenary” describes a wide variety of military activities, many of which bear little resemblance to those of today's private security companies. 

The mercenary activity associated with entities such as the British East India Company came about when nation-states chartered companies to establish colonies and engage in long-distance trade. 

Mercenary units that fought in the American Revolution were effectively leased to the British Army by the Hessians. The soldiers of fortune that ran riot over the African continent in the 1960s were individuals or small ex-military groups that operated in the shadows. 

 Modern contractors most resemble the military enterprises of the late Middle Ages. Before the rise of the nation-state, nearly all force was contracted. 

From the 12th century through the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, military contractors often employed soldiers trained within feudal structures, sending them to whomever could pay, from Italian city-states to the Vatican. Fighting wars, maintaining order, and collecting taxes were among the various political tasks filled by these military enterprises. 

Some historians link the rise of contracted forces in the late Middle Ages to the inability of the feudal system to address the increasingly complex needs of a modernizing society, such as the protection of trade routes for merchants. Similar reasons exist today: The market pressures, technology, and social change of a globalized world create multiple demands that national militaries have difficulty meeting. 

Today's private security companies are corporate endeavors that perform logistics support, training, security, intelligence work, risk analysis, and much more. They operate in an open market, work for many employers at once, and boast of their professionalism. 

These companies staff their projects not with permanent employees, but with individuals drawn from vast databases of ex-military and former law enforcement personnel. These databases list individuals by experience and specialty, so contractors can custom-fit each job with qualified employees. 

Individuals may appear in several databases, move easily from one contract (and company) to the next, and freelance when not under contract. Although many of these individuals are quite honorable, the industry's structure allows ample opportunity for some who bear disturbing similarities to the 1960s-style soldiers of fortune to enter the corporate mix.

 

Let's bring about a Positive Change

The essence of “Tilak Stotra” is “Badlav” or The Change! 

 Change in the way we think as Individuals and as a society. Change in our attitude as a Nation. Change in our personality from being servants of the world to be the leaders of communities’ world wide; to sponsor peace, harmony and exchange of knowledge. 

 Let it be known to friends and others that Hindustan was, is and always will be a powerful nation of ideas and ideals and that a powerful nation is not known by the wars it fights; but for the peace that it ensures within the country and across the world! The concept of Hindustan in this 21st Century: The People! 

The people of India will ensure that the nation is a strongly – disciplined and regulated society with strict standards of civil and social discipline. ‘Discipline’ will be the Mantra of the Nation! Punishment for violation of social, civil and criminal laws will be severe and punitive. 

The people will work towards achieving a strong and balanced society by observing a few simple rules that enhance living standards and ensure peace within the nation. 

The Change in Government work procedures: 

a) Expanding the work hours of the Government offices to catch up with the work load back log as well as to give more work time for the government employees as well as to the people who approach the government department for various purposes. The Government of Hindustan will work in two shifts; from 6 AM to 2 PM and again from 3PM to 11 PM. All government departments will work Monday through Friday and the nation will enjoy a full 48 hours weekend every week. The only exemptions will be the Police and Emergency personnel which will work 24/7/365 to ensure the availability of assistance to the people at all times. 

b) There will be only two government holidays. Independence Day (15th August) and Republic Day (26th January). All other civil, religious, political and sundry holidays will be cancelled. This will assist the government to catch up with the work of national governance and ensure an effective government. 

 c) Extended work hours in the Government will ensure that the Government work force will have to be doubled. This will mean a 100% immediate increase in employment for the youth of our nation. 

d) All government offices will be technologically upgraded so that work flow is efficient and time saving. 

e) Government departments will be legally required to reach a final decision within 30 days of the start of any work file in any department; from the Central level, all the ways down to District & Town level. Violation of this policy by Government officials will be punishable severely in the form of loss of employment as well as punitive financial punishments. 

f) The pay and financial benefits of the Government employees will be on par with those employees in the private industrial / commercial sector; and there will be substantially extra financial benefits to those employees who exceed the general performance standards. The change in Social procedures and the contribution of the People: 

g) All citizens will proudly wear any of our National dress(s) during all work hours. 

h) The morning hours from 4 AM till 12 Noon will be used by the Radio & TV Media to publicize national and cultural aspects of the nation; by broadcasting national / patriotic / cultural songs and programs that reinforce the image of a strong and progressive nation. The radio & TV media will have full freedom to broadcast all entertainment programs post noon till 3 AM; as long as such entertainment is not obscene in any form or manner. 

i) The use of foul language in public or inside government establishments will be deemed a cognizable offense and punished punitively. 

j) The use of foul and or obscene language by any person (male or female) towards any other person within the confines of the residences will be deemed as a cognizable offense; if it is reported to the police officials by any other member of the family or a visitor, and will be punished punitively. 

k) The use of footpaths, over- bridges, under-passes used for pedestrian traffic for any purpose other than walking will be a cognizable offense. Pedestrian areas are meant for pedestrians and the use of these areas as shops, hutments, or any other purpose will be punished harshly. 

l) The use of public areas for spitting or for releasing of body waste(s) will be a criminal offense and punished harshly. 

m) Punishment for Civil offenses will start with a minimum 03 years in a civil prison camp and people so convicted will become part of the prison workers detail which will be used to clean up the nations filth and garbage dumps, repair roads, build gardens, water lawns and work on the farm – fields.

Let's make our country Great ....

Jai Hind 

 

 

Political Oversight Policy, 2010

Oversight Autonomy would be a fitting concession to make to the people of India. 

This will involve the operation of oversight of the State Governments in connection with the internal administration of the country and putting in place the control of the representatives of Hindustani Polity through legislative process. 

Below is a brief outline that this form of administration oversight that should be set up in the states to carry out this idea. 

Each state should have: 

1. A “Chief of People” appointed from the People at the head of the Oversight Administration Council. 

2. A Cabinet or Executive Council of six members, three of whom should be political party(s) members and three nationals with oversight on the following portfolios: (a) Home (including law and justice). (b) Finance. (c) Agriculture, irrigation, and public works. (d) Education. (e) Local self-government (including sanitation and medical relief). (f) Industries and commerce. 

While members of the Bureaucracy should be eligible for appointment to the Executive Council, no place in the Council should be reserved for them, the best people available being appointed, male and female. 

3. A Oversight Council of between fifty-five and sixty members, of whom not less than four-fifths should be elected by different constituencies and interests. Thus each district should return two members, one representing municipalities and the other districts. 

Mega-Metro Cities should have about ten members allotted to the state bodies. There should be no nominated non-official members, except as experts. A few official members may be added by the ‘Chief of Party’ as experts or to assist in representing the Executive Government. 

4. The relations between the Elected Government and the Oversight Council so constituted should be under the preview of the “Interests of the People”. The Council will have the right to examine all state legislation and its assent may be necessary to additions to or changes in local and state taxation policies. The Budget too will have to come to it for discussion; and its resolutions in connection with it, as also on questions of general administration, will have to be given effect to, unless vetoed by the ‘Chief of People’. 

The members of the Executive Council shall not depend, individually or collectively, on the support of a majority of the Councils for holding their offices. The term of office for each member will not exceed five years; and no member will serve consecutive terms. 

5. The Oversight Council, so constituted and working under the control of the Executive Council as outlined above, should have complete charge of the oversight of internal administration of the states and it should have independent financial powers. 

The Oversight Council will have oversight authority over all the revenue expenditure exclusive to the Governments. 

Such a scheme of Oversight Autonomy will be incomplete unless it is accompanied by the liberalizing of the present form of district administration and a great role of local self-government. Oversight Council should be legally allowed to raise funds from the people so that they have adequate resources at their disposal for the due performance of their duties. 

Subject to the principle of “Interests of the People” the Oversight Committee should have increased opportunities of influencing the policy of the Government by discussion, questions connected with policy and issues of the citizens being placed on the same level with other issues; all within the boundaries of the Constitution of the Nation.

 

Ode to Success

“Victory” 

You are the person who used to boast That you would achieve the utmost, Someday. 

You merely wished to show, To demonstrate how much you know, And prove the success that you can grow… 

Another year we have just passed through, 

What new ideas came to you? 

How many good things did you do? 

Time; left 12 months in your care, 

How many of them did you share? With opportunity and dare,

Again where you so often missed? 

We do not find you on the list of those who succeed. 

Explain the fact! 

No, it was not the chance you lacked! 

As usual, you just failed to act!

 

The Confident People

Be confident, not just in yourself but in your country and your fellow citizens. 

Remember, it’s much easier to despair over what might seem an irrevocable erosion of our institutions and traditions which made this country great, than it is to see the progress we are making in preserving our institutions and traditions. 

Compounding our despair is the dominant media culture, especially the foreign media like CNN, Fox, NBC, which do not reflect our values and concerns. The media constantly pounds us with gloom and doom scenarios, which have a negative effect on our psyche. 

The truth is that when we look at our national policies and national priorities, it is not the people who are out of touch with reality; it is the political parties and their national level leadership. Political parties are simply unable to extricate themselves from the bondage they have placed themselves in, by building their power base on beggar vote constituencies. 

The across-the-board sycophancy is now failing as they have exploited the masses to the extreme and have not been able to steer mass quantities of money towards this beggar constituencies for the past few years. The socialists and the likes had sustained themselves for years on government grants and subsidies. These are now reduced to a trickle. 

Political parties now exist primarily off the donations of the rich, on political kickbacks and whatever contributions they can get from the public at large. Remember, the people in politics or their party groups do not work for a living in the traditional sense. They survive only by inventing crises or by fabricating some threat to the social fabric. That is why they appear to be more active and visible, while becoming more hysterical every day. They cannot provide for themselves so they hope that by making a nuisance of themselves they will get others to feed them. 

These people have made our country bankrupt, financially and morally. Reputed economists have pointed out that with the money we have spent on poverty reduction programs since the 1950s, we could have purchased the entire assets of every fortune 50 companies in the world and developed virtually every acre of land in our country. 

Yet, not only we have not eliminated poverty, but also many social problems are far worse than before. 

You know it and I know it. 

And more important, they know it too. Indians are no longer willing to burden the millions of rupees that are poured into programs that fail to accomplish any goal. We are weary of supporting a socialistic system that is anti-progressive, indicts tradition, promotes cultural disharmony and serves as a breeding ground for more anti social elements. 

Policies that are nothing more than threats for more violence and disharmony should we refuse to meet the financial demands of those who are representing thugs, murderers, arsonists and looters. They are making threats about instability of the nation, out of desperation and panic. 

First, they realize that government largesse in the form of development funds for social assistance is over, because the money is just not there. 

Second, the cold realization that, after 50 years of uninterrupted catering of their demands, their primary ideas and theories on social justice and economic fairness just does not work. They do not know what to do, except to shout and scream in an attempt to frighten and intimidate those who are now more educated and will no longer be controlled by these demons. 

 We are the future. 

We cannot give up what is right. We have to break this strangle hold that the socialists and the communalists have on our nation and our society. We have to be confident. 

Our nation has not run out of opportunities. Our children can live in an India that is better, safer, and more prosperous. Life is a never-ending battle and we have to fight the battle that we land into.