1) Austerity measures must be followed in India
It refers to welcome the austerity measures approved by the new Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan which includes a ban on first-class air-travel by even President, Chief Justice and Chairpersons of two Houses of Parliament. He even imposed a ban on the use of special aircrafts for the international visits by the Pakistan Prime Minister. It may be recalled that some Indian political rulers in the past had also decided to use normal flights for the international travel.
Indian government should also impose a total ban on the travel by business or first-class in flights at public expense for everyone in the central and the state governments and their undertakings. It is significant that most popular private airliner in India does not have any business or first-class. Even it can be ordered to abolish the concept of business or first-class for all new aircrafts purchased by any airline company for domestic flights in India.
Age-old costly but useless protocols to run pilot-cars or follow-up cars for some entitled ones like judges of the higher courts or their equivalents should also be abolished. This practice should be retained only for those under the highest security-cover requiring it for security reasons rather than for show of status. The practice of officers to receive and see off certain entitled dignitaries should also be done away. Rail fare on unused reserved accommodation by the Parliamentarians should be deducted from their salaries. US system for just half of the last paid salary to even the US President without any accommodation or staff should be introduced in India.
MPLADS scheme and similar schemes in the states, which even Public Accounts Committee of Parliament and Planning Commission termed useless and corruption-generating, should be abolished like also echoed by then Lok Speaker Somnath Chatterjee. A TV sting caught the Parliamentarians taking bribe to approve schemes to be funded through their MPLADS funds. It may be recalled that trusts floated by the then Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla were generously funded by the Parliamentarians cutting across party lines from their MPLAD funds. Already, the Bihar government has abolished such a scheme in the state.
– Madhu Agrawal
2) Will India become a superpower?
It is obvious that the announcement by the Defence Ministry on its approval of purchases worth Rs 46,000 crores for guns, missiles and helicopters, pleased the Indian military and the whole country as well. This announcement shows that the government is concerned about the country’s protection and its safety. India is considered as one the most powerful countries in the world, but every Indian wants to see his own country on the first in the rank. I wish, India will acquire more equipment of defensive strength and will emerge as the most powerful country in the entire world. No doubt about it that India can claim to be a superpower country because it has all kind of sources including economy, military, political and soft power.
I am proud of my country!
– Mohd Usmani
3) Better ways to honour Vajpayee
It refers to Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari rushing up to deny talks about any proposal mooted by the BJP-ruled North Delhi Municipal Corporation to name historical Ramlila Maidan of Delhi after departed former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Such immature and unthoughtful proposals attracting strong criticism from public and opposition defame ruling party as if the party is blinded in over-projection of its leader. Instead, Japanese Park in Rohini – Delhi can be named after Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Like Aurangzeb Road was named after late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Tuglaq Road in New Delhi can be named after Atal Bihari Vajpayee with his statue erected at its crossing with Lok Kalyan Marg with the crossing or round-about named as Atal Bihari Vajpayee Chowk on his coming birthday on 25th December. Rashtriya Smriti Sthal with Atal Bihari Vajpayee first to be cremated there can be named as Atal Smriti. Upcoming new airport near Delhi at Jewar can be announced to be named after Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Undoubtedly Atal Bihari Vajpayee was not only a great national leader, but even an internationally renowned best orator of the world who was not given the honour he deserved by not making world-leaders to attend to his funeral ceremony. This deficiency can and should be overcome by the central government officially recommending his name for posthumous Nobel Peace Prize. His practical efforts for peace with Pakistan make him deserving with the great honour which has been given to many global leaders much down in ranking with Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
– Subhash Chandra Agrawal
4) No foreign donations required!
Centres inclination to decline Rs 700 crore UAE flood relief offer should be welcomed by all. Every Indian should feel proud that we are a nation that can take care of its citizens at the time of tragedies like floods, earthquakes etc. and we don’t need a ‘begging bowl’ to run from the pillar to the post to build our nation after natural calamities like the one witnessed in Kerala. We have on the other hand, helped other nations with monetary grants running into hundreds of crores whenever they have encountered troubles on their shores.
Kerala has been devastated beyond recognition and every effort from every citizen is the need of the hour to build the state to its old glory. Charity begins at home and even small contributions from our large population can result in mammoth funds to take care in rebuilding the state. However, the government should monitor donations so that it goes for the right purpose and not get lost in corruption. NRIs, corporates and wealthy individuals should take the lead in the repair exercise so that we need not have to depend on the foreign countries for help!
– S.N.Kabra
5) Rahul Gandhi’s unsuitable remarks in abroad
Whatever political differences Congress Party and BJP might have between them but, Congress President Rahul Gandhi should not speak publicly about the Indian politics in abroad. It does not sound good to reveal our internal matters before the foreigners because it may lead to denigrate our country in the world. Every internal matter must be discussed only in the country itself. How long will the leaders blame each other? I think now they should do something for the sake of the country and its development. In their fight, the core issues of the country are being ignored relentlessly which is a hindrance in the way of the country’s progression.
– Mohd Faheem
6) Festive brings unity
Onam is a famous festival of Kerala. It is the state festival and falls during the month of Chingam according to Malayalam calendar. According to the modern day calendar, it generally falls in the month of August. The festival commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali. The Keralites celebrate this festival with unity without the difference of caste and religion.
Onam is a celebration of more than 10 days which was celebrated from August 15 to August 27, this year. The festival is marked by various sports and festivities in Kerala, including worshipping, music, dances, sports and boat races. People put flower mats in front of their houses on this day, to welcome the King Mahabali. Onam is celebrated with lots of cultural elements. This festival is the most important harvest festival of Kerala. Keralites all over the world celebrate this festival with a great pomp and gaiety.
– Jubel D’Cruz
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
