BUDGET 2016/17 AND REACTION ON BEATEN LINES

                                

Once again there was a budget today (2016/17) and it passed off on beaten lines. Now a days not only the Lok Sabha telecasts live the budget presentation by the Finanace Minister but all the major news channels devote the whole day on its coverage including comments from different angles. Most of the opposition political parties leaders, economists, businessmen, journalists and the people at large are approached for their comments. The sumtotal is that in these comments there is nothing factual. The ruling combination pats itself on back for presenting a pro-people budget whereas the opposition disposes it off as a ‘vakvas’.

First of all it will not be out of place to talk about the rail budget of Prabhu. The first to comment was Dinesh Trivedi of TMC who said that such a useless budget should not be next time presented which only spoiled the time of the Lok Sabha. A party which has been a party to stalling the proceedings of the Parliament for last nearly two years, talking about the value of the time of the House appears like a joke. Has he not been drawing pay without work for nearly three sessions? Secondly, I remember that after her shifting to West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee passed the mantle of railway minister on Trivedi. The first budget of his career boomeranged on him. When he raised the train fair, the TMC supremo was so angry that his budget proposals were turned down by her, he was divested of his ministerial assighnment and Mukul Roy was brought in. Trivedi, whose budget was discarded by his own party leader, has no face to pass such a discouraging comment against Prabhu.

Today, on general budget, I heard the comments of Laluji, K.C.Tyagi, M. Kharge, Sanjay Nirupam, Yogendra Yadav, Raghav Chadha  and could come to a conclusion that Jaitely is a fool and they are the experts on economic matters. Is really the present FM a duffer in the economic matters? What expertise is Lalu having in this subject. Just to humiliate Modi, he, as the then railway minister had made an uncalled for decision of constituting Bannerjee Commission to enquire into the Godhra incident. The tendentious report was thrown into the dustbin by the SC as already a commission constituted by it was in the job. What action was taken agains Lalu for squandering public money? It is FM’s second budget. Last year also this bunch had made a similar dismal comment. Despite that and also despite the global inflationary trends and droughts in eight states, the economy grew at 7.6% which clearly shows that their comments carry no depth.

Even as a layman, I can say that the thrustline of this budget is common people, kisans, women and children. By going back to villages, Jaitely has given a slap to the leaders who decried the NDA dispensation as a govt. of suit-boot. If the CPM and Congress are so expert in governance, then why they were chased out of their hinterlands? Nearly 30 years of Left rule in Bengal left the state in economic disasters showing that they had either no knowledge of economic development or they just left the public in lurch to line their own pockets. We find only under the TMC rule, things have started coming back on right track. What economic development was experienced by Bihar in 15 years of RJD rule? If possible, Lalu may say that Rabriji was  better than Jaitely in financial matters.

In this backdrop, my view is that in these two opposed streams, the public should not get confused. They should have faith in their govt. and remain assured that even if there was no turnaround, the overall picture will not be worse than the last year. Despite some price rises here and there, the economy is strong, it is in right direction with stewards endowed with honesty and commitment.      

DEAR DAUGHTERS, LISTEN !

                                

As an elderly person, this evening I have decided to leave a lesson/advice for the Bihari women in general and Maithils in particular. It is a fact of life that in perhaps all communities in Bihar including Muslims, the marriage of a daughter, due to high cost involved, has become a lifelong harassment for the beleaguered parents. They are extra alert to get rid of this burden as soon as possible. In case, any couple has more than one daughter, he is destined to remain poverty stricken for his whole life. Not only that, even today in India gender bias, male dominance and treatment of fair sex as second rate citizens, compel the womenfolk to remain at the receiving end all the time.

The scenario being so, even intelligent girls find their academic career disrupted. Often the society would try to convince her that marriage being the main ‘sanskar’ for a lady, she should not skid it as the education could be pursued even after that. This futile logic,though  succeeds to sway her innocent mind but, her God gifted talent is lost in the uneven barren field of family life. In her husbands house, not only he, but every other family member nourishes high expectations of her.By the time she learns to tune herself to the chores of making morning tea for the father-in-law, make up husband’s sister, evening massage of the mother-in-law and cooking, she becomes pregnant and the next three years are sacrificed over the painful  family raising exercises. All these commitments are so demanding that her academic hobbies are lost like a feeble stream in a desert. This deterioration is so much that ultimately she also starts behaving lik thee old illiterate mother-in-law. As a result, intellectually there is no development of the family.

The ladies, who have been caught in this predicament, I wish them to give a chance to my experiment with my two daughters. Despite seeing them involved in ‘grih karaj nana janjala’, I always encouraged them not to lose their literary touch. My two advices, to start with were to regularly read a newspaper and spare some time to read any authentic book of their choice. The Niti says, ‘anbhyasevisham shastram’. So this regular literary touch should at no cost be overlooked. Then they should try to give vent to their creativity and explore their projection in press or electronic media. By the time children gain age, she would be in a position of devoting more time to this mission. It is a fact that not only the mother-in-law and husband, even the son/daughter will try to discourage her. Despite these dissuading forces, she should remain honest to this mission.

The encouraging result of this policy has started accruing to my family. My middle daughter, Anjana a qualified mass communication personnel, started her career in the TV and even today as a PR of Singapore, has been sharpening her penmanship. My youngest daughter, Aparna, a double Post- Graduate, has, of late turned to the social madia. Her poetic acumen has suddenly made her a prolific poetess. In her poetry, you will have a luring touch of Hindi, Urdu and Persian words and phrases. Within a year she has composed over 150 poems which are warranting encouraging comments from scholarly friends. I am glad to know that some publishers have approached her to get a book published. Like her, her eldest sister, Archana is also active in the Poetry Society. It gives me adequate pleasure that they are equally deft in prose as well. Now a days, free of child rearing, they have a lot of time to concentrate on their creativity. When I come across them being praised by reputed men of letters, I felt vindicated.

To all such girls, who were caught in the whirlwind of unwanted marriage and family raising, I honestly request to try this tip. Believe me, it will change your personality and redeem your literaray love. If this could influence any daughter, it would make me personally happy at heart.       

JAWAHARLAL NEHRU UNIVERSITY

                             (Education  and politics  at cross  purposes)

The entry of politics through unionism in universities started sometimes in 1960s. Over the years, since the political parties have started influencing students to their respective ideologies, things have been deteriorating day by day and the real purpose of imparting education appears to have been lost somewhere. The worst example of this syndrome is the premier university viz. JNU.

The JNU was established under a law of Parliament in 1969 as a central university to impart a new system of education and research. The first unit was the Centre of Historical Studies in 1971. The pioneers of this prestigious centre were eminent historians like Bipin Chandra, Romila Thapar, Satish Chandra and S. Gopal. By chance they all happened to be influenced by Leftist ideologies. Today there are ten schools and four other branches in the JNU but its students union, by and far has remained under the control of the students, subscribing to the Communist political thoughts. Other two unions are sponsored by the Congress as well as the RSS. While in the DU, ABVP(RSS) and the Congress supported union are strong, in the JNU it is a ding-dong battle for superiority between the Communist influenced SFI and AISA on the one hand and the ABVP on the other. The present students union in JNU has Kanhaiya Kumar as its president who is under CPI influence.

This politicization of educational institution is at its worst in the JNU. We understand that the leftist parties prepare articulate students and get them admitted in the JNU. They have special briefing that studentship is their façade whereas the real objective is to baptize others as fellow travelers. They are seen often organizing processions, demonstrations and even strikes on any political or petty issues. They purposely  avoid passing in the exams so that they could continue their political activities for years together. The worst part is that they occupy hostel rooms and do not vacate despite pressure. Some of the leftist faculty members encourage them to pursue their ideological brief. Several communist political leaders including Sitaram Yechury and Prakash Karat have been JNU alumni.

In this backdrop, these elements organized a programme on Feb. 9, 2013 in their university to protest against the hanging of Afzal Guru, a year ago, who was involved in the Pak terrorists' firing in the Parliament campus. One who has faith in the Constitution and judiciary, should not do so because after prolonged 13 years of police investigation and judicial process, he had been hanged by the Supreme Court. They raised slogans like: 1) kitne Afzal maaroge, har ghar me Afzal rahata hai. 2) Pakistan jindabad. 3) Kashmir ko azadi do. 4 Bharat ki barbadi tak jung chalega. This programme became viral on social media. Is not it an anti-national activity and disobedience to the court?

Next day, in a TV debate, some spokespersons of opposition political parties including Mr. Tyagi of Congress decried the Centre for not arresting these anti-national students and committed that he would file a case against them. The BJP spokesperson Dr. Patra was afraid that if the Govt. went ahead with this action, the opposition might make a volte face. It happened exactly in the same manner. On Feb. 14, D. Raja (CPI), Sitaram Yechury(CPM), Rahul Gandhi (CONGRESS) and K.C. Tyagi (JDU) visited JNU when Kanhaiya Kumar had been arrested and other named accused had gone underground. They supported the involved students and argued that it was an attack on freedom of speech worse than in Emergency days.  Some of them had called on the Home Minister to register their protest. The H.M. clearly mentioned that while no innocent will suffer, at the same time no mischief monger would be spared.

The incident is bound to have its repercussions as the Delhi police is determined to nab the ones who are evading arrest. It appears to be another instance of picking any stick to beat the NDA Govt. There are clear indications that the opposition which is disturbed at the good performance of the Modi Govt. and is not having any reasonable isuue, is bound to grab the JNU development to create disturbances in the ensuing Budget Session of the Parliament. The people have to watch it closely and come out with their stand as ultimately it is they who will suffer. 

MUSEUM AND ARCHAEOLOGY

                                                  MUSEUM AND  ARCHAEOLOGY
                                                                    - Bageshwar  Jha

The All India Museums Annual Conference of the Museums Association of India was held in Kanchi Hotel, Egmore, Chennai on Jan.30 – Feb1, 2016, hosted by the Advance Research in Conservation, Heritage, Excavation, Museum and Inscriptions Society of Tamilnadu (ARCHEMIST) with Dr. Justice A.K.Rajan Former Judge, Madras High Court as the Chief Guest, Dr. K.N. Dixit, Jt. D.G. (R) as Guest of Honour and Dr. R. Naga swamy, Former Director, State Department of Archaeology, Tamilnadu who delivered keynote address. On this occasion Dr. T.S. Sridhar, a former bureaucrat and President, ARCHEMIST, Dr. P.K. Sharma and Dr. Anand Burdhan, President and Secy.respectively of the MAI, Dr. R. Thiyagarajan, HOD (Sanskrit, Presidency College Chennai, Dr. Lourduswamy, Superintending Archaeologist,ASI, Chennai and Dr. Vinod Daniel, Chairman, AusHeritage, Chennai were also present. About 70 delegates confabulated for two days on the stipulated theme: "Role of Archaeology in the development of Museum Movement in India"
At the outset Dr. Sridhar welcomed the delegates and wished that his ARCHEMIST, established in 2013, will look forward to a better cooperation with the MAI in locating, conserving and displaying our heritage items. After that Dr. Sharma and Dr. Burdhan apprised the audience of the activities of their Association in last one year. They revealed that only 32 members launched the MAI in 1943 which has gone upto over 700. Since then, by and large they have been able to hold the annual conferences and  publish the journal regularly.
Dr. Justice A.K. Rajan, while inaugurating the conference recalled his long association with the Govt. Museum, Chennai since he was just a minor. He claimed to have seen several globally famous museums in other countries. He felt that a museum, besides its artefacts treasure, should have an attractive facade to draw the visitors and lamaented that the Govt. Museum, Channai has yet to cover a long distance in this respect. He claimed that Tamil, since 200 BC, after Sanskrit is the oldest Indian language and the museum should project this intangible heritage as well. Dr. K.N. Dixit, and Dr. Vinod Daniel also spoke on the same lines and emphasised the need of Indian museums having global outreach. Dr. Daniel argued that if the onion price rise could topple a govt.why there should not be the same commitment expressed when there is loss to a museum, whether natural or man-made.
There were two other important functions in this inaugural session. Like in the past, the MAI gave Life-Time Achievement Award to Dr. K.N.Dixit (above) and Dr. P. Iamperumal, Director, Tamilnadu Science and Technology Centre. The dignitaries on the dias also released the Journal of Indian Museums, 2015.
In the post-lunch period, there were two technical sessions. The first was presided over by Dr K.N. Dixit in which there were six presenters including Dr. Vinod Daniel (Trends in Museums: A Global Perspectie", Dr. Ambika Patel, Sayaji Maharaja University, Baroda (Archaeology in the making of Museums ... Perspective from Indian context), Ms. Saswati Choudhary, Archaeologal Depatt., New Delhi (Archaeology denotes authentic museum building), Dr. Indrani Bhattacharya, HOD, Museology Depatt, Calcutta University, Kolkata and Mrs. T.M.T. Pushpa of Govt Museum, Salem (Contribution of Archaeological Objects in the development of museums with reference to Salem Museum).
In the second session, with Dr, Supreo Chanda of Kolkata in the Chair, there were only two speakers, namely Prof. R. V. Ramana of Baroda and Ms. Falguni Pal a research fellow of Calcutta University. They all discussed points connected with their own museums. In the evening there was a colourful cultural programme in which Bharatnatyam, Kathak and Kuchipuri dance items were presented including one by a Chinese artist.
On the second day, Jan.31, the forenoon technical session was presided over by Bageshwar Jha, Curator, Sulabh International Museum of Toilets, New Delhi in which seven delegates including Dr. Anamika Kundu Saha of 24 Parganas, W.B. presented their papers. The afternoon session was chaired by Dr. Indrani Bhattacharya in which there wre as many as nine papers. After that, two representatives of the Pest Control of India (PCI) gave a special presentation on how to save artefacts from turmites and other harmful pests.
On the conclusion of the academic sessions, the MAI office bearers conducted the annual General Boidy meeting mainly because the biennial election was due. The Life Member delegates , as per rules, dropped four office bearers who were absent and elected their replacements. The GB, in view of the good work done by the present Exe. Com., decided to retain the present ones including me for another term of two years. For the Journal Dr Supreo Chanda of Kolkata was elected the Editor.
On Feb. 1,2016 the delegates were taken on a sight seeing tour to Dakshinchitra and Mahabalipuram, which was a pleasant experience for them. On return to the hotel, they gathered in the lobby and celebrated the 75th birthday of Bageshwar Jha which wa adjudged as s a nice gesture of the organisers.