How Shallow and Perverted: Neo-liberal crusaders and their #KissOfLove protest

How Shallow and Perverted: Neo-liberal crusaders and their #KissOfLove protest

This whole ‪#‎KissOfLove matter is overblown and misunderstood by these young neo-liberals and conveniently supported by leftist liberals.

Undisputed Fact: No one is objecting to an affectionate peck on cheeks or lips. Its natural and beautiful. (I didnt wish to describe it - but affectionate peck happens at spur of moment and is only momentary, maybe a second or two.)

Real Matter: The protesters at Tamil Nadu and JNU Campus in Delhi used this opportunity to indulge in long smooches / french-kissing & practically dry humping in public.

So the real question is are these young neo-liberals really ever going to continue long smooches / kisses lasting minutes at public places - roads, malls, parks, colleges, et al or did they just take another opportunity to attack the so called 'Hindutva Forces'.

The protest by some organisations which included many civil society members  - the ordinary people / citizens - (having nothing to do with the known 'hindutva forces') also protested against the protest titled #KissOfLove which involved prolonged smooches / long french kisses in public places making many parents / dads walking with their teen daughters, mothers uncomfortable.

Again, I reiterate, no one is objecting to an affectionate peck on cheeks or lips.

Question is long kisses of sexual nature, bringing discomfort in general to the passerby's - should that be allowed? Even bigger question, beyond this protest episode, are these young liberal crusaders going to continue to indulge in such acts if they believe this is now the new normal?

I also hear some comments on social media comparing current protest against the #KissOfLove episode with the AMU Library decision and Fatwa against Bikinis. The comments have an undertone bracketing current protest with regressive mindset of a section of Islamic community.

Briefly, Aligarh Muslim University banned girls from entering library justifying decision by reasoning - girls distract boys. The Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Delhi has allegedly in past issued a religious fatwa against wearing bikini in India.

Now the protest against long smooching / kissing in sexual manner in public is quite different from regressive mindset of a section of religious community.

How are issues relating to civic behaviour / public decency even comparable with medieval / stone-age mindset of a section of Islamic community?

I am against any kind of beyond law censorship or social policing. I believe these young neo-liberals have missed the point.

Let me point out an issue and throw up a challenge to these young neo-liberals. There is a burning issue of lack of public sanitation infrastructure in India and in particular all metro cities which are populated beyond their capacity. The view of downtrodden defecating naked on road sides is a sight which triggers feeling of disgust / pity. It is remotely not sexual activity in public. That is a public issue which requires both public sanitation infrastructure and sanitary awareness campaigns in such areas both by government and civil society. Surprisingly, the participants to the #KissOfLove protest and their likes are absent through the awareness programs for such matters and neither there is similar public protest by these liberals against govt. for increasing sanitation facilities in city. I would encourage these young liberals to protest against lack of sanitation infrastructure by defecating outside govt. offices. We all know they are never going to take up this challenge.

Having said that, I have already stated that there is anyhow no objection from any quarter of society wrt affectionate hugs and kisses. Growing up in safe and liberal city of Mumbai, I am sure atleast my friends from this city will understand that when two friends or lovers meet, a hug or kiss whether on cheek or lips is only quite affectionate and not of sexual nature.

The matter of debate is whether long smooches of sexual nature and practically dry humping in public places should be accepted as 'new normal'.

PDA - Public Display of Affection vs PDS - Public Display of Sexual activities. Where's the line or should there be one?

On lighter note: the only entity to my mind which benefited from this #KissOfLove matter is Parle Products Limited which has immediately pulled out its 'Kissme' toffee advt.

How Can You Contribute to Nation Building - Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna

How Can You Contribute to Nation Building - Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna

I have decided to help people associated in my life to open bank accounts under 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna'. 

I tried and it does not take much time. You don't need to register with anyone to help. Its just free guidance and may be a visit or two at the bank which is next to your apartment or lane.

All you need is to visit this link [http://jandhanyojana.net/what-is-jan-dhan-yojana/] and understand the scheme. Its few easy to understand sentences - five paragraphs. Thats all the scheme is about. Not at all complicated.

Then ask people you want to help bring any of the documents mentioned in this link [http://jandhanyojana.net/id-proof-opening-jan-dhan-yojana-bank-account/]. A gist is reproduced below:

• A voter identity card issued by the election commission of India
• Personal Account Number or PAN Card
• Ration card with any photo proof
• Aadhar Card
• Valid ID proof from any government organisation
• A letter from Sarpanch of the village with a valid photograph
• A job card issued by NREGA and signed by state official
• Apart from this RBI has also issued a release stating that if the account holder fails to provide any of the documentation, he/she can still open a bank account with self-attested photograph, attested in presence of bank official. This will be a special small account with limited features including limits on withdrawals.

Just collate the required identity and address proofs from maids/servants/watchman/milk & paper delivery boys, et al. Fix a time and go along with them on Saturday to any nearest nationalised bank. The bank officers will verify the documents, take signature or thumb impression on the form. In most cases bank officials are quite helpful to filling the forms on behalf of these new customers. Kindly check with the banker on RuPay Card and Insurance sign-offs.

Its that simple.

These people who have got their bank accounts opened for first time in their lives, are so happy to have a bank account with debit card and accident cover of Rs 100000 and life cover of Rs 30000. Full list of benefits of the bank account under the scheme is here [http://jandhanyojana.net/jan-dhan-yojana-benefits/]. They have contacted their families in UP and Andhra to go to the nearest banks and open bank account under the scheme. For the first time they say they are feeling proud to be part of city of Mumbai. For long they have remained victims of institutional-financial untouchability. Not anymore. Such joy on their faces. 

Additionally it would be really helpful if one volunteers to take full responsibility to handhold them for next 6 months in teaching them how to fill pay-in slips, write a cheque, use withdrawal slips at banks, use RuPay debit cards - not just by talks, visit with them at Banks, ATM and local kirana shops making card payment. They are eager to learn, very curious and a quick study. 

Trust me these people have been managing their families, making their children study, battling inflation and still trying to save - all remaining in the low-income-group. We may end-up learning a thing or two from them on how to manage finances in such struggle-situations and still remain happy.

You could also help empower people and facilitate their financial integration.

Its patriotic and noble to help our fellow citizens.

------------

Prime Minister's email to all bank officers: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=109051

How Jan Dhan Yojna is being implemented?: http://jandhanyojana.net/how-jan-dhan-yojana-is-being-implemented/

How to open a bank account under PMJDY?: http://jandhanyojana.net/how-to-open-a-bank-account-under-pmjdy/

List of Public Sector (Government Banks) and Private Sector Banks participating in the PMJDY scheme: http://jandhanyojana.net/banks/

What is RuPay Card and its benefits: http://jandhanyojana.net/what-is-rupay-card/

Highlights of the PMJDY scheme: http://jandhanyojana.net/highlights-of-the-jan-dhan-yojana-pmjdy/

My Journey..

I distinctly remember attending first political rally when I was just 9 years old.. Rajiv Gandhi had come near my residence in Ghatkopar East in 1990.. We kids played in building compound and used to mindlessly chant the then most popular slogan "gali gali me shor hai, Rajiv Gandhi chor hai".. Never knew what it meant politically, but kids used to chant and laugh a lot.. So when I came to know the same shor-chor Rajiv Gandhi was to come, I forced my dad to take me to the evening event.. Seeing every thing on stage in white, all political leaders in white, I thought I had come to a prayer meeting on someones' death..

Then came the Ayodhya Movement.. The Ram Janmabhumi got librated after almost 400 years.. I got engrossed with DD News back then.. It was the only news channel.. And used to see photographs in Gujarati News Paper we used to get.. I got introduced to BJP as a political party through that event..

In my 5th standard class at DJ Doshi Gurukul School, my class teacher Mrs. Purohit gave us an exercise.. To write and read out in class 5 headlines from any english news paper.. In few days I realised most bought Times of India and read headlines from first page.. I started going through the inside pages.. Trying to be different.. I used to note down more than 20 headlines to avoid being not repeated in class.. I tried different news papers.. The bug of curiosity had already bitten me hard..

My curiosity knew no bounds when I heard that a BJP rally is going to happen in lane next to my home.. My family was scared to let me go.. Too many people.. Strangers.. But I escaped and attended..

It was Lal Krishna Advani.. Oh that moment.. I have no doubt till date and will never have one.. He was the Iron Man of India.. The Sardar after Sardar Patel.. Such clarity of thought.. Such straight forward approach.. Speech touching directly your heart and mind.. You just can't forget his presence ever.. Those were my early teen days..

Then came Atal Bihari Vajpayee.. My teenage progressed I was liberated of my uniform.. College days those were.. And Atalji shaped my patriotism.. Nuclear tests, Kargil and his piercing influencing speeches at public rallies and in parliament..

My 80s Mumbai city generation never discussed politics in college campus.. And there I was.. Least interested in Cricket and Films.. No girlfriends.. No flirting.. Full of political details and trivia..

There was no looking back.. Lal Krishna Advani, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Murli Manohar Joshi, Khushabhau Thakre, Madan Lal Khurana, Pramod Mahajan, Venkhiya Naidu, Rajnath Singh, Rajju Bhaiyya, K S Sudarshan, Mohan Bhagwat, Uma Bharti, Sushma Swaraj, Bhairav Singh Sekhawat, Jashwant Singh, Arun Shouri, George Fernandes, Ram Naik, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, K Kasturirangan R Chidambaram... and so many more.. All strong nationalist highly patriotic India-supremacist leaders.. I had privilege to hear them live..

It is said you are sum total of your experiences.. I thank BJP today to have played a very important role in shaping my life and helping me in part to discover myself.. 

Best of all - Narendra Modi happened in my life.. BJP and Narendra Modi gave me friends in last 2 years.. Highly patriotic people who can go to any extent for nation.. India is always FIRST.. I feel obliged to thank and express my gratitude..

I have no idea why I am sharing this.. It was a very emotional day today for me.. Seeing Lal Krishna Advani and Narendra Modi today at Central Hall of Parliament.. Have never cried in my life.. But today I was emotional..

Sabudana or Sago is Vegetarian

There is a post running on since last couple of months making wild claim that Sabudana or Saboodana or Sago is non-vegetarian.

This is what is claimed:
 
"SABUDANA
VEG / NON-VEG ??
Answer in comments
MUST READ IT FIRST
PROCESS OF MAKING YOUR FAVORITE sabudana
Saboodana (साबूदाना )is popular food eaten during fasting and religious events ... Well, read the attached story and then decide yourself!!
Is Saboodana A Non-Vegetarian Or Vegetarian Food ?
Think about it..............
In Tamil Nadu, India,in Salem area on the road from Salem to Coimbatore there are many saboodana factories.
We start getting terribly bad smell when we were about 2 kms away from the factories.
Saboodana is made by root like sweet potato. Kerala has this root each weighing about 6kgs. Factory owners buy these roots in bulk during season, make it to pulp and put it in pits of about 40ft x 25ft.
Pits are in open ground and the pulp is allowed to rot for several months. Thousands of tons of roots rot in pits.
There are huge electricbulbs throughout the night where millions of insects fall in the pits.
While pulp is rotting, water is added everyday due to which 2" long white color eel is automatically born
like pests are born automatically in gutter. The walls of pits are covered
by millions ofeels and factory owners with the help of machine crush the pulp with the eels which also become paste.
This action is repeated many times during 5-6 months.
The pulp is thus ready as roots and millions & millions of pests and insects crushed and pasted together. This paste is then passed through round mesh and made into small balls and then polished. This is saboodana.
Now I know why many people don't eat Saboodana treating this asnon-vegetarian. If you find it appropriate and if you think after reading this one cannot relish Saboodana, pass on to those whom you want to save from this tasty food.
spread it to max u can....."

The above message has been circulating since last couple of months and being widely shared instantly without verifying facts.

First things first..This is beyond ridiculous and utterly idiotic report. In the manner described, sabudana or sago can never be made, scientifically it will automatically get decomposed. IT IS SCIENTIFICALLY IMPOSSIBLE to make sabudana in manner described. No one on this planet can make it that way. Its total bullshit. One may have his/her personal or religious preference, but the original author of this nonsense writeup / rumour on sabudana reflects disgust and how ill-informed the person is about the manufacture process.

This is how it is made:
Saboodana is made from raw tapioca roots (commonly known as shakkarkand), an underground potato like variety. These tapioca roots (shakkarkand) are crushed in a tank and its milk/juice is extracted and stored for few days which changes its nature and turns into light paste... It is then poured into machine or hand sheets or big steel sheets with holes to produce white granules from the paste. Thus the white granules or small white balls are formed, which are dried and these dried granules/balls are called as saboodana.

The actual manufacturing process video - start to end:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM0G6b0I7TI

Ofcourse, the video is dated. The manufacturing of saboodana, which has a very large market in India, has advanced technologically reducing human intervention by mechanising and increasing production. 

Such false claim could be a prank on people who follow vegetarianism or a sinister design to disrupt the regional-geographical industry. All speculation it is though.

But what is certain is that such idiotic claims remain unverified and instantly shared. 
 

Need to replace existing multi-point tax system with simplified single-point tax system

Much has been said, debated and discussed about the idea of replacing existing tax regime of multiple tax points – Income Tax, Wealth Tax, Excise Tax, Sales Tax – VAT, Octori, Local Body Tax, etc with just one tax point system of Goods and Services Tax or Banking Transaction Tax.

I believe at 67, the country has matured to initiate a debate on how effective the existing taxation system has been and do a cost-benefit analysis.

To clarify, a Pune-based think-tank –Aarthkranti - has made a detailed presentation on their proposal of introducing Banking Transaction Tax. Among many suggestions, they propose banning currency notes over Rs. 50, curtail legal protection for cash transactions of over Rs. 2000, tax each receipt in bank account at rate of 2% as Banking Transaction Tax. It is their belief that such tax regime would curtail corruption, reduce tax collection cost and boost revenues.

Unfortunately, the media in all its fairness, started badgering their favourite punch-bag – BJP – for even thinking of considering this proposal (skipping the fact that this is being considered along with many other tax structure models – whether media skipped by oversight or design; I leave it to their wisdom and truthfulness). Editorial in ‘Business Standard’ ‘declared’ it ‘BJPs strange brainwave’, ‘poorly thought out’ and ‘radical plan’! So much for just receiving the proposal from citizens of this country and considering it without any bias! [http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/bjp-s-strange-brainwave-114010901238_1.html]

To my knowledge, replacing multiple-tax system with simplified version of either one indirect tax called GST or via Banking Transactions has been in public discussion since last eleven years (or may be more). A few years back one of the leading Mumbai based CA firm published it in its annual Finance Budget Analysis a similar suggestion. These proposals have been under consideration of many political parties and citizen think-tanks alike.

Rate of tax, currency denomination in circulation, basic exemption limit for cash transactions, exemption to banking transactions like loans, fixed deposits, demand-drafts, NPA-Stressed-Assets resolutions, etc can be simplified / details-modalities worked out and all such details / suggestions are still subject to feedback from citizens. It has been parliamentary tradition to put new legislations of larger public interest and implication in public domain in advance for feedback from citizens – recent two examples being citizen feedback for Lokpal Bill and Direct Tax Code.

I do not find anything wrong in remaining open to out-of-box suggestions. Point is government need not rush through every idea popped-up like it did in case of Aadhar project - a massive failure with high security risk and expense burden of over Rs. 1 lac crore, yet covering less than half of our population, banking linkages still not fully established and prone to money leaks.

The present Income Tax has outlived its utility. The cost incurred under the Income Tax system - direct cost: staff employed by Income Tax department, support infrastructure, judicial forums, legal teams, loss of interest on account of litigation delays (my dear friend has suggested RTI to get precise cost figure incurred at government end which we would certainly pursue, though I am sceptical whether accurate data would be shared in time detailing all the costs discussed here) and indirect cost: at the end of tax payers like professional CA & lawyer costs, litigation costs, loss of interest on account of refund and litigations, etc far outweigh the benefit of total direct tax collected. Of approximately 17 crore people who are above poverty line, there are only approximately 3 crore assessee's. Of these 3 crore, the active assessee's are still lesser who regularly file their return of income. This small group of tax payers cannot rationally be made to bear burden of entire 120 crore population needs. Certainly, there is a need for tax regime but the present system is greatly flawed.

On Indirect Tax front - Excise and Service Tax - the staff employed is disproportionately lower. The number of business - both under organised and unorganised sector spread across the nation - are far more than the department can handle. Besides, there are constant technological advancements and changes in business models. The indirect taxes departments have just not been able to keep up with the business needs or understanding of the same. This has resulted in massive losses on indirect tax front – both in terms of loss of revenue and revenue tied up in litigations. The recent service tax amnesty scheme is the case in point. The rate at which new services where bought under service tax net, the department just could not keep up with the pace, as it grossly lacked infrastructure and failed to understand how service industry operates. I doubt that no substantial recover could have been made inspite of this amnesty scheme.

In such situations, few honest who pay taxes in time and in-full are put to unreasonable cash-flow disadvantage vis-a-vis the routine defaulters - mostly due to lack of departmental vigilance and capabilities. Thus, again on indirect tax front too, it demands a cost-benefit analysis for continuing with existing model.

In the end, if cost of collection for the nation (both at government and tax-payers end) exceed the benefits or net benefit is only marginal, then it can only mean additional tax burden on existing small group of tax payers..!!

More ideas are welcomed. Critical analyses with alternate solutions are welcomed too.