The Stupid Bandh

The Bandh called by a political Party on the pretex of land transfer was one of the routine things that we people have been seeing for quite some time. Bandhs, Hartals, Strikes, Protests, and Rail Rokos have become Public menace. People who Practise politics know that holding the society at ransom gets the wide media attention that can fulfill their need of publicity. These bandhs are by and large successful only in those states that the government of that particular party which has called the bandh.. This has re-defined politics in India. With a particular Political Party that comes to power, come some well practiced protest methods. For example the so called moral police have time and again burnt effigies, gift articles, only on particular occasions, only in particular states where "their" government is in power. No wonder its "their" government and not that of the masses who elceted to power with hopes of a better future. :)

Well, this Bandh called Yesterday, was the first one in the state after elections. By and Large the State's response to it was absolute. As usual mobs showed their ugly face pelting stones at shops, burning tyres and the odds. The police as usual was swift in action.

Being Amoshya, the day of cleaniness, people made the best out of it. Cleaning homes, washing vehicles, which were preety dirty due to the rainy season and thanks to the pathetic roads, and also it turned out to be a perfect holiday. The Asia Cup match between India and Sri Lanka was also there.

I had my own way of protesting. Our office was open for the whole day, we worked as usual, and there was absolute no effect of the Bandh on our work. Next time there is a bandh i suggest that we leave for Goa on a day's picnic. With family, peace, away from work, no emails, no calls, no sms, on the beach, over the waves, watching beauties, and ofcourse spending quality time with the family yar.............

The only sufferer is the daily wages worker who lost his day's earning, the student who had his exam, the person who waited on a train that stood still for hours going nowhere.

My Adventure with RTI

The RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT has done wonders for countless Indians. After Independence, the country became a slave to corruption. It took more than 50years for the Government to gift its citizens a weapon to fight against the enemy within.

However, i had a very unusual experience with RTI. I was anxiously waiting to receive "Chartered Secretary", the monthly journal published by ICSI. It had been more than a fortnight since its usual time of me receiving it. One fine morning as i had some work near the post office, i casually went in to enquire. The person on the front desk was doing his usual work of entering some data into the system. I asked him, "Sir, can i have the RTI form?", he was surprised to hear me ask something strange. He, with the usual "do not care" attitude, that most of the government officials carry asked me a very funny counter question "what is RTI?..........." By this time a well educated gentleman, of around 35 years who had come to buy some stamps started listening our conversation. This might be because he knew what RTI means and must have been curious to know, "what on earth does a 21years old have to do with RTI???"

However, the clerk asked, his superior , the Head Postmaster almost yelling, "sir this do we stock RTI forms?" The Head Postmaster was equally alarmed just like the young gentleman. he replied very politely, "well be don't have them for the time being, but if you have any query you can submit it in writing on a white sheet, pay the required fee of Rs 10/- and your matter will be sorted out". I clarified to him that all i wanted, was to purchase the form and have a look at it. Since this Act had done wonders all over the country, i was curious to at least have a form, let aside using my new Fundamental Right, RIGHT TO INFORMATION.

Then next i asked him about my journal. I also told him that it has been delivered to other parts of city very long back and its about time since i should have received it. This made him sweat more. He asked me by which mode was it posted, was it a register post or a speed post? The journal was sent through ordinary post. He was more than happy to reply that no records are maintained by mails sent by ordinary post and will enquire it with the post master in charge of the area, who was on a three day leave. Just before i was leaving the premises he asked my full name.

In the afternoon while i was in the office, the area post master came to my house, rang the bell, hand delivered the journal (which is very uncommon) to my father and said that the delay was because of he being on leave.............

This was a very funny as well as very serious incident. The RTI Act has set a terror amongst the Government Officials to "Perform or Perish". Just the day before this incident i watched on NDTV, use and abuse of RTI. An officer of the Revenue Dept, Madhya Pradesh was fined Rs 25,000/- for not giving information, on the other hand 14 people who had used this act in Bihar Police to know the latest developments of pending cases relating to murder, robbery, etc. were fabricated in false cases............... their fault the used RTI.

In my case just by uttering "RTI", my work was done..............

No wonder RTI has amassed every one.

Take my advice use this RIGHT it creates miracles.>>>>>>>>>> the fixed time to give information is 30 days, if this does not happen then consider the person responsible, just signed his suicide note.

for more info

http://persmin.nic.in/RTI/WelcomeRTI.htm

My First Blog - Dedicated to Field Marshal Sam Bahadur

After finishing my Bcom Exams and before joining Law College, i have ample of time to spare. This being the first vacation between two semsters in 3years, the last summer vacation that i enjoyed was after my 12th Board exams. But unlike the earlier vacations, i have rejoined office and studying for the december session of CS examination.

This week has been a very boring one and today morning i was shocked to learn that Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw is no more. He is a true soldier, a war hero, a legend and an inspiration for millions of Indians. A "Soldier's General" and a perfect gentleman. I salute him for his selfless service towards the Nation. As the saying go, "wars come and go but soldiers are etarnal" he will also remain in my heart forever.