UPSC Civil Services Mains 2018-19 Interview Transcript

Board: M Sathiyavathy Madam (IAS AGMUT 1982; Member since April’18; referred as CW below)

Date of interview: 15.02.2019 (Forenoon Session)

Background:                                                                                                                     

-       PMRDF (2014-17)

-       ACC Limited (2013-14)

-       Educational Qual: Masters in Development Practice, TISS Mumbai; B. Tech Mining Engineering, IIT ISM Dhanbad

-       4^th attempt- 2 mains 1* interview; Optional= Psychology

-       Hobbies- Mindfulness Exercises, Blogging, Public Speaking and Volunteering

-       Native Bihar

CW: While reading aloud my DAF says, I (me) come from Purnea, Bihar. Stops and asks Isn’t Purnea in Bengal?

I said no madam its in the eastern part of Bihar. Then she asks does it border Bengal. I reply in affirmative.

She completed reading aloud my DAF in a minute and asked following in the middle:

CW: What is PMRDF, is it still running, how is it different from aspirational district fellowship.

Me: Spoke few lines on this as felt that CW was interested in knowing about it (Seeing the salary, she asked who appointed it. Answered it in a line.)

CW: What is this Mindfulness exercise (my interest)?

Me: I defined it and added what I do under it.

CW: What was your contribution in PMRDF for three years at Sitamarhi?

Me: I mentioned my contribution in implementation of some government schemes

a. Swachh Bharat Mission- I spoke around 40secs on my contribution and Sitamarhi’s unique aspects in the campaign against open defecation.

She intervened and asked how many toilets did I make?

Me: district adm+community institutions constructed 1.2 lakh toilets app.

CW: Utilisation status(percentage)?

Me- 85% (I said so despite Sitamarhi being Bihar’s 1^st ODF district of Bihar as I felt that she wanted to listen from me the true ground realities and not facts and figures which she might be very aware of how they are compiled)

CW: Is water available in the toilets?

Me- Yes (district admin focus on mandatory water availability in toilet designs through water chambers made along with toilet superstructure)

CW: Isn’t 85% an exaggerated number?

Me- This figure of 85% is based on the district verification team and feedback from community leaders like mukhiya/sarpanch.

But in a field visit, I found a hamlet of 80 HHs where no family was using toilet. When I enquired, people said, “Sir kuch log aaye the and bana diye humse bina puche” (Few people came and built toilets for me without any consultation and talks). Discussion with them resulted in people coming with “Low cost no cost toilet model” which can be made without bricks, cement etc. and only materials like tar container are used. Later when I visited this hamlet after 2-3 months, I found people using toilets. So, as per me, water availability and community participation in toilet model and planning are crucial in toilet utilization (I spoke this as I had felt from Madam’s Q1 that she had a clear idea of the ground issues and manipulation of data)

CW: Ok now lets come to the second scheme

Me- Yes madam, it was Jeevika (Bihar State Rural Livelihood Mission). I described in few lines and a story about the role and importance of Jeevika SHG didis in the GPs.

CW intervened to ask, “What was your contribution in this”?

Me: My contribution was:

a.    Coordinating with banks to get SHG bank account linked; DM, DPM Jeevika and me working on this front

b.    Livelihood of didis- Lehthi is a local bangle made in Sitamarhi-Muzaffarpur area. I tried to help the interested members in working on this aspect.

M1: Ok so you have been a Finance Minister, Model Youth Parliament. Tell me what is the present problem between FM and RBI. Don’t you feel its very bad which led to resignation of Governor of RBI? What is your opinion?

Me: Both FM and RBI are important institutions for Indian economy. RBI-FM problem is on few aspects like

a.    Reserves (Economic capital framework) transfer from RBI to government

b.    NBFC liquidity

c.     PCA framework

I mentioned the perspectives of both in a line on above aspects and summed up by saying that I feel that both of them need to collaborate for economy to grow in the long run.

M1: Ok. Tell me Basel3 is to be implemented in Indian banks but it requires great amounts of capital that I feel we don’t have. So, don’t you feel RBI did right by not transferring money to government? Would we be able to achieve Basel3?

Me: Yes madam, it’s a tough challenge for FM and RBI to capitalize indian banks as per basel3 norms. But RBI is already doing good in this aspect by keeping CAR norms at 9% despite Basel 3 demanding 8% only. So we are moving in right direction and in coming  years, FM and RBI will be able to capitalize the banks as per Basel 3 norms

M2: You left the fellowship to prepare for UPSC. Don’t you feel that it would have created a void in the district?

Me: Sorry Sir. But it was unfortunate on my front to leave the fellowship as it got over after 3 years. So I started preparation for UPSC.

M2: OK then let me rephrase my question. Don’t you feel there lies some inbuilt mechanism through which works are executed at the grassroots? How do you see your leaving the fellowship then in Sitamarhi?

Me: Yes Sir, there is an inbuilt mechanism like PRI i.e. mukhiya/ sarpanch who implement the schemes at grassroots with the district admin. Professional support through young fellows like PMRDF, Aspirational district, Swachh Bharat Prerak etc. has been also important in this regard. As far as Sitamarhi is concerned, Sir I have to go back and see its status.

M2- Have you heard about line departments?

Me- Yes Sir, there are diff line departments at district like PHED, DRDA, Education (SSA, RMSA), Health etc.

M2: Yes departments like agriculture and animal husbandry etc. So tell me have you heard about “Mera gaon, Mera Gaurav” scheme?

Me: Yes Sir, Its an scheme under which agricultural scientists adopt the farms of the farmers and help them in modern agricultural practices. I worked on this aspect not under this scheme during PMRDF when I approached Agricultural university of Samastipur and KVKs of Sitamarhi to bring them closer to farmers on Organic farming and gobar gas.

M2: How can this scheme be helpful in solving the issues of rural areas?

Me: Farm extension services, awareness of farmers etc. I found marginal farmers have 1-2 cattle which can be useful for increasing their incomes. Cow dung is considered generally as waste but it is wealth through organic farming and gobar gas. The outputs of it include cooking fuel, electricity. M2 intervened by asking there is something else also as a product. I said yes sir, it is manure which can be used in the fields. Thus, in such a manner, rural issues from low awareness to farm extension, cleanliness etc can be solved through this scheme.

M2: Have you heard about vermi-composting?

Me- Yes Sir, it is a type of composting in which earthworms eat and digest cow dung in 40-45 days to yield manure for the farms.

M2: Nitin Gadkari, Min for Road transport always focuses about cement roads construction. What is your take on cement roads v/s tar roads?

Me- Yes Sir, Cement roads are better than tar roads in few aspects like

a.    Durability- In flood prone areas where water stays on roads, cement roads are found to be more durable than tar roads.

b.    Aesthetic appeal- In Sitamarhi, I can remember people saying that “Humlogo ko ujli sadak chahiye kaali wali nahi” (we need white/grey roads and not black ones) {I wasn’t getting something else then so spoke this which people used to say in villages)

M2- Negatives of cement roads?

Me: Sorry sir I can’t recall.

M2: But you are from cement sector (because I had worked for 10 months in ACC cements, so he was asking me this)

Me: Sorry sir, I can’t recall. I would go back and read about it.

M2: something wear tear, can you recall?
Me- I reiterated the above…go back and read….

M2- Okay. No problem.

M3: You were coordinator of NGO named FFI. Tell us something about it.

Me: Fast Forward India was an NGO run in college by IIT ISM Dhanbad students. It comprised of 4 projects…… described them in brief.

M3: You said that you were working in Naxal district Sitamarhi. What do you feel is the solution to Naxalism?

Me: Sir the solution in my view lies in bridging the development and governance deficit in such areas. In Sitamarhi, after the district admin reached out to such areas and communities where LWE was prevalent, today it is no more a Naxal district. Other programmes like Sarkar apke dwaar of Bihar have been helpful in this regard. Other aspects like security through community policing may be needed.

M4: What is PMJDY and its performance in Bihar?

Me: PMJanDhanY is a financial inclusion scheme starting from opening of a bank a/c to Aadhar seeding to insurance schemes to Ru-Pay card. It is now being used also for availing the subsidy and govt schemes like Ujjawala, pension etc. As far as my knowledge on its performance in Bihar is concerned,  it has been good in southern bihar districts but not that good in north and west bihar districts (I had no data to answer this question and so gave this one liner which was not made a base to ask any counter question)

M4: Tell us some schemes related to women?

Me: In recent times, women have been kept in the centre of the beneficiaries of government schemes like Ujjwala where LPG gas is allotted in the name of women as the head of the HH. Other schemes related to women include ICDS (nutrition), Ujjawala (rehabilitation of victims of violence), Nirbhaya fund (safety, protection and empowerment), RMNCH (maternal health) etc.

M4: If you become FM of India, how would you do budgeting among different departments?

Me: As a FM my focus would be on some departments like-

a.    Education and Skill development- I would allot 6-7% of GDP on thsis sector as India is at a cusp of demographic dividend.

b.    Health- allot 5-6% GDP as the world is ageing and we are growing

c.     Women and elderly- Population increasing of elderly and will be almost 10% of country in coming decades. So we need to work on them from now only.

d.    Agriculture and allied activities- As about 50% workforce is still in agriculture, it is important to work on modernization of agriculture like horticulture etc.

M4: What about youth and agriculture?

Me: Yes Sir, youth and agriculture can be seen together as government has a scheme called ARYA under which it aims to attract and retain youth in agriculture. This will be helpful in creating agri entrepreneurship and startups. Youth alone needs to be focused through initiatives like Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan. I found them not to be very much functional in Sitamarhi, so they can be rejuvenated.

M4: How can happiness be a part of budgetary process and planning?

Me: Sir as per me, happiness comes to a person or community in this aspect when s/he is made a part of the budgetary or planning process. Under IPPE of MGNREGS, I found that people in Sitamrhi really felt happy and empowered when their views were considered in labour budget creation.

M4: Is there any country where happiness is a part of such budgetary process?

Me: Sir, Bhutan has Gross national happiness which includes happiness in national budgetary accounts. (He seemed not so happy and I felt he may be expecting some other country name). So I added that Scandinavian countries like Finland, Denmark, Norway also consider happiness in their budgetary process. (He seemed to be more satisfied and said Okay. Good.

CW: OK. Thank You. Your interview is over. I also said Thank You and left the interview.

Felt fine after I came out of the room. But also had this feeling that I wasn’t asked about so many things like GS, Psycho, state specific que etc. Now lets wait and watch for the result and marks. All the best to all.

Government role in regulating the regulators- Interference or Improvement

To regulate different sectors, we have different regulators like RBI (Reserve Bank of India) for banking. Though it is crucial to have some regulators having a bird eye view over the social, economic and political domains, what is more important that they are not manned by wrong men (women) under weak laws. These institutions are able to serve their charter in letter and spirit only if they remain independent and autonomous. Beginning from appointment to removal, the regulators are invariably dependent upon the government of the day. This calls for a look on the government’s role in regulating these super-regulators.  

Without delving deeper into into following questions, this blog tries to unravel few regulators across dimensions- economic, social, political.  

a. Why do we need regulators? 

Safeguard interests of markets, customers (citizens) and nation

b. Who appoints them, how (process) and degree of independence in their functioning and day to day affairs? 

It is crucial that the regulators are appointed by the government in the spirit of its meaningful establishment. The laws (charters) governing them need to be updated accordingly so that institutional inertia doesn’t cause emergence of issues in fast changing times. CBI (Central bureau of Investigation) may become a political tool easily due to absence of a well dedicated law governing it's functioning. Presently it is regulated under DSPE (Delhi Special Police Establishment) Act, which prevents CBI to be autonomous, independent and a premier investigation agency as needed for probing and solving complex cases like Arushi murder, corruption cases, Godmen acts etc. 

Sectors of regulatory ecosystem

A. Economic- RBI- The banking regulator was questioned on the way demonetization was done in November’16. RBI Governor was found to be answering difficult questions surrounding demonetization in Public Accounts Committee. Recent RBI report indicates its failure on some crucial parameters like targeting black money and corruption (more than 99% demonetized money back in the system), less cash economy etc. Undoubtedly, a positive development from the historic exercise is growth of digital payments. Digital platforms like Paytm, PhonePe etc. have become acceptable mechanisms in sending, receiving, and paying entities or individuals in this context. 

In the recent days, govt. has been pushing for a payments Regulator Board outside the purview of RBI despite its successful work in this domain and international examples where central bank regulates this mechanism. This also goes against Ratan Watal committee recommendations set up by government in this regard. Ideal way out could have been the tried and tested 3+3 composition (3 personnel each fielded by government and RBI) of a regulatory body within the premises of RBI similar to MPC. Also as RBI Deputy Governor Mr. Acharya pointed out that too much government interference in RBI can cause negative impacts on economy viz. unattractive investment destination, bad economics and good politics, market failure etc.

B. Social

a. Cinemas- CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) and FTII (Film and Television Institute of India) - Does Cinematograph Act 1952 needs updation for meaningful and constructive significance of the institution in Internet driven modern era? Or should CBFC be dismantled because censorship doesn’t resonate well in 21^st century democracy? These questions were addressed by Shyam Benegal committee sometime back. Another set of question which arise whether the role of CBFC be limited only to a certifying agency or also as a censor body? On the one hand, many feel that CBFC, as an institution is obsolete in present times. But some, on the other, feel that Indian social order demands a regulatory agency fulfilling the work of certifying body (U/A, A category of movies etc.)

Another organisation in this aspect is FTII. It was in controversy a couple of years ago due to the persons appointed like Gajendra Chauhan as its chairman. Questions were raised as in whether the appointment served the government by fielding its so-called “their men” or institutional requirement. As compared to persons like Shyam Benegal and Girish Karnad who headed it, personal integrity of recent chairmen like Mr. Chauhan and Kher has been questioned off late. This casts a shadow on organisational and institutional integrity and its efficient functioning. Saffronising the institute is what students feel has been done by government while appointing the heads of institute.  

b. Education- No country can dream to be a superpower unless its citizens are skilled, educated and employed. India needs such citizens more than any other country in the world now as it is at the cusp of a demographic dividend. It may reap its benefits (dividend) or miss the one-time opportunity (disaster). This will be decided based on several factors including government’s policies in education especially higher education like medical and engineering colleges, centrally and state funded universities etc. 

Revamping MCI (Medical Council of India) by establishing NMC (National Medical Commission) is the need of the hour. It has been highlighted by several committees because of the failure of MCI in regulating medical education of the nation. Issues in medical education wherein MCI couldn’t deliver as promised in MCI Act include exorbitant capitation fees, increased focus on management quota seats for the affluent at the cost of poor but talented students. Moreover, MCI failure in permitting establishment and expansion of medical colleges caused a non-commensurate increase in seats vis-à-vis aspirants and population. This led to creation of limited (below par in quality and quantity) health cadre (As compared to WHO norms of 1 doctor per 1000 population, Bihar has one doctor for every 28000 population) especially for rural areas etc. NMC is a much needed move by government to overhaul this much needed sector. Bridge courses to mainstream AYUSH with allopathy can be crucial in reforming the above pathetic ground reality through barefoot health practitioners.

Similarly, UGC (University Grants Commission) has been replaced by HECI (Higher Education Commission of India) as a key reform in higher education. It proposes separation of its academic and financial powers. The former will be undertaken by the new body named HECI and the latter has been entrusted to the MHRD (Human Resources Development Ministry), which has been criticized by several academicians and policy experts. Though several positive measures have been included in the HECI bill to replace UGC, concerns related to its composition (less teachers), removal on moral turpitude, micromanagement in the garb of autonomy, corporatization of education sector, restricting role of states in educational matters can’t be set aside.

Thus, in education sector, it is important to ensure that regulators like UGC and MCI are restructured in a manner that will ensure strengthening of their autonomy without any scope for patronage politics and political interference.

C. Political- Actions of Home Ministry (MHA) against civil society organizations (NGOs) like Greenpeace and rights based groups like Amnesty International under FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) need deep introspection. On the one hand, government has accused these groups for violating FCRA while accepting foreign donations. Eg Greenpeace licence was cancelled because it was accused of manipulating views of citizens against mining operations. On the other, these groups blame the government for misusing FCRA as a tool of repression and a weapon for silencing dissent. Some analysts have pointed at the non-conformity of FCRA with international laws and principles. For example India is a signatory to ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) which promotes and guarantees the right to freedom of association, also mentioned in Indian Fundamental Rights. But these actions under the garb of FCRA seem to be violating both of the above. Because of this India’s apex human rights watchdog, NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) has also issued a notice to MHA.

FCRA is an intimidating law crafted during emergency of 1976 to prohibit MPs, parties etc. from accepting foreign contributions. Thus, the genesis of the draconian FCRA lies in anti-democratic principles and ideals. What worries citizens and experts is the exhibition of double standards by political parties (earlier UPA and now NDA) in usage of FCRA. They received foreign funds from Vedanta and supported each other in the form of a mutual cooperative set-up (none protesting benefits received by the other party and infact both were united in opposing a Delhi HC order against them in SC) despite FCRA doesn’t permit such foreign donations. Though none can debate the need for eliminating foreign interference (sovereignty) in the nation’s social and economic policies, FCRA should not be used in ambiguous (FCRA actions against these groups in the garb of public interest), arbitrary and discretionary manner. 

A question thus arises whether FCRA should be repealed? Of course not because regulation of NGO funding is a significant and crucial aspect especially in a country where more than 30 lakh NGOs exist. However, curbing the voices in the civil society by way of a colourable legislation is unacceptable and draconian. The way forward is NITI Aayog’s DARPAN portal which is registering the NGOs for their accountable and transparent functioning and funding.               

  

Hence, it is important that these regulatory bodies are provided autonomy and independence. If they are controlled and regulated by government in such a way that the “interference element” looms high, India may gain less and lose more in long run. There is a need for the government (executive) to exercise social, economic, political, and moral restraint while dealing with appointment of regulators. This is because parties come and go, their appointees too disappear with time but the ideals, principles and fundamentals of the institutions regulating crucial sectors need to be preserved and safeguarded at any cost. The standards and benchmarks set up by them need to be reviewed and up-scaled so that they reach higher echelons and henceforth India is successful in attaining the position it deserves in the global order. 

Full form of O.K.- An attempt to look at a deeper and bigger picture

O.K. abbreviated as?

A couple of days back, I took an auto from the railway station while traveling to my hometown from Delhi. One amongst the 10 fellow passengers asked me suddenly, “Bhaiya aap padhte ho? Kaha? Delhi me? {Do you read? Where? In Delhi?} (.) I replied in affirmative to all his questions with one big Yes. His next question became a bouncer, when he asked acha bataye O.K. ka full form kya hota hain? I was completely bowled out and hence ducked at the bouncer delivery. He said O.K. means One Kiss. He answered his question but left an imprint in my minds. It was why do rural India (Bharat) asks such questions from urban India (INDIA). Why do rural residents feel that it’s important to check the knowledge level of urban residents? Such questions (innovative for former and stupid for latter) are very common for me since my childhood days. When I used to go to my native village from my home, which is situated in a small town, I had to encounter such a nature of questions. Example- Recite Table of 19, spell difficult words, solve maths problems etc. If I used to succeed in this difficult (IITJEE/UPSC level) exam, my knowledge and capabilities in Hindi and Sanksrit used to be tested by them. This is so because rural India feels urbanites don’t know these subjects nicely as compared to English. But I feel behind all these question & answer sessions (Q&A), there is something which needs a deep introspection at societal or psychological or political levels.

The rural vs urban debate has always gained media attention. In India, the countryside definition has been different from that of abroad. We have panchayats, kasbas and hamlets which can be said to be countryside from outsiders’ perspectives and standards. But what is really interesting and also sad, at the same time, is the gulf between these two. In all aspects viz. how do they live, eat, dwell, work, save, earn, consume, enjoy, study etc., one can easily gauge the qualitative and quantitative differences between rural and urban residents. Debates and differences can (and in fact have) lead (led) to dissent in this context due to the widening of the gulf between the two. Is this dissent that manifests in the form of such innovative questions asked from urbanites? Is this dissent going to be resolved through these Q&A sessions or become deeper in due course of time? Based on my experiences, I feel the dissent has not reduced but merely changing its forms from recitation of tables to tongue twisters to O.K. full form.

Any nation cannot prosper unless rural and urban citizens collaborate at social, economic, political levels. This is very true for India where 68% population dwells in the rural areas (Census 2011). In addition, it becomes important in Indian context as we are adding urban population very fast since a couple of decades. In coming two decades, we will add as many urban people as there are now in India (around 300 million). In such a scenario, it is crucial for India to resolve the differences between the two communities and strive forward to attain India of Gandhi’s dreams. How would this happen and who would facilitate it?

RURBAN mission has been an attempt of government to create urban amenities in rural clusters. This will preserve the rural soul even in an urban ecosystem of such rural clusters. It can be useful in weeding out the differences and doubts in the minds of rural dwellers regarding urbanites. The success of the mission rests on adoption of its spirit and motto. Urban-Rural gap can be decreased only when all the stakeholders viz. rural and urban community, governments and civil society, takes such attempts.

A collaborative and combined effort and initiative is the need of the hour to propel India’s growth and development. Its growth has been termed as “unique”, “epic” and “unbelievable” in the recent years especially after Global Economic Recession. But, now it needs a label which would safeguard the prosperity of its citizens-both rural (mostly missing in present development model) and urban. Such a nature of development will be sustainable and inclusive in real sense. It would demand efforts from the communities (both rural and urban), be it removal of prejudices and stereotypes or shaking hands to harness the best of the available resources with the respective societies. This spirit is ingrained in our cultural system and practices which includes “Vasudeva Kutumbakam”. If we consider the whole world as one, can’t urban community that is more prosperous encompass the rural sector and create opportunities for mainstreaming and developing the latter? Rural India also would need to adopt changes to take the much needed leap to create “One India, One nation, One people”. This is possible even while appreciating India’s diversity because it is not a forced attempt but consensual.

A consensus building exercise will set the foundations for sustainable and resilient India with a feeling of commonality and fraternity. This “New India” will not witness rural-urban Q&A sessions to unravel each other’s deficits. On the contrary, it will cultivate habits amongst each other for a common objective to transform the status quo. In this context, Innovation, skill development and entrepreneurship will hold the key in the emerging global and national orders. Bottom up participatory planning, inculcation and practice of human values along with psychological elements like amelioration of prejudice will be the over-arching framework to develop collaboration and not breed dissent between Bharat and India. Then only it will be Oll Korrect or Olla Kalla (Greek meaning All Correct), most likely full form of O.K.

2nd himalayan trek- Winter Kuari Pass

Thanks TTH for posting this piece of article I wrote a few weeks back. Everyone, please comment how did you like this experience sharing blog. Before I am back with a full fledged blog, you can enjoy my older blogs and this recent one. Thanks.


Winter Kuari Pass Trek

The winters have arrived, are we ready?

As soon as the winters knock our doors, the preparations for tackling dry cold weather have already begun. Vaseline or cold creams, geyser or induction rod, lukewarm drinking water replacing refrigerated water, Heater replacing cooling AC, blankets but most importantly laziness especially in waking up early morning are some of the common scenes of this time of the year. More recently, winters have been symbolised with smog of Delhi.

Winters are the only season that traverses from one year to next (November-February) and hence welcomes new year on our behalf. Temperatures have started falling and many a places have even witnessed snowfall. Blankets have started to be tested and newer ones replacing the older. Coffee and Tea are being served to all helping people to cope with the chilly winters. Sunshine is patiently awaited to warm the bodies. Christmas is not very far neither drafting the New Year resolutions.

All these events occur in response of the change in the temperature and pressure conditions of the earth. Humans, the so-called most intelligent species (self-acclaimed) have learnt ways to beat the natural conditions of the season, by taking help of artificial devices and items as described above. The sages in ancient times unlike the modern globalised humans tackled the cold and chilling winters naturally and made their bodies sturdier and stronger. One may not ask the contemporary to act as the sages but aren't we making our bodies and minds weaker by adopting more and more such man-made products? The answer to this but obvious question rests with us, but lets search it with honesty and peace of mind.

Soon after winters, we have a beautiful and colourful spring season. Flowers blossom, crops are reaped and harvest festivals are celebrated throughout the country. I remember Shelley's lines from the poem "Ode to the west wind" which goes like this " If winter comes, can spring be far behind". He gave geographical and philosophical angles when he wrote the above. The latter signified that difficult times (failure) are followed with good ones (success). So, are humans ready for failures when they are at the peak of their successes? Even when we know its indispensable and coming, we try to delay this ultimate truth. Just because everyone loves success and hates failure. Despite the fact that failures teach us more and makes us more strong and capable and in fact make us a better human being. We only love success as it keeps failure off ward and gives us temporary and ephemeral happiness. Long lasting and meaningful happiness is achieved only when we learn our mistakes during failures and correct them in future. It comes when we help people who are in real need for true and caring humans and not robotic machine type homo-sapiens (as we are becoming day by day).

In the present times, in big cities and metros like Delhi, you can see people feeding dogs with milk, biscuits etc.; pigeons with daana; cows with chapati etc. But when humans ask for real help explicitly or implicitly like a lady giving her phone and requesting one to dial a number; an old lady with heavy bags finding it difficult to walk uphill the road, our eyes and ears seem to be not working at all. Have we really remained social animals or just pretend to be so?

Times have changed as seasons change every now and then, haven't we too changed simultaneously? Is this change something Darwin would call "Evolution", "adaptation", "survival of fittest", "struggle for existence" etc. ? Or there lies no justification for humans to be so selfish and mean in the real world.

Seasons would come and go, humans too being mortal would perish but our actions and deeds would stay for times immemorial and more importantly would make humans better species and the planet a better place to dwell upon. The test lying infront of us this winter would be a difficult one if we are serious, otherwise its just a test. Are we ready?

Let's Do It before its too late-"She and We"

One of the best and greatest gifts of the Almighty (or Science) is Mother Earth, which supports life and thus humans. Among these “Homo Sapiens”, the best, superb and sweetest inhabitant on this planet is “Mother” (Maa/Mamma/Mummy/Mom/Maate etc.)

She is something who can’t be defined or explained in petty words or posts (social media) or blogs (like this). She can be just felt-physically, emotionally, psychologically etc. She can make a weeping and crying infant burst into smiles and laughter by just hugging her/him. She can translate the fears and worries of a teenager to aspirations of an adolescent. She can read your face and mind even in the darkest of the rooms. She can fight against anyone including the mightiest person (creature) of this world. 

She is not among the Seven Wonders of the World because this wonderful wonder can’t be categorized in any of the categories- she is category-less. But she can’t see you leave her. She can’t face the trauma of be separated from her other half (husband-unlike Baghban). She can’t believe her son/daughter considering her a liability, when the former is a so-called matured being and the latter has developed wrinkles (aging). She can’t see her grown-up child crying even when the latter has made her cry innumerable times. She can’t imagine a life without her soul i.e. child. 

If her existence and happiness is so much dependent on “us”, don’t you think it’s important to analyze the status quo in terms of “our” response to this very dependency of “them”? Before we start analyzing this with our 21^st century fast and furious brains, one needs to understand the very basic thing, but mostly go unnoticed; that “THEY” aren’t dependent on “US” but it is “WE” who need “THEM”. It is “we” who were dependent on “them” during our childhood for A to Z things of our needs- eating, excreting, sleeping, laughing etc. But something happened over a period of time, perhaps starting with our “teen age” that started changing things in this relationship. An extraordinary or life-changing event or entry of “someone special” during our “adulthood” is assumed to be topping the list of the causal factors behind this abrupt change in “our” behaviour and attitude towards “them”.

The blog doesn’t attempt at answering the questions- What/Who is right and What/Who is wrong? But is a sincere attempt to understand and figure out how and why change (if it is)? For whom this change and at whose cost, deserves search and pursuit on our part (WE) as it is us who have the prime responsibility of being with “them”.

Yesterday when I wished Maa a happy mother’s day, she was so happy that I could imagine and feel her bright and glowing face even on the mobile. She then told me the messages and news coming on news, papers and ads. But till my call, it was just like a message/ad of a commercial company selling its product and not an emotionally toned feeling of the son wishing his mother a very sweet and happy mother’s day. After a couple of minutes, I had to disconnect the call, as I was in office and was too busy and stuck in a work, and promised to talk in night. She, as always, an epitome of understanding, satisfaction and patience, waited for my call till 10:30 PM, after which she called to inquire whether I had my dinner and all (Though she asks me daily about what did I eat, I hardly inquire about the same). But as I was busy talking to someone for an important work, I had to make her wait for around half an hour and see her 6 missed calls. This is bad of me or bad of her, is open to understanding and discussion, but one thing that comes out of it, is PERSONAL v/s PROFESSIONAL (WORK) life and its challenges- Finding and exploring the middle path (Buddha). This is the first challenge, lesson and learning for all of us-sons and daughters of 21st century.

When you needed her the most for all daily (in fact hourly) needs of yours, she was always there before you could express the need. That time you were Mr. Dependent and she, the independent and loving, caring mother supported you without any demand in return explicitly but implicitly hoped to see you becoming Independent and standing on your own feet. But this implicit desire and hope of hers was shattered when you became Mr. Independent, a 25 year working and employed son. How did this happen and was it all of a sudden event or a gradual process? But is it fine or "khool"? These Q's are open to introspection for our own sharp and fast minds. This is the second realization, challenge (and may be learning) for all of us-sons and daughters.

Last, but not the least, when people say that Indian society and culture is changing, its good that we are not a stagnant society but one which updates itself to be aligned with the fast and changing world. But when in the name of this change, we start ignoring our parents by either downgrading them or eliminating them as such from our priority list of people. Prioritization helps you to rank the things to be done and thus making your lives planned and clear. But it involves only those events which can be ranked, people and things that are indispensable for your existence and living like parents, air, water, food etc. are beyond these strategies of life. The more corporate, capitalistic and individualistic world we are being pushed to, the more we are moving away from the happy and sweet memories (her-ours), duties and rights of "US". Thus, the third and last challenge and realization for all of us-wonderful kids of globalized village, is that everything is not subject to change, a few things are unchangeable and deserve permanence- Mother-Child Relation. 

It is "WE" who initiated this, and it will be "WE" who would ensure the above.

This wonderful gift of God, can't be thanked and wished on a single day like Mother's Day, but needs to be thanked everyday (365*24*7) for her sacrifices, efforts and so many things, by loving her, being with her and standing with her. Lets work and strive hard to be the ones who don't need the above challenges, realization and learning as they have already understood and applied them in life for times to come. Its so difficult to write on such a topic and a person like Maa, that I don't know what I wrote above, but a sincere request and prayer of mine to God, is that please give me enough wisdom to feel tomorrow, the way I felt yesterday and feel today.

Bihar elections results-Caste-Religion or Intolerance-Ideology or Modi-Nitish

The results for much awaited Bihar Assembly elections'15 are out. The grand-alliance (MGB) Nitish-Lalu-Rahul has clicked in perhaps beyond all anticipation and expectations, sweeping two-thirds of the seats is not what NDA would have ever imagined in the wildest of their dreams. MGB win over NDA has been and would be analysed by many political analysts, thinkers, the "pujaris" of democracy and the intellectual social media (Fb-itna posts to India ke 2011 WC ke baad me nahi aaya hoga, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram etc.) "junta". Since I failed to categorize myself in these compartments of analysts, so I choose this private yet public platform to highlight (not analyse) a few salient features of today's results-

a. "Cast your vote not Vote your caste" is a common saying on the eve of National Voters Day (25th January) and election season by people of so-called caste driven society of India.
Rural population still votes either to the candidate who gives freebies (cash/jewellery,alcohol,sarees etc.) a day or two before V-Day (Voting Day) or the candidate of their caste (Yadav/Kurmi/Dalit/Mahadalit etc.). As the former has been controlled this to a large extent by the excellent work of district administration via Flying Squad Teams (FST), Static Surveillance Teams (SST) and Video Surveillance Teams (VST) who have ensured a strict vigil and control day and night over the movement of things- illicit liquor, cash>50k etc, the latter still prevails.

The urban literate/educated society vote to the candidate who belongs to the party of their ideology (may/may not be on the basis of caste). Here the profile of the candidate matters a lot, e.g. If a candidate is a businessman, all businessmen/women would vote to him irrespective of the caste and other indicators/parameters.
To add to it, Class plays a big role here. Forward (Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Bhumiyars, Vaishyas, Kayasthas etc.) vote to the party whom they believe stands for them (Its widely believed BJP is a forward-class party- Ever since the days Congress introduced Land Reforms, making the zamindars and the land-ruling class unhappy; though later bad implementation of these reforms to ensure the party continues the support of these classes and BJP using "Kamandal", Rath, Babri and most recent Dadri has maintained its status as a Hindu and "forwards" party).

But even in such a scenario, if you have a close look on the list of candidates who came out to be winner and runner-up, you would find that both belong to the same caste e.g. Mahadalit vs Mahadalit ; Brahman vs Brahman as evident from SITAMARHI 24-BATHNAHA Dinkar Ram BJP 67460 Surendra Ram INC 47649 19811 17/19; MADHUBANI 32-BENIPATTI Bhawana Jha INC 41676 VINOD NARAIN JHA BJP 38187 3489 14/19 or Caste 1 v/s Caste 2- the top two castes as far as the voter base is concerned e.g. Brahman vs Yadav MADHUBANI 38-JHANJHARPUR NITISH MISHRA BJP 41411 GULAB YADAV RJD 35370 6041 12/20.

Thus, both the parties (winner & runner-up) filed candidates not on the basis of ideology (Forward-BJP or Lalu Yadav- Yadav or INC-Muslim) or merit (Doctor, Engg, Lawyer but criminals) but CASTE. So, when all the parties resorted to the same, what do you think who should be blamed- People's mindset/educational levels/poverty or Political parties' ideology/politicizing caste factor?

b. Manifesto- Development or Deviation- LS elections'14 were fought between two parties predominantly in the name of Corruption, Policy paralysis, Development, fighting poverty (despite the runling party had emerged as a right-based party- Right to work, Right to education etc.) and the Vikash Purush Mr. Modi with a clean image and nice branding of good work exhibited in Gujarat (3 times CM) and the development model he used there and promised to replicate the same for the entire country if voted to power. The mandate spoke the rest- Modi (BJP) bagged a thumping victory as people voted not for BJP etc. but for an image which can make a better image of the country in international arena (which majority would accept has been achieved); for development of the Poorest of the Poor and not skewed development of Adanis, Ambanis, Tatas, Birlas, upper middle class (the last beneficiaries); for making India a favorable business/tourism/educational destination (Ease of doing business rankings and FDI & Tourism inflows speaks all).

Without discussing the report card of 1.5 years rule of the central government (as that is not what we are analyzing here), did NDA reached out to the Bihari (identity not slang) voters on the same agenda or had they got deviated to something else-Ideology of the parent organisation and the politics revolving around it, "Kuch bhi" type speeches/comments of BJP leaders, Beef incident, Intolerance (the new buzz word), Award wapsi etc.
This is not what people had expected from the Vikash Purush of Gujarat 2 India NaMo. I seriously think if the manifesto of NDA would have been aligned towards Development, then the mandate would also have been aligned in the opposite direction than the status quo.
The BJP mandate on the other hand revolved around 5000 scooties/year (with free petrol), the 1.65 lakh CR special package to Bihar etc.; it lacked the vigour the people would have expected from the charismatic persona of Mr. Modi and his developmental plans (replicable on ground most importantly). The party perhaps tried to match with the opposition's manifesto, thus losing the edge it had in a politically active and vigilant state (where urban votes less than rural and female vote more than male).

3. Alliances- Bane or Boon- The alliance BJP made with parties like LJP (Jo Jeeta Woh Sikandar, Hum Usi ke andar), RLSP (family Kushwaha party), HAM (Manjhi-the controversial statement lover ex-CM) can also be a major reason for its debacle. On the one hand, you are supposed to be a forward-backing party, and on the other you have shaken hands with Mahadalit (HAM), Dalit (LJP), EBC (RLSP), forces one to vote for the candidate but party/alliance (a clean imaged candidate irrespective of party matters more than the candidate of the centre-ruling party alliance).- If you look at LS elections'15, the alliance NDA didn't win but its PM candidate Modi won, on a similar note, today the alliance MGB didn't win but CM candidate Mr. Nitish Kumar (a comparatively cleaner image than anyone else in the state-not to compare the two-Mr.Nitish vs Modi; apart from the caste/religion factor & development in last 2 terms bringing Bihar from -ve to +ve on the national arena). There is a marked difference in the victories of these 2 Vikash Purush- Modi (Gujarat 2 India) and Nitish (Bihar 2 an unsuccessful aspirant of India)- The "FACE" or the direct person in-charge of the nation/state affairs; BJP didn't name the CM candidate-perhaps due to Kiran Bedi factor in Delhi Assembly elections (3/70) or caste/religion factor and its possible impact on the mandate or it couldn't find a single candidate (even a Saankha-Sangh Parivar Karyakarta) deserving for this post. In such a blurred scenario, this is what they have now (a half century as consolation prize). When you are self-sufficient and confident on the your ideology and agenda of development as the sole manifesto item, stick to it, propagate it and reap the mandate similar to LS'14 (unexpectedly expected) rather than making self-hurting and contradictory alliances (Ek taraf Brahman ko vote kare yaha and waha ek Mahadalit ki jeetne ke liye prathana bhi kare).

Thus, in the end I would like to conclude with a statement and uncertainty about our self-created and decided future, let us understand and accept a basic thing that we have elected a government under the CMship of the Vikash Purush of Bihar, which may do wonders (converge) by making us No.1 in development & ease of a happy & peaceful living for all OR do wanders (diverge) by making us No.1 in backwardness (BIMARO- Odisha tops the list now) & ease of doing criminal activities-loot, extortion, kidnapping, burglary etc. (Jungle Raj returns); a stable yet coalition government under Mr.Nitish for the coming 5 years or a general coalition government always on the verge of compromise in the name of preventing a re-election within the tenure of 5 years (aspirations of Lalu's sons and RJD after bagging more seats than Nitish on his name itself).

Bihar is on the crossroads of a development paradigm or Jungle Raj 2.0!!!

A crucial thing for this government is the manner in which Nitish Kumar handles the other 2 parties of alliance (the biggest beneficiaries in this election) and their representatives in Vidhan Sabha, ministries and bureaucrats (Hope Caste and chamchagiri are not the parameters for posting@districts).

Lets not forget its we who make it, who run it, and who destroy it. Let us pledge that we won't tolerate (?) and ensure that the haunting past of Jungle Raj 1.0 won't return even if attempted to be returned, by staying united and together under the same umbrella of a state that has always been famous (infamous) because of several reasons.

Jai Hind, Jai Bihar, Jai Biharis!!!

Loktantra or tantra-mantra-Bihari-Slang 2 Proud Identity

The morning of 9th September'15 brought perhaps the most independent and transparent body i.e. Election Commission of India (ECI) into act when it announced the dates of Bihar Assembly elections, 2015. Model Code of Conduct got automatically enforced. The "bigul" (trumphet) of political parties and the queues of candidates at the party offices (Patna and Delhi...also Nagpur) became a common phenomena till the final list of candidates was announced. A neck-to-neck competition between MGB (NLR-Nitish-Lalu-Rahul) and NDA (SMS-Shah-Modi-Sushil/Shahnawaz) was expected from the word "Go". It would be improper and unjust/biased to not mention the super-confident national (?) political party BSP (Sushri Behan Mayawati), which has fielded its candidates in all the 243 constituencies.

Post-independence, Congress managed to sweep elections (LS and state assembly) till 1967 uninterrupted. Since then, state politics began to creep in making roads for regional factions and with passage of time, formations and divisions of/in parties and their support base accordingly, today we are at the crossroads where the arch rivals have united against leaving behind the past memories and rigid yet flexible ideologies (Sarkar ke liye kuch bhi karega).

Where on one hand we have Nitish (incumbent CM and the Modi of Bihar's development-Kurmi-4%) with Lalu (Fodder-Rabdi-drama-humorous-Lantern-law&order jeopardized@15years-1990-2005-Yadavs-14%) and Congress (Rahul Gandhi yet to prove his mettle as a leader of the country's oldest political party and future PM-Muslims-16.9%), the other hand is not less diverse- BJP (Modi-Amit Shah duo, Hindus-Forward-15%), LJP (Give me ministry and I would give my 100% allegiance till you are in power-Paswan-5%), RLSP (family party-Kushwaha-4%), HAM (ex-CM Manjhi- loves controversial statements- Musahar-3%). If you analyse the %s closely in both the alliances, you may have understood the bottom line of the Bihar elections like before continues to be "Casteism"- Backward (OBC/EBC-51%) and Minority v/s Forward and Most Backward (Mahadalits/SC), which makes it more difficult to predict the winner of the game.

Communalism has added its flavour in the elections post-Dadri, ink throwing episodes and daily award wapsi exercise. Thus, C+C is what makes the prediction to determine the future government of Bihar even more tougher.

Would be unfair for the parties if I miss mentioning the freebies announced by both the alliances (bipolar continuum- extreme left MGB and extreme right of course NDA). Nitish's cycle scheme for girls (2005 elections) has traveled a long distance to NDA's Scooty scheme for girls (along with free petrol-2015) is one among the many (DA increment, inclusion of more castes in EBC and SC list, 1.65 lakh special package, Padhai-Kamai-Dawai and bijli-paani-sadak etc.)

Amidst all of this-rallies of star campaigners-their speeches and promises (but obvious), one noteworthy aspect of the elections has been the role of the district administration- from a supporter (earlier) to an active participant (2015 elections). The manner in which it has ensured best implementation of Model Code of Conduct- catching illicit liquor, illegal arms, cash>50K, using banners & flexes w/o permission, loudspeakers beyond 10 PM etc., SVEEP (Systematic Voter Enhancement and Electoral Participation)- creating awareness among the voters to use their democratic R2V without fear on V-Day, 100% distribution of Voter Information (Matdan Parchi- which used to be once distributed by the party in their favourable way), stringent monitoring of advertisements from ground 2 social media etc., deployment of CRPF personnel at all polling booths marking peaceful election process needs an applause of the highest order.

All Voter Turnout records of past elections have been broken (record 68% VTR in Katihar in Ph-V) may be due to the present "mahoul" of the nation and the past or anti-incumbency or development-needs taking driver seat etc.

Majority of the exit polls have signaled good news for MGB, but remember they are just exit polls (complete reversal in final results in 2004 LS and numerous others). It would be better to wait a couple of days more before the "bigul" for making government starts and queues in front of Raj Bhawan. Few political parties' offices would get drums beating and celebrating Diwali with colours and crackers and rest serenity and peace.

Lets hope the party which makes government for the coming 5 years this November'15, gives the state and its people what they deserve. Things have had started to change in the last 10 years for Bihar- Roads, electricity, GDP growth rate, image on the country's map and people's minds etc. Hope this trend continues at an accelerated pace and the development of state- infrastructure, capital (including Human) matches/excels beyond the country's.

Kalam's India 2020 may be one of the targets the new government (2015-20) can look for, would be a great tribute to a fantastic Indian scientist and President.

Jai Bharat Jai Bihar!!!      

Hope or No Hope or Practical Hope!!!

In pursuit of practical hope

It’s too hot, we may have a good soothing monsoon this time. This is “Hope” (Sparta) is the ultimate thing in this world (even in this heat wave summer). It keeps us alive (~Cool drink) every day and drives us to work hard for achieving the aims and aspirations of individuals, groups and in fact the whole mankind.

“If Winter comes can spring be far behind!!”- A famous line from the poem “Ode to the west wind” through which the poet P.B. Shelley emphasized on cyclical nature of difficult and good times i.e. if today we are surrounded with problems, issues and difficulties, tomorrow is bound to be happy, beautiful and marvelous. In fact this belief of cyclic nature of times is based on optimism as there is no scientific evidence for the same.

Why do you think we take the support of Optimism (Hope) even when we see negligible chances of things sorting out in our favor and difficulties getting replaced by solutions? To live…To fool oneself….No other alternative…or May be it is the solution to get solutions to the status quo. If the latter is true, Optimism is bliss and must be resorted to in all circumstances and situations in life. But do we do so and follow only Optimism and nothing else? No, we sometimes (depending from person-to-person) uses the step-brother (opposite bank of the river Optimism)-Pessimism. Why do we do so?

Pessimism asks several questions from Optimism and many a times proves that one needs to be pragmatic (practical) and not a blind optimist. Thus, Pessimism uses Practicality as a weapon to get its enemy Optimism down in the battle of supremacy and selection of one over the other. This is what the blog wants to target upon- Whether Optimism is impractical and the weapon of Pragmatism holds any significance? And is there any possibility for the existence of a third element which mankind may resort to in this difficult and challenging life?

Shouldn’t we rejuvenate ourselves and accept the third element- Pragmatic Optimism (PO), rejecting Pessimism (even in the true/false pretext of Pragmatism). This short write-up is an ambitious attempt to explain this concept of Pragmatic Optimism (self-coined concept).

PO is an amalgam of Pragmatism and Optimism. Thus, it asks one to be optimist but at the same time practical/ pragmatic. Practicality does not mean rejection of choices/ chances/ alternatives. It also doesn’t mean closing eyes when one can’t see the roads to future. It means Try Hard to transform darkness to light and Think Twice before you accept darkness after it becomes evident that “it is what it is”.

The best example one may quote of PO is the basis of the methodology used by the Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi (MG) against British in the country’s freedom struggle. He knew a battle on ground using weapons and artillery can’t be ever won against the mighty colonial power, ruling over more people in the world as compared to its own country’s population. Thus, MG used the modus-operandi of SATYAGRAHA, non-violent struggle for truth. Many misjudge it as Petition & Prayer approach of Moderates and feel this was the method for the coward and weak not for the youth and bold (though the truth is on the contrary). 30 years of his freedom struggle journey (1917-47) and the 3 movements- Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement and Quit India Movement on the same ideology of non-violence and satyagraha and today we know what difference it made to this nation. His unique yet fabulous and successful tool or weapon in nation and abroad (South Africa) was not less deadly than a nuclear weapon but with least casualties and fatalities on ground, the end result was achieved. 

The statement above in italics shows MG’s PO attitude and changed the world for ever and forever. Optimism of getting the nation free from the clutches of the English and Pragmatic as the method of Satyagraha was employed to gain independence unlike the other methods which may be heroic, bold and brave but short-lived and thus may not succeed in achieving the objective.

In the literature and philosophical war between Optimism (O) and Pessimism (P’), this new element Pragmatic Optimism (PO) may be considered as a midway between the two extremities.

If Optimism is finding light in dark, Pessimism is negating even the axiom (truth beyond proof).

If Optimism is fighting against TB/AIDS/Cancer and win the battle over it to live a disease-less life, Pessimism is dying before death.

Applying PO to the above cases, we can say Pragmatic Optimism is searching for the rocks/matchstick/torch/LED; fighting against the deadly diseases and come out with flying colours (Yuvraj Singh-hit a six to send Cancer not only out of the stadium but his life).

Optimism is an attitude, personality trait, a way of living life and much more for few and Pessimism for others. Let’s replace both O and P’ with PO and universalize the concept that had, can have and would have a long-lasting imprint on our life, your lives and the world we dwell in.

Hope (O-PO) to come soon with a new blog. It’s based on PO as evident from my past blogs. That’s how we all may apply PO in small, petty trivia yet important and life-changing cases anytime sometimes and every time.

"A better tomorrow is in your hands if you see tomorrow on the lines on optimism and pragmatism as against pessimism and idealism."