The Political Whirlpool

With corruption, money laundering and scams involving politicians making headlines, almost everyday, Politics has become a dirty word, and people love to hate politicians. Undoubtedly, politics shorn of ethics is at the root of corruption, and there is a need for changing the old order. But this transformation cannot happen unless the people of India, especially the youth stop looking at politics with cynicism and participate in the electoral process to bring the necessary change. The June issue of One India One People on Politics, emphasizes the need for changing the political culture by resorting to ethical politics.

Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, founder and President of Lok Satta Party

In the lead article, Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, founder and President of Lok Satta Party, calls for a serious re-examination of our definition of politics and power, and evolution of a new political culture by conscious effort. But such a transformation of politics demands the eager and effective participation of the best and brightest in society, he says.

N.Vittal

Veteran journalist P. K. Ravindranath rues the decline of democracy, where the voice of the common man is stifled, as most parties jockey for power, compromise their principles, and abandon whatever little of commitment they have for ideology.

N. Vittal, former Central Vigilance Commissioner, emphatically says that a single Lokpal Bill cannot weed out corruption, unless we improve governance, bring in transparency and accountability into our system, and free organisations of governance from political influence to deliver service.

S. Balakrishnan, senior journalist and editor, Deshbhakti Weekly, Mumbai, says that criminalisation of politics cannot be checked through legislation alone, but by powerful mobilisation of public opinion against this dangerous phenomenon.    

Jashwant Mehta

Jashwant Mehta, convener of Forum for Better Democratic Alternative, and author of several books such as Quest for a better Democratic Alternative, advocates the Presidential form of government for better governance to end an era of hung parliaments, unstable governments and unprincipled coalitions among the political parties, who want to merely share the spoils of power.

Mukut Sah, President, Citizens for National Consensus, which has done considerable work in the field of electoral reforms, calls for few urgent electoral reforms necessary for good governance, such as tight control over election expenses, keeping tainted candidates out of the fray, the right to recall a member for poor performance, curbing the role of money to induce voters and barring rigging of elections.

Mukut Sah

Agatha Sangma, Minister of State for Rural Development, GOI, says that though it is not easy for women in politics, many have gone on to become larger than life figures, and their tales of courage and determination are today inspiring several more women to aspire to positions of power.  

Agatha Sangma

Senior journalist Abhay Mokashi, writes that voters do not seem to value the educational background, professional status and standing in society of independent candidates over candidates of political parties. As a result their number in the Parliament has been dwindling.

 Abhay Mokashi

Bharat Dogra

Bharat Dogra, OIOP columnist who writes on social concerns, notes that women sarpanchs are successfully contributing to the development and progress of their villages.  While illiteracy and their low educational levels sometimes pose problems, it has not deterred them from playing constructive role in nation building.

In an interview with One India One People, Dr. Manohar Joshi, Rajya Sabha member belonging to the Shiv Sena, and former Speaker and Chief Minister of Maharashtra (1995-99) candidly shares his thoughts on politics with senior journalist Abhay Mokashi.

Dr. Manohar Joshi

Dr. M. A. Haque

Know India Better (By Dr. M. A. Haque, Director-Scientifc (retd.) in the Ministry of Environment and Forests) features ‘The white tigers of Govindgarh’, in Madhya Pradesh, where the rare species of 'white tigers' were first spotted by the Maharaja of Rewa Martand Singh, on an hunting expedition. The historical Govindgarh palace and the scenic surroundings, today lie in total neglect. If the state takes initiative to restore the lost glory of Govindgarh, it can be a potential tourist destination and also a tribute to the white tigers.

Great Indians’ section features -

Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab (1899-1987), a journalist-author, an able administrator, a social reformer and a leading freedom fighter who associated himself with social-constructive works and made public-service and nation-building the goal of his life. 

Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab

 Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran PVC (1946-1987) - The only recipient of the highest gallantry award of Param Vir Chakra from Mumbai, Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran died at his post fighting militants in Sri Lanka. He was a true leader and soldier who led by personal example.

Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran PVC 

Lt. Puneet Nath Datt AC (1973-1997) - During a militant operation, Lt. Puneet Nath Datt came face to face with a militant and killed him but also succumbed to his injuries. The incident was typical but the zeal and valour of the 24-year-old hero was uncommon, who lived to his motto – Death Before Dishonour, for which he was awarded the Ashok Chakra, the highest peace time honour. 

To order a copy, call 022-2353 44 00 or email at oiop@vsnl.net or oiopsub@fouressindia.com

New OIOP Clubs

a) At St. Francis Institute of Management & Research, Borivali (W)

Mrs. Sucharita R. Hegde, Trustee and Managing Editor, OIOP, presents the OIOP Club Membership Certificate to Deputy Director Dr. Chandramouli

b)    S. P. R. J. Kanya Shala (Gujarati Medium), Ghatkopar (W)

Mrs. Hegde, Ms. Anuradha Dhareshwar, OIOP Associate Editor (far right) with teachers and students of the school. Principal Mrs. Nanda N. Thakkar (centre) is holding the OIOP Club Membership Certificate

There are two ‘Indias’ within the country - an observation that has been made often to highlight the dichotomy between the rich and poor. While we want the world to view us as emerging superpower, it is ironic that millions living live in stark poverty. On one hand we have tones of food being wasted due to lack of storage facilities and on the other there are millions who cannot afford one meal a day. The different topics on the theme ‘Food’ in the May issue of One India One People bring out this contrast. The issue also brings into focus the growing demand for convenience food and subsequent growth of the food industry in India. There are also topics that show the way to good health. In sum, there is plenty of food for thought.   

May 2011- Food For Thought

In the lead article ‘Corporatisation of India’s agriculture: A ticking time bomb’, Sachin Jain, development journalist and social researcher, warns us of large corporations that have taken control of every facet of agriculture, even consumer behaviour and consumption patterns. As a result, he says, farmers can no longer decide what they want to grow and it is becoming increasingly unclear what kind of protection the government policies will provide them.      

 Sachin Jain

    

Siddharth Shankar, 

In ‘Inflating prices, deflating stomachs’, well-known economist Siddharth Shankar, notes that food inflation is a serious cause for concern and is here to stay for a long time. But taking effective measures such as increasing production and productivity, and reducing wastage and consumption can contain inflation to a certain extent.

It is a shame that every fifth hungry person on this planet is an Indian. Bhaskar Goswami, agriculture and trade policy analyst, writes that the reason why people go hungry in India is not scarcity of food but an ineffective public distribution system. Adding to the problem is food inflation. Only an honest and effective PDS can prevent malnutrition and death due to hunger.

Bhaskar Goswami

Loveleen De

                                                          

Though convenience food has received flak from environmentalists and nutritionists it is being lapped up like never before. While it is important that the ultimate user is aware of the nutritional content of the food and makes a choice to have or reject it, Loveleen De, freelance writer, says it would do good for consumers to pause and think at what cost is this convenience.

Noted nutritionist, health activist and founder of THAC (The Health Awareness Centre, Mumbai) Dr. Vijaya Venkat emphasizes that eating fresh, wholesome, natural, organic food is the key to good health. She urges people to keep off fast foods, as they are full of chemicals, unhealthy and offer no real nourishment.

Dr. Vijaya Venkat

Piyush Mehta

    

Piyush Mehta, G. M., Corporate Communications, Morarka Foundation, highlights the many health benefits of Organic food, which is fast gaining popularity as it is free of toxic chemicals and adulteration, which ensures a healthy life.

Ummeayman Rangwala, nutritionist with Protein Foods & Nutrition Development Association of India (PFNDAI), Mumbai, says that the boom in the packaged food industry has been largely due to consumer demand for convenience food, change in lifestyle of the middle income group and the shift from need-based to indulgence-based consumption.

In Women go carting, Soma Mitra tells us about Project Sukanya, a unique retail venture started in Kolkata by a social entrepreneur, where goods are sold on roadside mobile kiosks called ‘bou carts’ that are run by women.   

In Face to Face, Disha Shetty has a tete-a-tete with young entrepreneur-farmer Ubei Husein from Mumbai, who is trying to get farmers and consumers closer with his unique venture ‘Hari-bhari tokri’.                                              

Dr. Sukant Khurana

In the general section, Austin, Texas based researcher Dr. Sukant Khurana and his junior collaborator Brooks Robinson, raise concern about binge drinking in India, but say “Prohibition will not end the party”. Rather than banning alcohol they advocate spreading information on alcohol abuse to make a difference.     

Breathtaking Ladakh

                                                    

Know India Better features breathtaking Ladakh. Quirky, feisty, impish, feral and ridiculously photogenic. Savage roads etched across a lunar emptiness; a soulless desert where rocks bleed colour. Brittle stone walls which in its lazy folds hide unending valleys; brilliant blue skies capering beyond the grasp of earth’s snow-clad fingers. Akul Tripathi rides to this difficult terrain across the mountains -- Ladakh and agrees that it is Worth Every Gasp!

 Akul Tripathi

                                                 

                                                         Great Indians profiles

Swami Keshwanand - an educationist, social-reformer and nationalist (1883-1972) 

Swami Keshwanand

Swami Keshwanand was a renowned social reformer and a leading freedom fighter of the Gandhian era of freedom movement, who along with making people conscious of the consequences of social evils, worked for mass awakening, rural upliftment and propagation of nationalism and national language.

Prof. N. G. Ranga - A great parliamentarian and peasant leader (1909-1995)

Prof. N. G. Ranga

           Prof. N. G. Ranga was one of those few prominent leaders of India who in the Gandhian era of Indian freedom movement (1917-47) and many decades after the independence, could well understand the basic problems of peasants of India. He was a real and top-ranking farmer leader of South India.   

Major Laishram Jyotin Singh AC- Courage unfathomed (1972-2010)    

Major Laishram Jyotin Singh AC

He could have easily saved himself but as an army man, he did not. Major Laishram Jyotin Singh, though unarmed, charged at the terrorist and was killed in the process. His brave act saved the lives of ten people. 

OIOP April 2011 issue

India Inc: Promising Future

April 2011 issue of One India One People

 Sunil Bhandare

India has come a long way in transformational changes in her industrial landscape over the last two decades of economic reforms. Indian business enterprises have made their mark globally through increased exports of manufactured products, acquisition of companies (some even of MNC status) and investment in joint ventures abroad. It is truly turning out to be a story of tiger un-caged! But it has still a long way to go to catch with many highly industrialised economies of the west and other emerging countries. The April 2011 issue of One India One People focuses on the future of the Indian industry. 

In the lead article, noted Economist Sunil Bhandare, says though there is a growing perception about “the loss of sheen” in the industrial sector because  Indian politics has been marred by a series of scams in recent times, the industry will bounce back over the next couple of decades.

Chandrajit Banerjee

Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII (Confederation of Indian Industries), New Delhi highlights the agenda of the India Inclusive campaign that was the main attraction at the Davos 2011 Forum, while   Shoppers Stop CEO B. S. Nagesh, gazes into the crystal ball to tell us what the retail scenario in India will be in the next decade.

Reshma Jain, Editor, Marwar magazine, speaks about the spunk and grit of Marwari women entrepreneurs who balance home and business with panache. Vijay Kapur and Enakshi Sengupta write about creating value through CSR (corporate social responsibility).

B. S. Nagesh

Reshma Jain

Vijay Kapur

 Noted environmentalist Sunita Narain, argues that while we need industrial and infrastructural development it cannot be against the will of the people Vidya Dhopatkar, Economist, MEDC and Suresh Ghorpade, Dy. Gen. Manager, MEDC, present a study on how MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise)  are  gearing up to take on global challenges.

Venkat R Chary

Sunita Narain

Venkat R Chary IAS (Retd.)  tells us why India remained unscathed during the global meltdown of 2008.

In Know India Better, Akul Tripathi, travel writer and photographer, visits three of the seven scintillating sisters – Nagaland, Manipur and Assam. This time he takes the road less travelled to visit the sylvan Dzukou Valley in Nagaland, known as the ‘Valley of Celestial Charm’ and then goes in search of the elusive dancing deer ‘Sangai’ at the Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur, touted as the only floating national park in the world. His last stop is at the Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam.

sylvan Dzukou Valley in Nagaland

“Riding bikes is my passion”, exults Diya Garware Ibanez, in an interview with OIOP and unveils her company’s plan to give Indian consumers an amazing biking experience.

Diya Garware Ibanez

Manibehn 

“Uncle Pai”

In Great Indians OIOP pays tribute to Anant Pai or “Uncle Pai” as he was fondly known who passed away recently. Others who have been featured include Manibehn Vallabhbhai Patel, freedom fighter and daughter of the Iron Man of India, Sardar Patel and Lt General S P P Thorat DSO, an impeccable soldier who occupies a high place in the military history of India.

Bold, Assertive and Courageous.... The new Indian woman ...

Bold, Assertive and Courageous. The new Indian woman is all of this and much more. Among the many significant changes that have taken place in the India growth story in the recent times is the growing status of women. Breaking free from the shackles of outworn tradition, the modern day woman has been able to fight for her rights, achieve many milestones and create an identity for herself. The International Woman’s Day (IWD) held on 8th March every year is to commemorate the economic, social, cultural and political achievements made by women over the years. It is also a time to review her progress and reflect on her changing role and status in the society. This is what we have tried to do in the March 2011 issue of One India One People titled ‘Stree’, which in Marathi language means woman.    

March 2011 issue of One India One People 

In our lead article, Ranjona Banerji, says while Indian women are far more empowered today, it does not take away the fact that across India and the world, women are still fighting for basic human rights and amenities.

 In search of role models, Ammu Joseph tells us that some of the most influential female role models may be well women in our own lives: mothers, mothers-in-law, aunts, sisters, daughters, teachers, students, bosses, colleagues and friends. 

Saisuresh Sivaswamy looks at the changing trend in which today’s men are no longer shy of showing their vulnerable side and also take pride in being a more involved parent. 

Abhay Mokashi presents a study of women in politics. 

Talking about crimes against women, Lina Mathias points out that unless the government takes the safety of its women citizens seriously and women form a vigilant pressure group, piecemeal measures will amount to nothing, while Kamayani Bali Mahabal stresses that “The Protection of Women Against Sexual Harassment at Workplace Bill 2010” should focus on prevention.

 Dr. Shoma Chatterji analyses the role of Indian woman homemaker and argues that though housework is not included in computing the gross national product, this in no way means that housework is an uneconomic activity.

Know India Better features the vibrant folk arts of Kerala. The just concluded festival of Kerala’s Performing Arts Utsavam, provided a rare opportunity to art lovers to savour the magic and majesty of the state’s cultural heritage. 

In Great Indians, we have profiled freedom fighter and social reformer Ravishankar Vyas, dynamic army officer Lt Gen P S Bhagat PVSM VC and the legendary Hindustani classical music vocalist Pandit Bhimsen Joshi.

Get your copy of One India One People today. Write to us at oiop@vsnl.net or call 022-2353 44 00. You can even visit our website www.oneindiaonepeople.com for a look at our latest issue.

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day on March 8, One India One People pays tribute to four outstanding great Indians from different fields whose life is still an inspiration for many.    

Leela Roy

Leela Roy, an exemplary reformer (1900-1973), earned recognition as an eminent educationists, at a time when girls were hardly seen in schools let alone public life. She was a freedom fighter too, who was sentenced to six years rigorous imprisonment for participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement in December 1931. She also set up high schools and organizations for girls with an aim to educate and empower them.  Though there were obstacles at every step, Roy overcame them and became an inspiration for many of her contemporaries.

Kamala Das Aka Kamala Suraiya

 Kamala Das Aka Kamala Suraiya, writer and poet (1934-2009), stands out as an oddity on the Indian literary movement. She had little formal education and that too with inordinate breaks but her English poems figure in anthologies that are prescribed texts in literature studies in the US, UK and some Indian universities. Kamala Das was undoubtedly an iconoclast and had a literary flourish of her own. 

Gangubai Hangal

                                      Gangubai Hangal, Hindustani classical singer (1913-2009), was one of the most enduring figures of Hindustani music.  Together with Bhimsen Joshi and Firoze Dastur, she formed long-lasting trinity of the Kirana gharana music. As a musician and as a woman, Gangubai had to suffer a lot of humiliation and social discrimination because of the so called low status. She overcame this ignominy and the pathos in her music could be attributed to such bitter experiences.

Kamala Sohonie

Kamala Sohonie, the first Indian woman to get a PhD in a scientific discipline (1912-1998), was a path breaking researcher whose pioneering work in biochemistry was of great relevance to India. She started her career under the great scientist Sir C. V. Raman. He too was very impressed by Sohonie’s work and dedication. 

   Remembering our Founder Editor Mr. Sadanand A. Shetty

                                       

One India One People pays tribute to four Great Indians, who left their indelible mark on the Indian soil, on their birth anniversaries which fall in the month of February.  

Panchakshara Gawai

 Panchakshara Gawai, a musician from Karnataka, born on February 2, 1892, devoted his entire life to learning and promoting classical music. He was born blind but that did not deter him from pursuing his passion, which was music. Gawai was one of those greats who laid the foundation of Hindustani music in Karnataka.

M Ananthasayanam Ayyangar,

M Ananthasayanam Ayyangar, an astute parliamentarian, born on February 4, 1891, was the second Lok Sabha speaker and was known for his political vision and legal acumen.

Ma Mira or Mira Alfassa

Ma Mira or Mira Alfassa, known as the Mother, was the spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo. Born on February 21, 1878, she founded the International Center of Education and Auroville, the City of Dawn at Pondicherry and guided disciples from all over the world on Sri Aurobindo’s vision about humanity.

P. C. Sorcar

P. C. Sorcar, the legendary magician, hailed as the father of Indian Magic, born on February 23, 1913, cast his spell over the most unbelieving audience with his magic wand. His greatest contribution to the world of magic was the installation of Indian magic – his beloved Indrajal. He travelled around the globe to reviving a dying art of India. 

 You can read their complete profiles in the past issues of One India One People.