Freedom of expression is the soul of democracy

What is a nation where people can not speak ?

Agreed that people must be sensitive to others feelings and must express their views in a decent and non hurting ways. But nothing can justify use of fear & threat to suppress voice of people. If India has to remain alive as a democratic nation, it has to guard people's right to express their views. If someone has expressed opinion in a wrong manner then public at large will condemn it. It should not be argued that people will get influenced by someones opinion. People today are well aware and can not be fooled. Of course if someone is intentionally trying to harm society, then laws are there to take care of such people.

Those who are using fear and threat to have their say, they are not only harming India they are harming themselves. New India is rising where people are literate, aware, conscious of their rights and duties, feels committed to nation and knows the importance of healthy society in a vibrant democracy. Therefore all those who are working against the interest of nation will be rejected. It is time for such people to shed negative approach towards society and nation to prove their loyalty towards nation by building nation, not destroying it.

Passion for India

One thing that India need is a strong passion for India in every citizen's heart mind and soul. The spirit of nationalism can help in solving many problems and will bring about a strong united force which would be unbeatable in the world. This surging energy will help India to rise high and create quality life for everybody. This passion for India should not remain in just songs or TV shows but it should remain high in our day to day life. And if we want this energy to be strong, it needs two things.

Focus and Synergy.

Focus - Remain focused and never compromise on national interest. Even in our everyday life our focus should remain on national interest. So think about India when you are not paying your taxes or when you are throwing garbage on road. Even acts like jumping red lights or cheating in work creates bad national character. Check yourself. You should not need police to make things do. It should come from within.

Synergy - Collective efforts always bring brighter results. When others are doing good work, we must support wholeheartedly. There is a tendency to find faults in others work. Do not let your ego hurt your country. If you are not keen on doing something positive at least let others work.

We are blessed to be born in a great civilization. But unfortunately we have allowed this great civilization to become a country struggling with problems at all levels. And this will become even worse if we do not ignite passion for India in us.

Be a responsible citizen. Be a proud Indian.

Making India prosperous

Compete and get ahead of China, US.

To be No 1 in the world, we need to be the best in all aspects. We must be prepared to compete with countries like China and US.  It is matter of shame to hear that China is far ahead of India. Why it should be. Why we are not at par if not ahead. We have everything – talent, resources, man power. We have the potential but what is keeping us behind is our callous attitude. We are not focused and making spirited effort to be the best. When China can produce low cost goods and sell all over the world, why can’t we. We have to boost our exports. The only advantage that we had over China was English language but that might not be any advantage in near future. Time does not wait for anyone. We are taking too long in learning and doing things. We must immediately focus on following to become prosperous and developed.

1.      Productivity & exports – Without meaningful productivity and rise in exports we should not dream of getting prosperous. Unfortunately real productivity is lacking in India. We should not rely only on exports of natural resources or food items. We must focus on industrial productivity, produce low cost high quality products and find new markets for them. We should be doing this successfully better than China if we want to grow as a nation. Innovation is the key. For this our manufacturers must apply wisdom and see how they can introduce innovations in their products. Their products must appeal to people. The focus of application must be to bring out products to make people's life easier and better. At the national level we must promote small scale industry and cottage industry to have strong and homogenous economic foundation and sustainability. Export should also focus on knowledge based and service based industry.

2.      Good investment – We must welcome good investment. It should be done in a way that country’s interests are not hurt. In addition investment should spur infrastructure and local industry’s productivity. There must be caution when it comes to investment. One must not forget investment is like a loan. It can be good or bad. There is always a cost attached. Investors put in money to earn therefore investment must be invited with caution which should not damage local business and should not increase cost of living because both these will hurt local population and long term growth of nation. Similarly India must make good investments in upcoming zones around the world.

3.      Cut wastage and losses – It is a must. The expenditure must be lowered, wastage & losses cut. Here comes the role of corruption which is no less than termite eating up all.

4.      Cut taxes & regulations – Business cannot thrive until given right atmosphere. Government must cut taxes and excessive regulations to help boost the productivity.

5.      Infrastructure – This is the foundation of industrial growth. Therefore sufficient development of infrastructure must be done to help industrial growth. Luxuries should be low in priority.

6.      Research and development – Big mistake if we do not make this our priority. To be leader in industrial growth we need research and development. Why we are not winning Nobel prizes?

7.      Tourism - This sector is untapped and has enormous potential. If aesthetically developed and marketed, this can bring in big money in least possible time.  

8.      Rural growth - Big part of India lives in villages. Missing out on rural development will be another mistake. Organized farming along with better rural infrastructure and connectivity is a must for India now.

9.      Human growth – The core of growth is human growth. Until we have best healthcare, best education, sound law & order, social security all efforts towards prosperity and development would go waste.

India should no longer remain a sleeping giant. We have slept a lot. It is time now to be awake and get our acts together.

Corruption can be eliminated

Corruption eats nation to death.  Read how.

Everyone agrees that corruption is the biggest problem in India today. It is damaging our country in a big way. There is too much noise on this but unfortunately real efforts in a systematic way to get rid of this monster is lacking. On top of it lack of clarity and lack of action is leading to erosion of trust & faith on government institutions. This is very dangerous for the country. We are already in a bad shape due to poverty, rising inflation, crimes, communalism, terrorism etc. Such lack of faith and rising frustration will prove devastating. We must immediately work on this to avoid any further damage to the country. Government must take immediate steps to restore people's faith and eliminate corruption. There are possible solutions which can help in achieving corruption free India.

The basic cause of corruption is greed and out of proportion importance given to money. To become corruption free we must develop corruption free attitude and moral system. We must rediscover the richness of humanity.

Corruption can be fought in three basic ways.

1. At individual level

We must all get committed to honesty and integrity. Say no to corruption. Avoid shortcuts to get work done. Develop a sense of self respect. Do not let greed over power you. An honest person is always richer than dishonest irrespective of bank accounts. Remember corruption is a crime against your own self, your family, your religion, your society, humanity and your country. If we all decide and become honest, can there remain any corruption in society. Respect honest people around you and disregard those who are dishonest.

2. At community level

There must be a federation against corruption. This must have representatives in each and every part of nation. When ever some who is fighting against corruption like RTI activist is harassed, this federation must take up the issue for further action. This will make fight against corruption more effective and also save such fighters against harassment. Secondly there must be spread of awareness why corruption is bad and harmful for everyone. It is like penny wise pound foolish. When people succumb to corruption, they get some money but also get a very horrible society. Everyone must be made aware how corruption makes everyone's life miserable like slow poison.

Federation Against Corruption can help those fighting against corruption, RTI activist and nation by:

- Provide moral support
- Provide legal support
- Take up matter in case of non action
- Get things done in correct order
- Set system in right order
- Save activist from harassment and any assault
- In case of harassment or elimination of such fighters, this federation must take up the matter for further action.

If this is done then those indulging in corruption and threaten such fighters that any attempt to stop such fighters by use of force and fear will only backfire. This will help nation with two clear benefits:   1. Fighters will be protected against harassment and violence.   2. Fight against corruption will get more organized and effective. 

3. At national level

Following should be done
- Recognize corruption as serious offence. For small offence an opportunity must be given to plead guilty and reform after corrective action. For repeat and serious offence there should be severe punishment including life term.
- Offences must be graded and punished accordingly. Grade one - Tax avoidance. Grade two - Corruption using power and position. Grade three - Corruption in matter of national interest and nation's resources.
- Strict laws against corruption of both government and citizens
- Fast track courts to fight corruption
- Independent commissions for Bureaucracy, Judiciary, Police, Lokpal, Information, CBI, CAG, CVC, ED, Election Commission etc.
- Complete transparency in both government and private sector. Everything including all files and records, recordings of all meetings etc must be stored as soft copy at various locations like respective office, CBI office, President House and National Information Commission.
- Comprehensive, free and powerful investigative agency covering each and every individual of the country.
- Target zero black money. Abolish higher currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000.
- Promote verifiable transactions like account payments with cheques, wire transfer and use of credit cards or debit cards.
- Create online databank of all real estate properties, lockers, shares, credit card, bank account etc to eliminate benami or black transactions. Every single property, locker, credit card, bank account and share must have PAN No associated, let people claim them through self disclosure. All unclaimed properties, lockers, shares, credit card, bank account must be frozen and finally confiscated and go to government.
- Any private business owner or professional or service provider with fake or no receipt must be penalized. 
- Mandatory cross check of audit of all companies.
- Declare black money kept abroad as national asset, bring it back in time bound manner and impose heavy action on people / organization / banks helping in such activity.
- Such acts of corruption where nations assets and resources are looted must be declared as crime against nation.

Correct information and transparency 

This is the key in fighting corruption.

- Time to have National Information Commission which should have complete and authentic information of every single activity.
- An independent international body or bodies must study different states and compare their development and other parameters like corruption, crimes, environment etc.
- This study can also be used to help faster development of states which are lagging behind.
- This study can help citizens of India to have authentic information about functioning of central and state governments.
- Media must use and cite this information from independent international body or bodies to avoid ambiguity and allegations of bias.

Media 
Media has the most important role to play. It can spread awareness and expose guilty. But before that it has to check itself. It must ensure:
- It keeps nation interest higher than self 
- It keeps itself free from corruption and has accountability and transparency
- It must declare owner, board members, investors and beneficiary annually 
- It is free from bias and gives equal opportunity to all
- It has maturity to conduct itself in wise and decent manner
- It promotes facts and do not promote opinions 


Role of citizens Corruption is the biggest evil for every nation. India too has suffered a lot. This is an important fight for nation building.  Since this is not one day task or one man task. We need to address the issue in more comprehensive and systematic manner:

- Let the government work. There should be no preconceived notion about reforms will occur or not.   
  Everyone must demand and support government in improving the system.
- It should not be person centric. Fight against corruption must be against system that breeds corruption.
- It should a collective and progressive fight against corruption.
- Awareness play a big role. People must be made aware how corruption harms everyone. People must be taught to rise above short term gain through corruption which in reality is no gain.
- Agitations against corruption can occur but must be without confrontation and must be done peacefully to create better awareness against corruption.


Fight against corruption is fight of every citizen who is loyal to nation. Let us all come together and work in realizing the dream of a great nation.


Let us all commit our self to richness of humanity, the true richness.