Re: [Assam] FW: Thanks for taking action
Dear Sondon, Thanks for your input. I don't have the baggage to answer to the questions raised by you. Generally on the net we participate in the intellectual discussions for our own ego-satisfaction. It does not lead to a solution to the problem. When I received the request to sign the petition to support the call for setting up a committee where representatives from the society will get an opportunity to work together with the government to draft an effective Lokpal Bill, I thought that instead of being a finger pointer let me inform others. More than 500.000 signed in one day. It also shows the power of Internet. Over the past 12 months India has been rocked by several major corruption scandals (or continuous chain of corruption cases). The country has slipped to the 87th spot in Transparency International's latest ranking of nations based on the level of corruption. Assam is the most corrupt province of India [http://brd.instablogs.com/entry/assam-ranks-as-most-corrupt-state]. We know that complex official procedures and several approvals needed to get projects going are linked to efforts by private firms to bribe their way through the system to get clearances. A recent study by research firm Marketing and Development Research Associates (MDRA) showed that 9 out of 10 employees working in private firms feel that corruption or fraud is a common phenomenon in corporate India [http://www.mdraonline.com/21%20January%20MDRA%20Corporate%20Corruption.pdf] . The study by KPMG said large investments, complex processes and huge projects give immense opportunity for corruption in sectors such as telecoms and real estate. [http://www.track2realty.com/realty-most-corruption-prone-sector-in-india-kp mg]. We have no answer to tackle these issues. I hope that the (Jan)Lokpal bill will be able to address some of the issues related to corruption in India. It might be the start of people power in India. Greetings, WK -Original Message- From: Chan Mahanta [mailto:cmaha...@gmail.com] Sent: 08 April 2011 15:28 To: w.sa...@indiawijzer.nl; A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the world Cc: Chan Mahanta Subject: Re: [Assam] FW: Thanks for taking action Thanks for sharing it WK. Where have we heard these before :-)? Anyway, Raghu gets it, but not fully. That is the unfortunate part, that some like Raghu, who has been in the thick of it and has seen it all, does not quite understand the deficiencies or the dysfunction of the SYSTEM, which he has rightly fingered. Why do I say that? Simple: A mere ratification of the UN Charter on CORRUPTION will go nowhere and nothing will come out of it, until the enforcement and adjudication system is drastically CHANGED, made functional! Why? It should be clear to anyone who has watched this and have a basic understanding of a democratic society with a respect for what is referred to as DUE PROCESS, ought to know, that just because someone gets CAUGHT with violation of the RULES , will ever be held accountable by the dysfunctional-desi-system. The investigators could be unqualified, without resources, underfunded, under-quipped, un-trained, politically influenced and even be corrupted. A crafty lawyer could easily portray the evidence to be discredited or show that they do not measure up to the standards of justice. The prosecutor could be incompetent, could be compromised. The judges could be compromised, exactly by the same forces. Add to that the current state of a 30 yr. backlog, in which the corrupt accused can laugh all the way to his grave. So, how does anyone held to account? I am appalled by the this amazing absence of understanding of how the process is supposed to work, even by India's best. I lay the blame to the absence of EDUCATION about WHAT democracy consists of and how its institutions are supposed to work. In the absence of this knowledge base in the citizenry, nothing really could be expected to change. But in the meantime, things could be done. I delineated some of those things, three or four years back, much to the chagrin of some of our friends right here, who were prompt to discredit them :-). c On Apr 8, 2011, at 5:45 AM, Wahid Saleh - Indiawijzer wrote: . Please watch this YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlyyE7wDzNk to hear T R Raghunandan, the Ex-IAS Officer's speech and see his presentation on corruption in India. You will be surprised to see and read why the corrupt ones go scot free and how they get the courage for all their corrupt activities, so easily in India. .Then go to IPaidABribe.com (copy and paste) and register to push for anti-corruption laws in India. From: Avaaz.org [mailto:av...@avaaz.org] Sent: 07 April 2011 23:38 To: indiawijzer...@gmail.com Subject: Thanks for taking action Avaaz usually sends about one email per week, offering a chance to take quick action on an urgent global issue. If you received this message in error
[Assam] FW: Thanks for taking action
· Please watch this YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlyyE7wDzNk to hear T R Raghunandan, the Ex-IAS Officer’s speech and see his presentation on corruption in India. You will be surprised to see and read why the corrupt ones go scot free and how they get the courage for all their corrupt activities, so easily in India. ·Then go to IPaidABribe.com (copy and paste) and register to push for anti-corruption laws in India. From: Avaaz.org [mailto:av...@avaaz.org] Sent: 07 April 2011 23:38 To: indiawijzer...@gmail.com Subject: Thanks for taking action Avaaz usually sends about one email per week, offering a chance to take quick action on an urgent global issue. If you received this message in error, or would prefer not to receive email from Avaaz, click here to unsubscribe https://secure.avaaz.org/act/?r=unsubemail=indiawijzer...@gmail.comlang=encid=1210 or email unsubscr...@avaaz.org. Thank you for standing with Anna Hazare against corruption! Your name has been added. The more people join this campaign, the more powerful our call will be. Please, spread the word by forwarding the email below and by posting a message on Facebook and Twitter: http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_anna_hazare/97.php?cl_tta_sign=5579bf66198a52bb063fb00a343463c7 Thanks so much, The Avaaz Team - Here is the original email to forward to your friends: Dear friends across India, Right now, Anna Hazare, a 73-year-old Gandhian, sits in the burning sun fasting, and he will stay until death -- unless the government agrees to consider a powerful law that could rid Indian politics of the scourge of corruption. This “Modern Mahatma” is taking the utmost act of courage and determination to push through a bill that would give an independent body the power to punish corruption -- even in the Prime Minister’s office. Across the country a movement has exploded, and a media storm of pressure has been sparked that’s engulfing Singh. But dirty politicians are desperately trying to water down or kill the law. For the first time in forty three years, we have the chance to change the way politics is done. Let's join together and stand with Anna Hazare to tackle corruption and clean up Indian politics. We have no time to lose -- sign the petition to Prime Minister Singh and send this on to everyone: http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_anna_hazare/97.php?cl_tta_sign=5579bf66198a52bb063fb00a343463c7 Hazare is championing a citizen-developed bill called “Jan” Lokpal that will create an independent body, selected by judges, citizens and constitutional authorities, with enough power to investigate and punish all politicians. No minister or bureaucrat will be able to influence its investigations. Since 1968, when this bill was first introduced, greedy politicians have thwarted its passing. Now the government is pushing for a watered down Lokpal with no hope of ending fraud, vice and dishonesty -- it gives politicians overriding power to decide who will be investigated, and is a complete eyewash. Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Singh to endorse the Jan Lokpal. Members of the opposition party have begun to make the right noises in support of Anna Hazare. And even the National Advisory Council, a powerful advisory body to Sonia Gandhi have come out in favour of the bill. But corrupt politicians and vested interests are doing all they can to kill it. Anna Hazare has set the example. But only a national citizens movement can ramp up the pressure to get Singh to endorse “Jan” Lokpal and save Hazare's life. Sign the petition and forward it to everyone now: http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_anna_hazare/97.php?cl_tta_sign=5579bf66198a52bb063fb00a343463c7 Corruption in politics has become a plague across our country, it is draining our resources and demoralizing our nation. This bill would go a long way to deterring those that steal and undermine the public good. Last year, the Avaaz community in Brazil won an important victory -- against the odds millions of people came together and pushed through a historic anti-corruption law. India has a proud history of people power overcoming oppression -- today if we all stand with one voice we can fight this corruption that is poisoning our political system. With hope, Saloni, Shibayan, Ricken, Ben and the whole Avaaz team. More information: India Today, Lokpal vs Jan Lokpal: A study in contrast: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/134429/latest-headlines/lokpal-vs-jan-lokpal-a-study-in-contrast.html The Hindu Business Line, Anna Hazare on fast-unto-death demanding Jan Lokpal Bill: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/article1602555.ece Times of India, On day Anna Hazare begins fast, NAC too calls for lokpal debate: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/On-day-Anna-Hazare-begins-fast-NAC-too-calls-for-lokpal-debate/articleshow/7880511.cms Tehelka, Social activists come together to
Re: [Assam] FW: Thanks for taking action
Thanks for sharing it WK. Where have we heard these before :-)? Anyway, Raghu gets it, but not fully. That is the unfortunate part, that some like Raghu, who has been in the thick of it and has seen it all, does not quite understand the deficiencies or the dysfunction of the SYSTEM, which he has rightly fingered. Why do I say that? Simple: A mere ratification of the UN Charter on CORRUPTION will go nowhere and nothing will come out of it, until the enforcement and adjudication system is drastically CHANGED, made functional! Why? It should be clear to anyone who has watched this and have a basic understanding of a democratic society with a respect for what is referred to as DUE PROCESS, ought to know, that just because someone gets CAUGHT with violation of the RULES , will ever be held accountable by the dysfunctional-desi-system. The investigators could be unqualified, without resources, underfunded, under-quipped, un-trained, politically influenced and even be corrupted. A crafty lawyer could easily portray the evidence to be discredited or show that they do not measure up to the standards of justice. The prosecutor could be incompetent, could be compromised. The judges could be compromised, exactly by the same forces. Add to that the current state of a 30 yr. backlog, in which the corrupt accused can laugh all the way to his grave. So, how does anyone held to account? I am appalled by the this amazing absence of understanding of how the process is supposed to work, even by India's best. I lay the blame to the absence of EDUCATION about WHAT democracy consists of and how its institutions are supposed to work. In the absence of this knowledge base in the citizenry, nothing really could be expected to change. But in the meantime, things could be done. I delineated some of those things, three or four years back, much to the chagrin of some of our friends right here, who were prompt to discredit them :-). c On Apr 8, 2011, at 5:45 AM, Wahid Saleh - Indiawijzer wrote: · Please watch this YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlyyE7wDzNk to hear T R Raghunandan, the Ex-IAS Officer’s speech and see his presentation on corruption in India. You will be surprised to see and read why the corrupt ones go scot free and how they get the courage for all their corrupt activities, so easily in India. ·Then go to IPaidABribe.com (copy and paste) and register to push for anti-corruption laws in India. From: Avaaz.org [mailto:av...@avaaz.org] Sent: 07 April 2011 23:38 To: indiawijzer...@gmail.com Subject: Thanks for taking action Avaaz usually sends about one email per week, offering a chance to take quick action on an urgent global issue. If you received this message in error, or would prefer not to receive email from Avaaz, click here to unsubscribe https://secure.avaaz.org/act/?r=unsubemail=indiawijzer...@gmail.comlang=encid=1210 or email unsubscr...@avaaz.org. Thank you for standing with Anna Hazare against corruption! Your name has been added. The more people join this campaign, the more powerful our call will be. Please, spread the word by forwarding the email below and by posting a message on Facebook and Twitter: http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_anna_hazare/97.php?cl_tta_sign=5579bf66198a52bb063fb00a343463c7 Thanks so much, The Avaaz Team - Here is the original email to forward to your friends: Dear friends across India, Right now, Anna Hazare, a 73-year-old Gandhian, sits in the burning sun fasting, and he will stay until death -- unless the government agrees to consider a powerful law that could rid Indian politics of the scourge of corruption. This “Modern Mahatma” is taking the utmost act of courage and determination to push through a bill that would give an independent body the power to punish corruption -- even in the Prime Minister’s office. Across the country a movement has exploded, and a media storm of pressure has been sparked that’s engulfing Singh. But dirty politicians are desperately trying to water down or kill the law. For the first time in forty three years, we have the chance to change the way politics is done. Let's join together and stand with Anna Hazare to tackle corruption and clean up Indian politics. We have no time to lose -- sign the petition to Prime Minister Singh and send this on to everyone: http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_anna_hazare/97.php?cl_tta_sign=5579bf66198a52bb063fb00a343463c7 Hazare is championing a citizen-developed bill called “Jan” Lokpal that will create an independent body, selected by judges, citizens and constitutional authorities, with enough power to investigate and punish all politicians. No minister or bureaucrat will be able to influence its investigations. Since 1968, when this bill was first introduced, greedy politicians have thwarted its passing. Now the
