In this post, I
just like to discuss few random issues which you may find no connection in
between. But, I feel that there is a link- Individual, Society, Country and
Nation and its development.
1.
One Saturday evening, i.e. on 27/10/2012
to be precise, I was caught in the Kochi traffic. I know that, there is nothing
new in knowing the fact that someone is caught in traffic in a city like Kochi
on a Saturday evening. But, the reason of the havoc is to be highlighted here.
People were forming a human metro (new name for a human chain), well supported
by communist party as usual, throughout a stretch of 20 to 30 odd KMs, ample
enough to add fuel to the fire. The chain was formed against the delay in
starting the mighty ballooned up project of “Komet” or “Kochi Metro”. The
reason for delay - DMRC or Delhi Metro Rail Corporation under the leadership of
Mr. E Sreedharan, is not being given the “freedom” to undertake the work. The
ruling Government pinned the communist party by “alleging the fact” that the
current opposition never took steps to start the project even. As usual the
great Indian Blame game continues and the citizens stand mere audience.
The
real question to be asked is does a person with a credible track record like
Mr. E Sreedharan need to stand all these baloney? Man behind re-building Pamban
Bridge? Man behind Konkan Railway and Metro Man behind Delhi Metro Rail
project? Can’t the project be very well given to the hands of DMRC without
raising any eye-brows? I believe-Yes…
I am
not sure if Metro really is a solution for the entire traffic block in Kochi,
but really hope like many other let it be the completed and become on good
solution.
2.
Another problem which I happen to hear
was the land acquisition pertaining to High Speed Rail Corridor stretching from
Trivandrum till Mangalore. The people were not being given the Market price for
the land being acquired. This is really an issue to be thought on. I believe
that Market price of a plot/piece of land is calculated by Government based on
the transactions happened in that particular area, in past few years plus few
other factors like accessibility and so on. So, when someone is shows a
depleted value of land on papers for the sake of saving the stamp duty, it is
very well affecting the chances of getting more market price of the area when
government acquires the land. I don’t know and I am not the right person to say
much about the real-estate games being played. But, I really think people need
to show right values of land on papers.
3.
Last day I was able to listen to the
speech of Mr. K M Mani, Honorable Minister for Finance, Kerala state
Government. He was addressing one Bankers’ association meet and was chief guest
for the same. He was emphasizing the need for giving more educational loan and
not to see the short term losses. But the real issue which I have felt is the
fee pattern. A small example may be taken- B.Sc Nursing. When a person or
student studying this course takes educational loan, the EMI of repayment to be
made monthly comes to Rs.8,000/- (even at reduced interest rates) from the day
he/she gets a job. Whereas the person is earning only Rs.6,000/-. How will the
person repay the loan after meeting the personal needs and expenses? Either the
pay must be increased or fees must be decreased or it is well and good if both
are done. Also, the politicians (people like Panchayath members) induce a wrong
notion in the borrowers’ mind that for educational loan no interest is to be
paid and if they are lucky, government may waive the loans. And, it affects the
intention of the borrower to repay the loan. It is true that interest is not to
be mandatorily paid for time-being, but at the time of finishing the course or
employment, the burden would be really huge.
The education
loan, for the bank manager is a double headed sword. If he doesn’t give, the student
may attempt suicide and the manager is accused with criminal charges. The reason
why he rejected the loan is a secondary issue. If he gave the loan and the
repayment is not proper, again the probe from top needs to be answered and
follow up needs to be done, ultimately he faces a encirclement from people,
just because he asked money the bank lent through him. Isn’t it his duty to do
so?
4.
When talking about education, the story
of reservation also needs to be addressed. It is really frustrating to know the
fact that INDIA IS THE ONLY COUNTRY WITH PEOPLE WHO RACE TO BE BACKWARD”. There
were times when Dalits needed reservation so that there life style and standard
can be uplifted. But the situation has very much improved. There are equal
opportunities for everyone. But, an average student loses his seat or
opportunity for better studies to a student with reservation only because he
was born in upward community. If you think deep, it is really tough to
understand on what criteria, SC/ST, OBC, Minority and general quota is
segregated. Still people are striving hard so that their community also should
be brought under reservation belt. And as time goes on, 100% of Indian
population would crave for reservation. Still, if reservation is mandatory or
unavoidable, can’t that be done based on annual family income/IT returns? Again
it is sad to see that people manipulate their income certificate just to
receive grants from Government bodies.
These are all my
opinions alone and may or may not be wrong. I would never claim these to be
correct, but people like me would be glad if these issues are well addressed
for better nation where our grandchildren would say-“Corruption is a thing
which our forefathers used to say about!!!”
JAI HIND!
