Barackface

Sunday, March 08, 2015

The Infighting In AAP, JD(U), And RJD

The infighting in AAP, JD(U) and RJD (Kejri/Yadav, Nitish/Jitan, Laloo/Pappu) is a sign Modi just might take control of the state governments in both Bihar and UP.

AAP could have given serious competition to the BJP in UP. If it had not gone down with its infighting.

Bihar needs industrialization more than any other state, but Nitish is fighting Modi's land acquisition bill tooth and nail: makes no sense.

If the BJP takes Bihar, I guess Sushil Modi gets to be Chief Minister. I don't know of any obvious face for the BJP in UP. But that should not be a problem. They are a cadre driven party. They have swelling ranks. I had never come across the names of the BJP's three or four newest Chief Ministers.

Wednesday, March 04, 2015

The Next Amitabh Movie

Balki, I want the next Amitabh movie to be an on screen romance between Amitabh and Rekha.

Tuesday, March 03, 2015

Modi's 100 Smart Cities And Superpowerdom

English: Map of the British Indian Empire from Imperial Gazetteer of India (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Narendra Modi talked relentlessly of building 100 smart cities across India as he crisscrossed the country on the campaign trail. That is a great concept, and might be India's ticket to going back to being the leading country on the planet, like it once was. For most of human history India and China have been the two richest countries on earth.

India is not going anywhere unless it can grow up double digit rates for the next 30-40 years. That is the key thing. But economic growth is not enough. India's vast energy needs have to be met through innovations in clean energy. If you can't see the sky, does not matter that you have a lot of money in the bank.

But the only way India can become the leading country is if it takes its democracy to a whole new level. India has to celebrate diversity better than any other country. India has to celebrate free speech better than any other country. That is a precondition to India creating the trillion dollar industries of tomorrow.

Those 100 smart cities have to think along the lines of clean energy, organic farming, diversity and free speech. Those 100 smart cities have to become microcosms of the India of tomorrow.

Sunday, March 01, 2015

Land Acquisition: मोदी माँग रहे है तो दे दो

उतना trust तो earn किया है मोदी ने ------ मोदी माँग रहे है तो दे दो ----- सारे दुनिया में भारत का नाम रौशन किया। भारत को fastest growing economy on the planet बना दिया। बहुत बड़ा काम किया। अब कह रहे हैं double digit growth rate तक पहुँचने के लिए land acquisition चाहिए। चाहिए तो चाहिए, माँग रहे है तो दे दो।

Ayodhya: I Like The Idea Of Both Temple And Mosque

Apparently this is not a new idea. It was suggested during the time of Rajiv Gandhi before the demolition of the Babri Mosque, but was not entertained. Maybe enough water has flown down the Ganga and emotions have quietened down.

This is about India's global aspirations. This is about India wanting to be a global superpower. Forget weapons. This is about soft power. This is about diversity and democracy and diplomacy, three Ds as Modi might say.

India needs to send a message that Muslims and Hindus can live side by side, can co-exist, can thrive together. If Hindus and Muslims can not live happily together, India can kiss its global aspirations good bye.

This is not about history. This is about today. What do you want today?

If India can resolve this, it can hope to play a decisive role in Mideast peace, a lot of which also seems to be about ridiculous real estate.

My only suggestion is, that 100 meter wall, how about making it out of glass? Like in the Apple stores?

Land Acquisition Bill: The Details

"Whoever is opposing this Bill should clearly state the clauses they are referring to. Are you against the move that farmers will get a compensation four times the value of their land?"

While the government's ordinance is aimed at unlocking hundreds of billions of dollars worth of projects stuck for want of land, opposition parties and rights activists say it discriminates against farmers. The ordinance is a temporary order and needs the approval of both houses of parliament to take permanent effect. It will lapse if parliament does not ratify it in this session.

Jaitley asked the opposition parties not to make infrastructure and industry “bad words” in the garb of taking pro-poor and pro-farmer positions....... Apart from national security, the proposed amendments bring rural infrastructure, affordable housing, industrial corridors, and infrastructure projects, including PPP projects in which government owns the land, in the special category that does not require consent of the landowners or SIA.

English: topographic map of India (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I need to educate myself.

I am not aware of the details of the bill. All I am seeing is people are strongly supporting it, and strongly opposing it. It is obviously an emotionally charged issue.

India is a country of small farmers. And I can see how land acquisition can be an emotionally charged issue.

I have no doubt it needs to be done. But then I also have no doubt it needs to be done right. An open, inclusive discussion has to take place. Amendments have to be made as necessary. But the work needs to get done. How else can India become a First World country?

Saturday, February 28, 2015

नीला आसमान और भारतका विकास

चीनने विकास तो किया लेकिन वहाँ क्या है कि आजकल आकाश दिखता ही नहीं है। भारत को वो गलती दुहरानी नहीं चाहिए। प्रदुषण ज्यादा हो तो quality of life ख़राब हो जाती है -- तो वैसे विकास का क्या फ़ायदा कि सबको दम्मा का बीमारी हो जाए?

Double Digit Growth चाहिए भारतको। Clean Energy can actually help. It is one of the industries of tomorrow. And not only should India emphasize clean energy as much as possible, it should make it an export item.

नीला आसमान और भारतका विकास ---- सबका साथ जो कहते हैं उसमें आसमान को भी समेटिये।

Modi Should Be Allowed Land Acquisition

English: Narendra Modi in Press Conference (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There can be legitimate disagreements, there can be legitimate discussions, and the land bill should be polished through democratic discussion, but there is no doubt in my mind that Modi should be allowed the essence of his land acquisition bill. Unless land acquisitions can happen, India can not industrialize, India can not build ambitious infrastructure projects, India can not become a First World country.