Tighten laws; strengthen local economy - Vipin Gupta - If I were PM

Tighten laws; strengthen local economy - Vipin Gupta

Livemint Community - Monday, December 08, 2008 2:48 PM

India has many problems, but these are the issues I would address first:

Acts like POTA and Article 370 which were rescinded would be brought back with further amendments to strengthen security and dissuade terrorist activities

The Indian economy is too dependent on foreign inputs - this would have to be countered by encouraging local production so that input and production costs are brought down, while also boosting the local economy. Local production must then, be encouraged at all costs.

I would close all the DRDO's because they are a massive waste of public funds and misuse government machinery. 

 

 

 

 

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11 Comment

From Biswadip Paul

December 8, 2008 6:40 PM
Acts like POTA gives the power of preventive detention to police.Such powers have the possibility of misuse.No doubt strong measures need to be taken when we face situations like mumbai terror attack,but what we need to question ourselves is: Do we really need legislative reforms or will a restructuring of present security infrastructure suffice?Do we really need new laws to prevent terrorists from crossing our waters and entering our country?Is it a new law which will allow Security forces to be rapidly deployed and hence avoid the situation to escalate to the extent that it did in mumbai?? I would say NO.All we need to have a proper infrastructure to deal with such situations.A powerful law like POTA can be misused to make political and personal gains. The thing i fully support is your call for self-independence by strengthening local economy.But why should we not be self-independent in case of defense equipments.DRDO has served india and given it many missiles.The cost of defense is only 20 percent from DRDO.A huge portion of defense expenditure in on buying equipments from foreign suppliers.If managed properly,DRDO can give us the self-independence in defense equipments which will on the long run not only cut down our defense costs but also strengthen our position as world power.

From Anupam Sanghi

December 8, 2008 9:53 PM
A RESOLVE, BETTER LATE THAN NEVER - Illegitimi non carborundum To, The Indian Intelligensia, Friends, I dedicate the title of this article, to our political class who are patholigically incapable of owning mistakes which had disastrous consequences !! For those who haven’t encountered this phrase, Illegitimi non carborundum is a mock-Latin aphorism jokingly taken to mean "don't let the bastards grind you down". I know, this phrase originated during world war II and was used by a US Army general as his motto during the war. In the context of the horrifying carnage in mumbai, I could have used this title in a positive spirit to say that we must not fear and blah blah…but ironically, I can’t be sitting back and fooling myself when time and again it is clear that our own polity, wearing the mask of administrators, are our biggest enemies. Did you get that very apt sms saying “ Don’t be afraid of those who came by boat, be afraid of those who came by vote..” ?. Visualising India Volumes after dusty volumes would be written in the history of india about the repeated failures of our governance system ( the lack of it really…) and the unique absence of formula for setting up security for our citizens, having a workable criminal justice system ! How many of us know that the criminal justice system does not work?. Unless under compelling circumstances or unless one has a malafide intent to accuse someone of criminal charges, would any of us actually choose to pursue a remedy in law with true faith in the criminal justice system and/or the enforcement agencies ?? When majority of us are absolutely sure that the entire criminal justice system cannot provide real remedy, wouldn’t criminals ( small or hardened ) not know that ? And then they make mickey out of the existing authorities. Apparent questions and obvious answers If the states cannot enforce law and order then shouldn’t there be any system of giving power to the centre?, what about accountability? , Shouldn’t certain laws relating to crime and security be centralized?, Do we need to review crimes that should not be bailable anymore?, In light of this, review interpretation of entries in the state and concurrent list of the constitution ?. Rude awakening to real issues at hand Creating communal divide by political parties is showing remarkably successful results!!. Isn’t it threatening the security of the state and therefore ought to be declared / defined as a crime ?. When it suits the government, for the sake of enlarging their vot bank, they can make some very stringent laws. For eg; Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Why is calling a SCST “chamar” made a crime in law and enforced by this special draconian Act ?. How reliable is our legal system ?. In our country, the legal route is chosen by many to let the issue whither away and die a slow and prolonged death. Its not just the law but also the enforcement agencies involved along the chain who contribute to this. Laws drafted and are a obvious failure need to be reviewed in this situation so that they are enforceable and executable AND on the other hand enforcement agencies should respect the law and be accountable for lapses. When we are faced with this pathetically frustrating system we realize that we are thE poor common man suffering – till it does not happen to us we don’t speak up !! and we see how, despite a justice system, the poor common man puts the blame on his destiny when he encounters a bad officer or a judge. Why isn’t he more confident of getting the result which the law provides ? isn’t it always a mystery and left to the hands of the lawyer, officer and judge he has to deal with?. When good officers and judges simply do their duty they are looked at as heroes. But since they are rare to find, yes they are heroes. Just making laws does not help !! For instance, arguing whether POTA should be there or not is of no consequence. Stepping ahead towards a new century How will there be enforcement of criminal laws? There are 3 types of evidence which are allowed to be admissible – 1. Eye witnesses 2. Direct evidence 3. circumstantial evidence which can be traced back to chain of events. Enforcement should be done with a known formula. It should envisage the result to be achieved, keeping realities in mind. Thus, what is a real solution should be known alongwith the length of time it “should” take to be achieved so that – • Eye witness can be used effectively and efficiently • Judges do not keep changing and delaying the prosecution • The rules of evidence are given EFFECT to. • There should be fall back options for difficulties known that could hamper enforcement – how to counter the same ( instead of giving excuses and playing blame game later ). According to Common Wealth Human Rights initiative director Maja Daruwala: “This time it was Taj and terrorists. But on a daily basis, how many people in Delhi alone get murdered, maimed, robbed and raped ? Is the police able to prevent and investigate such cases and come to a quick solution?. The fact is that ordinary security is not available. Had supreme court directives on police reforms been obeyed, they would have removed police from political control, giving it operational responsibility.” We need to move on to help us survive and sustain in today’s times. People will bend towards real development, even if its through the hands of corrupt politicians. And real development means having a comfortable environment first. When the foundation and political will to progress in every way is strong, other requirements of law and order etc will also fall in place. If the system is dependable, people will respect the system and be more law abiding. The same indians transform overnight when they travel abroad. Don’t we feel its easier to commute and deal with the system in a FOREIGN country – then don’t we respect their laws?. How have they effectuated this?. Look at the development in a country like Malaysia – reputed to be muslim dominated, having a corrupt political system …somewhere there needs to be Honest “political will” to change for the better. sharing vision – going to the root of the matter Integrity in the nation will come when we value what we possess. Security is valuable. In a family home when children feel a sense of security ( both mental and physical ) and are brought up well groomed with good nurturing, that’s when they develop a sense of respect for their providers (parents). We are dealing with humans. So, if we have an insensitive environment – that’s a reflection of what we have fed into the system. Do we know or care about what is the foundation of our constitution?. Does it translate our voice into rights it gives us on paper?. The common people are hardly aware of their fundamental rights or even the object behind the constitution. It is meant to be a manual for administration. I asked our maids if they knew about the “samvidhan” and they said “yes, neta logon ka kitab”. They did not know it is meant to be their tool to safeguard their rights!! Many educated people also remain unaware. Don’t these so called administrators know that only about 7% people speak english. So, in these 60 years, have they made any effort for the common man to know what the samvidhan is all about?. Not even in their bhashans during elections !! So we need to be more concious of our rights and spread this awareness as one of the social cuases, corporates can pursue this as part of their corporate social responsibility. If we have been party to accepting and/or reasoning it by chanting the good old mantra – “ we are going through the developmental process” - the same is soon becoming stale…isn’t it actually stinking already ?? Why is it that in a place like America, you have their citizens so involved and emotional about the presidential speeches?. As I see it, there is a sense of attachment with and pride of the nation – they value that. Ok, we value our heritage and weight of such old history…what else? Hello! We are just living in the past…blaming colonialism, nehrus etc etc still… We also really need to hit at people’s heart to get unity and co-ordination, to see them satisfied with the progress. Even in the case of terror on mumbai, its taj and oberoi hotels – it was the united and wounded voices that have appealed for this harmony – thank god! Somewhere we have not lost total sensitivity although terror attacks in delhi, jaipur, ahmedabad etc were not less scary. Did we feel so emotional about the parliament being attacked?. Frankly, many of us were wishing for a neat end of the occupants of that building, planned by rescue operation of …... The politicians are sensitive to public opinion, for obvious reasons. So, lets use it positively. We the people should not be selfish and divided in condemning and taking stands. There should be loud and clear opinion of the people to whom the constitution really belongs, protects their fundamental rights, life and liberty. Today we have got it to a level of such frustration that the next level can only be a civil disobedience and rebellious flouting of laws/taking it in their hands by even the elite and privileged class because EVERYONE wants their home to be safe… Now we can’t afford to let this be left to drawing room analysis and mere presciption of solutions over a drink. We need enough sustained inertia to mobilise the concerned authorities. At this poignant event, let the indian government ( presently, a cemetry - of expired human resources ) decide whether they want to face international terror with the desired urgency and preparedness or face the nation and the natural civil disobedience in the offing !! Suggested measures for a NEW PM- Diversification of portfolio required to deal with these issues Disaster Management Beggars & crime Governance body – identifying issues and implementing solutions Planning for foreseable crimes – war over internet, biological warfare. pamsanghi@gmail.com

From Mahesh Pillai

December 9, 2008 9:15 AM
If i were a prime minister i would have addressed the issue of terrorism - need of the hour. The first thing which i would have done is to straight away launch a millitary attack on the terrorist camps in Pakistan without waiting for any dailogues or talks with the shameless neighbour. its of no use. if americans can attack afghan post 9/11 why cant we ? The second thing which i would have done is to establish a large commando force like the NSG kind of thing so that they can gaurd each and every public places in India even if i have to levy additional Cess or taxes in the same way as the education cess is levied today.They should be highly paid atleast more than IPS or IAS and given treatment like IPS or IAS officers. We should motivate them and should assure them that their family will be taken care totaly by the government if they loose their life while fighting for the nation . I believe doing the above things will restore Confidence in my fellow citizens of the country. they should never have the feeling while leaving their house in the morning that whether they can come back in the evening.

From SUNIL

December 9, 2008 10:51 AM
There is a lot to be done within and with neighbors. Its great to see a lot of constructive ideas from all of us. A few of them I will also add later on. But the fact is we are not in power to implement and those in power are not going to implement, they have better ways of thinking and even better ways of doing the thing. Let us know that the feeling we share is the feeling of every citizen of this country and if I may say every one on this EARTH except the Doers’, the Planners’, the perpetuators’, the Protectors’, the Police and the Politicians. They are of different breed and have this misconception of being away from the results of the deeds. They are the source, the supply and the support for all this. Unfortunately no amount of strength shows, sms/email forwarding is going to form any dent in their health. The force lies in the collective effort at ground/individual level by each one of us… -knowledge is the best weapon, people should use every type of medium available to spread knowledge about any form of corruption, suspicious activity, information about Government officials, Politicians, Police, unmask them use secretly mobile camera, recordings post them on net, pass them to papers, news channels, you do not have to give your identity. The aim should be to terrorize these people to even come out in public and feel the fear of common man. -RTI is another weapon to unmask them there are good people to help you, but remember to act in unity, form a group and approach with non-violence, they will run for cover, believe me. -teach you children the right and wrong, the just and unjust at least the next will get the advantage of a better world. -VOTE is best democratic weapon people have in their hands use is with common sense, you have the right to not vote and register a REJECT ALL NO VOTE. Ask questions to your local representatives and if found unsuitable for a local committee of like minded people to self govern your locality. We can always select self governance, there are RWA’s who are doing very good in and around the place where we live. -A step in right direction is the best start, if we are disturbed from what is happening around, hold your ground, take care of your safety, the your family, your Street/colony/village, be it fight against terrorism, global warming, petty thieves, road safety, planting trees, water harvesting, all these problems have to broken in small and dealt with at the smallest unit level. Each of us have to contribute in whatever smallest way we can manage; the aim should be better and safe surroundings. -As a country we have to take leadership role in this part of world and the first thing a leader do is to show capability of being a leader by demonstrating its strength. The strength has to be visible in words and action. A strong neighbor should use his power to solve the problems of its neighbors. We must act to wipe off the breeding grounds of terrorism if our neighbors are not capable.

From ANJAN KUMAR SAMAL

December 9, 2008 12:34 PM
IF I WERE PM ,I would have suggested an highly independent central security agency to work under the administration of the president of India without any political pressure. There is need of involvement of citizens from each and every part of the country through a capable citizen intelligence network system. The government of India need to convince the other part of the world along with the UN security council about the training camps of terrorists in POK and in other part of Pakistan to mount pressure diplomatically. There should not be any kind of politicization of terror strike.If so that particular political party need to banned by the Election commission of India for the nation's safety and sovereignty. All the schools of the nation should give special training to all the students essentially and especially for the personal and country's safety and security. There must be a volunteer youth brigade across the country to help the security agencies at the time of any kind of terror attack to eliminate terrorism. The government of India need to eliminate some internal enemies of the nation like MOIST & NAXALITES who help the terrorists some how. All the Indian citizen must be provided BIO METRIC IDENTITY CARD whose data should be in the data bank of the central security agencies for the quick identification. Our government should also form a QUICK RESPONSE TEAM and should deploy it in each and every sensitive areas to tackle any kind of terror attack within the territory of the nation with independent power of handling the situation.

From CM

December 9, 2008 5:04 PM
Close all DRDOs!!!!?????? Do you have any idea as to what DRDOs do? Without the deadly missiles we posess at the moment, the Indic civilization would be dead by now. In the real world, might respects might! Thats why Pakistan or China hasnt invaded us....the threat of a retaliatory strike deters them. Your juvenile thoughts indicate that nothing contructive can be inferred for nation building.

From Shah Khalilur Rahman

December 10, 2008 7:08 PM
If I was the Prime Minister, I would opt to fight terror without guns, allegations, accusation, and avoid political opinions so that the opposition is targeted. I would, as per the need of the hour, try to understand the people’s mindset and the strong reason behind their minds which accepts them to die leaving behind their loved ones and killing several innocent. The present system to fight against terror has indeed collapsed, irrespective of the fact that we accept it or not. Whoever these people are, be them from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh or any other country, I would not like to fight terror by guns and arms, but would like to first understand and identify who my enemies are and the reason for them being my enemies. I would prefer to sit down and talk with them, try to understand the root problem and seek a solution for it. I would punish the local people for helping them out to carry out their mission rather than prolonging their cases for a long time, and come up with a decision after years together. As a system, wee all need to understand that we should be prepared to take action before we are targeted, and ensure that the police force is trained and well equipped so that there is no loophole in the system as a whole. We need to accept that the existing Police protection system does not allow us to defend ourselves in such situations. There were blasts which happened in Delhi’s several market places, but I am pretty sure that the CCTVs which were installed after the blasts are not functional now and in turn is inviting trouble. The recent Mumbai blasts should have woken us up, and we have actually woken up to a certain limit, but as a responsible citizen of this country, I would like to say that after a while, things will be back in the “Chalta hai style” once again. This attitude of ours has to be changed in order to fight terror successfully. As a Prime Minister of this country, I know and understand that I have the authority and power to take these decisions so that I can be ensured that atleast we as a system are upgraded from the present level.

From baru

December 11, 2008 4:41 AM
Hi Friend, I would like to disagree with you on "I would close all the DRDO's because they are a massive waste of public funds and misuse government machinery" Ok what do you mean by the below statement The Indian economy is too dependent on foreign inputs - this would have to be countered by encouraging local production so that input and production costs are brought down, while also boosting the local economy. Local production must then, be encouraged at all costs. What will you produce 1945 land master (ambi) or 1930 tanks and guns.. We need RND in every thing , DRDO has huge delay I agree but think about this.. consider LCA. I will give 6000cr to you to make a plane , what will you do with the money. You may say get 200 morden cutting edge plane from us or russia and have it.. that you might think as inteligent as per your statement 1 or you might say produce locally as per your statment 2 But to produce locally do we have the necessary knowledge and infrastructure ... my friend DRDO has to build each and every test lab with that money .. they have not eated all 6000 cr.. its spent in india to build gaint test labs that were not there .. also touch your heart and say what is your salary and whome you are working for,, these nobel people in drdo is getting 1/3 of your salary at your age and they are wourking for you.. you could have joined them and contributed to them ... \ without research by drdo india will never succeeed...we need rnd and we need drdo

From prateek

December 16, 2008 3:14 PM
Above all, science and technology needs to be respected as a critical and noble proffession for nation building and not to be considered just as a money making job... and the great scientists in the past and present of our country need to be respected for what they've given to the nation. We take all we have for granted but it took someone like Dr. Kalam and many others their whole lives to build just one indigenous product right from the elements of air,earth,fire and water. if people cant appreciate that, that only means that they need reeducation.

From LERE AYANWOLA

January 28, 2009 11:07 PM
Dear Friends Please be informed that MQM´s recent Bill for the Provincial Autonomy submitted in the National Assembly of Pakistan is basically aimed at paving way for the formation of REPUBLIC OF JINNAHPUR. Dr. Farooq Sattar is the one who drafted this bill with mala fide motive in order to make proper political arrangement in the long run for the formation of an Urdu speaking state known as REPUBLIC OF JINNAHPUR as proposed by one MQM Activist called Syed Jamaluddin based in Europe. Syed Jamaluddin has proposed in his said book that Jinnahpur shall be made exactly in the same manner KOSOVO got liberated a year ago. Please note that Kosovo was an autonomous province of Serbia. Hence, if MQM´s Provincial Autonomy Bill is approved (God Forbid), one day will come when MQM shall declare independence of Republic of Jinnahpur through a unanimous vote in the Sindh Assembly exactly in the same manner as done by Kosovo Assembly in February 2008. Similarly, Dr. Farooq Sattar has acquired Ministry for the Overseas Pakistanis in line with MQM´s agenda of bringing foreign investment into Karachi which will be propagated as a future DUBAI and SINGAPORE as outlined in the famous book titled "FORMATION OF REPUBLIC OF JINNAHPUR" written by an MQM Activist called SYED JAMALUDDIN based in Europe. The script of the said book was first approved by the MQM leaders in London before it was sent for publication as part of MQM´s policy to indirectly blackmail Pakistan´s establishment including Pakistan Army. It is also to be noted that MQM had asked the author of the said book to insert inside the book the petition filed by MQM in 1992 at the SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN concerning the atrocities (as they claimed) committed by Pakistani Army in Karachi in which (as they claimed) around 15000 Urdu speaking workers were tortured to death by Pakistani Army. Inclusion of MQM´s petition in the said book called FORMATION OF REPUBLIC OF JINNAHPUR is made to inform the whole world that Pakistan is currently in the same state as it was back in 1971 when Bangladesh was formed. In several TV interviews, representatives of MQM have openly mentioned that unless their Bill for Provincial Autonomy is passed, Pakistan´s disintegration shall remain on the cards. This is indeed an open threat. It is important that all Patriotic Pakistanis should be aware of this conspiracy by MQM to divide Pakistan in the light of the proposition given by the same Syed Jamaluddin in his book titled "DIVIDE PAKISTAN TO ELIMINATE TERRORISM". For evidence, please listen to Syed Jamaluddin´s video interviews by visiting his blog at www.dividepakistan.blogspot.com. Beware of MQM. Beware of Dr. Farooq Sattar. Only NAWAZ SHARIF can save Pakistan from disintegration. LERE AYANWOLA FRIENDS OF PAKISTAN

From Namat Khan

January 28, 2009 11:08 PM
Dear Friends Please be informed that MQM´s recent Bill for the Provincial Autonomy submitted in the National Assembly of Pakistan is basically aimed at paving way for the formation of REPUBLIC OF JINNAHPUR. Dr. Farooq Sattar is the one who drafted this bill with mala fide motive in order to make proper political arrangement in the long run for the formation of an Urdu speaking state known as REPUBLIC OF JINNAHPUR as proposed by one MQM Activist called Syed Jamaluddin based in Europe. Syed Jamaluddin has proposed in his said book that Jinnahpur shall be made exactly in the same manner KOSOVO got liberated a year ago. Please note that Kosovo was an autonomous province of Serbia. Hence, if MQM´s Provincial Autonomy Bill is approved (God Forbid), one day will come when MQM shall declare independence of Republic of Jinnahpur through a unanimous vote in the Sindh Assembly exactly in the same manner as done by Kosovo Assembly in February 2008. Similarly, Dr. Farooq Sattar has acquired Ministry for the Overseas Pakistanis in line with MQM´s agenda of bringing foreign investment into Karachi which will be propagated as a future DUBAI and SINGAPORE as outlined in the famous book titled "FORMATION OF REPUBLIC OF JINNAHPUR" written by an MQM Activist called SYED JAMALUDDIN based in Europe. The script of the said book was first approved by the MQM leaders in London before it was sent for publication as part of MQM´s policy to indirectly blackmail Pakistan´s establishment including Pakistan Army. It is also to be noted that MQM had asked the author of the said book to insert inside the book the petition filed by MQM in 1992 at the SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN concerning the atrocities (as they claimed) committed by Pakistani Army in Karachi in which (as they claimed) around 15000 Urdu speaking workers were tortured to death by Pakistani Army. Inclusion of MQM´s petition in the said book called FORMATION OF REPUBLIC OF JINNAHPUR is made to inform the whole world that Pakistan is currently in the same state as it was back in 1971 when Bangladesh was formed. In several TV interviews, representatives of MQM have openly mentioned that unless their Bill for Provincial Autonomy is passed, Pakistan´s disintegration shall remain on the cards. This is indeed an open threat. It is important that all Patriotic Pakistanis should be aware of this conspiracy by MQM to divide Pakistan in the light of the proposition given by the same Syed Jamaluddin in his book titled "DIVIDE PAKISTAN TO ELIMINATE TERRORISM". For evidence, please listen to Syed Jamaluddin´s video interviews by visiting his blog at www.dividepakistan.blogspot.com. Beware of MQM. Beware of Dr. Farooq Sattar. Only NAWAZ SHARIF can save Pakistan from disintegration. Namat Khan Rawalpindi

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