RTI and Political Parties_Round Table Discussion

One of the speaker Rao garu, participated in  Quit India (1942) Movement, he was so energetic while speaking for the betterment of country, otherwise very week. 

Another Speaker was Sharam garu, Retd IAS, he is an example of democratic citizen, who never tires in fighting democratically for the betterment of our democratic polity.

The next Speaker was Satyanarayana Garu, one of the four advisors India send to Nepal for drafting their Constitution. Great RTI activist.

And none other than Chakradhar, who initiated the program, and arraging a round table meeting. His profession is service to the most needy in the society. He set the agenda and left the discussion to the members.

And Avinash, My Classmate in Law, who actually invited me to the meeting. Thank You Avi! :)


In the debate, I focused Mainly on the non-maintainability of DoPT affidavit in Supreme Court.

Because as per rule of law in any court of law, we have to show based on what sections or subsections or clauses, we are supporting our arguments.

But the DoPT affidavit rejecting political parties in the ambit of RTI shows nothing.

Some of their major arguments are
1. Parliament never thought, while discussing the bill
2. Political Rivals may misuse RTI Act
3. Political parties are already disclosing financial details.
4. Political Parties are not Public authorities, they are not established under constitution or statute
are some of the grounds among others

How ever,
1. Once Bill is passed, the interpretation of law in the hand of Court and not of that of executive, thus, CIC already interpreted Political parties as Public authorities. Now that order is Challenged in Supreme Court
2. Perception of use/misuse cannot be ground in any court of law to seek exemption from any Act.
3. Law Commission in its report 255 clearly laid down procedure to disclose financial transactions, but the political parties never take them seriously
4.When the entire Govt is Controlled by Political parties, where is the question of them being non-public authorities.
5. Political parties are not included in schedule 2 of RTI Act, which only can provide exemption.

It is Irony that democratic Polity is ruled by undemocratic political parties, it is time for people to demand more transparency.

Supreme Court must stand up to the occasion and  bring political parties under RTI ambit even with some protective measures to them.

Time Up guys, We have to demand more transparency and accountability from political parties for the betterment of Our, our Kids and Our Nation's Future.

 

e-Menu & Tariff to Railway Passengers

e-Menu & Tariff  to Railway Passengers

PMOPG/E/2016/0309105

Railways is not Providing Menu & Tariff of Pantry Car supplying items to Customers who are also Citizens (kings in Democracy).

This lack of Information is leading to

1. High Price Charging by Pantry car Staff with or Without collusion with Pantry car Manager.

          E.g. I have complained about over charging in Ratnachal Super Fast Train to 1800111321 from my mobile 9491783736, The manager came to me and asked to identify the supplying boys. Then he fired them.  He gave me his number to me and Requested to inform him first before calling 1800111321. Next time When I informed him, he came running and Returned extra money to all the passengers in my Coach.

          In this case, it is difficult to prove beyond reasonable doubt, the manager is in collusion charging high prices. Though under Vicarious liability Manager is liable, consequently Railways.

2. Customers/Citizens are at the mercy of Managers.

3. Lack of Accountability on part of Pantry car staff/manager.

What is present in Commercial Circular No 78 of 2012

Standard tea price is Rs.5...I have not seen anyone charging Rs.5

Tea (with Tea Bags)...Rs.7; Here also they charge rs.10, if someone ask they keep two biscuits in their hand

Water Bottle and Other packed goods should be sold at MRP; This is followed more in its breach.

Point 2(ii) in the circular  says; menu must be displayed (properly fixed at prominent location visible to Passengers) in EACH COACH.

With Due Respect, I have been traveling in Trains, but I have NEVER seen This.

This is a Gross violation of Duty by Pantry Car Management and Enforcing Railway Authorities.

Point 3:  Zonal Railways should display and Notify the revised Tariffs at Station.

This is a Gross violation of Duty by Railway Authorities.

Point 5: Talks about Electronic/Printed Receipt to passengers of Mail/Express and Service Tax must be passed on to Central Govt.

With Due Respect, I have been travelling in Trains in TamilNadu Express, Kerala Express and many more, but I have NEVER seen This.

This is a Gross violation of Duty by Pantry Car Management and Enforcing Railway Authorities. This is also leading to loss of Tax Revenue.

I was charged Rs 120 many times for my meal during my BZA-NDLS Journey, but I did not find Rs.120 for any Item in the Railway Board's lr.No:2011/TG.III/631/1 dt.12.9.2012

So what can be done?

1. Provide e-menu cards in IRCTC website, or any other online location, where passengers can see the price list of their respective trains.

2. Provide a mechanism to Pre-paid food order with the pantry car, so that the passengers can book his tea-breakfast-lunch-snacks-dinner etc. This will improve Transparency, Service Tax Collection, and accountability

3. Widely Display the Price list to be followed in Static/mobile through various means.

4. 1800111321 Number and http://www.coms.indianrailways.gov.in/criscm/common/complaint_registration.seam  must be widely publicized. The toll-free number must be ramped up to handle wide number of complaints.

5. There needs to be incentive mechanism such are returning train-fare to successful complaint etc, the same can be charged from Pantry car or Static vendor. 

6. The complaint mechanism should also include to uploading Audio-Video clips

Why It is important to Democratic Government?

a. Passengers are Clients on one hand and Citizens (Kings) on the Other Hand who use their vote to elect successive governments, So pleasing them is legal duty and self interest.

b. 20 Million Clients/Citizens/Voters a Day will feel the Government has been exceptional in reducing Corruption. And they keep taking this throughout their journey.

c. This will have spillover effect into other departments

d. This will change the ideology of people and they would demand similar mechanisms in other services

Challenges?

·        Pressure Groups Lobbying

·        Low man power to enforce

·        Technical low of passengers. But the vocal passengers who use Social media will create the positive wave of our efforts.

·        Corruption in Vigilance Staff.

This Suggestion was transferred to South Central Railway, They have given Reply, which is not acceptable, because it violates RTI Act, 2005 to the core

They Also called me and gave very usual and funny reasons for non-implementing the existing provisions.

Three Gifts to My Unknown Partner

Three Gifts to My Unknown Partner

---

After getting my first salary in Infosys (Mysore) on Last working day of June 2007, I thought of buying Gifts to my family members (Mother, Father, Sister and Brother).

I went to shopping on a weekend with friends in Mysore.

Took Saree to my mother, Titan watch to my father, Black Titan watch to my sister and Fast track to my brother.

Even after taking all the items, that I wanted, I was not satisfied, something was pushing me from deep inside. I tried to hear, not very clear at the first instance, again tried with more curiosity.

When I heard that deep sound, It came from my soul, saying buy another GIFT. Mind Bluntly replied, we have already crossed the Budget for Gifts, No room for another Now. 
However, for whom, asked the Mind? 
Reply was stunning!!! It was for my LIFE PARTNER, who as per, the then plan, would come in 2012.

My mind again asked my Soul, are you MAD?

Soul replied, you ignorant, shy Mind, you buy One. It is an order. Mind has no other Choice, it has to oblige Soul.

Mind asked Soul, in a sarcastic way,What should I buy? The Reply was, Which ever article you took for your mother. That is Saree.

I started asking the sales girl, I need a Saree. She Obediently inquired about the age, appearance, taste of the person to whom Saree is required.

I Replied, I do not know. She surprised and asked me again, saying, without knowing, how can you buy Sir? (As I have already took one Saree, she had less scope to think, that I was flirting :))

Again my Mind asked my Soul, what is your choice? Ask her to show Some Saree. My Mind conveyed the same to the sale girl. She showed around 15 Sarees.

My Soul instructed Mind to Pick a lite biscuit color Saree.  First Gift was taken.

Many of my co-trainees (I was in Infy Training then)  asked me for whom I have brought this. my Answer was, for my life partner. They started asking her details, I said, I do not know. But I wanted to take one for the unknown, yet, born, blossoming somewhere. 

After coming home when I showed the GIFT to my family members, saying it was for the unknown partner, most of them considered I have already chosen someone.

That experience was very special.

On one lonely day My Mind asked Soul. This experience is very special, yet I prefer to know, why you decided to take a Gift for some one comes into your life after 5 years.

Then Soul started Explaining

If there is one relation which can encompass all relations of one individual, it is her/his partner. You name any relation including, mother, father, sister, brother, friend, aunt, uncle, niece, cousin, grand parents, even enemy, it is the LIFE PARTNER, who can encompass all of these and many more. 

My stupid Mind Perplexed at this explanation and asked Soul to elaborate.

After Marriage, you live your entire life with your partner, which is not the case with any other relation, though they are most precious, and important. Your partner performs the roles of each and every individual at one point of time or the other. Partner ALONE is capable to do it. Partner can protect like father, take care like mother, tease like siblings, guide like friends, condition like grand parents, throw satires like relatives and many more. However, Every individual has potential to play the role of partner, but they define their role towards you as such and in most of the times, limit themselves to those set of roles, but they can never perform all roles. The most important role of pro-creation and mixing of two energy cycles happens with partner only.

Mind Jumped and asked? Does it mean we can leave all other relations as Partner fulfills all of them?

Soul, was displeased with the Minds misunderstanding, However, it know that, Mind has asked the question considering it real life exposures in various families.

Soul, wanted to explain to Mind in a clear way.

Every new relation must enhance the strength of the existing relations and not weaken them. Though there would re-balancing of visible aspects, but not the non-material strength of the relations. Considering Mind's appetite for food, Soul wanted to give an example related food. If adding one new ingredient to a curry, makes the it tasteless, lifeless, what is the purpose of adding it?

Similarly Partner should enhance the life, relations of the other partner, and not destruct them sinfully.

Is your doubt cleared? my Soul asked my Mind, like a Teacher asks his student, after explaining a doubt.

And Mind, you, need to know one more aspect, Said the firm soul. There is every possibility that your partner may misunderstand, your GIFT. So be prepared.Yeah True, replied Mind.

She may not like the Gifts, then what you do, asked the curious Mind. Soul has ready answer :), I will use watch, Saree will become curtain or bed sheet or pillow covers, and Perl set will be decorated on a Doll :). Having heard the spontaneous answer, Mind did not dare to ask for elaboration :)

But the Mind was very quick, and said, hey I got one wonderful Idea, How about buying one GIFT Each Year Till you resign in 2011 (Resignation from Infosys was  planned in 2006 itself) , It will be awesome na!!!

Good! Go Ahead, replied Soul.

Then second Year, Second GIFT. Titan Raga Series...Latest model in 2008 :)

There goes THIRD GIFT in Third year...Perl set...2009.

Fourth was planned..but Things changed quickly. 2010

I quit my MBA Plan and Switched to direct Social Service through Civil Service.

What was relevant in 2007,2008,2009 was seen as irrelevant in 2010 onward, marriage plan gone back, then, thought of full time social service and stick to that till April 2016. Though once in 2013, for short period had different thoughts.

What should I do with the Three Gifts? Asked my Mind during the period. I will use watch, Saree will become curtain or bed sheet or pillow covers, and Perl set will be decorated on a Doll :), replied soul.

But April 2016, was one of the most fruitful personal experiences I had was through, reading, Bhagavadgita, Exposure to Astrology and then subsequent months Karma Yoga book, further Upanishads in Daily life. This experience resolved many of the contradiction my soul had. My Resolution to Service & Marriage has Moral strength and indeed both are essential.

Now, I no need to use the watch :).

Search for the Unknow will start from Oct 2, 2016.

I have exclusively written this for her, but if she don't know English :), I should order my Mind to write in Telugu :)

(1/10) Hold on to TRUTH::: TRUTH is a Preventive Medicine & It Needs No Maintenance

(1/10) Hold on to TRUTH

• TRUTH Needs No Maintenance
• TRUTH is a Preventive Medicine for Harmony and peace of Individual and Family and Social Institutions

In order to have true stability in one's Individual, family, social and economical life, one should be truthful. Without truthfulness and honesty, life is full of fear and suspicion.

Truthfulness is required in order to cultivate LOVE between Members of the Family. We have often seen this in our families. One simple lie would leads to constant suspicion and spoils the joyful environment.

Even in economic field Honesty is must, otherwise even the most booming economy will get ruined.  It was the absence of TRUE Economical data of Lending practices by Banks, besides many other things, caused 2008, global economical melt down. It was the Absence of TRUTH about Company Capacities That led to Huge Non-Performing Assets in Indian Banking system.

Satyameva Jayethe Says Mundaka Upnishad.To be truthful in one's Speech and Actions is True Austerity and the sure way to experience GOD. So TRUTH is the one thing That contributes to the stability in every field of Human Activity. It is the VERY basis of True LIFE

TRUTHFULNESS Needs No 'Maintenance'. A Lie or a Falsehood, on the other hand, needs constant effort to protect it from being exposed. Here I prefer to share one of my observations;

Two individual (F-Female & M-Male) are friends for some time, M wants to speed up the relation, to bring it to logical conclusion. F is still not decided. With this intention, M, scripted a story, and said that, He got “a very good Match Proposal”, he needs to reply in 3 days of time, with this F felt in Dilemma. Though F feels, need of some more time, on the third Day F accepted to M's Proposal. Finally F and M decided to be partners for this life.

Enjoying This state, M forget that he scripted a story, and on one day, while talking, he was saying about one love marriage, how the pair met each other, how they married, how they are living now, etc. in which "The Very Good Match Proposal" is the main role.

This pushed F, to think about the circumstances which forced her to Accept the proposal. She realised THAT WAS A LIE. Thus if we utter a LIE We have huge Maintenance Cost of Peace and Harmony in every situation.

TRUTH is a Preventive Medicine for Harmony and peace of Individual and Family and Social Institutions:As Explained above, Individual, Familial, Social, Economical challenges would come up in the absence of TRUTHFUL Environment. Thus TRUTH acts as a Preventive Medicine. Truth May be bitter to many, like a medicine's bitterness, but it is essential to cure the malady.

A truthful person naturally has more strength and Opportunity to make his life strong and easy.

Therefore the Teacher, in Taittiriya Upnishad, Rightly says "Hold on to TRUTH", as one of the 10 commandments to outgoing students.

Let’s be Truthful, Let’s be Peaceful, Lets Lead Harmonious Life in our Personal, Families and Social Institutions.

Source: A Book on, Upanishads in daily Life, by RK Math, Chennai. Besides my Social and Economical Observation.        

Is GOD Present---Answer from "Isha Upanishad"

There are two fish (M & S) Living in Ocean discussing about Ocean.
M-Fish asks the S-Fish, Where is the Ocean?
The S-Fish says, you ignorant M-fish, we are living in Ocean only, but M-Fish says that, we are living in water and this is not Ocean.

This Analogy was given in "Isha Upanishad" to explain "The whole Universe is filled with GOD" (Allah,Jesus,Paramatma and Other Sacred Names)"

Just look around, you have Air, which exerts enormous pressure to keep you alive and life line without which you cannot live even a second.
Look within you, you have fire in stomach which helps in digestion, thus helps in energy absorption
You have 90% of water in your body
the remaining 10% is earthy material
there is empty space in all of us.

Thus, we are nothing but the combination of Panchabhytas which represents GOD Himself.
We are living in Ocean of GOD, yet we ask where is GOD!!!

(M-Mind; S-Soul)

My Love Story

My Love Story

{Never neglect a person who loves you most!!!}

Recently I have visited Mysore Infy Campus…

I was waiting to meet my friend in Global Education center-1(GEC-1), left wing, Birds view pantry, from where we can see Mysore Infosys campus’ Beauty. This is the place where I used to sit with my colleague Vivek, during my Training days.

The visit made me recollect some of the most enjoyed moments that I had in the past [before Engineering 3^rd year] with my love. Days were so beautiful; they were passing like an unstoppable river, with full of fragrance, energy and enthusiasm with out having any hurdles. My face was never seen without a smile and my heart was never heavy when she was with me. I had high-end encouragement, support for what ever the actions that I did, be it My intermediate, My EAMCET, My NCC, My Engineering and what not… She used to track me; she used to guide me, When I didn’t listen to her she used to tell my parents, and then consequences are needless say ;). She was really caring… I did not realise the importance when she was with me. She used to take the pain from me to keep me happy all the time, I was so happy that my eyes used to get drenched, but now…….My eyes get drenched because I don’t have her…

 I AM MISSING HER THE MOST…

Those were the best days of my life. I hope I will get all those days after 2012 J . I was the happiest person those days.

In the end of third year my plan for INDIAN ARMY is disturbed. My parents came out with their real opinion, so had to change my option. I was disturbed a lot. I have been observing few people carefully and I got action plan from them. I was little stubborn on that plan. I had no choice other than accomplishing it.

In that, my first step is getting into a good corporate and I had seen Infosys. I have executed my plan without considering others talks on me. During my first plan itself, I started spending less time with her; I used to spend lot of time in it. She understood my situation very clearly. I got what I was looking for i.e. Infosys.

My next plan is to work on my Core Competencies. I have started working on those.

I did not even consider my engineering very seriously. I used to spend lot of time for my plans. Gradually I started neglecting her, she used to warn me, she used to scold me, and she even tried her natural final option, i.e. telling my parents. They also tried but, this time I did not listen to them either.

First time in engineering I realised her care and love for me. But I realised when she left me alone. I felt paralyzed for few days…

I went to her, I begged her, and I requested to pardon me…

She is too kind enough, she accepted my request.

Then I asked her, with an infant face “Will you leave me like this any time???”

Then she replied, with full emotional voice…

“I love You; I Only Love You, even if you don’t even consider me;

Even if you spend your time with your temporary friends, even if you don’t think to spend time with me, I still love you.

My desire is to stay with you forever. I love you till I die. Do you know? I am the only person who loves you the most”

I just felt as I was watching old Telugu film, and like a fool and asked her “Amtha istamaa nenamtae…?”

I have seen an angry face first time…

Big silence for few hours…She replied “ITS MY RESPONSIBILITY”.

I don’t have words to reply her.

Days were again good, I was in good touch with her, I was enjoying the moments, but I had guilty feeling for my ignorance and overlook of her.

My Infosys joining date is May 28-2007, before that she tried telling many common and repeated things like,

Study well, other wise Infy E&R will throw you out,

Eat properly,

Sleep properly,

Maintain all your personal relations,

Have fun, Enjoy time with new friends, and new culture in controlled way.

Life is not Professional job…

Don’t booze too much,

Don’t smoke,

Don’t slag in office,

Don’t spend quantity of hours rather spend quality of hour in what ever you do,

Abhaaa imkaa enni chepthavuuu…[Still how many you are going to tell] this was my reaction.

I am being told all these by my parents, and you are repeating the same tape again…can you jussst stop this?

I got irritated and blasted her left and right like any thing.

She was crying…I tried consoling her, but no use; I took it lightly and felt that, it is usual practice by all girls. The moment I thought this, she started speaking in low voice, I can listen to you! Just by looking at you face. (I felt like chaaa malli telugu cinema start ayyimdi.) But thank god she did not take a long class.

I went to Mysore, studying hard for exams, bit worried and spending more time in Library and in room, keep myself in studying only [I don’t know even C, so you can understand how difficult the training was for me.], I totally neglected the person who loves me most. I was totally busy, not even having good diet. On one fine evening I had stomach ache; I went to meet the doctor, he gave me medicine and told that I am in the edge of getting acidity and stone formation in kidneys based on the symptoms that I have explained to him. That Doctor started class, I was just listening to him, that fellow repeating the same as my parents and my love used to tell me. He was telling me take food at consistent regular intervals; drink at least 7 litters of water, sleep in regular intervals and so on. I felt like hitting him. Doctor observed my discomfort face and told like this, Listen carefully, if you won’t consider, I even don’t consider…, you need to take care of yourself, and no one take care of yourself.

It is your responsibility to maintain proper diet. I struggled two days like any thing.

It was amazing, I got a call from my love, I was wondering how she could know about this!

But the situation is different, she was weeping on the other side, she was telling me that, she is being moved out of me by some external forces…

I was shocked…I don’t have words to talk…I was asking her about the external forces… like is it your dad, mom, tell me …

Tell me who that is…

But she stood in silence…I could not bare the silence...the silence was taking me away from her…

Her last words are…I am leaving my half in you…Take care of yourself#

That was an end to a long journey; I know she is no more….

I lost every thing, I was not in a position to tell any one, because every one knows that how reluctant I was to words her, I know they will definitely scold me, I don’t want to tell this to my parents, because they feel bad about the happenings, I want to keep them happy always.

So the truth died in ME.

These are some of the sentences that are in my ROM…

My face was never seen without a smile and my heart was never heavy when she was with me…

I had high-end encouragement, support for what ever the actions that I did…

She used to track me, she used to guide me and when I didn’t listen to her she used to tell my parents…

I started spending less time with her…

Gradually I started neglecting her…

She used to warn me, she used to scold me, and she even tried her natural final option, i.e. telling my parents. They also tried but, this time I did not listen to them either.

I realised when she left me alone. I felt paralyzed for few days…

I went to her, I begged her

She replies, I Only Love You, I love you till I die

She tried telling many common and repeated things

I got irritated and blasted her left and right like any thing.

I was busy in my activities without even considering her.

I had stomach ache

That Doctor started class

I got call from my love

She was weeping on the other side; she was telling me that, she is being moved out of me by some external forces…

I am leaving my half in you…Take care of yourself#

She is no more….No, she has left her half in me…Yes I have her half in me.

The lesson was very clear,

We should not neglect the ones that loves us the most…….

Now I would like to tell the name of the person who was taking atmost care of me in the past, who were keeping me energetic, and enthusiastic throughout the time, who gave me a very positive feeling in day to day life…

Her name is HEALTH…

Yes!!! She is HEALTH…

She was telling me just to have

Good diet in a day in consistent hours,

Enough water in a day,

Good sleep,

But I was not doing any of these perfectly; I was just not following a particular time for my regular activities, because of my laziness, doziness and some other reasons.   She wants to be with me even though I don’t satisfy any of her requirements, but the external forces which are being developed over a period of time, because of my negligence are forcing her out. Now I am on track to get her back, she is almost close to me.

So friends it is very important to keep ourselves HEALTHIER at all times, HEALTH is the only element which will make us alive in the place where we are.

It is the only thing that every one can have.

Even though you have lazy friends, dozy friends, girl friends, boy friends, work schedules, appointments, never get late to do things which make your love happier and brings much closer to you.

Thanks for reading such long story!!!

I apologise if your sentiments are hurt!!!

Thanks &Best Regards

Yogesh Thandava.