Democracy And its Shades 

Democratic setup in India has delivered a vibrant Growth in terms of economy. The success of democracy can be measured by two parameters, one is the kind and level of equality citizens possess and second 'Rule of law' must be upheld. Along with these we must see whether different pillars of democracy is working independently and accomplishing their own home work without intervening each other or not. The recent Judgment of supreme court in which it struck down the National Judicial Appointment Commission Act (NJAC) has created so much hue and cry in the country. But it was the contention between different organs of the government and Judiciary. When we talk about democracy first thing which strick in our mind is ELECTIONS through which we choose our representative and sent them to do our job on behalf of us in parliaments our state assemblies. Since independence Indian democracy has witnessed hundreds of elections at different level. Democracy sometimes sarcastically referred as 'Mediocracy' for good reasons, we have many. Bihar Assembly Election was such spectacular show.

Political equality means every citizen regardless of caste, creed, sec, gender and religion can exercise their franchise without fear and favour. One man one vote is political equality. 'Caste based politics' 'cash for vote' Religion driven vote' and ideology of political parties create sentimental ruckus henceforth politicise the people with certain tag "BJP supporter' or 'Congress supporter'. Rest of the people who are ignorant, illiterate and are not aware of the facts get manipulated with half-baked ideas.In recent Bihar Assembly election 90% of such people voted against BJP because they want to eat beef in future also. One woman who is in her 60s asked me Is it true if BJP would come to power we have to marry our daughters in opposite religion? Vice versa, If you want to establish our lost glory, if you want to make India a Hindu nation be wary of INC. These are nothing but the by product of hate speeches and growing intolerance in the country. To establish government of  certain party we even forget to see the merits and demerits of local candidate who is going to represent us in Loksabha or Assembly. Democracy gives equal opportunity to get elected as an MP or MLA. Can you dare to throw your hate in the ring?  Politics in India is highly risk prone job and as a matter of fact only unemployed persons can take that much risk. Once triumphant it becomes a job of siphoning off public treasury and a complete Sinecure. Election commission has succeeded in holding free and fair elections but it doesn't make any sense if there is no level playing field at the grass root level. Ideology and Mindset duo play crucial role in electioneering. To Fix all these things we must work in tendem to do away with unscrupulous man between candidate and the voters. Priority determines the whole game, Country first and Rable rousers ( Bad apples in politics ) must be shown their way. We ought not to supports leaders who hate other community whether it is muslim or hindu. Hating one community doesn't mean loving other.

GB Shaw had said, 'Oh ! Disrespectable democracy I love you.' Democracy is the best form of government. there is no point in throwing the baby out with bath water but without rectifying the status quo flaws we will dump the people down and will never succeed in curving out the best.

Kudos to the democratic Institutions for strengthening Indian democracy. There is silver lining amid every entangled problem. We are bridging the digital gap. The process of connecting every people has been started It is transition period for indian democracy when people are shifting their ideologies from various dimensions to the Nation it's herald that we want change.

                                                                                   By:- Tanveer Ashraf 

    Words are sharper than the two-edged sword

In the era of globalisation where Countries are interconnecting themselves due to many advancements in the society, It has also suffered many trial and tribulations some are tangible others are intangible. The world has gone through two major wars World war I and world war II. But as the matter of fact these wars were not fought directly with weapons. Inception point of any contention is 'Words'. Words don’t impact on par with weapons but its impact is even more deeper and eternal. The rhetoric speech of a demagogue is enough to set ablaze whole human race. India's foreign policy is in tandem with few countries while with others it is always in confrontation. In this era of nuclear weapon no one is less powerful. We can settle any dispute through dialogue by sitting around the table. Words can rescue us from a great deal of turmoil. Sophisticated weapons can do only physical damages while stringent and harsh statements can blot the soul which is irreparable. Restitution of physical damages is possible while the wounds procreated by words are enduring.

The words of Mahatma Gandhi influenced the masses and brought every section of society under one umbrella which was not possible by any sword or other weapon and succeeded in getting independence from the British. For Every philosopher their capital asset is their thinking which they express through their powerful words and brought about many social, political and economic revolutions. Russian revolution was not possible without Lenin's effective words.The post WW II  'Iron- Curtain' speech given by Winston Churchil at Westminster college was so efficacious that it marked the beginning of Cold- War era. Execution of Chanakya's wisdom and words has helped Chandragupta to regain his throne. The loud and vociferous voice of Raja ram mohan roy eliminated and culminated many social evils from the society. Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim chandra chatterji and many other writers created a social revolution in the minds of Indian people and acquainted them with rationality.

Terrorist groups are creating havoc all around the world. They are destructing peace on earth and fostering animosity among different groups. Terrorists are not born they are made by creating an edifice of hatred in their hearts by brainwashing. They are trained by vindictive words, Words of hatred penetrate through their hearts, eradicate humanity and instal an abhorrent demon. Their diabolic intention created by those harsh words are being manifested by cutting edge armaments.Two edged sword is more hazardous than one edge as in one shot it can damage through both edges but the words are more potent than any two edge sword. We can anticipate the devastation done by words. Intensity of words can adjust the gravity of impairment.  

Society do not allow everything what an individual wants, often commonly uttered words become faux-pas in many context. That is why we have legal laws in Indian penal code (IPC) against the defamatory words. Words can malign others which can make them socially incompetent to live a life with full dignity. Words are sharper than two edge sword. Swords can kill a person but cant take his or her dignity. But by words one can lose both life and dignity. Once William Shakespeare had said " Mine honour is my life both grow in one take honour from me and my life is done'. The impact of words can be seen in a debate where bad things are presented in such a way that eloquence alone is sufficient to defeat the motion.  Hate speeches are enough to foment the mob. By misinterpretation of words the world can have more destruction than the two world wars collectively had.

In nutshell we can say that words can be used in both perspective. It can be the bone of contention, if efficaciously managed it can be proved as the antidote for energetic venom. King Solomon has said " Death and life are in the power of the tongue'. Its totally upto the use of the word; it can beget life if it is used constructively and it can end life if it is used destructively.

By:- Tanveer Ashraf 

         With great power comes great responsibility

Power and responsibility duo terms are very much related to each other. There are multifarious powers, some install responsibilities and entrust exceptional obligations and other can be devastating, outrageous and exterminate the human race at the drop of a hat. Legitimate and justified use of power assign a great deal of accountability, answerability and transparency will take care of the rest. Power in one hand or critical power is always sword of damocles hanging over the masses. It can be the weapon of mass destruction in arbitrariness. Sagacious and judicious use of power comply by legal norms beget a social and humane responsibility. The aphorism 'Great power spawn great responsibility;' not just embraces the political power but more than it.

Power of a teacher in society is very influential. They have intellectual power - 'power of brain'  to transform society by training the little minds of the society.Teacher's power and prestige install a sense of great responsibilities. He/She is not only responsible to teach the students but also to teach the ignorant as much as possible. Social responsibility can never be achieved by single entity of power. Teacher's power is limited so his responsibilities. To achieve something big we need a greater power. Doctor, engineer entrepreneurs all have potency to make great change in the society. All can contribute to alleviate penury and indigence in the society. As law in action is justice in the same way power in action is responsibility. If ends are justifying the means power has accomplished its role. It should not be the point of contention whether the exercised power is legitimate or illegitimate, if it is for the human welfare and benign for the human race and do not infringe upon the rights of other is amenable. Power generated by fear often creates anxiety, restlessness and discontent among the layman. Thus drawing power by such means can never connect with responsibility. As power acquired by consent of the society knows social responsibilities. Business class have economic power which they are fulfilled by so called CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). In this era of nuclear power, USA's hegemony can be realized  bythe third world countries very easily. Although America has stranglehold over the rest of the world as far as economic and muscle power is concern, but no one can deny its responsibilities in enforcing the laws of terrorism. Terrorism is a cancer for the developing nations like India, the onus rest on USA to fight it conjointly with other nations to nip this evil before it could destruct the humanity.

Power of an actor can influence the society in both positive as well as negative way. His responsibility is to be a paragon of probity and proliferate the rational thinking in the society through his/her acting. Rational authority can become a potent instrument in annihilation of many social evils such as dowry system, child marriages, subdued and suppressed voices of the women, child labour, male chauvinism etc. Religious institutions have Exuberant power. They draw powers from the people of that particular religion. But the religious leaders have great responsibility to put them on impeccable track without personal advantage. In many cases communal clashes sprouted out of fanatic and bigoted ideology of religious leaders. Their responsibility is to make the people of that religion cognizant of the 'true religion', not 'misinterpreted one'. In this 21st century when the globalization is in its acme. Interconnectedness is enhancing very rapidly. Once Einstein had remarked that ' "Peace can not be kept by force , it can only be achieved by understanding." Even today most of the people around the world are God-fearing. And it is the duty, obligation, and responsibility of the religious gurus to maintain peace and order in the world. Power of the army is not less and their responsibility is to protect the nation from outside forces .Political leaders seek power from the citizens who voted them to any post. Responsibility of political leader is to provide the entitlements of the people and provide them bare essential to lead a prosperous life. Making rhetoric and diving the people on religious and caste lines should not be their business. Leaders are voted to power not to disappoint the citizens but to create enough infrastructure so that development can take place. Leadership is about taking responsibility, not making excuses.

As a responsible citizens of free India and the autonomy which the citizens enjoy begets a tantamount responsibility in the form of 'fundamental duties'. The constitution of India empowers us to rule ourselves as the preamble starts with the words " We the people of India ......" entrust a great power to us and we are indebted to accomplish all the responsibilities. Great power always comes with enormous freedom, this freedom sometimes goes undefined Its misinterpretation can lead to a havoc. Power takes an ugly face when it is in the tyrannical hand. Sagacious and judicious use of great power always accompanied with great responsibility.

BY:- Tanveer Ashraf 

‘Success and its Ingredients’

Endeavour to compass

Even impalpable means

As it will keep revive,

Our enduring dreams.

Introspection is prerequisite,
For putting on apposite track.

To ensure any probable catastrophe

Prior to any debilitate or wreck.

                                                                                      Accumulation of noesis is must

                                                                                     Although it is sine qua non

                                                                                        Without serenity, composed mind

                                                                                       And etiquettes all is undone.

                        As success is not what we perceive

     Plethora of sagacity is needed Besides

Exuberant diligence and adroit deed

It is not commonplace with no ease

As it is made up of

Imperceptible minuscule entities.

Acting prudently is the only way

Without shilly-shally and passion to cease.

                   

   

   

  

By:- Tanveer Ashraf                                                   

(A poem written by me)                                                                                                                            

          INDIA--Present Challenges and Future Strategies

India is synonymous with diversity and this diversity is not new in Indian perspective. Todays modern India is blend of many ideas and ideals which were the legacy of great dreamers of the country like Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai patel and Mahatma Gandhi. They dreamed an extraordinary Dream and steered clear of all impediments to accomplish it. Although notwithstanding post independent big feats India has punched below its weight. Pious intentions with which they fight to death to free India from the clinch of Britons is still unfinished, their ideas have been fading as few are there to take care of. A nexus of unscrupulous leaders, mediators and traitors is dragging India to abysmal. For me this scene is nightmare as my Dream of India is very contradictory.

What all of us can do in our Individual capacity, in solidarity can do miracles. So my dream of India is easy to perceive but hard to decipher how to instill soul in that intangible DREAM and make it a reality. I dream for a utopia that India will be in the very 21st century. I see India as a ‘School’ from where the whole world can learn something and this is the reason for which India has been regarded as the ‘World Guru’. I am waiting for that day when India will be a super power not in perspective of armament but for its lenient nature and self-reliant. India should be so competent to alleviate destitution. Redistribution of resources should be done with full probity and egalitarianism of indian society is sine qua non to realize the power of democracy. World’s largest democracy is going through various trial and tribulation, it is fighting hard for its existence as it is encountering many undemocratic rivalries.

Women and Girl should be treated on par with men or boy. Male-chauvinism must be eradicated from the grassroot level. Domestic violence is calamitous in Indian household it jeopardize the life of many girls. They often set ablazed in trivial matters. Even in high educated society women are not getting a level playing field, they are paid less for the same work as compared to men. The Image of India in my psyche is very different from this, Indian society should be the precedent of uniformity and everyone must be the exorcist of social evils.

Destitution is like an epidemic in Indian perspective, it has plagued the people by degrading their living style. Poverty is a vicious circle, coming out of it for a common man is not a cakewalk. They are caught in a quandary where emancipation for them is still an enigma. Post Independent India has seen miserable conditions of people, although people have rehabilitated from it, Inequality has augmented. Poor are getting poorer and rich are getting staggeringly rich. In my India of dream there would be “No affluent No indigents”. No one will sleep with an appetite belly, there would be an arrangement for at least three square meal a day for all and sundry.

India is a home of almost every religion in the world, this diverse multi-religious blend is uniqueness of Indian culture. This cultural heritage must be protected from the religious fanatics. My view of India should be a Nation where people live under one umbrella and religion must not be the entity of Identity. Cogent secular state will ensure no wretchedness in the society, serenity and harmony will flourish all over the country. Egalitarianism should be the doctrine of Indian society. Discrimination on the basis of cast, creed, sect, and religion would be declared as faux-pas. It will enhance amiability, fraternity and will connect every Indian citizen in a single thread. 

M.K. Gandhi had said “Religion can never be separated from politics”. He was dead right at that time, but in 21st century even mere juxtaposition of both religion and Politics can prove pernicious for national harmony. I see India as a place where Government and governance can never be intrude on by religious institutions and organizations which is mandatory for smooth functioning of government machinery.

Citizens are more pessimist than optimist, they always see the dark facet of any thing by discarding huge bright side. In this regard Steinbeck’s statement compel me to zero in on … ..“It has always seemed strange to me...The things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling, are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest, sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism and self-interest, are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first they love the produce of the second.””   Then what is wrong with the system?  Why there is contrast between belief and practice? One possible answer to this question is We do so to get the things done in more easy way than following the legitimate way. People often regard an honest person as moron, cunning peoples are adored everywhere. I am dreaming for a Volte-face system where all things would be rectified. Probity will be adored and meanness will be detested. People in India have some kind of pre-conceived notion and frivolous mindset which I regard the major impediment in the development. Somewhere scarcity of cognizance is making them incompetent in every arena of life. Social and economic development is not in tandem which is the major cause of downgraded lifestyle especially in rural areas. APJ Abdul kalam Sir’s provision of PURA(Provision of urban amenities in rural areas)  can bridge the gap between light and dark side of India.

Justice must reach the poor in stipulated time. In this dog-eat-dog and commercial world Justice is bought and sold by the rich and famous. Truth is gagged by delinquents and for poor in course of justice inordinate delay means justice denied. ‘Rule of law’ must be established. Theft for a bottle of water should not be criminalized if one is doing so for quenching their thirst and real criminals who siphon off public treasury should be put behind the bar. Money and muscle strength should not be the parameter of enforcement of law. Law and its implementation should be uniform regardless of region, post , money power, muscle power and Influence.My dream of India is a place where money should not be the hurdle in seeking justice. Rule of law becomes meaningless when Advocates in high court and supreme court charge exorbitant fee.

It is my Cri de coeur to see ‘corruption free India’. Burgeoning corruption is really mindboggling and it is rampant due to system fiasco. Governance has always seen with doubts, due to lack of proper accountability and transparency ambiguity prevails in the system. Things are being done only on papers. These illegitimacy must be redress through cogent machinery. I am cent percent sure India would be a place of worth living when the aforesaid things which i described earlier will be a reality and India will emerge as a superpower.

By:- Tanveer Ashraf

 

                           Political fate of India   

India is going through political crisis. Whether it is agitation of Anna Hazare for Anti-graft  Bill  i.e. Ombudsman (Lokpal), or bifurcation of Andhra pradesh into Seemandhra and Telangana which is still a vexatious and contentious issue for both province as well as central politics, or It is Damini rape case due to fragile governance, These all country wide spectacle clearly depicts the "Weak Government" and it is a Political fiasco. Political pandemonium is symptom of Flailing governance. Politics has always been associated with deteriorated and abhorrent deeds. In India it is often uttered that If you want to join politics you must have criminal background. Criminals and politicians are regarded as synonyms and they are often used interchangeably. Although it doesn’t applied for all and sundry, Ninety percent of the politicians give the other ten percent a bad reputation. Young people's political participation has long been a concern. It is commonly said that for good people Politics is their last Job. Most of the parliamentarians have criminal cases , one can easily get flabbergasted ""How a lawmaker has become a lawbreaker".

Politicians are perpetrator, they are the real impediment on the way of development , According to the latest data available with the World Bank, India is the world's 10th largest economy by nominal GDP and 3rd largest Economy by Purchasing Power parity (PPP), for this thanks to the 1991 economic Reforms. But according to World Bank 33 % of Indian people fall below the International poverty line and India has a third of the world's poor, Why?  Why it takes eight years to build a road where it should take three; ten years to get justice instead of two?  Every son or daughter of Politicians treat Politics as it is their father's fiefdom. The real problem is 'family politics', Dynastic rule is still prevail among the parties. Why a wicked person or person with huge money dare to enter politics? Why common people are scared to enter politics? Who is responsible for these?  Who have looted the public treasury?  Who have made the system detrimental for common people?  Why corruption is everywhere?  Why an honest person can't breath in politically stranglehold  air?  Who will answer these mesmerizing and bewildering questions?  Why government is not accountable?  Where is transparency? …... Alas!  Where is democracy??

India is a gerontocracy with the highest age difference between the rulers and the ruled among 10 countries recently studied.  It is a paradox, the Average age of Indian is 25 and the average age of Indian Politician is 65, The youngest country of the world is ruled by The Oldest people. How contrasting is this !! But the million dollar question is "Whether India can survive with its 19th century Politics and 21st century economy". India is a success story in perspective with economy but a failure story in context of politics. This contrasting situation has failed the system to work in tandem which in itself a biggest challenge for India.

Politicians can spar over frivolous things, Disparaging remarks, derogatory words of one politician for other politician is a Vogue in present day political system. There is a moral crisis in the political conduct and this has arises many loopholes in the governance of India. Colgate scam, commonwealth game Scam, Breaking the record of all time notorious Bofor scandal in India in the 1980s;  2G scam became the biggest corruption scandal in Indian history. Time Magazine ranked it the second among the top ten abuses of power in 2011.  One can be sceptical about these politician, Are they protector and guardian of indian citizens and India or they are scoundrels and born to loot the State's funds which are entitled to the destitutes?

 But the confronting challenge before India is whether it can reconcile its politics with its escalating economic trajectory? Whether India can debunk the Dirty political stereotype? When Status quo is unsustainable; change is inevitable. Amidst all Political Turmoil and unsustainability, there is a silver lining in the chaotic system, Especially after the supreme court's recent judgment "Convicted Politician can't contest election and if any of them prosecuted and jailed for more than 2 years then membership of parliament or assembly would be annulled". Lalu yadav and Rasheed Masood’s detention has soothed the Rule of law. 2013 was the year of Judicial Activism when Supreme court dictated many Bold Judgments. Anti-Corruption movement has Impacted Indians morally and has revived the political aspiration among the youth, Victory of AAP (Aam aadmi Party) in Delhi is a testimony of the revival of middle class in Indian Society. Now, anyone can witness the churning in the Society. Citizens are now realizing that the darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis and now directly participating in political affairs of India. AAP has shook the long gravitated Political conceptions, to end the VIP culture in politics. Arvind Kejriwal rejected all the aristocracy, no Red-beacon, No bunglow, No Z-square Security - A new hope of clean and Virtuous Politics, Politics based on morality. This is a period of Renaissance for Indian Politics, and still there is a hope India could rehabilitate its long destructed antiquated Civilization what it all need is active participation of all citizens to create it a vibrant democracy by replacing filthy Politician with Honest ones.

By:- Tanveer Ashraf 

                                                           IAS or POlitics

If you are given a ticket to contest Lok Sabha elections by the Aam Aadmi Party from New Delhi, would you contest leaving behind your IAS dream?  

                       

        ''PAIN''

My perceptive senses make me realize Life is full of Pain.
Destitute's apathy, agony, grief for others is platitude in vain
Money is delinquent,it drags person in calamity of Rain
Our suffering is ours, why others meddle into it to drain
Observing others burgeoning pain, went to destitute's den
I found my griefs and pains, felt like all are phony claims
Their sufferings alleviated my melancholy, without any repentance,
                 
                             

and I learned the following things






It would be sagacious step to take others pain
Personal pain is eternal, it always comes in chain
Attaining spiritual peace is independent of loss or gain
Inner peace cannot be intruded by materialistic pain
Annihilating others pain can nullify our disdain
 Outlay of mammon, can turn it into a different ballgame


By:- Tanveer Ashraf

(a poem written by me)

GDP(Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH(Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right Indices for  judging the well-being of a country.

          

       ‘‘Artha’ is not the only condition to take Society from Poverty to Prosperity.’’

A country is said to be prosperous when it has sturdily consolidated economy, but it is only a necessary condition not sufficient condition. In todays world, GDP (Gross Domestic Product ) of any country is directly taken into consideration to know the status of a country in world perspective, But it would be frivolous if we not take GDH(Gross domestic happiness) for drawing unambiguous efficacy and well being of that particular country. Economic well being can't alone guarantee Social well being, there are myriad of factors which directly and sometimes indirectly plays a decisive role in making human life worth enjoyable. A country with high economic boom but without rudimentary facilities like Drinking water, health, protection of life and Education is nothing but a den of destitutes and penurious who have no future but a life full of anxiety, grief and agony. In this juncture we perceive, GDP (Gross domestic product ) alone can't fetch a clear idea about the Well being and life style of citizens and by blending it with GDH ( Gross domestic happiness) we can have impeccable indices for judging the wellbeing of a country.

Burgeoning GDP in scarcity of sustainable development can't help any country in long run, because GDP is calculated without estimating the devastation of 'Natural environment' which is the ''Common wealth of all Human being'' and a source of subsistence for thousands of people living in tribal regions. The main problem with which Citizens are confronting is 'Inefficacious Governance' which has totally failed in delivering the goods and services to its people, If GDP denotes 'the final goods and services in a region for particular time', Who will deliver it? Governance fiasco is independent of GDP estimation where Governance has to do many things with real life of citizens, It would be flawed to take only GDP as a yardstick of Well being of a country, Isn't it?

Heterogeneity in economic aggregation is the major problem in Indian Society, if 100 people are billionaire, Millions are living on 21 Rupee a day, Major Portion of the population Still have to rely on Agriculture barely with any certainty, It is clear from the number of suicides farmers are commiting every year.

According to the latest data available with the World Bank, India is the world's 10th largest economy by nominal GDP and 3rd largest Economy by Purchasing Power parity (PPP). According to World Bank 33 % of Indian people fall below the International poverty line and India has a third of the world's poor. This is also deciphered in The Book 'Target 3 billion' by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. How can we explain this contrasting figure??  In perspective of GDP estimation India has no precedents in this globe, but in juxtaposition when we see the poor, India is the dweller of Largest poor in the world. Where a single person is doing manipulation of thousands of crores in IPL matches, there thousands of people sleep with an appetite belly. They are not Part of GDP calculation??  There well being should not be regarded in calculating India's well being??

Caste based discrimination, honor killing, delay in justice, getting anything done through lethal red tape, where there is crisis in Rule of law, all these affect our life directly and besides mammon, these are the ingredients which make life cumbersome and clumsy, annihilation of these can provide us the right indices and can adjudge the well being of a person in the society. ??  'Money' and 'happiness' is independent terms, Single entity can't define the status of well being of a person or a country. People sometimes with extra mammon are found more depressed than hackneyed persons who have a balance of both money and happiness. Some people are so poor that they have nothing but 'Money'. GDP is a half baked data, on the basis of which we can't decide the country's well being.

Democracy is only an idea until it's tenets are executed right from the Individual level. The Essence of Democracy lies in the Freedom of its people. India ranks 116th out of 145 nations on the freedom Index. A country where people are bounded with unnecessary obligations and their rights are not taken care of, Can we say only GDP alone can diktat the country's prosperity

Gurcharan Das's Query in his recent book 'India Grows at Night' is. How is it that one of the world's most stable, vigorous democracies with an enviable records of Economic growth has among the worst records in Human development? Bangladesh and other third world countries score better in infant mortality. India's child malnutrition levels are among the highest. Learning Achievements in government primary schools are among worse- on par with Ghana. The Stubborn persistence of child malnutrition is particularly tragic. In sub-Saharan Africa only 30 percent children are malnourished, versus 50 per cent in India. One third of the babies in India are born with low birthweight compared to one-sixth in sub-Saharan Africa. These are the some mesmerizing and intriguing points which coerce us to contemplate over it, and also emphasize why we must zero in on Gross Domestic Happiness (GDH) along with GDP to draw the Unambiguous Indices of a country like India.

Along with 'Economic well being' we need to be 'Social well being' along with "Moral well being'', to attain all these I do believe we need Bureaucracy reforms, Police reforms and Judiciary reforms in the same way we did Economic reforms in 1991. Reforms Kick-off when there is Crisis in the system, we have enough Crisis in our social system which are hampering our Happiness and well being but we are not enough competent to perceive that crisis. The only way to eradicate problems is to evaluate them. Once we shall include GDH in addition to GDP to measure the well being of a country many questions would be answered in the way.

Fundamental unit of any country is not society but a family, we can't have an idea of family or family would collapse without a responsible woman who can look after its inevitabilities?  Woman accomplish a major portion of the work in the society, as a daughter, as a wife,  as a mother, as a cook, She work almost 15-16 hours a day, There contribution is sine qua non for prosperity in the society and country, We termed their contribution as 'Care economy'. Then why their chunk of work is not Included in calculating the GDP of a nation?? If it is not Possible to add it in GDP, we can count it in GDH. Now, we can analyse how a nation's status can be adjudged without Including GDH. Taking only GDP to know the country's well being is a foiled attempt to know the reality.

BY:- Tanveer Ashraf

     "Misinterpretation and Misuse of freedom in India"

India got freedom from British Raj on 15 August 1947. But, after independence India was under the dominion status of British crown. Dominion Status of India was ceased on 26 january 1950, And India became a full fledged 'Republic' After the commencement of Indian constitution. India's Freedom date should be 15 August 1947 or 26 january 1950?  It is still a contentious issue among the youths that whether we are breathing in a free India or not?  Per se 'Freedom' is an ambiguous word whose meaning can be drawn differently from different perspectives.

Even during India's freedom struggle every section of the society interpreted the meaning of ‘Freedom’ on their own discretion and convenience. for peasants it was freedom from the exploitation of landlords, for business class it was nothing more than exemption from paying heavy taxes, Scheduled caste (depressed class) participated for the freedom struggle with the hope of getting emancipation from discrimination and atrocities done on them. The sense of Freedom was extremely equivocal, and since then we are confronting with the same situation again and again. But, now in free India we are misinterpreting the word "Freedom" deliberately or sometimes Inadvertently to quench our own selfish motives and desires.  

Freedom always comes with some restrictions and paucity of freedom is created to maintain apron string among different people and organization for their betterment as a whole. "Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains" That is the first sentence of Rousseau's "The Social Contract." One can easily Misinterpret it. Man is 'born free', so, he must not to be in chains, but here 'born free' means a nascent infant doesn't know emotional values, he is almost with no language which he could understand in childhood, no cogent tools to decode this complex society, these sine qua non elements act like a chain which connects the whole humanity in one. The Word 'Chain' could be misinterpreted in different ways, like man is besieged in these catastrophes without his will although he is born free.

Terrorism Of al qaeda, Taliban and other terrorist group is misusing their 'freedom' to create suzerainty among rest of the world through destruction, terror and intimidation. Their ultra-freedom ( misuse of freedom ) is the reason where millions are scared to enjoy their basic rights. Is it fair, for one's misuse of freedom, another's freedom is at stake? Youths interpret the meaning of freedom in their own way, Do whatever your psyche allows, whether it is legitimate or illegitimate, they define their own code of demeanor, they bear in mind a preconceived notion that is very contradictory with the status quo norms of the Society, Infringe the social contracts, go against the societal norms, Are these things can be adjudged right on any ground??  Is it not a misinterpretation of freedom?? Once we start to misinterpret freedom, its misuse would be an inevitable corollary.

Democracy provides enough power, freedom to citizens and its leaders so that they can prosper and develop in their life.  This democratic freedom becoming a lobby for corrupt practices for some people.  Our political leaders and doctrinaire democrats are enjoying freedom, and often misuse their freedom to wreck Indian civilization completely, they think, being a "representative of people" they have full right to exploit them. Political chaos can be seen throughout the country in spite of model code of conduct by election commission has been imposed, due to lack of consciousness and deliberate misuse of Freedom we can see the reciprocation of vindictive and lewd comments by politicians. By misinterpretation and misuse of freedom, When defenders becomes traitors and saviour becomes slaughterer, then we realize the cost and consequence of Excess freedom. Exploitation and misuse of freedom can become the cause of distraction for thousands.  Intrinsically freedom is not what we perceive in our daily life, it is a sense of responsibility based on the principle of 'Live and let others Live'.

Sometimes Misinterpretation of freedom arises out of fallacy, A physically free person might be mentally incarcerated. An ostensible freedom in reality might be a bondage of Enslavement. Indian constitution provides us with freedom of speech and expression but on Social media, especially on facebook we can see many disparaging and derogatory comments and post which is totally a dereliction and misuse of freedom. Cartoonist Aseem  Trivedi was arrested on charges of sedition for displaying cartoons during the Anna Hazare protest, he was too alleged guilty of misusing his freedom. To comply with rules and regulations is also our moral obligation along with our professional obligation. same was the case of MF Husaain for which he was ostracized from the society and later from the country. When Balthakre died, two girls were arrested for commenting on social media and for misusing their freedom, but later they were acquited and their detentions were condemned because this time Police misused his freedom and their freedom was misinterpreted.

The Earth is ours, so we are free to do anything, we are misusing this freedom and Infringe the fragile norms of Nature. Recent Uttarakhand catastrophes are the dire consequences of impeding Nature to take its own course. By misusing our freedom we want to create a hegemony over Nature and humanity, which can be proved very disastrous for us and for upcoming generation.

Freedom is never absolute, it is always liable to some constraints and always comes with some sense of responsibilities. Misinterpretation of freedom is the major cause of its misuse. Autonomy doesn't meant to have arbitrary behavior. Through prudent sense and through humanitarian values we can have the control over misinterpretation and misuse of freedom.

By:- Tanveer Ashraf