View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Nimish Member
Joined: 16 Dec 2006 Posts: 9757 Location: Bangalore, India
|
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 10:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Jasepl - I hope that the NaMo govt. does not give you further reasons to be sad. It's clear that the people of Gujarat do not agree with your view of "blood on the hands" - I think 28/28 seats FOR the BJP is a very clear voice. The "minorities" do not agree with your view.
The country has clearly said that the BJP is what they want, and they don't think BJP has blood on their hands.
I think it's time to put the "past" behind, and challenge the Modi Sarkaar for the future - let them govern and get the country out of the mess it's in. _________________ We miss you Nalini! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
jasepl Member
Joined: 26 Jul 2008 Posts: 4257 Location: bund-bay
|
Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 11:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I agree with what you have said, for the most part. And that's the saddening bit. THat we're all collectively letting it go and letting the past be the past. This new normal isn't
But don't worry... I'm far less sad now that I've learnt just how much this insane market surge has fetched me _________________ four years free of jetya punti! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
iah87 Member
Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 2566
|
Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 10:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Congrats to Narendra Modi who single handedly defeated Congress and its allies. I hope the Gujarat experiment works for India (except the prohibition on alcohol). It will be years before there will a dramatic change. I think the country should give BJP about 10 years to see what it can do.
Congress' divide and conquer policies in Andhra Pradesh came back to bite them. They lost all seats in the new Andhra Pradesh (popularly known as Seemandhra) and managed only 2 seats in the soon to be newly formed Telangana. It shows that dividing and ruling is not the solution. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
The_Goat Member
Joined: 03 Mar 2007 Posts: 3260 Location: South of France
|
Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 10:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
iah87 wrote: |
Congress' divide and conquer policies in Andhra Pradesh came back to bite them. They lost all seats in the new Andhra Pradesh (popularly known as Seemandhra) and managed only 2 seats in the soon to be newly formed Telangana. It shows that dividing and ruling is not the solution. |
The Congress' biggest miscalculation in Andhra (another one of Rahul baba's bright ideas) was to underestimate YSR Jagan Reddy. They could have done much better if they had him on their side.
But then Rahul baba's ability to calculate has always left much to be desired. _________________ I don't know which is the more pampered bunch : AI's widebodies (the aunties) or Jet's widebodies (the planes).
-Jasepl |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ssbmat Member
Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Posts: 1710
|
Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 9:37 am Post subject: |
|
|
iah87 wrote: | I think the country should give BJP about 10 years to see what it can do.
|
Like I said in an earlier post, the country has virtually given them 10 years with this sort of mandate. They will have to be really stupid to waste it by s@@wing up in the next 5 years. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
G-BYGB Member
Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 1813 Location: Bangalore/Delhi
|
Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 10:25 am Post subject: |
|
|
ssbmat wrote: | iah87 wrote: | I think the country should give BJP about 10 years to see what it can do.
|
Like I said in an earlier post, the country has virtually given them 10 years with this sort of mandate. They will have to be really stupid to waste it by s@@wing up in the next 5 years. |
That likely scenario would also depend on how all BJP MPs don't make any remarks that would hurt certain sections of our society. They have to avoid infighting and its leaders should not be selfish. _________________ www.flickr.com/G-BYGB photos |
|
Back to top |
|
|
The_Goat Member
Joined: 03 Mar 2007 Posts: 3260 Location: South of France
|
Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 10:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
Some people can be very bad losers. Just read this piece of tripe....
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-dying-light-of-freedom/
and this is coming from a man who couldn't get elected on a Congress ticket when there was a massive Congress wave in the country in 2009... _________________ I don't know which is the more pampered bunch : AI's widebodies (the aunties) or Jet's widebodies (the planes).
-Jasepl |
|
Back to top |
|
|
abhijith16 Member
Joined: 14 Sep 2010 Posts: 1575 Location: DOH/IXE/MEL
|
Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 11:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hahaha, that c**t is a sour loser. He has never ever, accepted defeat graciously. _________________ <a><img></a> |
|
Back to top |
|
|
HAWK21M Member
Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 8132 Location: Mumbai, INDIA
|
Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 2:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Stick to Industry/economics and avoid religious topics......dont goof up nm _________________ Think of the Brighter side !!! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
jasepl Member
Joined: 26 Jul 2008 Posts: 4257 Location: bund-bay
|
Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 10:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The_Goat wrote: | ssbmat wrote: | I think there are too many ministries in general. Instead of giving focus, it has only created additional bureaucracies. My suggestions:
|
Clubbing ministries in the Indian context will only ensure that nothing will get done.
I don't think it is a good idea at all to have three totally different areas like surface transport, railways and aviation under one lumbering transport ministry.... |
On the contrary, this result and the commanding majority is a perfect reason and opportunity to make high-level government smaller.
The only reason the size of the cabinet and the number of ministries exploded in the last couple of decades was because of coalitions. Since there were that many more people to please / placate / buy.
To use the above example, I am all for the single transport minister (at cabinet level), assisted by junior ministers / officials overseeing the different forms of transport. There is no need for hundreds of ministers; a hundred of them won't do anything that a couple of dozen can't.
We also need more devolution, but that's a different discussion.
Besides smaller, more effective government at the top level, I'd like to see one big change take place. This is more social (and socio-economic), because on the pure economy / development topics, there's really very little difference between the Congress and the BJP.
Equality : In everything, regardless of any man-made differences between people. This means all special classes, hand outs, reservation, religion-based differential treatment etc should go. The only groups to be given special treatment should be the ones who are disadvantaged as a result of natural characteristics : women, the disabled and the elderly. The only other exception being those less fortunate than us, who do deserve a helping hand (but solely on the basis of their poverty, nothing else).
Besides, those two, complete equality in law, eligibility and procedure for everyone, regardless of ethnicity, race, religion, caste (whatever that means), sexual orientation, language, state of origin etc etc. And by equality I mean forbidding special treatment or discrimination on the basis of any of these characteristics, in any regulated area, public or private.
If attempted, this isn't going to be a quick change, nor is it going to be easy. Andc it will likely lead to much unrest and probably some bloodshed. But that will be on account of several huge steps in the right direction. _________________ four years free of jetya punti! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
The_Goat Member
Joined: 03 Mar 2007 Posts: 3260 Location: South of France
|
Posted: Mon May 19, 2014 12:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
jasepl wrote: |
On the contrary, this result and the commanding majority is a perfect reason and opportunity to make high-level government smaller.
The only reason the size of the cabinet and the number of ministries exploded in the last couple of decades was because of coalitions. Since there were that many more people to please / placate / buy.
|
Not really. The number of ministries has remained more or less same since Rajiv Gandhi's time. He was responsible for creating a number of new ministries (HRD, Wasteland development, food processing etc). Rajiv also had an absolute majority back then, with no need to please any coalition partner.
jasepl wrote: |
Equality : In everything, regardless of any man-made differences between people. This means all special classes, hand outs, reservation, religion-based differential treatment etc should go. The only groups to be given special treatment should be the ones who are disadvantaged as a result of natural characteristics : women, the disabled and the elderly. The only other exception being those less fortunate than us, who do deserve a helping hand (but solely on the basis of their poverty, nothing else).
|
That is never going to happen.
Reservations are here to stay, and no politician who cares for his/her career will ever dare to change the status quo. I doubt even Modi is that brave. It is the same with religion based preferential treatment, wherever that may exist.
The least Modi/BJP can do is:
1. to ensure that the economy keeps chugging along and sufficient employment is created to keep most young voters happy. For this, he needs to ensure a proper investment climate and good infrastructure.
2. to keep the religious fanatics like the VHP under check, and ensure the minorities are kept reasonably happy.
3. to reign in corruption and ensure that mega scams don't happen. Anything on the lines of the 2G, CWG or Coalgate will destroy the new govenment's credibility more than anything else.
4. to keep inflation and commodity prices under control.
5. to ensure that India's mischievous neighbours are kept under check.
In addition, if the new government can keep farmers happy by bringing in agricultural reforms and bring about improvements in the primary health/education sectors, then a second term for Modi is almost guaranteed.
Don't expect any miracles from this government. They ain't happening. _________________ I don't know which is the more pampered bunch : AI's widebodies (the aunties) or Jet's widebodies (the planes).
-Jasepl |
|
Back to top |
|
|
justbala Member
Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 1898 Location: Bangalore
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
stealthpilot Member
Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 2325 Location: BLR, DXB
|
Posted: Tue May 27, 2014 3:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Spiderguy252 wrote: | I have a reasonable hunch that it has something to do with the fact that the detractors have little else to hit Modi with. |
Come on that's not a very reasonable hunch
jasepl wrote: | Sadness aside, I now have three things that make me happy:
1. that a single party has a majority on one house at least |
Adding to this, the majority party is growth friendly and even tho Modi has a questionable past he is extremely unlikely to make the same mistakes again.
ssbmat wrote: | All parties have corruption et al, but this party, in the face of heaps of scams, was shamelessly pursuing divisive and economically destructive policies, even though the writing was on the wall after the assembly elections of Dec-2013. |
True. The Gandhis + Congress leaders must have seen this hammering coming (everyone else did)- then again these people live in a world of their own
G-BYGB wrote: | It is a befitting reply for all the foul-mouthed Congressmen, who abused Modi till the end of this election.
I hope they will be muted forever and learn to mend their ways. They have been so over confident and the most corrupt people that India has ever seen. |
Embarrassingly this is the state of our politics, not a Congress/BJP trait I assure you.
Nimish wrote: | The country has clearly said that the BJP is what they want, and they don't think BJP has blood on their hands. |
A lot of my friends in BLR voted BJP but aren't convinced Modi is innocent. They voted for him because he's the best bet to pull our country out of this apathy state. What have you gauged from work/friends etc? Most of what I hear is they are sick of Congress and they don't care about Modis past- they care about growth and less corruption.
Just because people voted for him doesn't mean they don't think he has blood on his hands. In the same way if people voted Congress it doesn't necessarily imply those voters believe they aren't corrupt - wouldn't you agree?
Nandan Nilekani lost, why? Almost everyone believes he's honest/hard working/deserves to win. But they knew that voting for him = voting for Rahul Gandhi. If he were on a BJP ticket would things be different? _________________ eP007 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Nimish Member
Joined: 16 Dec 2006 Posts: 9757 Location: Bangalore, India
|
Posted: Tue May 27, 2014 3:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
stealthpilot wrote: | Nimish wrote: | The country has clearly said that the BJP is what they want, and they don't think BJP has blood on their hands. |
A lot of my friends in BLR voted BJP but aren't convinced Modi is innocent. They voted for him because he's the best bet to pull our country out of this apathy state. What have you gauged from work/friends etc? Most of what I hear is they are sick of Congress and they don't care about Modis past- they care about growth and less corruption.
Just because people voted for him doesn't mean they don't think he has blood on his hands. In the same way if people voted Congress it doesn't necessarily imply those voters believe they aren't corrupt - wouldn't you agree?
Nandan Nilekani lost, why? Almost everyone believes he's honest/hard working/deserves to win. But they knew that voting for him = voting for Rahul Gandhi. If he were on a BJP ticket would things be different? |
Good points - I have about 50% gujjus here at my workplace, and they are all clear that Modi is being unnecessarily targeted for the Godhra incidents. They repeatedly talk about the benefits Gujarat has achieved under Modi's rule, and how things are so much cleaner now than earlier.
Most folks also respect the Supreme court's "clean slate" to Modi, and that means he is clean - irrespective of what the whisper campaign might imply. _________________ We miss you Nalini! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
The_Goat Member
Joined: 03 Mar 2007 Posts: 3260 Location: South of France
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
sshank Member
Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 377 Location: NYC
|
Posted: Thu May 29, 2014 8:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The_Goat wrote: |
Why must J&K be given that special status when no other state has it? |
Hmmm ... may be because J&K is special?
And may be because it cant just be scrapped because the circumstances under which the state acceded to India was 'special'? And perhaps the status of this state is the reason we have been in perpetual war with Pakistan? And just may be because the "K" in Pakistan does not refer to Bihar? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
iah87 Member
Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 2566
|
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 2:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
Not just J & K, even Arunachal Pradesh and other NE states have similar laws. You cant own property in Arun. Pradesh, Indian citizens need permit just to visit. Nehru opened the Pandora's box when he gave special status to J & K (may be that was the only way to get the state join India).
It has outlived its usefulness, but no govt wants more trouble than they already have with the Kashmir issue. I doubt even Modi's govt will change it. They can make some subtle changes without actually changing the status, that is the extent the govt can go. Kashmir appears to be peaceful now with tourism increasing, and it is best to leave it as is. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Nimish Member
Joined: 16 Dec 2006 Posts: 9757 Location: Bangalore, India
|
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 1:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
iah87 wrote: | Not just J & K, even Arunachal Pradesh and other NE states have similar laws. You cant own property in Arun. Pradesh, Indian citizens need permit just to visit. |
Well - it's the same rule in Himachal as well - only Himachalis can buy agri/rural land there. Non-Himachalis can only buy constructed urban properties. _________________ We miss you Nalini! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
The_Goat Member
Joined: 03 Mar 2007 Posts: 3260 Location: South of France
|
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 6:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Article 370 has done the Kashmiris more harm than good. Because of it, the Kashmiris have been isolated from the Indian mainstream and this is the main reason why the separatist movement gained so much momentum.
No other country treats an "integral part " of its territory this way. Even Pakistan freely allows its citizens to enter and live in PoK.
iah87 wrote: | Nehru opened the Pandora's box when he gave special status to J & K (may be that was the only way to get the state join India). |
No that was not. Kashmir would have been completely Indian had Nehru not run away to the UN to internationalize the issue before the Indian Army could drive out the infiltrators completely in 1949. _________________ I don't know which is the more pampered bunch : AI's widebodies (the aunties) or Jet's widebodies (the planes).
-Jasepl |
|
Back to top |
|
|
jbalonso777 Member
Joined: 05 Jul 2012 Posts: 1501 Location: Never, never land
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
The_Goat Member
Joined: 03 Mar 2007 Posts: 3260 Location: South of France
|
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2014 11:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
My word!
The general knowledge of the average Indian youngster seems to be bloody appalling!
I doubt any of those boys or girls can even dream of participating in those quiz competitions I used to compete in back in my high school days. And back then we were all very good.
Are we all set for the Great Indian Moron Generation?
They are all very fashionable and glamorous, I must add. Beauty In, Brains Out?? _________________ I don't know which is the more pampered bunch : AI's widebodies (the aunties) or Jet's widebodies (the planes).
-Jasepl |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ssbmat Member
Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Posts: 1710
|
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 7:15 am Post subject: |
|
|
The_Goat wrote: |
My word!
The general knowledge of the average Indian youngster seems to be bloody appalling!
I doubt any of those boys or girls can even dream of participating in those quiz competitions I used to compete in back in my high school days. And back then we were all very good.
Are we all set for the Great Indian Moron Generation?
They are all very fashionable and glamorous, I must add. Beauty In, Brains Out?? |
I also blame their parents- for not enforcing the discipline and vigour to obtain knowledge as well as other comforts of life. Nowadays I see kids talking about using Rs 25000 mobile phones as if they were made of paper and plastic. I do remember of course, that the 25000 Rs Mobile cost more than my entire education cost put together. (And I am a post-graduate in Electronics from a good university - in case ppl have doubts )
Besides, all our youth nowadays wants to do is to dance, sing and make merry. All our TV (Entertainment) is totally geared towards this stupid obsession. Where is the time for real education and knowledge ?
I was shocked when I heard my neighbours daughter (all of 7 years) comment that she and her friends chat all day on Whatsapp and joke about their teacher and stuff.. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
abhijith16 Member
Joined: 14 Sep 2010 Posts: 1575 Location: DOH/IXE/MEL
|
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 12:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
[quote="ssbmat"] The_Goat wrote: |
My word!
The general knowledge of the average Indian youngster seems to be bloody appalling!
I doubt any of those boys or girls can even dream of participating in those quiz competitions I used to compete in back in my high school days. And back then we were all very good.
Are we all set for the Great Indian Moron Generation?
They are all very fashionable and glamorous, I must add. Beauty In, Brains Out?? |
I also blame their parents- for not enforcing the discipline and vigour to obtain knowledge as well as other comforts of life. Nowadays I see kids talking about using Rs 25000 mobile phones as if they were made of paper and plastic. I do remember of course, that the 25000 Rs Mobile cost more than my entire education cost put together. (And I am a post-graduate in Electronics from a good university - in case ppl have doubts )
Besides, all our youth nowadays wants to do is to dance, sing and make merry. All our TV (Entertainment) is totally geared towards this stupid obsession. Where is the time for real education and knowledge ?
I was shocked when I heard my neighbours daughter (all of 7 years) comment that she and her friends chat all day on Whatsapp and joke about their teacher and stuff..[/quote
There are some general exceptions amongst youth - i.e - Me
But, unfortunately, the current trend isn't surprising. I have been noticing this for a quite a while. Modern parents these days just intend to dole out mobile phones to their kids at a such tender age. _________________ <a><img></a> |
|
Back to top |
|
|
The_Goat Member
Joined: 03 Mar 2007 Posts: 3260 Location: South of France
|
Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2014 10:03 am Post subject: |
|
|
ssbmat wrote: |
Besides, all our youth nowadays wants to do is to dance, sing and make merry. All our TV (Entertainment) is totally geared towards this stupid obsession. Where is the time for real education and knowledge ?
I was shocked when I heard my neighbours daughter (all of 7 years) comment that she and her friends chat all day on Whatsapp and joke about their teacher and stuff.. |
and while on the topic, take a look at this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOk1s4wJUXg _________________ I don't know which is the more pampered bunch : AI's widebodies (the aunties) or Jet's widebodies (the planes).
-Jasepl |
|
Back to top |
|
|
jasepl Member
Joined: 26 Jul 2008 Posts: 4257 Location: bund-bay
|
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 7:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Speaking of, it's been just over six months since this government took office after winning a dizzying majority in parliament.
What do they have to show for it?
What I've seen so far is simply UPA III. _________________ four years free of jetya punti! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Spiderguy252 Member
Joined: 10 Aug 2007 Posts: 4259 Location: Indian Ocean
|
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 7:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
jasepl wrote: | Speaking of, it's been just over six months since this government took office after winning a dizzying majority in parliament.
What do they have to show for it?
What I've seen so far is simply UPA III. |
If you've invested in the share market as of May 2014, you are probably raking in the moolah now though. _________________ Yeah. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
jasepl Member
Joined: 26 Jul 2008 Posts: 4257 Location: bund-bay
|
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 10:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Spiderguy252 wrote: | jasepl wrote: | Speaking of, it's been just over six months since this government took office after winning a dizzying majority in parliament.
What do they have to show for it?
What I've seen so far is simply UPA III. |
If you've invested in the share market as of May 2014, you are probably raking in the moolah now though. |
You have no idea! As I said way back in May in this very thread:
"... things that make me happy...
3. the news that I made an obscenely, ridiculously large killing when Delna decided to sell a chunk of my mutual funds yesterday!" _________________ four years free of jetya punti! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Nimish Member
Joined: 16 Dec 2006 Posts: 9757 Location: Bangalore, India
|
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 11:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
jasepl wrote: | You have no idea! As I said way back in May in this very thread:
"... things that make me happy...
3. the news that I made an obscenely, ridiculously large killing when Delna decided to sell a chunk of my mutual funds yesterday!" |
I hope you re-invested that killing back in the market, and are ready to make a 2nd killing. Is the supposed-serial-killer (Modi) turning you into a serial killer too _________________ We miss you Nalini! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
The_Goat Member
Joined: 03 Mar 2007 Posts: 3260 Location: South of France
|
Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 2:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
jasepl wrote: | Speaking of, it's been just over six months since this government took office after winning a dizzying majority in parliament.
What do they have to show for it?
What I've seen so far is simply UPA III. |
Whether the government may have something to show for it or not, the PM surely has made a lot of foreign trips.
Between May 2014 and Now, NaMo has been to (from the top of my head)
Nepal, Bhutan, Brazil, USA, Japan, Australia and Fiji. That is almost one country a month.
Ok, granted that the Brazil trip was for the BRIC Summit and the US one for the UN Summit, and there was no way he could avoid these. But that is a lot of foreign trips in six months. _________________ I don't know which is the more pampered bunch : AI's widebodies (the aunties) or Jet's widebodies (the planes).
-Jasepl |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jeh Member
Joined: 06 Apr 2010 Posts: 669 Location: Delhi, India
|
Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 9:45 am Post subject: |
|
|
The_Goat wrote: | jasepl wrote: | Speaking of, it's been just over six months since this government took office after winning a dizzying majority in parliament.
What do they have to show for it?
What I've seen so far is simply UPA III. |
Whether the government may have something to show for it or not, the PM surely has made a lot of foreign trips.
Between May 2014 and Now, NaMo has been to (from the top of my head)
Nepal, Bhutan, Brazil, USA, Japan, Australia and Fiji. That is almost one country a month.
Ok, granted that the Brazil trip was for the BRIC Summit and the US one for the UN Summit, and there was no way he could avoid these. But that is a lot of foreign trips in six months. |
I don't see why people are so agitated about the foreign trips - the man's hardly going there for a vacation, and while I wish he'd cut down a bit on the fatuous temple visits and grandiose gatherings with his NRI groupies, I still appreciate that drumming up trade and commerce is a vital part of his job.
The problem I have is that he hasn't achieved anything, and is doing little to dispel the notion that he's UPA III with better PR skills and optimistic 'business sentiment' that will sooner or later catch up with the facts. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
jasepl Member
Joined: 26 Jul 2008 Posts: 4257 Location: bund-bay
|
Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 10:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I agree. I don't care where he goes or how often.
But I do care that he's not done anything tangible at all in the six months heading the government. Zero.
And the size of the parliamentary majority juxtaposed with the flatline of the last 6 months makes things even worse.
So much for all the declarations by supporters that India was going to be transformed into Denmark overnight.
I must say I'm not totally surprised. Because this lot came to power without a shred of a plan.
And really, when central government ministers are obsessing over urban redevelopment in one (fading) city, instead of addressing issues that afflict the whole country, can we expect any better? _________________ four years free of jetya punti! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
The_Goat Member
Joined: 03 Mar 2007 Posts: 3260 Location: South of France
|
Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 10:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Well, a lot of trade and foreign investment we are going to get from the likes of Nepal and Bhutan, right? And what's Fiji going to give us? A couple of shiploads of coconut oil and dried fish?
I'm all for the PM travelling for the right reasons, but it is perfectly reasonable to be concerned when half the places he goes to are absolutely pointless.
Even Japan, by the way, is rather bankrupt nowadays and is looking more towards India as a market for its high tech goods than as a place to invest in.
jasepl wrote: | And the size of the parliamentary majority juxtaposed with the flatline of the last 6 months makes things even worse. |
To me that is the biggest worry.
Modi and his cronies should realize that the mandate was given to them for getting the right things done, not to pamper everyone in the name of building consensus. _________________ I don't know which is the more pampered bunch : AI's widebodies (the aunties) or Jet's widebodies (the planes).
-Jasepl |
|
Back to top |
|
|
stealthpilot Member
Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 2325 Location: BLR, DXB
|
Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 1:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I agree, given the majority his party has the lack of reform/pace is shameful. My initial feeling (shared by many I assume) was maybe Modi was waiting for some of the state elections to get things moving.
The foreign trips .... I'm all for it. Who cares if we don't import a lot from Bhutan/Nepal/Fiji we need to worry about trade and goodwill (for lack of a better word). I'm shocked you think an Indian PM visiting Nepal and Bhutan are pointless maybe you don't appreciate sphere of influence. We need to prioritise our relationship with Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Bhutan (eventually Pakistan). We don't trade much with them (that's partly the problem) and you maybe right in saying what will Maldives sell us but that's a very short-sighted view.
If we don't engage with our neighbours what's the point of running after uranium in Australia or raw materials from Africa? Heck let the PM spend half his time abroad. For a PM to visit a country a lot has to happen behind the scenes, the whole diplomatic machinery gets moving and that contact is essential if we want to project soft power. That leads to trade, goodwill- being viewed as a friend not a bully which is very very important especially with our neighbours. China builds ports in Sri Lanka, roads in Nepal etc. The Philippines/Japan/Vietnam/Malaysia are all weary of China because they claim everyones territory but we cant only be seen as a 'counter' to the regions bully. We need to engage with all our regional neighbours SAARC/ASEAN to start with and high level visits would set the tone for future deals. Physical trade is only one aspect- trade barriers + intelligence sharing + industry cooperation + easy movement of people etc are all important.
I'm happy if we have a PM who travels- gets talks rolling and projects India's friendliness. _________________ eP007 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
The_Goat Member
Joined: 03 Mar 2007 Posts: 3260 Location: South of France
|
Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 6:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
stealthpilot wrote: | .
The foreign trips .... I'm all for it. Who cares if we don't import a lot from Bhutan/Nepal/Fiji we need to worry about trade and goodwill (for lack of a better word). I'm shocked you think an Indian PM visiting Nepal and Bhutan are pointless maybe you don't appreciate sphere of influence. . |
There is plenty of goodwill for India in Bhutan and Nepal, even in Fiji. There is no need for the PM to go there just for that.
And as for 'sphere of influence', India is projecting plenty of 'soft power' everywhere, with Bollywood, Indian food, Yoga and with the ever increasing numbers of Indians travelling to all corners of the World. And all this has been happening since long before Modi even dreamed about becoming PM. I don't think there is any need for the PM to travel solely for this.
What the PM needs to do is to stay and work in India, where most places have rotting infrastructure, the economy is falling apart, unemployment is increasing daily, 13 million children die of malnutrition each year, nearly 300 million people cannot sign their names, more than half the population still defecates in the open and almost 70% of the people cannot drink the water from their nearby taps.
No points for guessing where the PM's priorities should be. Good will visits can wait.
What positive development in their lives have the Indian people seen since this government took over? I believe none. And Modi should make sure that changes - the quicker the better.
It would be a terrible disaster if Modi does not deliver. I can go to the extent of saying that even our much flaunted democracy will be tested if Modi fails. _________________ I don't know which is the more pampered bunch : AI's widebodies (the aunties) or Jet's widebodies (the planes).
-Jasepl |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Nimish Member
Joined: 16 Dec 2006 Posts: 9757 Location: Bangalore, India
|
Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 9:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The_Goat wrote: | What positive development in their lives have the Indian people seen since this government took over? I believe none. And Modi should make sure that changes - the quicker the better.
It would be a terrible disaster if Modi does not deliver. I can go to the extent of saying that even our much flaunted democracy will be tested if Modi fails. |
Much less corruption at the leadership level, the Jan Dhan yojana and the move to push direct benefits transfer via Aadhar - these are all good things. I sincerely hope we'll see some significant improvements during the budget. Civil aviation is an unmitigated disaster, and I think the MoCA needs to be replaced ASAP. _________________ We miss you Nalini! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
justbala Member
Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 1898 Location: Bangalore
|
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 2:45 am Post subject: |
|
|
Nimish wrote: | The_Goat wrote: | What positive development in their lives have the Indian people seen since this government took over? I believe none. And Modi should make sure that changes - the quicker the better.
It would be a terrible disaster if Modi does not deliver. I can go to the extent of saying that even our much flaunted democracy will be tested if Modi fails. |
Much less corruption at the leadership level, the Jan Dhan yojana and the move to push direct benefits transfer via Aadhar - these are all good things. I sincerely hope we'll see some significant improvements during the budget. Civil aviation is an unmitigated disaster, and I think the MoCA needs to be replaced ASAP. |
Corruption - give them time.It will fall in place. As it is the BJP Radio Ad harps on "Brashtachar" as one of "Great Leaders" achievement.
The rest are UPA schemes. Modi has been busy appropriating credit for work done by the previous government (and I am surprised that even educated folks actually believe that it took just 6 months to build a railway line to Megahalya!!) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ssbmat Member
Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Posts: 1710
|
Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 10:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
My problem is that the PM has this one all-pervasive National security advisor in the form of Doval, who is present in all external affairs activities. I wonder what is the need for the MoEA Swaraj ?
I believe, if there is a strategy behind the foreign endeavours, then there should be something stated to the nation (in whatever form). Fiji to me, sounds like some kind of Pacific Rim strategy to counter China. Or it could be some energy exploration initiative.
As for Bhutan, it is very much necessary because they have steadfastedly aligned with India from the very beginning, and indeed look up to us to prevent any communist influence. For our part, it is central to our Northeast frontier.
That said, he had better concentrate on infrastructure, and efficient governance processes. Its high time the Govt translated the talk into some tangible action. And how clamping on some of the loose talk by its ministers ? Most notably, the recent Ramzaade statement. This act deserves the boot, no less. In fact he'd make an excellent examplary case if that was done. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
jasepl Member
Joined: 26 Jul 2008 Posts: 4257 Location: bund-bay
|
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2014 9:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
ssbmat wrote: | ...the recent Ramzaade statement. This act deserves the boot, no less... |
I emphatically disagree.
All she did was merely utter a semi swear word. Why should she get booted out for that, when her boss, at the very least, stood by and watched hundreds of people get slaughtered. He didn't even apologise, nor did he show any sign of remorse. He's spoken enough gutter talk himself. And he became PM.
Double standards much? _________________ four years free of jetya punti! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|