By: K. K. Verma
Achieving political mileage through poor and deprived section of population without giving due attention to their desired growth have been the biggest drawback of modern democracy. Few people in politics, social services or state executives have selectively mastered this art to rise. They do not feel ashamed in roping to height through the tired shoulder of deprived people. That is what I concluded when heard, read and analyzed the growth cycle of Indian railway minister Lalu Yadav.
Have you ever imagined, a CEO shouting about its own growth chart in a board meeting? How will it look like when Narayana Murthy talks about his 2 billion businesses with his loud voice without quoting any concrete strategies? How ill it would appear if Mukesh shouts in the board meeting of RIL, India ? CEO of the company is supposed to speak in detail about the strategy or plan rather than shouting on its revenue. Lalu as CEO of Railway, as few of our editorial board of dailies have pointed out; remain a shame for the civilized society. This is the same Lalu who claimed to divide Bihar on his dead body and subsequently predicted for sick state like Bihar to rule for twenty years. Nothing came true and Bihar remains where it was before he took over as Chief Minister, at the deep bottom.
Like any other basic infrastructure e.g. water, electricity, roads and transport including airports; railway platforms and railway journey remain a nightmare for even the sufficiently well to do people. Platforms are in filthy condition. Trains are moving at slower pace. Railway compartments are not well equipped to carry the executives of growing India . There is hardly any basic facility starting from beddings to electricity and telephones are available for the people
Lalu’s talks about cuts in fares make hardly any sense to fastest growing people in the world. I think all conscious and critical thinking people will agree with my views. Growing India wants better infrastructure, better facilities and better amenities. They are ready to pay. It makes no sense in reducing the price. Railway ministry need to focus on creating infrastructure and provide more and more facilities.
Super fast trains which are a common thing across developed world since 1950s or 60s, we are still focusing and earning glory by changing seat with some cushion. Even after 40 or 50 years of technological breakthrough, India is still focusing on trivial issues as achievements. Whom are we fooling and at what cost? Why do not we plan heavily and talk about development and growth?
When India is growing, who wants to remain Gharib? Why Lalu is focusing on initiating Gharib Rath? I have already written in my earlier blog regarding the wastefulness of these Gharib Raths in a shortly going to be developed nation. The railway ministers in the coming years will have to terminate or rename these Gharib Raths because no body feels proud in boarding them.
The way Lalu has shouted about Rs. 20,000 crores profit may be in line of the ongoing growth of India . India GDP is growing at the rate of 9%. Indian stocks have grown more than 100% since last one year. In last three years; Indian Software Company Infosys alone has doubled up its revenue from 1 billion to 2 billion, why so much fuss about Rs. 20,000 crores profit by railways? Surprisingly, even news papers and other media people are shouting the same thing what Lalu shouted in parliament. Where is the critical analysis and strategies?
Lalu not only kept secret his speech from his two junior colleagues but kept railway budget confidential before moving to parliament. Minister of state Narayan Bhai Ratwa of Congress and R Velu of PMK were kept in dark for the first time during deliberations of this year’s budget. How can the people of the country get access to the hidden tactics of Lalu? This is bad. How can opposition contribute in generating good plan? Even journalists work in the line which appears superficial rather than critical review.
Minister need to talk about vision, not shout about his achievements and glory. News papers and media should act intelligently to write about issues rather than rhetoric of ministers. This will not be tolerated by conscious Indians. In recent election in Maharastra, Punjab etc, people have shown their frustration of bad policies of government, they will not tolerate for long.
The nation need better leaders to take the economy ahead. India is lacking in its basic amenities. Till the time, they are managed properly by good people; the situation will remain in shambles.
