Thanks for the invit. Manoj. But I am not much for such festivities. I didn't even watch the Beijing Olympics.
I know you will be able to give us a first hand assessment . Those sure are 'spensive tickets you bought :-). c-da On Sep 30, 2010, at 12:18 PM, Manoj Das wrote: > C'da > > For that u shd b here! > > On 9/30/10, Chan Mahanta <[email protected]> wrote: >>> all the five star hotels..Maurya >>> >>> Sheraton, Le Meridien, Taj...sent their housekeeping experts and staff >>> free >>> of cost to maintain the rooms and services.. >> >> >> *** But, but --- I thought the New India was supposed to do all that. What >> happened? >> Now they had to resort to corporate charity, in spite of the 700 Crores ? >> >> BTW, is it true that half of the 20,000 volunteers ( I suspect New Indian >> types) have taken >> their uniforms and disappeared? Is that why Sahara is furnishing the >> volunteers now? >> Is that New or Old India? >> >> Just curious >> >> :-). >> >> >> >> >> >> On Sep 30, 2010, at 11:12 AM, Manoj Das wrote: >> >>> While we have been arguing ..new India is working hard to make the games a >>> grand success. >>> >>> In the much maligned Games Village, all the five star hotels..Maurya >>> Sheraton, Le Meridien, Taj...sent their housekeeping experts and staff >>> free >>> of cost to maintain the rooms and services.. >>> >>> I am with Muktikam.. Three cheers for the games..best wishes to >>> our athletes, who are working hard for months! >>> >>> 'Buri nazar wale tera muh kaala..Dil he tere kaala aur lohoo bhi kaala..' >>> >>> On Thu, Sep 30, 2010 at 7:37 PM, Chan Mahanta <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>>> If you want to kill a tree, don’t cut it, just curse it! The same seems >>>>> to >>>> be >>>>> happening with CWG. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> *** Even though I don't understand the metaphor above, I am curious about >>>> >>>>> ---successful completion of CWG is a must for INDIA’s image… >>>> >>>> *** What will constitute success to make Indians feel good about >>>> themselves? >>>> Since the expectations have been severely beaten down over the previous >>>> months, >>>> would that mean anything less than a complete disaster will be enough? Or >>>> would it be >>>> something else? Question is what? >>>> >>>> *** I forwarded the Outlook India article for a different reason: To >>>> point >>>> out the >>>> continuing MAKE-BELIEVE nature of Indian governance, as Mr. Arvind >>>> Kejriwal >>>> pointed out well, but did not characterize in so many words. That leaves >>>> me wondering about >>>> the abilities and concerns of all the super-power aspirant " new >>>> Indians". >>>> Where are they? >>>> What are THEY doing? Looks like they seem to be satisfied with blaming >>>> the >>>> "---- old geezers who are still in charge are content to live in the old >>>> India." and continuing >>>> to claim, either ignorantly or idly, that India has been changing, >>>> pointing >>>> to exactly the same make-believe >>>> symbols that Kejriwal exposed. >>>> >>>> >>>> The disconnect is hard to miss, unless, the New India is just a figment >>>> of >>>> Old Indian imaginations. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Sep 29, 2010, at 11:19 PM, Muktikam Phukan wrote: >>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> If you want to kill a tree, don’t cut it, just curse it! The same seems >>>> to be >>>>> happening with CWG. >>>>> >>>>> Friends, successful completion of CWG is a must for INDIA’s image….there >>>> has >>>>> been so much negative publicity about it….let’s support the games now, >>>> and for >>>>> sure it doesn’t mean that we support the corruption involved with it, we >>>> are >>>>> supporting INDIA !!!! >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Let’s spread positive vibes about CWG..let’s spread this message!. >>>>> Muktikam Phukan >>>>> Deputy Director (FA) >>>>> Petroleum Conservation Research Association >>>>> Sanrakshan Bhawan,10, Bhikaiji Cama Place,New Delhi 110066 >>>>> Ph: +91 11 26198856 Ext 355, Mob: +91 9818598565 >>>>> email: [email protected] , [email protected] >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> ________________________________ >>>>> From: Manoj Das <[email protected]> >>>>> To: A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the world >>>>> <[email protected]> >>>>> Sent: Wed, 29 September, 2010 10:43:53 PM >>>>> Subject: Re: [Assam] CWG and Desi-demokrasy in Action ( or is it Udok >>>>> Bheta-rokhiya Pota Sorkar) >>>>> >>>>> Ulongo dexh ondho roja! >>>>> >>>>> On Wed, Sep 29, 2010 at 10:01 PM, Chan Mahanta <[email protected]> >>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Desi-demokrasy in Action or is it Udok Bheta-rokhiya Pota Sorkar ? >>>>>> >>>>>> cm >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> From Outlook India: >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?267215 >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Dear Mrs Gandhi, >>>>>> >>>>>> Dr Manmohan Singh is believed to be one of the most honest prime >>>> ministers >>>>>> our country has had. But, ironically, he presides over arguably the >>>>>> most >>>>>> dishonest government machinery we have seen. The latest in the series >>>>>> of >>>>>> scams is the massive corruption in the Commonwealth Games. Despite >>>> charges >>>>>> of large-scale fund misuse and inefficient management, Suresh Kalmadi, >>>>>> almost defiantly, says he won’t step down till the PM or Sonia Gandhi >>>> asks >>>>>> him to do so. He seems to be confident that neither of you would ask >>>>>> him >>>> to >>>>>> step down! >>>>>> >>>>>> The scale and arrogance of corruption in the Commonwealth Games is so >>>>>> bizarre that if it goes unpunished this time also, then there is no >>>>>> hope >>>> for >>>>>> this country. Both Dr Singh and you have said on several occasions that >>>>>> those involved in corruption in CWG will not be spared after the games. >>>> But >>>>>> which agency will investigate these cases? >>>>>> >>>>>> The CBI? This is directly under the control of the central government. >>>> It >>>>>> runs almost like its department. It has been misused for political >>>> purposes >>>>>> almost by all successive governments and parties. With allegations >>>> against >>>>>> people and politicians in high places in the Commonwealth Games, it is >>>>>> highly unlikely that the CBI would be allowed to do an unbiased and >>>> honest >>>>>> investigation. >>>>>> >>>>>> Then we have the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), a toothless body. >>>> It >>>>>> has neither the resources nor the powers to investigate and prosecute. >>>>>> Despite this, it recently did a brilliant inquiry into some of the CWG >>>>>> projects. It found several irregularities. However, the CVC does not >>>> have >>>>>> the powers to take any action against the guilty. It can only make >>>>>> recommendations. It has already done that and no action has been taken >>>>>> against those identified. Because the people against whom action is >>>> proposed >>>>>> to be taken are either those who themselves have to decide whether to >>>> take >>>>>> action or not, or can influence decision-making. Further, the CVC does >>>> not >>>>>> have any jurisdiction over politicians. So, the CVC’s inquiries into >>>>>> CWG >>>>>> projects do not extend to the role of politicians. >>>>>> >>>>>> To make matters worse, what can one expect from the new CVC, who >>>>>> himself >>>>>> boasts of a tainted past? One wonders whether he has been posted to >>>>>> effectively act against corruption or to scuttle the inquiries into the >>>>>> Commonwealth Games and the telecom corruption charges, and save the >>>>>> government a political embarrassment. >>>>>> >>>>>> Besides the CBI and CVC, we have no other anti-corruption body at the >>>>>> Centre. So, who will investigate corruption in Commonwealth Games >>>> projects? >>>>>> The promises of effective action by you and Dr Singh simply do not >>>> inspire >>>>>> confidence. >>>>>> >>>>>> The whistle-blower protection bill recently introduced in Parliament >>>>>> proposes to entrust the responsibility of investigating complaints of >>>>>> corruption from whistle-blowers and providing protection to them to the >>>> CVC. >>>>>> Obviously, whistle-blower protection is required in those cases where >>>>>> high-and-mighty politicians and bureaucrats are involved. >>>>>> Interestingly, >>>> the >>>>>> CVC does not have jurisdiction over politicians. And it merely forwards >>>>>> complaints against bureaucrats to the respective department heads to >>>>>> investigate and report back. So, if the head of the department himself >>>> is >>>>>> involved, what happens then? Such serious flaws render the proposed >>>>>> whistle-blower protection bill a showpiece legislation. >>>>>> >>>>>> These critical deficiencies in our anti-corruption systems were >>>> discussed >>>>>> in a meeting on August 10 by none other than Karnataka Lokayukta >>>>>> Justice >>>>>> Santosh Hegde, former CVC P. Shankar, former chief election >>>>>> commissioner >>>>>> J.M. Lyngdoh, senior Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan and >>>>>> others. >>>>>> Outgoing CVC Pratyush Sinha was present as an observer. Minutes of this >>>>>> meeting have already been sent to you earlier. According to this group, >>>>>> these critical deficiencies have rendered our entire anti-corruption >>>> systems >>>>>> ineffective. >>>>>> >>>>>> Those who participated in the meeting made a series of excellent >>>>>> recommendations: Create a Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in states >>>> to >>>>>> deal with corruption. They should have jurisdiction over both >>>> bureaucrats >>>>>> and politicians. They should have resources and complete powers to >>>> entertain >>>>>> complaints, investigate them and prosecute the guilty. These >>>> organisations >>>>>> should not need approvals or permissions from anyone to initiate >>>>>> investigations and prosecutions. At the same time, they should >>>> themselves be >>>>>> transparent and accountable in their functioning. Their appointment >>>> should >>>>>> be through a transparent and participatory process. >>>>>> >>>>>> When corruption reached its peak in Hong Kong in the ’70s, it created >>>>>> an >>>>>> Independent Commission Against Corruption and gave it complete powers. >>>> The >>>>>> commission sacked 103 out of 107 police officers in one go. That sent a >>>>>> strong signal to the entire machinery. Such swift and effective action >>>> is >>>>>> needed in our country also, immediately. >>>>>> >>>>>> You created history by renouncing the chair of the prime minister. We >>>> urge >>>>>> you to create effective systems in our country to rid this country of >>>>>> corruption. >>>>>> >>>>>> Yours sincerely, Arvind Kejriwal >>>>>> >>>>>> Arvind Kejriwal is a Magasaysay award winner who works on issues of >>>>>> transparency and the right to information. >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> assam mailing list >>>>>> [email protected] >>>>>> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org >>>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> assam mailing list >>>>> [email protected] >>>>> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> assam mailing list >>>>> [email protected] >>>>> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> assam mailing list >>>> [email protected] >>>> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org >>>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> assam mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> assam mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org >> > > -- > Sent from my mobile device > > C 166 LGF > Sarvodaya Enclave > New Delhi 110017 > 09910972654 > > _______________________________________________ > assam mailing list > [email protected] > http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org _______________________________________________ assam mailing list [email protected] http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
