Golden India Foundation

7.  Magic formula

 

It is really appreciable to know how the government brought down inflation rate in India while at the same time our g.n.p. is increasing at a robust speed. But our interest rate needs to be rationalized.

 

            May I humbly suggest a magic formula of interest rate which has proved to be one hundred per cent successful in:

 

·  USA for the last 100 years

·  Japan for the last 50 years

·  Germany for the last 50 years.

 

And it has turned them into the biggest and best economies in the world.

 

The formula is very simple, interest rate is to be kept below 6% per annum, preferably 4%

 

E.c.c. has realized the extraordinary benefit of this miracle, and even chronic inflation prone economies of Italy & Spain have tremendously benefited form it. They have been very successful in bringing down inflation & giving a new boost to the economy just by greatly reducing their interest rate

 

Mainstream economies favour a high interest rate to keep inflation in check, but in practice it gives just the opposite results. High interest rate directly increases inflation & stifles industry & business.

 

And most importantly, it directly increases interest burden in our central govt. Budget and this has become the single biggest expenditure in our budget which affects crucial departments like defense, health & education.

 

The above suggestion needs to be examined carefully and the government should be bold enough to implement it in the coming budget.

 

The central key to the success of American economy is having a very low interest rate for the last 100 years. Seeing is believing; forget. The old theoretical economic thinking.

 

If need be, the golden India foundation will be willing to conduct all necessary research in this matter free of cost.

 

I wish India to play the role of a world leader in the new millennium it is the largest democracy in the world and now we have to make it the strongest democracy so that it can regain the title of visva guru.  

SOLVING WATER PROBLEM IN INDIA

 

A few years back over 10 lakh people migrated from Barmer & Jaisalmer districts of Rajasthan because of water shortage and over 10 lakh cows and sheeps died.  

 

            It is most strange that the people may be suffering and dying but our politicians and news media keep busy talking about cricket scandals. It is just like when Rome was burning Nero was playing flute.  

 

I strongly urge the central government and members of parliament to refocus national attention on such basic needs like water. In all the civilized countries getting pure drinking water is treated as a fundamental right of the citizen and it is the duty of the government to ensure that each citizen gets adequate water supply. But in India after 50 years of independence more than a million cows had to die and the next in line will be human beings. Does such a democratic government has a right to function for a single more day?

 

 

Therefore I make an appeal to all politicians, mps & government agencies to forget the political and bureaucratic differences and in fights and join together to arrive at a permanent solution to acute water problem once forever.

 

I suggest that the scheme of "garland canal" which was given to our first prime minister pt. Nehru by dastur consultants of Bombay should be revived. It suggested that all the major rivers of the country should be joined together, so that the problems of drought, flood and shortage of food grains can be solved once for ever.

 

To solve the present crisis, as a first step, the government should immediately allocate Rs. 2000 crore for making traditional sources of water storage more effective like deepening of lakes, water reservoirs, canals and construction of new water storage, lakes, etc. 

 

Getting NRI's  Investment in  India - Hurdles  and  Solutions.

          India's civilisation is one of the most ancient civilisations  in  the world. We have a rich heritage.  The Indians who went abroad carry have a part of that heritage with them and they are the cultural ambassadors of India in those countries.  They have great love and affection for their motherland.  They went especially to America  with  not much  in  their  pockets.  But within a few years, they made huge sums of money   and earned name and prosperity.  

They would love to share it with their brothers and sisters in India. In fact, they are doing something of the kind at present also but there are some small hurdles which are impeding the inflow of wealth to India.  I humbly suggest the following measures to tackle  this problem  and bring better understanding and harmony  between  Indians and Non-  Resident Indians ( NRIs) . I would like to suggest a plan whereby  the Government  of India will earn  an additional ten thousand crores of rupees in foreign  exchange from  this project.  As in  any  business, we need to invest some part of income just like any other   investment where the income is certain to be  many  times more.

 

Suggestions:

 

1.    Visa facilities: Total visa charges  for those coming to India should be abolished   and 90  days'  tourist visa should be granted on arrival  free of charge to them.

 

2.    Custom Duty ceiling on NRIs  should be increased to Rs.  2 lakh  (tax free) and 5 per cent Custom Duty should be charged over and above Rs. 2 lakh.

 

3.       Landing charges on  all  foreign airlines as well as Air India should be abolished so  that they can be induced to bring in many more flights and tourists to India.

 

4.    Each NRI  or foreign  tourist visiting this land of rich  ancient culture should be welcomed by a garland and a Tilak  Ceremony  at all  the major airports of India.

 

5.    FERA  provisions should be totally  lifted  on NRIS. It is a very  annoying hurdle.

 

6.       Bureaucracy: India has a very fine tradition  of public servants. They are doing a great job in serving this great nation.  I really appreciate their far-sightedness and straight-forwardness.

 

       But the evil of mental  slavery  has not been  totally eradicated  and that's why even  after 50  years  of our independence, we are facing bureaucratic red-tapism  and hurdles.  I  appeal  to all  bureaucrats to free themselves once for all  from  the  lingering influence  of imperialism  and rules & regulations and laws which  are impeding our economic development.

 

       A National Commission, comprising leading industrialists, businessmen  and NRIs should be set up  to suggest the changes in  our laws for the betterment of our economic situation. I also appeal to the Prime Minister of India to consider this project immediately  and take a decision  as early as possible so that we can start earning much  needed additional foreign  exchange of Rs.  10,000/-  crores  every year.

 

7.    To help reduce corruption and bribery in Indian politics, I strongly recommend the creation of a pool of Rs. 500 crores to be distributed to all political parties on the basis of the percentage of votes received by them in the General Election.

 

         I may mention here that NRIs are interested in investing their money in tourism industry (especially in building of hotels, etc.), electronics, computer-software, mines and minerals, power, exploration of oil, insurance, television and other important sectors. They are ready to transfer appropriate business technology and professional expertise to India so that this country can become a global economic power of the world.

 

TOURISM:

 

Tourism is one of the major industries in the world. Scores of countries base their economy upon it. Even in India, it is the second largest foreign exchange earner (Rs. 11,000 crores a year). We propose to set up a new goal of attracting at least 10 million tourists to India within 5 years, so that we can earn at least 50,000 crores of rupees as foreign exchange every year from them. To be able to achieve this gigantic project, I make the following simple but powerful suggestions :

 

1.       Tourism, including hotels should be declared as tax free export processing zone (actually this industry is much better than all other industries, except software, as foreign exchange outflow is very negligible as compared to the inflow of foreign exchange). Thus any hotel anywhere in India will come under the purview of export processing zone itself.

 

2.    All imports related to Tourism industry like hotels, luxury cars etc. should be made duty free. It should be exempted from custom and excise duties also. The same has already done for units set up in the Export Processing Zones.

 

3.    At present the charges of Indian hotels are higher than those of many other hotels in the world. This is a big hurdle for tourists visiting India. Now with this scheme, thousands of new hotels will be built and  hotel charges will automatically come down and induce the tourists to visit India in larger numbers.

 

4.    30,000 suitable plots of land  all over India should be earmarked for the development of hotels and resorts for tourism industry and a nominal rate (Re. 1/- per square metre) should be charged from the entrepreneurs. Emphasis should be given to eco-tourism (ecological friendly tourism). These hotels could be built as a joint venture or on B.O.T. basis. It would be better if a tourism development fund is set up to bridge "critical infrastructural gaps." 

 

These hotels should be thrown open to the private sector (Indian as well as foreign entrepreneurs) and totally exempted from the environmental laws. Each new hotel room constructed should be obliged to plant and take care of at least 200 new neem trees to help in controlling pollution and giving completely non-toxic and biodegraded pesticides to Indian farmers.

 

5.       Starting of special taxi/bus/train and air sevas for tourists:

       Special sevas should be started from the major metropolitan cities and these should be connected with all the historic places. Through this, we can provide good services to our guests. They can see entire India in one go. In this regard GIF is of the view that necessary assistance can be taken from Ministries of Tourism, Railways, Surface Transport and Civil Aviation. Services of important functionaries of eminent travel agencies/hotels/tourism departments of Central and State Governments can also be taken in this regard to make these sevas successful. 

 

In addition to the above efforts, all the important pilgrim centers should be a connected with these sevas. Special trips should be organised on festival season. There should  be a proper coordination among Central and State Governments, public sector undertakings and the private sector. Programmes of  seeing monuments, various art forms, handicrafts, folk dances, traditional fairs and cuisines should also be included in these sevas for the preservation and enrichment of India's culture and heritage. It would be better if we have the participation of panchayats, NGOs, local bodies etc. to achieve a wider spread of tourist facilities. It would not only reduce the regional imbalance but also improve the social and economic standards of rural masses.

 

6.    Status of Industry to Tourism :

       Tourism should be given the status of industry and all facilities and concessions provided to other industries should be provided to this industry also for its survival and development. For this, it is suggested that a separate board should be constituted under the Ministry of Tourism which should be headed by a senior level officer of the Government of India. There should be four other members on the Board selected or nominated by the different sectors of Tourism industry. This Tourism Promotion Board would prepare policies and programmes for the promotion of tourism and provide necessary assistance and advice in the development of the industry. The Board would also provide all types of facilities to our foreign guests i.e. centralised money changes, bus-rail-car-air facilities and hotel reservation, state tourism counters and tourist guides.

 

7.       Separate Legislation for Tourism :

       A separate legislation for the development of tourism should also be introduced brought out with the aim of ensuring social, cultural and environmental sustainability of tourism development and protecting the tourists in the country. Similarly, a regulatory institutional mechanism would be envisaged in the legislation to deal with the complaints of foreign guests firmly and provide them with all types of security. Any type of insecurity would not only mar the interests of the industry but also defame the image of our great country. We should take precautionary measures for preventing these types of mishappenings.

 

8.       Centres for Yoga and Naturopathy for Tourists :

       It will be in the interest of the industry if a number of yoga and naturopathy centers are set up for tourists. These centres should be built up in the Himalayan surroundings which are known for peace, devotion and sacrifice. We have a glorious past and we are all proud of our cultural heritage embedded in the teachings of ancient seers, rishis and wise persons. The two great apostles of peace and non-violence, viz., Lord Mahavira and Lord Buddha were born here. 

 

Our sacred lore is replete with innumerable incidents and anecdotes relating to self-illumined and enlightened sages and other holy persons. It is on account of our common spiritual and moral values marking our unity in diversity that our cultural heritage is intact despite foreign invasions from time to time. In short, India was not only the spiritual Guru for other nations, she was also a model nation as regards economic prosperity and development. Our ancient legacy in all areas is singularly unique and peerless.

 

I may mention here that nris are interested in investing their money in tourism industry (especially in building of hotels, etc.), electronics, computer-software, mines and minerals, power, exploration of oil, insurance, television and other important sectors. They are ready to transfer appropriate business technology and professional expertise to India so that this country can become a global economic power of the world.

 

5.            Transforming indian armed forces

 

 

 Recently the ministry of defence, govt. Of india has shown some foresight, determination and practical approach in strengthening, streamlining and upgrading indian armed forces for the new challenges faced by india in the 21st century.

 

The golden india foundation suggests the following 14 - point programme which can transform indian armed forces into the best armed forces of the world. We should not be content with being third or fourth in rank as we are the largest democracy in the world. Therefore, india should have the best armed forces of the world to defend our borders internally as well as externally.

 

1.         We should immediately engage the services of a company like sap or baan which will make computer softwares and hardwares through which resource management and personnel management of the armed forces will be computerized including the flow of manpower and material to any destination which will enable commanders and the defence minister to operate and instruct the whole system simply from their  lap top. 

 

           The bar coding and satellite communication systems will be used in such a way that commanders are able to pinpoint any of their tanks, planes or supply vehicles and give direct instructions as to what to do next.

          

         This system was very successfully used by boeing aircraft company and it reduces their time to manufacture an aircraft by 25 per cent. Through the system, the efficiency of the whole armed forces will improve tremendously. (total cost : Rs. 500 crore).

 

2.         Interactive cd rom and internet based training programme should be launched for imparting knowledge and training in 500 different technical and modern warfare training in 500 different technical and modern warfare technologies, for example (i) virtual warfare antitank missiles, (ii) antiaircraft missiles, (iii) shoulder mounted missiles, (iv) night vision technology, (v) satellite based defence system, (vi) laser beam technology (vii) ware at high attitude, (viii) anti submarine and ship warfare, (ix) safeguarding indian forces from chemical weapons attack etc. Special smart laser guided beam technology should be developed so that our air force can increase its efficiency manifold.

          

          At least one million soldiers in air force, navy and army should be fully trained under this scheme within 2 yeaRs. (total cost : Rs. 5000 crore).

 

3.         Special remote sensing should be put in orbit exclusively for indian armed forces with latest optical laser and infrared technology which can pinpoint even a singe movement of any soldier, vehicle, aircraft, submarine, ship around indian bordeRs. the latest technology exists in this field and our indian scientists are capable enough to utilize it. What we need is the political will and swift financial decision (total cost : Rs. 1000/- crore).

4.         During the hijack of indian airlines flight no. 851, it was the u.s. intelligence capabilities through which we were able to know about the telephone conversation between the hijackers and their bombay agent. Taking a lesson form this incident, we propose that indian armed forces should have a crystal palace similar to, but much more advanced than its u.n. counterpart which is situated at west virginia, u.s.a. our crystal palace will be named as "chanakya crystal palace". 

 

          This crystal palace will have the capability to monitor any telephone call which is mobile based or land-line based or which is interrupted. It will have a computer which will be automatically activated and monitor each and every call. This crystal palace is of utmost urgency keeping in view the unprecedented military and terrorist threat faced by india now-a-days. (total cost : Rs. 500 crore).  

5.         26 officers' training colleges of university level should be set up in state capitals with the most modern facilities which will impart the best possible training to cadets in all fields. (total cost Rs. 500 crore).  

6.            Purchasing and setting up of 1,00,000 new latest computers for our armed forces will enable them to get training in the above mentioned technologies with the help of newly custom made softwares in the above mentioned 500 fields. (total cost : Rs. 500 crore)  

7.         To build up awareness for participation and cooperation of civilian population with the armed forces, special armed forces exhibitions, symposia, conferences should be held regularly at 3000 tehsil headquarteRs. Able armed personnel should be honoured and given prizes in these functions. 

 

          This is the most important aspect of the new policy because money and high-technology weapons alone cannot win a war as it was amply demonstrated during the Vietnam war and also during the crisis in Iran during the shah Pahalvi period where Iran's armed forces equipped with most sophisticated American weapons were defeated by unarmed or very lightly armed followers of Khumeni. (total cost : Rs. 200 crore).  

8.         To optimize utilization of our national funds, we suggest total or 100 per cent transparency in all the purchases by armed forces above Rs. 10,000. A new national paper  should be started similar to the paper which is being run by the u.s. government namely 'u.s. business daily news' about all the purchases and sales. 

 

           The government will be able to buy and sell things at a much cheaper price because of the fair competition which will be generated thought this newspaper which will be published on the internet also. A reverse auction programme should also be installed where a purchasing agency will float the enquiry and all the prospective sellers can openly bid for it internationally. (total cost : Rs. 5 crore).

 

9.         All the bureaucratic hurdles and red tapism in the armed forces should be removed with a view to utilizing and profiting from unleashing of this new free market policy. (total cost : Rs. Crore)

 

10.       All the firms and tenders should be readily available on the internet for any purchase and sale by armed forces.

 

11.       To get the maximum benefit from the national security council, its meetings should be held at least once in a month and should be mandatory.

 

12.       To bring greater coordination and harmony between the different ethnical groups in the armed forces, a national harmony council should be set up which will find and devise ways to bring complete national ethnical harmony in the armed forces where each segment will understand and cooperate with the other segment. For instance, Bengalis with Punjabis or Tamilians. (total cost : Rs. 50 crore).

 

13.       A national/international panel of experts should be set up to advise armed forces on how best to implement all the above mentioned points in the new policy. (total cost : Rs. 50 crore).

 

14.       Special emphasis should be laid on promoting a sense of nationalism in our armed forces because this is the only definite factor which can tilt the balance during a war and decide between victory and defeat. We should learn lessons in this respect from the behaviour of American and Japanese armed forces during the second world war which was in sharp contrast to the behaviour of south Vietnam and north Vietnam forces.

 

           In addition, we should reserve Rs. 45 crore for other miscellaneous expenses. The entire scheme is of utmost national importance, so a budgetary provision of Rs. 8000/- crore should be made for it for the next 2 yeaRs.

          

         The basic target of our scheme is to show that, in reality, indian armed forces are twice the number of u.s. armed forces so our defence capabilities should supersede those of u.s. as our scientists and defence personnel are second to none.

 

6.         Pio cards

            the bold initiative taken by ministry of home affairs in issuing pio cards is apparently praise-worthy. But as per media reports, the whole purpose of this scheme has been defeated as only a few persons out of over 20 million nris have applied for it and fewer pios actually got these cards (copy enclosed).

            

            The reason for the total failure of this scheme is the high fee of $ 1,000 that the ministry has imposed on issuing of these cards. If and when these NRIs come to india, they bring their hard earned foreign exchange with them and spend it here. What is the loss to our country ? Why does the home ministry have to charge this extraordinary fee of $ 1,000 from pios? These are some of the questions which need thorough examination and consideration by the ministry.  

 

          To make this scheme popular and derive all the benefits from if, the golden india foundation is of the view that we should charge only $ 100 for issuing of these cards. The reduction in the fee will pave the way for a flood of applications for these cards and the fee thus collected will be much more than the actual expenditure incurred by the government in this respect. Our field research has shown that at least 1 million nris will benefit from this scheme in the first year, thus, in actual terms the ministry of home affairs will get 10 million dollars in a year instead of the present 1 million dollaRs.

 

            India has a great potential and can become a major tourist destination but the bureaucratic hurdle in applying for and obtaining a visa does not allow our country to benefit from tourist dollars.

 

            The golden India foundation is of the view that the ministry of home affairs should immediately waive visa requirement and give visa on arrival to the tourist for 90 days from selected countries like north America, Europe and Japan.

 

            This single act by the ministry will result in at least 10 percent increase in the flow of foreign tourists to india. The government of india will get an additional Rs. 1,000 crore as foreign exchange (the money these tourists will spend in india). This proposal has already been forwarded by the ministry of tourism but has been held up at the ministry of home affairs due to red tapism and involvement of bureaucracy in the matter. 

   

          We think the logic given by them is 'national security' which, in reality, has nothing to do with it. Even a communist country like china issues tourist visas on arrival at hong kong airport. 

 

           To safeguard our national interest, the foundation is of the view that an internet infrastructure should be set up at major international airports and it should be connected with intelligence agencies and interpol on line, so that even if some one has committed a crime a few hours ago he can be booked immediately at the airport while the present system cannot detect them at all as the visas are issued to them several months in advance.

 

POLITICAL STABILITY IN INDIA

 

            India is the largest democratic country of the world with a vast population of about 100 crores. The growth of a sense of nationalism in India led to the independence of the country in 1947 and we celebrated 50 years of our independence with pride and honour. Unfortunately, the practical scenario in the country is not sound today. 

 

Of late, we have seen about seven Governments in the last 9 years at the Centre though the Constitution of India provides for a five-year term for the Parliament and the Government. The same situation prevails in the states as well where the people sleep with one Government in office and rise with another Government in office. This unstable situation in politics in India has caused immense damage to our economy. 

 

Consequently, we are going backward in social, political and economic fields. The people of India are the worst affected lot for whose benefit and welfare all such provisions and systems have been evolved by the founding fathers of our nation. The Constitution of India is a vast and model Constitution and it ensures and guarantees the welfare of the people of India and is dedicated them. Unfortunately, the system of governance, that is, the Parliamentary form of Government does not seem to be working well. 

 

It is the need of the hour to ponder over it and evolve a better, effective and workable system of governance ensuring political stability in the country. A thorough study of the system of governance in the other nations of the world to learn from their experience in running the government is very crucial at the present stage. 

 

The Presidential from of government as prevails in the United States of America and other western countries is a better option and can provide a solution to the problem of political instability in our country. In the above system the executive power shall vest in the President of the country who shall hold his office for a term of 5 years and together with the Vice President chosen for the same term shall be elected in a direct election. 

 

The President shall have the powers to nominate or appoint Ambassadors, Ministers, Consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court and other senior officials of the country.

 

The President, the Vice President and all civil officers shall be removed from office on impeachment, conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. This system will certainly strengthen the position of the President and would provide a stable form of governance where the executive could act without fear and favour and would be out of the clutches of unscrupulous, power hungry and petty politicians who always try to control or sabotage a government to suit their own interest taking advantage of their numbers in the Lok Sabha where a majority support, number wise, to from a government is essential. The above system has been tested for decades in the United States of America and other western countries and hopefully would bear fruit in India too and provide economic security and stability.

 

When the 12th Lok Sabha (Parliamentary) Elections were held no party was in a position to form its own Government. They had to depend on other national as well as regional parties in this regards. The BJP led coalition had twelve regional parties whereas Congress and National Front had their own combinations. Every party was trying to persuade independent Members of Parliament to support it.

 

The people's mandate clearly showed that they wanted, a "National Government" of all parties without any division on the basis of secular and non-secular ones with a programme for giving top priority to the development of the country. People are fed up with the way the political parties quite often discuss and debate the usual communal issues not so much for finding a solution to them, but to reap the maximum political benefit. 

 

It was crystal clear that neither the BJP nor the Congress (I)-UF combine was capable of running a Government for the full term of five years. In such a situation all parties should have come forward to share power in a "National Government" in proportion to their strength in Parliament and make the country attain progress and prosperity. Fortunately, we had a President then who was not afraid of setting a precedent. He was the first President in the country to cast his vote in an election. 

 

Therefore, Mr. Narayanan could have invoked, Article 86(2) of the Constitution and sent a  message to the Lok Sabha, calling upon the House to elect a leader by a majority vote. Both the BJP and the Congress (I) could nominate their candidate for the leadership. The person so elected would then have been invited by the President to form the Government. The Supreme Court had already set a precedent in dealing with the UP imbroglio.

 

During that period of uncertainly, owing to a Hung Parliament, Indian corporate sector was nervous that India was in for another round of political instability. In the stock markets, the indices were see-sawing on the possibility of a BJP-led formation coming to power. But overall sentiment remained subdued because the prospects were only for a loosely cobbled coalition-BJP or Congress-led. 

 

For an industry still recovering from two short term governments, the fear naturally was that this could happen yet again; that political instability world only add to the current reversionary blues. After three years of seven per cent real GDP growth, the Indian economy was slowing down to five per cent that year. Industrial growth remained sluggish at 4.7 to 5 per cent. Agriculture was expected to decline by two per cent. 

 

Stock markets remained depressed, banks were flush with funds but credit to industry was low. The investor's confidence had been shaken. Investors of late had been postponing major investments in new projects or in expanding existing ones. The result was a weakening of growth impulses across the board in industry which should have been immediately reversed. 

 

The corporate were also looking to the new government to invest in infrastructure. The fear of Indian industrialists was precisely on this score, more so because both contending political formations had to rely on a motley crowd of independents or small regional parties. A BJP led formation included 16 allies at that time while a Congress led one comprised 18 partners. In spite of the preparation of an agenda by the ruling formation, the fact remained that at least five year's term would be necessary to implement such an agenda, the outlook for which seemed bleak in a hung parliamentary situation.

 

Under such circumstance the various parties in the Parliament must evolve a common "maximum" programme, sinking all political and ideological differences. In addition to this, the Anti-Defection Law needs close scrutiny and fresh enactment to stop shifting of loyalties for personal gain after the verdict of the electorate, which causes greater instability. 

 

There should be a law to call an elected Member of Parliament back by the electorate if considered unsuitable. In the absence of a suitable Government at the centre, the President of India should be empowered to look after the country and act like the President of United Sates of America. This will be a milestone in the direction of making our country agriculturally, economically, industrially and financially sound.

 

 

To,

 

         Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee,
          Hon'ble Prime Minister,
          Govt. of India,
          New Delhi - 110001

 

Sub :  Signing  CTBT.

 

Respected Sir,

 

          We the citizens of India are looking forward  enthusiastically  but at  the same time cautiously  to  the forthcoming visit  to india  of President  Bill  Clinton  of America.  We request you  in  the interest of our country  and  future generations not to sign  CTBT  and  tie their hands and let them  die  in  the case  of a Chinese  aggression  because that country  has already  taken  over  40,000 sq.km. of our mother land.

 

Respected Prime Minister Vajpayeeji, India being a sovereign  country  and the  largest democracy  in  the world  it has all  the rights to defend  its borders.

 

We simply cannot surrender our national  interest and national  security by signing  CTBT  treaty  which  will   allow  India  to keep  only a  small  number  of nuclear weapons.  

 

After  some years a difficult  situation  may  arise due to atrocities from  the  neighboring  countries  and    then   future  Indian Prime Minister may decide to arm  India  with  ultra  modern nuclear  weapons,  but at that time this treaty  may come in the way  and  countries like America  and China will have legal  and moral rights to  make  preventive  strikes  on  our nuclear  facilities  if the  Prime  Minister   then  decides  to make new nuclear  weapons.

 

Respected Sir, you have  devoted  your whole  life  for the betterment  of the country  and I  hope you will not allow  foreign  powers to  fulfill  their  aim  of destroying our country.

 

  Your  honour, you have a clear cut logical  message  to give to the American  President as the representative chosen  by the  American  people  in the Congress have  already  refused to   allow the President to go ahead with the signing of   this  treaty.  Ask  him to get it  approved by  the US  Congress  &  Senate  first and then only to India  in this matter.

 

Thanking you,

 

Yours sincerely,

 

( P.C. Lunia )

 

To,

          Mr. Bill Clinton,
          Hon'ble President of U.S.A.
          White House,
          Washington DC,
          U.S.A.

 

Sub :  "CTBT Treaty"

 

Respected Sir,

 

We are thrilled and anxiously  looking forward to your forthcoming historical trip to India.  We hope this visit will bring  fruitful results to the mutual benefit of  our two  great democratic countries of the world. We are natural  allies because both  countries  follow the same principle of democracy and human rights.  I have only one request to make to you to allow me to meet you regarding "CTBT treaty".

 

As you are well  aware  India is the largest democracy in the world and it is surrounded by hostile countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan  and China.  China is the only country here which  is fast  emerging as  one of the great  economic  powers in the world  and  by  the year  2050  the forecast is that China's  GNP will supercede  that of America.

 

China is a communist country and it has imperialistic  designs on many of its neighbors.  If India is pressured into signing  CTBT and allowed  to keep  only a limited number  of nuclear  weapons then  20  years from  now  India  will  not be able to  sustain  the  Chinese  nuclear blackmail.  

 

In that situation  no other country  will be able to come to the rescue of India  including  Russia  as it  happened in  1962  war with China when   Russia flatly rejected India's  call  for help  saying  China  was their  socialist  brother and they  could not help  India  in  fighting against China  and in  that crucial  historical  moment  your  great country played a crucial  role in  giving military  aid  to India  and  India was able to stop  Chinese imperialistic designs on  its land.

 

I am sorry  to say  sir, today  the situation has totally changed and Chinese economy  has much  improved and now China has financed over 70 billion US$ to the  US treasury  as short term loan  and in  a few years it is expected to  cross 150 billion US$.  In this situation  even  if America  were to  ask  China  to stop  its imperialist  designs  on India  it will be a completely  hollow threat because  China may in turn threaten  to immediately withdraw  its 100 billion US$ from US treasury  to ruin  US economy.  In that situation the American  President will have no means to restrain  China from black mail.   So Mr. President  I  again  request you  that in  the interest  of both  of our  democratic  countries please accept  India  as  a nuclear power  as  was done in the case of France  &  China.

 

When the history is written  you will not be blamed for such  a historical  blunder and please also do not forget  that if India gives into the Chinese  threat ultimately  the final target will be your country  itself.  So please  do not take a  decision  which  will be disastrous to both  of our countries  in  future.  Please give India its due  in its development in all  spheres.

 

Honored President, you should not reject the decision  of  US Congress,  the  representatives chosen  by  the American  People,  who  totally  disagreed with  this treaty.  They  must have national  interest and logic behind this refusal.  So please consider this fact  too.

 

I trust your honor will go  into  the depth  of the  matter and see the gravity  of the  situation.

 

We should appreciate  your concern  with  nuclear proliferation  in  India  and Pakistan  which  may  lead to  a nuclear  confrontation,  but  to  remedy  the  situation there  are  other  means  at the disposal  of America  but  if there  is a nuclear  confrontation  between  India  and China  your great country  may  not be able to interfere  and the next target of China may  be USA.

 

Respected President,  if I do  not get  a positive  response within two  weeks I will  be sending this letter to all  Members of Congress  & Senate  of USA  so  that they  can take  appropriate  action  in  the national  interest  of America.

 
Thanking you,

          Yours sincerely,

           

(P.C Lunia)

 

How to Restrain Pakistan

 

            Pakistan has been so to speak, a pain in the neck since its inception. Through its hostile activities and a series of terrorist strikes, it has been trying to bleed India to death, as it were. Negotiations, talks and agreements have failed because of its antagonistic attitude. Despite the three wars between the two countries, India has not been able to restrain Pakistan. It has continued to extend support to terrorist groups through I.S.I. and the army to destabilize the Indian society. 

 

There is a marked American presence on Pakistan soil now. Even that has not deterred Pakistan from indulging in anti-India activities. After the terrorist attack on Indian Parliament on December 13, 2001 India was constrained to deploy its armies along the Line of Control. Now, after the horrific terrorist outrage at Kalchuk in Jammu, India can no more continue with its soft stand towards Pakistan. Suitable action must be taken to check both the infiltration from across the border and terrorist activities on the Indian soil.

 

The question is what suitable action must India take against Pakistan under the prevailing circumstances ? The following options come to mind:

 

1.         To cordon off the entire LOC to check infiltration of terrorists from across the border.

 

2.         To enlighten the international community about the severity of the situation and ask them to restrain Pakistan.

 

3.         To raise 'squads' to infiltrate Pakistani borders and destabilize their society.

 

4.         To wage a limited, calculated war against Pakistan, which may include specified air strikes, hot pursuit into the enemy territory, etc.

 

5.         To wage a full-scale war.

            

            The last option seems to be a non-option because of the nuclear threat and the consequent large-scale destruction. Moreover, the internal composition of Indian society - unity in diversity is such that it will not allow us to wage an all out war against Pakistan. Limited war will also be a risky adventure because there are chances of miscalculation and it may soon turn into a full-scale war. Therefore, the remaining three options are the only viable options before India and it must exercise them without any hesitation. Despite the earlier failures of talks we must keep the doors open for peaceful negotiations but at the same time we must be strictly vigilant and there should be no laxity in our preparedness at all levels to face any eventuality.

 

 The Rising Tension  Between India and Pakistan

 After the incident of September 11, 2001, the international scenario has undergone a great change.  Terrorism has emerged as a greatly complex problem.  The major super power of the world has been completely shaken by the terrorist attack on WTC.  India, on the other hand has been a victim to terrorist activities for a long time.   Terrorism from across the border in Jammu and Kashmir is a matter of great concern for India. 

 

The terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament on December 13 is another matter of grave concern for us. After this incident tension between India and Pakistan has been on the rise.  India has deployed its forces on Indo-Pak border. Pakistan too has deployed its forced on the border. Under such circumstances,  when  both  the hostile  armies  are facing each  other ready  to launch an  attack any  moment,  war cannot be said to be far away. 

 

There seems to be no way  to reduce the tension  between  them  though  America  has  been  trying hard to restore  peace  among the two countries.

 

During the last 50 years or so India and Pakistan have spent millions of rupees on their defence and armament but have not been  able to find a lasting  solution  to their problems.  The people of both  the countries  have suffered  a lot because economic development  was badly  affected because of  diversion  of funds to the purchase of arms.  

 

But it is high time now that both the countries sat together to negotiate  a settlement with  an open  mind so that  instead of hostilities,  they  take to the path  of love and peace and work for each other's  progress  and prosperity.

 

In this regard, the Golden India Foundation earnestly urges  General Pervez  Musharraf,  the President of Pakistan and Sh. Atal Behari Vajpai, the Prime minister of India that both of them should go the "Camp David"  in   the  United States of America where they would be the guests of the American President and hold talks in  a friendly  atmosphere,  of  course,  without the mediation  of America.  Both the leaders will be accompanied by high power delegates and representatives so that  they  can  arrive at a conclusion  without any delay. 

 

The main objective of this meeting should be that they would return from America only after signing a peace agreement whether the negotiations last for a day or twenty days. The following important points can be included in a draft proposal  agreement  between  the two  countries:

 

1.       India should accord the status of 'self rule' to the Indian part of Kashmir.  India should retain only defense and foreign policy   with it and the Indian currency should prevail there. Likewise Pakistan should also  grant similar autonomy to  Pak- occupied Kashmir. 

 

2.          Pakistan should openly declare and stick to its words that it will not encourage and support terrorism militarily,  financially  and morally  in  any  country  and specially  in  Kashmir.

 

3.       Both the countries should set up an  international fund of 5 billion dollars for the reconstruction  of Kashmir  so  that both  the countries can  prosper in  peaceful  atmosphere.

 

4.       Both the countries should sign a treaty in this meeting regarding  no first nuclear strike.

 

5.       The present Line of Control should be considered as the border of the new provinces.

 

6.       The leaders of both India and Pakistan should understand once for all in the context of nuclear warfare that there can be no solution to their problems through war. They have failed to solve them in the last 50 years despite spending billions of rupees on arms and armaments and sacrificing hundreds of thousands of lives.  Both the countries now possess nuclear weapons which  can only destroy  and not bring peace.

 

It is, therefore, imperative for both  India and Pakistan  to  accept  the  invitation extended by  America to visit  "Camp  David" and  decide  once for all that they  will  not fight any  more  battles.  They  should  take  it  as a  challenge and strive for lasting peace.

How to Tackle the Problem of Increasing Filth in the Country

 

During the last twenty-one years I have travelled to more than fifty developed and developing countries of the world. But nowhere have I seen greater fifth than in India. We have been an independent nation for more than fifty years but the streets of our cities, our drainage system and roads are in an extremely poor shape. It is difficult to imagine how a civilized society can tolerate such unsanitary conditions.

 

How did the problem of fifth come up? What is the remedy? What are the basic reasons behind filthy conditions? When we consider these questions we find that we have become highly selfish and self-centred. You might have noticed that in metropolitan cities like Mumbai there are thousands of fully air-conditioned and 'carpeted offices but the approach road to the buildings and the staircases are always terribly filthy. 

 

When someone spends Rs. 50 lakhs or even one crore to purchase an office how is it that he does not pay attention to the cleanliness of the staircase which is very much a part of his office? Similarly, you will find excellent residential buildings and splendid  houses in every city. People spend lakhs and crores of rupees in constructing them. But outside those houses you will find heaps of dirt and fifth. 

 

People throw household garbage waste just outside their own houses. It seems they are not sensitive to the fifth on the road outside their own houses though while they themselves have to use and walk on that road every day.

 

Several people, in order to cover up their own shortcomings, put the blame on the increasing population of the country for the prevailing insanitary conditions while the fact is that the increase in population can be in the interest of the country in a certain sense. There are scores of countries in the world where the population per sq. km. is ten times of what it is in India. 

 

If the higher rate of growth of population is the cause for insanitary conditions, then the filth in those countries should be ten times more than in our country. But no, their cities are very clean. Hongkong, Japan and Singapore are the brilliant examples. To blame it on the increasing population is nothing short of a workman quarrelling with his tools.

 

  To work out a proper solution to the problem, the following measures should be taken :

 

  In every street of a city, five-feet high durable plastic dustbins with covers should be installed for depositing household waste into them. They should be put up at a reasonable distance from each other and should be fixed to electric or telephone poles. The waste should be cleared daily between 12 midnight and 5 a.m. by municipal workers and should be carried away  in special waste disposal compression trucks. 

 

There should be a committee in every Mohalla to oversee and assist in the effective waste management. The committee should also take care of the fact that household waste is deposited by the residents in the dustbins only. I have been to Thailand recently. There, the above system is working very well throughout the country. This ensures complete cleanliness of the roads there.

 

  I am also of the opinion that we cannot succeed in our mission unless we have a sense of dedication and we work in the interest of the society and the country. Today in our country, certain political parties, in the name of love for the country, are working to achieve their selfish goals by creating communal tensions and opposing nationalistic feelings. This is nothing but a heinous crime against the nation.

 

  What we need is a massive effort in the direction of creating a sense of nationalism among the people. Today, there is such a competition among the self-seekers that for their own selfish ends they do not hesitate to mislead others. It is, therefore, all the more necessary for us to inculcate a feeling of love for the nation and the society for which we should take certain concrete steps. 

 

We should not only clean our houses but also keep the streets clean. In order to bring awareness to the people we must run programmes in this respect on T.V. and radio in collaboration with non-government organizations. The Government should take care of the financial part. Only then can we have a government for the people, of the people and by the people in the true  sense.

 

People who are willing to volunteer their services in this regard should be encouraged to come forward in each street and mohalla. Their services should be recognized and they should be publicly honoured. There should be a separate Ministry for this purpose in the Central Government.

 

One of the major reasons for filth and in sanitary  conditions in the country is open drains. The solutions lies in having a proper sewerage system and covered drains in every city of the country.

 

To accomplish  a task related to public services, decentralization of power is essential. The responsibility of cleanliness should be given to the elected members like the councilors, M.L.A. and M.P. of the city and the public should be asked to evaluate their performance in their area. A part of the budgeted amount for cleanliness should be directly given to them for this purpose so that they can successfully complete their assignment.

 

To make matters worse, the filth and garbage collected by Municipal workers is deposited in most cities in open grounds which in turn creates further problems and leads to several diseases. Someone should lodge a public writ petition in the Supreme Court and obtain an order directing the Municipalities not to deposit garbage in the open. It should be declared to be an illegal activity. 

 

They should make proper arrangements for the safe disposal of garbage in a hygienic manner within the next three years. If they do not do it within the specified period, the officers responsible for this crass negligence should be penalized and it should be treated as a criminal offence.

 

Several countries have achieved unprecedented success in matters relating to cleanliness in their cities. Some selected experts in India should visit those countries to study the system and then work out a programme for cleanliness in the Indian context. The Government should then implement it with all sincerity. Further research in these matters should be conducted in several universities in India leading to the award of Ph.D. degrees to atleast one hundred persons. They should work on topics related to disposal of garbage  and arrangements of cleanliness.

 

Countries like Singapore and some Western nations have achieved extraordinary success in this direction by using modern technology. They have set up incinerators to burn the refuse to ashes. In the process they produce electricity also. This ensures both cleanliness and some income to the municipality. This income can be again put to use for ensuring further cleanliness.

 

Another major reason for the in sanitary conditions in the country is the waste produced by a large number small scale industries. Almost every street has a number of small factories in it which spoil the environment by poisonous chemical substances. Such things lead to terrible diseases like cancer. It is, therefore, necessary to ban these industrial units situated in the residential area or city streets. In countries like America they have put a total ban on the use of such poisonous chemicals and substances in factories but in our country due to a slack political and government system strict measures have not been taken to ban them. But it is high time they were banned.

 

Our entire country has become so filthy that men are living in filth like insects. What is worse, they are not aware of it. They are involved in a strange rate race and so much engrossed in material pursuits that cleanliness and hygiene for them is restricted to slogan shouting only. Through their entire life they do not take any concrete steps to implement any programmes for cleanliness.

 

Clean environs is a fundamental right of every citizen in the country. To make proper arrangements for it is the constitutional and moral duty of the Government. To turn away your face from it is nothing but a criminal offence. Our leaders and bureaucrats should be held responsible for the death of lakhs of people due to unhygienic conditions in the country.