Grandparents Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow

Grandparents Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow
If anyone had told us, some years ago, that, someday, as a GF (or my wife as a GM), I would spend part of our time at computer, on a thing called "the Internet," chatting about my life and family with hundreds of total strangers, I would have laughed and thought they were "crazy!" ... Yes, here I am doing it! Save, Social Networking ...

Any substance ... in Free Basics or Net Neutrality ... (market product of govt Masala ...!)
[spying by market or govt].

Anyway, if Net becomes FREE, say, upto 50 MB ... Well and Fine...

So now I'm wondering what changes will take place in the future - and what some future VS, will ruminate of what we talk about here and how we go about it. Will GP (grandparent) caregivers, like me, be a thing of the past or the absolute norm? Will the "family" look much as it does, today, with all the variations it's already experiencing? Or will it have taken on such a new shape that the conversations on sites like this will be entirely different?

Will we even still communicate with each other in this way? Or will technology have brought us whole new forms of contacting each other that we can't even imagine right now? As a GM, my wife always recall when the electronic typewriter was the most modern piece of equipment in the family. Now it seems quite "primitive." Will our ways of communicating seem just as archaic to some future reader?

And as much as I hate to say it, will 'this material' (the 'rubbish', I pour out, here and in Media) even still be here? Or will it have disappeared as the technology became outdated and newer types of communication took over?

Regardless, I expect I'll be talking a lot about changes, as I write here and in a many a blog - those that I underwent as I took on the caregiver role and those I've gone through and am still going through as my role, itself, evolves. But with these kinds of questions in my mind, I almost can't help addressing myself to that possible future, as I write, as well as, of course, those of you who are reading here and now.

That is, if this bla .. bla .. is even still here in the far future and if any reader, at that time, is even interested in what's said by an 'oldy' from the early 21st Century!

Revamp Bureaucracy right away.

Revamp Bureaucracy right away.
The peculiar situation in the State of Delhi, where its officers are bending before Centre, making the wounded Chief Minister talk some sense (all would agree now!) is interesting. Centre can't afford to sit quiet. Let's Revamp Bureaucracy right away. Remember the Indian bureaucracy, the much celebrated, yet much reviled too. The 'once, the 'steel frame' and is now simple 'babudom'. How has it traveled from the 'steel frame' days to being seen as a 'laid back and laggard' phenomenon today? There is great need to introspect on these issues as any sustainable economic development can only be premised on the edifice of a transparent, accountable and ethical governance structure, which is what the civil service is meant to provide. Unless we've bureaucratic reforms with fundamental and structural changes by holding bureaucrats accountable, we'll continue to struggle as political initiatives take painfully long to translate into actions.
Good governance is the need of the hour. The citizen, having come centre stage, demands a more responsive, transparent and accountable set-up which is premised on probity and integrity. Why is it that the Central Bureau of Investigation is called the 'handmaiden' of the government in power. The highest court in the land called it the 'caged parrot'. Caged by whom? Obviously, by the government in power. Caged by the very people who loftily declare that the 'law will take its own course'. How often has the law been allowed to take its own course? It is these piquant situations that create a hiatus between the officers who are willing to stay on the straight and narrow path, as against those who are willing to acquiesce to the political pressure for very narrow career-related gains.

Grandparents Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow

Grandparents Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow

If anyone had told us, some years ago, that, someday, as a GF (or my wife as a GM), I would spend part of our time at computer, on a thing called "the Internet," chatting about my life and family with hundreds of total strangers, I would have laughed and thought they were "crazy!" ... Yes, here I am doing it! Save, Social Networking ...

Any substance ... in Free Basics or Net Neutrality ... (market product of govt Masala ...!)
[spying by market or govt]
Anyway, if Net becomes FREE, say, upto 50 MB ... Well and Fine...

So now I'm wondering what changes will take place in the future - and what some future VS, will ruminate of what we talk about here and how we go about it. Will GP (grandparent) caregivers, like me, be a thing of the past or the absolute norm? Will the "family" look much as it does, today, with all the variations it's already experiencing? Or will it have taken on such a new shape that the conversations on sites like this will be entirely different?

Will we even still communicate with each other in this way? Or will technology have brought us whole new forms of contacting each other that we can't even imagine right now? As a GM, my wife always recall when the electronic typewriter was the most modern piece of equipment in the family. Now it seems quite "primitive." Will our ways of communicating seem just as archaic to some future reader?

And as much as I hate to say it, will 'this material' (the 'rubbish', I pour out, here and in Media) even still be here? Or will it have disappeared as the technology became outdated and newer types of communication took over?

Regardless, I expect I'll be talking a lot about changes, as I write here and in a many a blog - those that I underwent as I took on the caregiver role and those I've gone through and am still going through as my role, itself, evolves. But with these kinds of questions in my mind, I almost can't help addressing myself to that possible future, as I write, as well as, of course, those of you who are reading here and now.

That is, if this bla .. bla .. is even still here in the far future and if any reader, at that time, is even interested in what's said by an 'oldy' from the early 21st Century!

Seniors are to be mature, leaving no space for heart burn.

Dear Members:

Seniors are to be mature, leaving no space for heart burn.
This rejoinder is because I have some personal mails from the community.
True, there are millions of senior citizens, getting pension of Rs 200 to Rs 1000.

    Their sons are there with them in the house to 'grab' the same on the day the govt official visits for giving ....!

The corrupt nEtAs too are demanding more and more form 'our' pockets (tax payments).

"There seems no limit to this so called "deferred" salary".
  -- Former PC defined it as "Salary paid by ex employer .."
I am a Central Pensioner only in connection with CPCs.
In fact I draw "this Salary" and pay taxes as Employees.

Collective bargaining has its own repercussions.
Railway men are separate from other CG employees ... Have better Union power ...
Bank retirees are fighting again. I hear they get less pension than Central pensioners (!?) ...

My desire : Let each segment be happy with what they get.. They're entitled to 'grumble' ... And let them ...!

As a social activist (RTI too) I have taken up this matter in media and interactions with Fora and PMO et al.
I just left the message ... that I have a SOFT copy acknowledgement too. As it'sunder consideration, 
I do hope some positive results for our brethren in this segment.

An Appeal to PM Modi.

An Appeal to PM Modi.
Pre-2006 pensioners who had put in more than 20 years but less than 33 years are getting pro-rata pension. This is iniquitous, and the Apex court on 28-8-2015 dismissed the Review Petition of UOI for Full Pension (in stead of Pro Rata Pension) to Pre 2006 Pensioners with less than 33 years but more than 20 years service. GOI hasn’t so far taken action in the light of apex court orders.
7 CPC has not paid attention to this grievance of pre-2006 pensioners. The pay matrix prescribed by the commission is silent on this point. Clarification is needed whether the pension determined according to pay matrix is subject to pro-rata provisions.
Elder abuse is a common feature in the Indian setting nowadays. Abuse comes in many guises: Physical, verbal, emotional and psychological; fiancial abuse and expoloitation. Children no longer respect the parents’ autonomy. Abuse creates potentially dangerous situations and feelings of worthlessness, and it isolates the older parents from children who can help. Old age starts at 70, when age-related problems set in. Caregiver neglect, arising out of cultural changes, is common in any Indian households. Govt should increase pension @20% for such pensioners as have crossed 70.
The important points, like disparity in fitment formula, denial of benefit on account of upgradation of posts/grades on the recommendations of 6th cpc to the pensioners to the pensioners retired prior to 01.01.2006,denial of medical facilities etc. have clearly been spelt out in the letter. It is suggested to have afollow up action by presenting /clarifying the points in person.
Parity in pension is the demand of the day and it should be implemented in spirit without going in babugiri of payscales. Will Modi do full justice? Let all pensioners, be very careful to check their pension fixation on the implementation of 7th CPC which is going to be effective from 01.01.2016.
Procedure for grant of permission to the pensioner for commercial employment after retirement- revision of Form 25 No.27012/3/2014-Estt. (A) Government of India Ministry of Personnel, P. G. and Pensions Department of Personnel & Training North Block, New Delhi-110001 Dated: 16th-December, 2015 Office Memorandum clearly deals on the Subject: "Procedure for grant of permission to the pensioner for commercial employment after retirement". The same must be implemented in letter and spirit.
CPAO identified cases for revision of pension of Pre-2006 Pensioners Submitted by admin on Fri, 09/11/2015 and to clear 71,515 cases identified for revision of pension of Pre-2006 Pensioners to be completed on top priority. In case any discrepancy is noticed the same may be pointed out to CPAO within three days so that necessary amendment authority may be issued. In case no intimation is received within the stipulating time it will be presumed that the consolidated Special Seal Authority issued by CPAO to banks is correct and final. Remaining 5422 cases have also been provided in PAO and Principal Accounts Office login on CPA Os website. Concerned PA Os may download the same by using the password and login. These revision cases may be completed on top priority.

Battle 'Already won' and the 'War is on now'

Battle 'Already won' and the 'War is on now'
The 'one-man army' pitted against a sophisticated war machine, was 'already a winner' long ago! Going to conventional battle, where he can be outgunned and outnumbered, is a bit of a mug's game. Which is why the wily warrior chose the battleground where he had the natural advantage, and waited to ensnare his enemies in his parlour. Dr Subramanian Swamy, who was for long waging a lonely battle against big-ticket corruption deploying the due process of law, sounded the bugle to signal his guerrilla war effort in 2012, against the Queen Bee, Sonia, and Prince Rahul.
He furnished, purported to establish that the acquisition of Associated Journals was illegal on many counts, and that the 'mother-son' duo; was in technical violation of several laws. Indicatively, in his election affidavit in 2009, Rahul had not declared his shareholdings in Young Indian, and could therefore have been in technical breach of election law. Likewise, Sonia to had misused the government accommodation provided to her at 10, Janpath by holding a shareholder meeting of Young Indian at the premises. Swamy got his accusatory engine warmed up. And drew Gandhis into a legal battle, on turf that he's rather more comfortable with. For precisely the reason that Swamy's earlier allegations were so over the top (and therefore easier to dismiss as the wild and fanciful imagination of a fevered mind), the new charges, for all their chillar nature, sound more credible, in an environment where the lid had been blown off corruption in high places with damaging revelations about Sonia’s son-in-law Robert Vadra.
From all accounts, Swamy's strategy of provoking and Rahul to respond—unlike has already (in 2012) succeeded. A letter purporting to be from "Rahul’s office" addressed to Swamy (but which made it to the media) says Rahul reserved "all options"—including, presumably, the option to sue Swamy for defamation. Which, ironically, was what Swamy wanted: he would like nothing better to get Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the stand, where he can use his right as his own defence counsel to cross-examine them and pose all the embarrassing questions, he’s been shooting at them all these years all along, but which were airily dismissed. In a court of law, however, it’s difficult to get away by sniffing snootily at embarrassing questions.
Swamy had lured Sonia and Rahul out of 10 Janpath, from which comfortable cocoon they had thus far been engaging with the world on their terms. Now, Swamy offered them a juicy bait, with which he got them to venture into the turf where he enjoys territorial advantage: the court of law. The Ganges gharial had to lye in wait, hoping the sharks will stray into the bogs and marshes he knows so well.
Swamy's persistent focus on exposing corrupt elements in higher echelons of power has got due public attention now. With the high reach of the electronic media, we can surely expect some difficult times for corrupt politicians in general. Wish India produces a few more people like Swamy. Congress failed to come clean and dump the corrupt elements from the party, even if they happen to belong to the higher echelons of power. Swamy's petition to EC to derecognize the congress party was a well considered legal master stroke.

Should we rush to pre-judge the case?

Should we rush to pre-judge the case?
Corruption issue is important to us, be it with Cong or BJP. 'Mr Clean' Rajiv (Bofors); Well Next Mr Clean AK Antony (Westland). If there is prima facie evidence in NH case, there is much more in DDCA. What is happening to Indian cricket? IPL scandal, Now 'Mr Clean' Arun Jaitely! Let there be an independent inquiry in DDCA. It's natural that people make money in such projects. Politics has been a reserved field for people specializing in increasing their wealth manifold. Why do we run after posts in Cricket bodies? This government too has such people. Now that the judiciary is on the job, none has any morality left. Jaitley should be asked to step down till he is cleared. Isn'it a fact that Modi first saved, Sushma, Raje and Chavan and now he is saving Jaitley. What kind of PM we have, taking corruption cases so casually? Now that Modi has spoken, belatedly though, that Jaitley has to come out with flying colours (colourful butterfly?), let's wait. Flying Colors for Jaitey isn't like Modi flying different countries. People did not vote Jaitly in election, yet he was made a minister. If BJP adopts fair practices and get the clearance for Arun Jatley, good. People would then have faith in the political system. As of now, BJP hasn't demonstrated, other than defending its men and attacking those who point out any irregularity in its camp. Country would 'tolerate' a stable government, only if it can implement development plans. Right now we have little hope.

A crime is a crime and punishment must be simply commensurate.

A crime is a crime and punishment must be simply commensurate.
The "Juvenile Justice Law" was indeed made under 'public pressure'. Elsewhere, in the media (Indian Express) a report went on : "It wasn't just about sending a 16 year old 'child' to jail"! Sorry, instead it was about sending 16 year old murderer and rapist to jail. Statistics has it that whether it is murder, rape or such atrocities, the juvenile contribution in a negative way is much more than that of an adult. If one is old enough to rape, then he is old enough to be hanged. Why argue around a number '16' - discussed for so long! Why not just the crime! What if, now a much younger 'child', does something heinous, then are we going to make suitable amendments to this law! Again go on lowering the age periodically? A crime is a crime and punishment must be simply commensurate.

There is a lot more to the bill as well. Thank god, our "elders", unlike behaving like "children", for once, became mature adults and discharged their constitutional responsibility. The bill should not have been dragged so long by disrupting the parliament sessions for petty reasons. Nirbaya and a lot more would have got justice!

Pay Panel for Legislators

Pay Panel for Legislators
Disruptions dictate parliamentary agenda, and rightly therefore there's public outcry over the right of lawmakers to decide their pay and perks. Secretaries don't sit and decide on their own salaries. The public pressure seems to be working, as the is ready with a proposal which if accepted by all parties and legislative entities, may take away the right of lawmakers to pass bills for their own salary hike. The Left alone has opposed it, and they're not in the Committee.
We don’t have respectable pension for defence forces who are on hunger strike. Person in defence forces 15 years and he isn't eligible for pension. But an MP with only 4 years gets a life long Pension; and some times double pension if he was an MLA before. No one earns pension of Rs 25K with 5 years work. Why MPs demands pension, when Central and many State Govts have stopped pension to their employees? Every new recruitee is asked to join NPS. MPs too can opt for such scheme. Why this double standard? Modi spared no time increasing MPs pension by 75% (which thus jumped from 10 thousand in 2010 to 35 thousand in 2014 (three-and-a-half times in 4 years).
Let's compare UK, Germany and other common wealth counties and our netas must be worthy. They fight for the people,and hence deserve every bit of hike. In England, Parliament sits throughout the year, except for a few weeks here and there, because there's no provision, (in USA too), for ordinance (lawmaking during recession of Parliament). We have only ordinance route! Hence, Parliament only sits for 80 days or so in a year.
Let's have single permanent pay panel for legislators (for both Centre and states). For the simple reason of their casual behavour, it's unjustified to allow such heavy hikes at such frequent intervals. There should be a grievance cell for people to lodge complaints against such atrocious actions in passing such hikes, simply and unanimously.

Current Trends : "Double-whammy" or "Double-locked"
I believe, the SC ruling on Kerala liquor ban should be taken as "Double-whammy" or "Double-locked" (for want of a suitable coinage!). An important American economist, Irving Fisher, the champion of Prohibition within the profession, organized a round-table discussion on the topic at the American Economic Association meetings in 1927. Here he claimed to have been unable to find even one economist to speak against Prohibition, despite a thorough search. Should we not go for total prohibition? Instead we're pleading for equal opportunity! Is it because women's movements are not strong? Let's forget for a moment on the revenue aspect.
Poor families are ruined by liqour. True, prohibition might tend to drive the trade underground and creates a market for spurious liquor. The political mafias would shift over there! Neither government nor the courts appears to be serious! ior not, let there be law and order and domestic violence should stop.
Only populist decisions impelled by factional politics within parties and campaigns by a section of the clergy on ostensibly moral grounds are available. Alcoholism does critically impact the household budgets of the poor and does lead to domestic violence.

Slogans and meeting Corporates alone won't do!

Slogans and meeting Corporates alone won't do!
Apropos :"Is this the year of ‘Achhe Din’?" (Jani 1), certainly not. Modi has a lot of explaining to do on the economic reform front, something he had promised during the course of the election campaign. During the course of the last year he has come up with slogans like Make in India, Digital India etc., with very little changing on the ground. For 'Make in India' to succeed, things like the ease of land acquisition and electric supply, need to improve. Many state electricity boards all over the country, continue to remain in a mess. Further, the inspector raj that small businesses face, needs to be unshackled. Labour laws reform is urgent, perhaps, he can't! Land ordinance had to lapse: His promise of jobs remains a dream! For acche din to come Modi needs to create jobs for the 13 million Indians who are entering the workforce every year. And for that to happen he needs to unshackle many things that are holding back the economy.
The basic point is that what was Modi’s strength has now become his weakness. During the course of the election campaign last year, Modi came across as a man of action and the bar was set very high with slogans like "acche din aane waale hain". Why GST may not be worth the heartburn; he couldn't hasten even slowly on it!
The ease of doing business has to improve, if India wants to take advantage of the current economic scenario where the Chinese economy is in doldrums. Just coming up with new slogans and meeting Corporates regularly won’t help on that front.