Hi Friends,

Even as I launch this today ( my 80th Birthday ), I realize that there is yet so much to say and do. There is just no time to look back, no time to wonder,"Will anyone read these pages?"

With regards,
Hemen Parekh
27 June 2013

Now as I approach my 90th birthday ( 27 June 2023 ) , I invite you to visit my Digital Avatar ( www.hemenparekh.ai ) – and continue chatting with me , even when I am no more here physically

Monday, 28 October 2013

Can’t you be Specific ?



During Hunkar rally of BJP on 27th Oct , there were 7 bomb blasts , in and around Gandhi Maidan , Patna


IB ( Intelligence Bureau – GOI ) says , that it had sent an alert to Bihar Govt on 23rd Oct


Bihar CM , Nitish Kumar says , he had received no “ specific “ advance alert


Being , “ His Master’s Voice “ , Bihar IG , Ravindra Kumar says the same


We have to agree ( even if reluctantly ), that the Kumars are right  !


After all , IB alert did not contain following “ specific “ info :



Ø     Names / Addresses / Mobile Nos / Photos of the attackers


Ø     Number of explosive devices / powers / types / triggers, etc


Ø     Vehicles ( indicating license plate nos ) carrying these devices


Ø     Exact locations where the devices were planted


Ø     Exact time when devices were scheduled to go off


Ø     Specific persons – within that crowd of 300,000 – who were targeted


Ø     Number of police / officers /detectives that Bihar Govt must deploy



A furious , Nitish Kumar is asking IB :



“ Why did you have to email your alert ?


In Bihar , we only look at alerts received through Indian Postal Services , which , like our Law Enforcement Agencies , take their own sweet time to arrive after a few weeks / months !



Also , what is your excuse for sending NIA / NSG teams after the blasts ? Why couldn’t you send them before the blasts ?


And , in future  please be  more specific  “



Sushil Kumar Shinde , please note !



·          hemen  parekh  (  29  Oct  2013  )  



Sunday, 27 October 2013

How exactly , Narendrabhai ?



In your “ Hoonkar “ rally at Patna yesterday , you said ,



“  Poor hindus and poor musalmans should not fight each other . They should join hands to fight poverty……


When Congress fought 2009 elections , it promised jobs . How many of you got those promised jobs ?  “



True , for over 55 years , successive Congress governments have been busy in “ Garibi Hatao “ – without success


So what did they do ?


Re-draw the Garibi-Rekha ( Poverty Line ) at Rs 27/day in urban areas , to give an impression that very few people in India , are “ really poor “


Even then , this works out to 400 million people ! By their own twisted standard


If I were to assume that BJP’s garibi rekha is , at a more respectable , Rs 100 per day , then this figure could well go over 700 million people !


Exact figures are unimportant


What is more important is ,


 “ How do you pull these poor , out of poverty ? “


There are only 2 ways , viz:,



Ø      Create jobs


Ø      Enable poor to become self-employed



Now , even though you don’t have a Ph D in Economics ( thank God ! ), you are a hard-headed Gujju businessman !


On top of that , you started your own career as a “ Self employed tea vendor “ on railway stations and in trains


So you know what it costs ( by way of capital investment + working capital ) to create just ONE job in the economy


Depending upon , whether that job is in Public Sector  /  Large organized Private Sector  /  Medium sized industry  / Roadside retail grocery shop or a Pan-Beedi dukaan of a self employed , the figure would range from Rs 10 Crores / job to Rs 10,000 for a Pan-Beedi shop !


(  If in doubt , take Annual Report of any Tata / Adani / Ambani / Birla company and divide the Capital Employed by Manpower  )


Now pick your own favorite figure ( per job investment ) and multiply with your own ( convenient ? ) figure of 700 million poor people , desperately wanting to “ fighting poverty “


In BJP’s poll manifesto , will you please mention , where you will find the money required to fulfill your promise ? I hope , you will not raise taxes !


How exactly , Narendrabhai ?


Hint :


Read my Poll Manifesto Suggestions , sent to Shri Murli Manohar Joshi , 3 days back !




·          Hemen  parekh  (  28  Oct  2013  ) 

Saturday, 26 October 2013

Brave Words ?



While talking to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in New York recently , our PM , Man Mohan Singh said ,



“ I have not become Prime Minister to re-draw the boundary “



When the Indians were struggling for independence , the then Conservative Party Prime Minister of UK , Winston Churchill said in British Parliament ,



“ I have not become Prime Minister of His Majesty’s government , to preside over the liquidation of the British Empire “



Within months , the British voters replaced him with Labour Party Prime Minister , Clement Attlee , who granted independence to India – even if reluctantly



The world-girdling mighty British Empire ( on which , at one time , the Sun never set ! ) , got completely liquidated over the next 50 years – if you ignore the Falkland Island , next to Argentina !



With barely 8 months to go till 2014 National Elections , Man Mohan Singh does not have to worry about re-drawing the boundary !



He must be too busy , worrying about the repetition of history when , the Congress government got thrown out of power , after the Emergency !


When brave Indian soldiers – and innocent citizens , are getting killed by Pakistani intruders every day , brave words are not even poor substitute for brave deeds



These are the ultimate in hypocrisy / mockery !



“ Krato Smarah ! “ ( Only the deeds will be remembered )



·          Hemen  parekh  (  27  Oct  2013  )


Friday, 25 October 2013

Congress Poll Manifesto



 
Dear Rahul Gandhi



You have invited suggestions from public for possible incorporation in the Congress Poll Manifesto , if found suitable


Based on my perception of what would benefit the public most ( in order of importance ) , following is how Congress manifesto should read :


Ø   Corruption


We will introduce / pass , a  of Jan Lok-Pal Bill within 2 months of assuming power at the Center



Ø   Jobs

  
     We will create 15 million jobs per year , starting from 2015 , especially thru rapid investments in infrastructure projects , which generate millions of jobs. To bring this about , we will introduce special Infrastructure Bonds , whose interest will be tax-free for 25 years.

No questions will be asked as to the source of funds invested by individuals or by Organizations / Institutions



Ø   Economy


We will liberalize FDI in Insurance / Retail and all other non-defense related sectors of economy



Ø   Productive Use of  Un-Productive Money


We will create a structure, whereby Private sector and Religious Trusts ( such as Tirupati / Lord Padmanabhan / Shirdi SaiBaba / Satya SaiBaba / Siddhi Vinayak / VaishnoDevi etc ) , will come forward to invest , at least Rs 10 lakh crores per year for the next 5 years. This will be done thru,


·          No-Tax  ( for 10 years ) , “ Job Creation “ Bonds , exclusively devoted to creation of Jobs for poor people in less-developed states


·         Enabling investments into these bonds , thru a Voluntary Disclosure Scheme ( VDS ) where no questions will be asked as to the source of the funds. This will bring back Rs 35 lakh crores stashed away unproductively / secretly by Indian nationals and Trusts


·         We will create similar “ Job Creation “ Bonds where subscription will be restricted to,


#  NRIs  /  PIOs


#  Foreign NGOS / Foreign Charitable Trusts (eg Bill Gates Foundation )


#  Foreign Sovereign Funds ( China / Oil-rich countries etc )


  
·         We will introduce this measure within 6 months of coming to power



Ø   CBI



We will make CBI as much  independent of the Central Government as possible ,  by making Chief of CBI report to a panel of retired Judges of the Supreme Court

CBI will have its own Expense Budget ( as part of the Central Budget ) and will be free to hire additional professionals without needing permission from any Central Ministry



Ø   Electoral Reforms



We will introduce , within 6 months , a Electoral Reforms Bill in Lok Sabha. This will have provisions for


·         NOTA

·         Right to Recall

·         Negative Vote …………..etc




Ø   Representation of People Act



We will amend this Act within 6 months of assuming power , by incorporating provisions for


·         Acceptance of donations from abroad

·         Acceptance of ALL donations to political parties only thru cheques

·         Issue of paper receipts for all donations

·         Publishing on party web site ,


    #   full details of funding / expenditure / donations etc


    #   full details of Assets / Liabilities / Income Tax Returns filed etc of Senior party functionaries ( including those holding Ministerial positions ) – updated annually



   #   full details of FIRs / Court-Cases ( whether criminal or civil ) filed against any Senior Party Functionaries ( including Ministers ), with punishments awarded , if any


   #   number of Lok Sabha / Rajya Sabha meetings attended by its elected representatives




Ø   Right to Information Act



        As  interpreted by the CIC ( Chief Information Commissioner ) / confirmed by the Supreme Court and advised by the Attorney General , we will ensure that all political parties are covered by RTI



Ø   Naxal  /  Maoist Menace



We will eliminate this menace thru full integration of these Tribal areas into the mainstream of the Social / Political and Economic development.

We will do this by granting special status to these areas , where industries / businesses / NGOs , will be encouraged to set up Skills Training Institutes , by giving accelerated depreciation benefit for the Capital Expenditure incurred and 150 % write-off on the recurring annual revenue expenditure



Ø   Relations with Pakistan


Whereas we will encourage constructive dialogue with Pakistan to resolve all outstanding issues , this will be done only after Pakistan dismantles all terror-training camps on its territory , as certified by the Home Minister



   Dear Rahul :



 I am not sure how many citizens will take the trouble to spell out their suggestions like this
My last suggestion is that you frame a “ Multiple Choice Questionnaire “


Publish this on as many Media as possible – especially Online Web sites


Then ask people to record their choices


A Smart Phone based Mobile App would be great !



·          hemen  parekh  (  26  Oct  2013  )



PS :


Earlier , I have forwarded somewhat similar suggestions to Shri Murli Manohar Joshi , who is in charge of drawing up Poll Manifesto for BJP



But then , when it comes to serving the national interest , there ought to be no differences amongst the political parties , as to the goals , even if the means to reach these goals may differ somewhat 

Thursday, 24 October 2013

GOP



In America , GOP stands for “ Grand Old Party “ , ie the Republican Party


In India , Congress could be termed GOP , having ruled the country for over 55 years since independence


Sheila Dikshit is the Chief Minister of GOP - ruled Delhi for last 15 years


In 1998 , she defeated BJP’s Sushma Swaraj and came to power


All because Sushma could not contain the onion prices then and people of Delhi got angry


This time , it looks like Sheila’s turn !


But Arvind Kejriwal of Aam Aadmi Party ( AAP ) is spoiling the fun !


By challenging Sheila to a public debate in Ram Lila ground


He wants to discuss GOP , viz:


Ø  G   (  for  Garlic  )


Ø  O   (  for  Onions  )


Ø  P    (  for  Potatoes )



GOL ( Grand Old Lady ) says ,


 “ This is patently unfair . Can’t you see that I am begging the hoarders to release the stocks ? ”


May be she should beg the people of Delhi to turn Jains – at least till 4th December


But then , if Jains keep away from “ Garlic – Onion – Potatoes “ , they might even keep away from the Grand Old Party !


Whichever way you look , it seems , on 4th Dec , it is


“ Advantage AAP “


People of Delhi are angrier than ever  !



May be this is why Sharad Pawar decided not to contest 2014 Lok Sabha elections !


About time too  !


·          hemen  parekh  (  25  Oct  2013  )

Wednesday, 23 October 2013

SOS to SOS to SOS !



Meaning,


Save  Our  Souls ……..          to

Son  Of  Sonia…………….         to

Subsidize  Our  Subji ( Subzi )



Rahul Gandhi,


To fill our empty POTs ( Stomachs , in Marathi ) , please give us our daily POTs , viz:



Ø    P..   for..  Potato         (  at Rs 3 / Kg  )


Ø    O..  for..  Onions         (  at Rs 2 / Kg  )


Ø    T ..  for..  Tomatoes    (  at Rs 1 / Kg  )


Announce in your next Election rally that you will get these included ( at the subsidized prices mentioned above ) , in the Food Security Bill


A little while back , you saved the democracy by tearing off the Ordinance


Now save 400 million poor people by fighting inflation ( which you cannot feel ) and fighting the evil opposition ( which haunts you everywhere ! )


On the battlefield of Mahabharat , Lord Krishna told Arjun :


“ If you die , you will go to heaven : if you win , you will rule the World

  Therefore , arise , O Son of Kunti , determined to fight this battle “


हतो वा प्राप्य्सी स्वर्गं , जित्वा वा भोक्षसे महीम 

तस्मात् उत्तिष्ठ कौन्तेय , युद्धाय कृत निश्चय !



For the 2014 National Elections , the battle-lines are already drawn !


It will be a battle of empty POTs and very angry RYOTs !



·          hemen  parekh  (  24  Oct  2013  )










Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Perform or Perish ?




IAS officer , Ashok Khemka was Managing Director of Haryana Seed Development Corporation from  Oct 15 , 2012  to  April 4 , 2013


Roshan Lal , Principal Secretary ( Agriculture ) , has recommended issue of a charge sheet against Khemka for “ alleged irregularities in wheat seeds sale “ , during Khemka’s tenure as MD


And what were those irregularities ?


Not meeting the target for the sales


Meaning , “ under-performance “


I request Khemka not to protest or fight the charge


He would do this country , a great favour by accepting his “ crime “ and going to jail !


He would establish that “ Under-Performance “ by a Government Officer or a Public Sector Officer , is a crime , punishable by laws of the land


A welcome precedence that would put behind bars ,


Ø  Sitting MLAs of Delhi State Assembly ( Congress-men )


Ø  Current Corporators of Delhi Municipal Corporation ( BJP men )


Of course that would give a patently unfair ( ? ) advantage to Aam Aadmi Party candidates on 4th December , since none of them had , as yet , an “ opportunity  to under-perform “ !


People of Delhi have a unique chance to ,


Ø    Elect 40 + AAP candidates on 4th Dec


Ø    Demand that they would be considered to have “ performed “ , only if they manage to bring down the onion price to Rs 20 per Kg , within 4 weeks of being voted to power


Arvind Kejriwal ,


Passing Jan Lok Pal Bill on 29th Dec in Ram Lila Ground may be very dramatic , facing dozens of TV cameras , but what people of Delhi need NOW , is cheap onions !


Law or no law , people are unwilling to forgive non-performers



·          hemen  parekh  (  23  Oct  2013  )


Monday, 21 October 2013

Pandora’s Box



Through an earlier / independent investigation , CBI has already filed a FIR against Naveen Jindal in the Coal Scam


Last week , CBI followed up with an FIR against Kumar Mangalam Birla


Anil Ambani and Sunil Mittal have already appeared in Courts , for various alleged “ irregularities “ committed by their companies in connection with 2G / 3G spectrum


Sahara Chief , Subrata Roy is in trouble with the law ( deep up to his neck ) , in connection with unauthorized collecting – and then not refunding – Rs 20,000 Crores to unsuspecting rural folks ( who cannot , even be traced , for want of proper addresses ! )


Then there are any number of minor minions who are already behind bars or about to go


Now , Supreme Court has asked CBI to investigate 5,800 telephone conversations of lobbyist Niira Radia , and report if there were collusions between some industrialists / businessmen / government officers / politicians etc , for grant of illegitimate favors


By the time CBI gets done , there is no doubt , dozens of skeletons will start tumbling out of the Corporate Cabinets – apart from several State and the Central Cabinet !


Till 2014 elections , expect at least one FIR every month , against some or other eminent / well-respected industrialist !


Enough “ Corporate Fodder “ for BJP to “ fire-up “ the debates in the winter session of the Lok Sabha .


No one will even talk of Lalu’s Fodder – Scam !



Corporate India ,



Your Pandora’s Box is wide open



·          hemen  parekh  (  22  Oct  2013  )