Kerala's wealthy God.

The Supreme Court of India on April 24, 2014 had  set up an administrative committee headed by the Thiruvananthapuram district judge to improve the management of finances and day-to-day affairs of the temple and ordered a special audit of its properties by former CAG Mr. Vinod Rai.

While on the one hand we are grateful to the Apex Court for the timely and effective intervention in the public interest, we fail to understand why such an action was not initiated by the local administration and the High Court of the State. Secondly such a step from the side of court reflects badly on the utility of administrators in this country.

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Astrology

I am not an ardent admirer of astrology blindingly. But there are situations in one's life when one is forced to feel that some force leads you to good or bad positions that appear to be beyond your comprehension and control. That probably explains the prominent role of the planets in the solar system that influences an individual's conduct and behaviour. 

The best way of dealing with such a facet of life is to ignore the bad predictions and enjoy the good and pleasant predictions. That seems to be the only secret of peaceful and contented life!

(April 27, 2014)

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Wealthy god living in filth and squalor?

 It happens only in India where the people residing over and owning lands bearing the mineral wealth live in poverty. A similar trend is noticed even in the status of their Gods too. Thiruvananthapuram's Padmanabhaswamy temple in the capital city of Kerala State in India, whose wealth was recently estimated at Rs 1 lakh crore is wallowing in filth and squalor due to mismanagement and lack of upkeep, amicus curiae Gopal Subramaniam told the Supreme Court of India. Water tank in the temple premises is so dirty that it's water causes skin rashes. The donations collected from devotees are pocketed by the temple authorities and middle men but not spent for cleaning the premises and repairing the deities etc.

Administrative services and elected governments are to be blamed for such a scenario. Courts have a limited role only. 

As a former civil servant I feel ashamed of having been a member of such a service. Hopeless situation indeed. God only has to save this country. Earlier the better.

[TOI April 24, 2014]

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Tamil Nadu Vs Gujarat

Gujarat has developed its infrastructure like roads, ports etc in a major way. It has succeeded in providing electricity 24X7 to the farmers, factories and homes throughout the state. it has also achieved a major breakthrough in providing piped supply of drinking water in both urban and rural areas. Tamil Nadu's achievement in these fields is not upto the mark, rather much behind the state of Gujarat. On the other hand in the field of education and health sector Tamil Nadu is much ahead of Gujarat. Both need to look into their weak spots and try to make up to the other's levels as quickly as possible. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Onion prices rising

Nashik, Friday April 18, 2014 It is reported that the onion prices have risen by 40% in a week's time due to unseasonal rains, hailstorm etc. The quality of the produce is no doubt improving but the quantity is getting reduced due partly to the retaining capacity of the farmers in expectation of high prices in future. I would again urge the planners and farming scientists to find ways and means to ensure adequate and regular supply of the onion crop throughout the year despite the natural disaster or normal disturbance. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

China on the March

Many of the holy spots associated with Lord Shiva are located on the Tibetan territory under the occupation of China. The famous ‘Manasarovar Lake’ is located in the centre of Tibet including the spots like ‘Yamdwar’ & ‘Astapath’. One entry into these places is through Kathmandu – Kodari – Khasa Port (Lee Ping) China border. The places visited by me on the way are: Zhang Mu, Nyalam, Prayong, Tanga, Dor Ching etc. The highway linking these places is newly-constructed in two lanes to international standards. One could enjoy a beautiful drive all along with patches of greenery – cultivation including green-house structures. Water flowing from the hills has been properly tapped and used for crops. Mining activities are also seen on the way here and there – Power tillers being used both for tilling and transporting. Large tracts of barren hills and valleys are waiting for settlement of Tibetans and Chinese citizens in the next one decade or so. Tourism is likely to flourish - mostly religious tourism. Pilgrims spend a few thousands of rupees from all over India to visit these sites - Mount Kailash is supposed to be the abode of Bholenath attracting thousands of pilgrims year after year. As of now except a few groups arranged by Uttaranchal Government, others are all arranged and managed by Travel agents and individuals on the basis of their past experience. Indian private agents arrange such trips with the help of their counterparts in Kathmandu, Lhasa and China (Beijing). A little more or less than one hundred thousand rupees are spent by each individual pilgrim for a tour of 10 – 12 days in all. Standard of accommodation arranged in Kathmandu and other towns is tolerable and worth the money parted with. But the stay in mud houses with open toilet system – 3 to 10 persons in each room / hall is pathetic, unhygienic and far from satisfactory. Exploitation and black mailing of agents in Kathmandu and Lhasa continue to harass the tour operators from India. There is no proper and systematic guidance, briefing and coverage of promised places and for prayers with puja materials collected and carried with lot of care by the pilgrims. _+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

To take India forward.

What India needs at this juncture is a third front in political arena comprising of youths driven by honest dreams and efforts. After all Swami Vivekananda wanted only 100 youths to transform this nation but unfortunately, even his own institutions – Ramakrishna Mission and Vivekananda Ashrams have failed to prepare and bequeath to this country, leave alone all the political parties founded so far and allowed to flourish by the circumstances and citizens in anticipation of common good of the country.