Home Minister and Irresponsible statementts

http://www.facebook.com/atulagnihotri71/posts/3702735865421

आपल्या हिंदु धर्मात लग्न जुळवितांना संभाव्य वर वधुची पत्रिका जुळविण्याचा प्रघात आहे. बराच लोकांचा या वर फारसा विश्वास नसतो. आपल्या सभोवतालच्या सुखी तसेच फारसे सुखी नसलेल्या जोडप्याच्या पत्रीकेचे गुणमेलन बघितल्यास याचे कारण समजुन येते मग पटो अथवा न पटो हे गुणमेलन करुन घेतले, कमीत कमी जेथे प्रेमविवाह नसतो तेथे तरी तर अनेक पुढील समस्यापासुन सुटका होवु शकते.

हे गुणमेलन नक्की काय असते? त्याबाबत ही माहीती.:गुणमेलन मध्ये ३६ गुण असतात ते खालील प्रमाणे :
१. वर्ण- यावरुन दोघांची वैचारीक बैठक जुळते का हे दिसते. तसेच त्यांचे इगो एकमेकांशी बाधक आहेत काय हे कळते. यात महत्तम गुण - १ असतो. जुळत असल्यास १ गुण मिळतो किंवा मग ० गुण.
यात चार वर्णांशी गुण मेलन करतात - ब्राम्हण , क्षत्रीय, वैश्य व क्षुद्र.
 २ वस्य  - यात पाच प्रकार असतात मानव, वनचर, जलचर, चतुष्पाद, व कृमी. यावरुन  वर वधुंच्या ताकदीचा अथवा अधिकाराचा विचार केला जातो . महत्तम गुण २ असतात.
३ तारा - या द्वारे तारा बलाचा विचार केला जातो. यावरुन दोघांच्या परस्पर सामंजस्याचा विचार केला जातो. यात ९ प्रकारचे जन्म तारा असतात. Janama, Sampat, Vipata, Kshema, Pratyari, Sadhaka, Vadha, Mitra and Ati-mitra. यात महत्तम ३ गुण असतात.
४ योनी- याद्वारे दोघांमधील शारीरीक सौख्या बाबत विचार केला जातो. एकंदर १४ जनावरांच्या प्रकृती व्यक्तींमध्य अस्तित्वात असतात असे मानले जाते व त्यांचा परस्परांशी असलेले सामंजस्य विचारात घेतले जाते. यात महत्तम गुण ४ असतात.
५. ग्रहमैत्री - यावरुन परस्पर मानसिक, व बौध्दीक सामंजस्य विचारात घेतले जाते. यात ७ ग्रहांचा विचार केला जातो. यात महत्तम गुण ५ असतात.
६ गण - यावरुन एकमेकांचा स्वभाव व रागा चे समजुन घेण्याची क्षमता विचारात घेतली जाते. यावरुन  त्यांची अध्यात्मीक व भौतीक पातळीचा विचार केला जातो. यात देव, मनुष्य व राक्षस असे गण असतात. महत्तम गुण ६ असतात.
७ भकुट किंवा चंद्र राशी - यात सर्वात जास्त म्हणजे ७ गुण असतात. १२ राशींचे आपसातील सामंजस्यावरुन गुण ठरविण्यात येतात. यावरुन कौटुंबीक आर्थीक प्रगती, कुटुंबाची वाढ इत्यादीचा विचार केला जातो.
८ नाडी  नर्वस एनर्जी, तसेच वंशापरंपरागत वैशिष्ट्ये याचा विचार केला जातो.यात महत्तम गुण ८ असतात.

अशाप्रकार एकंदर ३६ गुणांपैकी १८ गुण असल्यास ते सामान्यत: मान्य असतात व विवाहास अनुकुल समजले जातात. त्या पेक्षा जास्त असल्यास संसार उत्तमोत्तम होतो. या पेक्षा कमी गुण असल्यास संसार हा कटकटीचा होतो असे समजले जाते.

बघा मग आतातरी तुम्हाला किती गुण मिळाले व त्याप्रमाणे आपल्या संसाराचे तुलन पत्र मांडा. लग्नाचे वय असल्यास व प्रेम विवाह नसल्यास आपल्या पत्रिकेचे गुणमेलन अवश्य करावे.

माझे कडे गुणमेलन करण्याचे सौफ्टवेअर आहे मला  vishwas21@gmail.com  यावर जन्मतारीख, जन्मवेळ, व जन्मस्थान कळविल्यास मी दोघांचे गुण वरील ८ प्रकारतील व एकूण असे नक्की कळविन जेणे करुन आपणास नेमके कारण कळुन येईल. फक्त याबाबत अधिक माहीती मात्र एखाद्या विद्वान ज्योतिष्या कडुन च घ्यावी. कारण मी हे फक्त एक सामाजिक उपक्रम म्हणुन करीत आहे.

राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ के सर संघचालक के विधान पर टी आर.पी लालची मिडीया ऐसे टुट पडी है जैसे उन्होने कुछ ऐसा कहा जो हमारी संस्कृती के खिलाफ हो. इस विषय पर विवाह अनुबंध जो हिंदु विवाह पध्दती का अविभाज्य अंग है तथा जिसके बिना विवाह को  अधुरा माना जाता है. तथा अंग्रेजी भाषा मे जिसका भाषांतर contract यही है जिसका उन्होने प्रयोग किया तथा जिसे हम "सप्तपदी" कहते है. जिन्हे इस शब्द का अर्थ का बोध नही है उनकी जानकारी हेतु इस का विस्तृत विवेचन यहा दिया है जिसे पढने का अनुरोध है जिससे इस विषय की जानकारी होगी..

http://rasbatiya.blogspot.in/2011/01/blog-post_26.html

The Hindu : NATIONAL / KARNATAKA : Woman groped by mob, slapped by constable after accident

The Hindu : NATIONAL / KARNATAKA : Woman groped by mob, slapped by constable after accident

Northeast is India - Indian Express

Northeast is India - Indian Express

Assam relief-Seva Bharati, Purvanchal

धनवंतरी सेवा यात्रा- एक आरोग्य  प्रकल्प

ईशान्य भारतात  सेवा भारति पुर्वांचल द्वारे  आरोग्य मित्र व आरोग्यम हे कायम स्वरुपी राबवले जाणारे प्रकल्प आहेत तसेच धन्वंतरी सेवा यात्रा प्रकल्प दरवर्षी  एप्रिल मध्ये राबविला जातो इशान्य भारतातील दुर्गम प्रदेशातिल जनजातीमध्ये वैद्यकिय सेवा उपलब्ध करुन देण्याबाबत कार्यकर्त्यांमध्ये कायम विचार मंथन सुरु असते व अनेक पर्यायांबाबत साधक बाधक चर्चा होत असते. अशाच विचार मंथनामधुन धनवंतरी सेवा यात्रेची कल्पना पुढे आली व ती ३/५/२००५ पासुन मुर्त स्वरुपात अमलात येवु लागली.

नॅशनल मेडिकोज आरगनायझेशन, सेवा इंटरनॅशनल व सेवा भारति पुर्वांचल यांनी एकत्रित पणे धनवंतरी सेवा यात्रा प्रकल्पाला मुर्त स्वरुप देण्यात मोलाचा वाटा उचलला. या प्रकल्पाद्वारे स्वयंसेवी डॉक्टर व निमवैद्यकिय कार्यकर्त्यांनी नियमीतपणे ठराविक वेळी मोफत वैद्यकिय सेवा शिबीराचे कार्यक्रम सुदुर व दुर्गम अशा प्रदेशात राबविण्याचे ठरविण्यात आले.

धन्वंतरी सेवा यात्रा क्र.१

वरील योजनेनुसार बनारस विद्यापिठातील नउ डॉक्टरांचा प्रथम गट गोहाटीला आला तो दि. ०३/०५/२००५ रोजी. मग या डॉक्टरांची विभागणी ५ चमुत करण्यात आली व त्यांना इशान्य भारताच्या वेगवेगळ्या भागात पाठविण्यात आले.. या गटाने १२३ गावात २३ शिबीरे घेतली व ४००९ ऋंग्णांवर उपचार केले त्यात १७०१ पुरुष व २३०८ स्त्रियांचा समावेश होता.

धन्वंतरी सेवा यात्रा क्र. २

०३/०५/२००६ रोजी बनारस हिंदु विद्यापिठ, आग्रा वैद्यकिय महाविद्यालय व गुरु तेग बहादुर वैद्यकिय महाविद्यालय, नवी दिल्ली व  स्वामी विवेकानंद मिशन हॉस्पीटल वायनाड, केरळ येथील एक रिसर्च स्कॉलर मिळुन २३ तरुण डॉकटरांची चमु धनवंतरी सेवा यात्रेत सामील होण्याच्या उद्देशाने गोहाटीत दाखल झाली. योजनेनुसार ४/५/२००६ रोजी त्यांचे १० गट करण्यात आले व त्यांना इशान्य भारतातील दुर्गम गावात पाठविण्यात आले. या चमुने २७६ गावात ५१ शिबीराचे आयोजन करुन ८४३३ ऋंग्णांवर उपचार केले ज्यात ३७५० पुरुष व ४६८३ महिलांचा समावेश होता.

धन्वंतरी यात्रा क्र.३

२०/६/२००६ रोजी ४ डॉक्टरांची एक चमु दिल्लीहुन  नागालैंड व मणीपुर राज्यातील जनजातीं ना मोफत वैद्यकीय सेवा देण्याच्या उद्देशाने गोहाटी येथे दाखल झाली. या चमुने ५२ गावात १४ शिबीरे आयोजीत केली व एकुण १७७४ ऋंग्णावर उपचार केले ज्यात ७४१ पुरुष व १०३३ महिलांचा समावेश होता.

धनवंतरी सेवा यात्रा क्र.४

या यात्रेत देशभरातील ६७ डॉक्टरांचा समावेश होता ज्यात २३- डॉ.बनारस हिंदु विश्वविद्यालयाचे, ५- भावनगर वैद्यकिय महाविद्यालय,गुजरात मधुन , ५-सुरत च्या सरकारी वैद्यकिय महाविद्यालयाचे, २-आग्रा येथुन, १-रोहतक हुन, ११-गोहाटी वैद्यकीय महाविद्यालयाचे, १६-आसाम वैद्यकिय महाविद्यालय डिब्रुगढ, २- सेवा भारती पुर्वांचलाचे व १- नागालैंड मधुन होते. पाहुणे डॉ.चे आगमन ३/७/२००७ रोजी गोहाटीत झाले व त्यांच्या निवासाची व्यवस्था सेवा भारति, पुर्वांचलाच्या फलटन बाझार गोहाटी कार्यालयात करण्यात आली. सर्व डॉक्टरांना १६ गटात विभागुन त्यांना वेगवेगळ्या भागात पाठविण्यात आले.  हे कार्य खुपच कठिण होते याचे मुख्य कारण म्हणजे त्यांना या भागाची खुपच कमी किंवा अजिबात माहिती नव्हती. त्यांच्या या भागाबद्दलच्या कल्पना अत्यल्प किंवा चुकिच्या आधारावर असल्याने  चमत्कारीक होत्या. मात्र सेवा भारतिच्या कार्यकर्त्यांच्या मदतीने ही यात्रा देखील कमालीची यशस्वी पार पडली या यात्रेत ७३ शिबीरे आयोजीत केली गेली ज्यात २२७ गावे अंतर्भुत होती. यात एकुण १२५०९ ऋंग्णांवर उपचार केल्या गेले ज्यात ५२५६ पुरुष व ७२५३ महिलांचा समावेश होता.

या सर्वात मोठ्या सेवा यात्रेचा समारोप समारंभ देखील तितकाच भव्य होता. याचे आयोजन गोहाटीच्या उझान बझार येथील विवेकानंद केन्द्रात केल्या गेले ज्यात गोहाटी मेडिकल कॉलेजचे निदेशक व तेथील क्षेत्रिय नेत्र चिकीत्सा संस्थेचे प्रमुख डॉ चिरंजीव बरुआ हे अध्यक्ष म्हणुन आमंत्रित होते. तसेच याच कॉलेजचे निवृत्त प्राध्यापक व शल्य चिकित्सा विभागाचे प्रमुख डॉ रत्नेष्वर स्वर्गिआरी हे विशेष अतिथी म्हणुन उपस्थीत होते.

अशा प्रकारच्या या यात्रा आजतागायत दरवर्षी सुरु असुन संपुर्ण देशातुन यास भरगोस प्रतिसाद मिळत आहे. या यात्रांचा उद्देश केवळ या सुदुर भागात मोफत वैद्यकीय उपलब्ध करुन देणे हाच नसुन तर उमलत्या तरुण डॉक्टरांच्या पिढीत सामाजिक जवाबदारीचे भान निर्माण करत असतांनाच त्यांच्यात समाजातिल दुर्बल व दुर्लक्षीत घटकांबद्दल त्यांची बांधीलकी निर्माण करणे हे देखील आहे.

ही नवीन पिढी या दोन्ही अपेक्षेमध्ये पुर्ण उतरली असुन आपल्या बद्दल समाजाच्या असलेल्या अपेक्षेची त्यांना पुर्ण जाणीव आहे हे या धन्वंतरी सेवा यात्रेला संपुर्ण देशातुन मिळणा‍र्‍या प्रतिसादावरुन सिध्द झाले आहे.    

नुकत्याच आसामच्या बि.टी.ए.डी भागात झालेल्या हिंसाचारात अनेक कुटुंबांना निर्वासित व्हावे लागले. यावेळी गुजरात येथील डाक्टरांची चमु १५ दिवस वैद्यकीय सेवेसाठी सेवा भारति, पुर्वांचलाद्वारे मागविण्यात आली. या जमुने अनेक गावात वैद्यकिय कैंम्प आयोजित करुन हजारो ऋंग्णांना आवश्यक सेवा पुरविली.
आजही त्या भागात रोगराइंचे थैमान सुरु असुन सेवा भारति पुर्वांचल अविरत सेवा पुरविण्याचे काम करीत आहे. देशातील वैद्यकीय क्षेत्रातील व अन्य समाज सेवी संस्थांना तेथे आपली सेवा पुरविण्याची इच्छा असल्यास त्यांनी सेवा भारति पुर्वांचल, गोहाटी व श्री सुरेन्द्र तारखेडकर- सेवा प्रमुख, यांचेशी या दुरध्वनी क्रमांकावर संपर्क साधावा-०९४३६१६०२१७ Relief Measures by Seva Bharati Purvanchal

Assam Riots

Assam is home for over 81 Lakhs Muslims, who comprise over 31 % of the total population. Most of these Muslims are illegal immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh and they display a huge array of vices that have been troublesome for the local population of Assam. There have been cases of land encroachments, loots and killings.

Situated on the northern banks of the river Brahmaputra , Bodoland includes the Bodoland Territorial Areas District (BTAD) , which is administered by the non-autonomous Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). The territory consists of four districts , viz. , Kokrajhar , Baksa , Chirang and Udalguri , with Kokrajhar serving as the capital.

Tension among immigrants and locals has always prevailed in the region.

2 Years ago , immigrants wanted to build a toilet for a Madrassa inside the premises of a Kali temple in a village named Howriapet, located in Gosaigaon sub-division. The local people of the region got together to protest against this audacious decision, when 2 Bengali boys who were a part of the protests, were brutally murdered by the immigrants.

In another incident from the same area, a Muslim boy tried to rape a girl , he was caught by people from the village and thrashed. In the mean time, his fellow religion arrived and as punishment, they beat him again, which lead to his death. Now, to save themselves, they blamed the villager for the boy’s death and ransacked not only that village but also many adjacent villages. Local people suffered once again.

3 months ago , again in Gosaigaon , immigrants burnt down Adivasi homes after a minor quarrel in a bazar.

As a result, an undercurrent of tension always prevails because of the unjustified aggression of the immigrants. These immigrants are getting support of various organizations such as MULTA-(Muslim United Liberation Tigers of Assam), AMSU – (All Minority Student’s Union), a new fraction (ABMSU) has been created to cater to the immigrants in Bodoland region (All Bodoland Minority Student’s Union). These organizations are also getting government funds to run their activities.

A few days ago, immigrants encroached upon forest land in Fakiragram and put up a signboard calling it an Idgah. The locals, miffed at the illegal possession of forest land and asked them to give it up. The immigrants backed by the ABMSU, started large scale agitations against the locals.  Meanwhile, there has also been dissent among the members of the ABMSU and the AMSU.

On 19th July,  Mohibul Islam president of the ABMSU with his colleague Abdul Siddiq Sheikh were shot at by two unidentified gunmen riding a bike. The incident took place in a village called Magurmari , located 3 Kms from Kokrajhar town. Amazingly, both Islam and Sheikh were shot under the kneecap only. This incident indicates that there was confrontation among the two student’s unions. It is also to be noted that Mohibul Islam has many impending cases against him, which includes charges of rape and smuggling.

As expected the immigrants found another opportunity to blame Locals for their own problems, and this time the Bodos earned their ire. On the evening of 20th July, a mob of immigrants murdered four persons from the Bodo community. They were butchered beyond recognition and that was the trigger for what has now turned into a dangerous riot.

Further, an old Brahma Mandir , a very revered place of worship for the Bodos was burnt down in Onthaibari , Gosaigaon.The immigrants have been exceedingly vicious throughout the entire episode. They even tried to snatch guns from the police and an OC was hurt during an altercation with a mob. 400 immigrants had gathered with arms to charge towards Kokrajhar, despite a curfew being imposed. The police took charge of the situation and a major disaster was averted.

The violence has spread to Dhubri as well, where immigrants burnt down a boys hostel. Immigrant’s aggression has taken a complete anti-local turn and people from all communities are suffering because of them. People belonging to other religions haven’t been spared either. A mob even attacked the Rajdhani express train on 24th July. A lot of trains have been cancelled and thousands of passengers have been left stranded in various stations.

The violence has spread to over 400 villages in the BTAD region. Houses have been burnt down and abandoned houses looted. As of now, 32 people are dead and over 2 lakhs people have been rendered homeless. To make matters worse, the violence has spread to other parts of Assam now.

People have to live in Refugee camps in their own country because of hostiles from a foreign land. The conditions in the Refugee camps are extremely poor. Food supply is scarce, there are no medicines available and if that was not enough, the security in the camps is highly lacking. The centre has deployed 29 companies of Para-Military forces to take control of the situation, which is turning extremely hapless by the day.

It is high time that the local people in the region , irrespective of their community , come together and make sure that these illegal immigrants and hostile aliens are put to their original place, so that such incidents don’t occur again.

It is a gathered information from various sources... 

My experiment with Social Service

When I put down my papers from a satisfying 33 years of service and having met all the family responsibilities, I had planned that I will now spent my resting years in social service. One thing was sure , I did not want to work for money. My search lasted for 5 years. During this time I was looking for the work which I enjoyed so that I can give justice to the work as well as satisfy myself.

Then I shifted to Pune. when my search was still going on I used to answer the advertisements which called for Accounts assistance. I got a job in response which lasted 24 hours. It was because one who offered me a job of Rs.20000/- wanted the return of money from day one. He wanted me to be an expert on his business from day one which to me was just impossible. In the evening he briefed me about his expectations and every thing that a business man expects from his employee. Next day I sent him a text message telling I am not interested in his job. He then pleaded that I should give it another thought and all that. But from my rich experience I was determined that I simply cannot work for money because I can not tolerate employer's money minded attitude.

I wanted to work for free and do the work of my choice and landed in North East. I made myself useful to them due to my sincerity, motivation and hard work. I did not want Honorarium too because it again meant binding and commitments. I wanted to be committed without any strings.

Today I find that the NGO I work for are very happy and satisfied with my work at the same time are respectful to me. I get enough pension to sustatin my small family back in Pune. I carry Rs.1000/- with me and return with the same amount back in Pune with great amount of satisfaction that I have done something for those who are working with a cause. Because they take care of my journey cost, my fooding and stay. And still they want me with them for a longer time.

This feeling that some one who are doing a National Cause are happy with your work and  need you more and more is something which money cannot buy.

I think those who have retired from jobs and have completed their family obligation if devote some time for the social cause without any expectation in return in the form of money will find that this work is giving them immense satisfaction which they never had during the life time.

people ask me since you are doing it for 4 years how much you get in return? I just smile and say I get which I never got during my life time.

I meet people who after retirement are dong some audit work or some part-time job to keep them busy and also to earn some extramoney, I find them not very happy and content as I feel myself.

when you work for money you make yourself available for money and then you can get some words in bad taste when your work is not upto the mark, but when you work without any expectation of money you are more free to work and then your work gets the quality.

So friends just give it a thought.

Kangla Fort , Manipur : Amrit Koijam

Kangla Fort , Manipur : Amrit Koijam

Indians Are Great: Tragic Story of Partition of India

Indians Are Great: Tragic Story of Partition of India: This is a short summary basically of the events that lead to the Tragic story of partition. The summary of events are based on the ” Tragic ...

It was a rendezous to the new found Shivling in zero vally in Arunachal Pradesh. The shiv ling was discovered by a local tribeman in the forest in 2004. The Arunachalis are the devotees of Lord Shiva and people all over the country started visiting the place. Though a good cement path is constructed till the site. A giant Temple will be constructed by the donations from the devotees. Substantial promises are said to be made by the wealthy people. The higer authorities of Arunachal state are also visiting this site with their families and assurance of all type of assistance to make it a tourist spot is made.

Assam Tourism: Your Travel Plan

Assam Tourism: Your Travel Plan

कुमार केतकर kumar ketkar mh seg 4 4

Global Warming-The missing science

I have recently found an interesting book titled " A synopsis of the Book : HEAVEN AND EARTH Global Warming- The missing Science by Ian Rutherford Plimer. The auther is an Australian geologist, academician and businessman. He was first known as a prominent critic of creationism but more recently he has been known for his skepticism of the scientific consensus that "global warming is driven by anthropogenic CO2 " He has written 7 books and has published approximately 120 academic papers. He is  currently a Professor of Mining Geology at the University of Adelaide. His book " A short History of Planet Earth" won the Eureka Prize.

According to him the 500 + page book can be compressed in some of the most provocative arguments and conclusions of the book, as follows:-

1- Is dangerous warming occuring? NO
2- Is the temperature range observed in the 20th century outside the range of normal variability? NO
3- The Earth's climate is driven by the receipt and the redistribution of solar energy. Despite this crucial relationship the Sun tends to be brushed aside as the most important driver of climate. Calculations on supercomputers are primitive compared with the complex dynamism of the Easrth's climate and ignore the crucial relationship between climate and solar energy.
4-"To reduce modern climate change to one variable, CO2 , or a small proportion of one variable-human induced CO2 - is not science. To try to predict the future based on just one variable(CO2) in extraordinarily complex natural systems is folly. Yet when astronomers have the temerity to show that climate is driven by solar activities rather than CO2 emissions, they are dismissed as dinosaurs undertaking the methods of old-fashioned science"
5- Over time, the history of CO2 content in the atmosphere has been far higher than it is at present, Atmospheric CO2 follows temperature rise. It does not create a temperature rise. CO2 is not a pollutant. Global warming and high CO2 content bring prosperity and longer life.
6. The hypothesis that human activity can create global waming is extraordinary because it is contrary to validated knowledge from solar physics, astronomy, history, archaeology and geology. "But evidence no longer matters. And any contrary work published in peer-reviewed journals is just ignored. We are told that the science on human-induced global warming is settled. Yet the claim by some scientists that the threat of humal-induced global warming is 90% certain (or even 99%) is a figure of speech. It has no mathematical or evidential basis."
7- Observations in nature differ markedly from the results generated by nealy two dozen computer-generated climate models. These climate models exaggerate the effects of human CO2 emissions into the atmosphere because few of the natural variables are considered. Natural systems are far more complex than computer models.
8- When the UN set up the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 1988, it gave many scientists the opportunity to make global warming the main theme of environmental groups. "The IPXX process is related to environmental activism, politics and opportunism. It is unrelated to science. Current zeal around human-induced climate change is comparable to the certainty professed by Creationists or religious fundamentalists"

I thought this information will be a new one for many who are woried about the catastroph of global warming phenomena.

Vishwas Kalyankar: Vidarbha-Relief Packages-A Mockery

Vishwas Kalyankar: Vidarbha-Relief Packages-A Mockery

Vidarbha-Relief Packages-A Mockery

Since 2002 due to the misgovernance the farmers in Vidarbha had been committing suicide. Govt when realised that their incompetency is coming to the fore started declaring packages without going to the root cause of the situation. The report on the pacages declared and the realities of its implementation will be an interesting reading. Please visit http://greenearthconsulting.org/Articles/GreenEarth%20report%20on%20Impact%20of%20Relief%20Packages%20on%20farmers%20suicides%20in%20Vidarbha.pdf

Vishwas Kalyankar: Vidarbha-Aftermath of Cotton Policy

Vishwas Kalyankar: Vidarbha-Aftermath of Cotton Policy

Vidarbha-Aftermath of Cotton Policy

Around 20 years back, farmers in Vidarbha were prosperous. The rich, black soil is ideal for cotton. However, for a decade now, Vidarbha has been caught in a desperate farm crisis. Cotton is no longer profitable. In 1970, one quintal of cotton - once called `white gold' - had the same value as 12 grams of gold. Now it is a harvest of death.

Suicides are the most extreme manifestation of the agrarian distress in the region. "There is not much difference between those who killed themselves and those of us who are still living. Everyone is in the same distress," said Jitendra Tatte, a cotton and orange farmer who owns 60 acres (24 hectares) of land at Lehegaon village in Amravati district.

Why has the price not kept up with increasing costs? The international price of cotton lint fell from $1.10 a pound in 1994 to 38 cents in 1998. There was a gush of imports into India. "Between 1997 and 2003, we imported 110 lakh bales, which is more than the total volume of imports since Independence," says Vijay Jawandhia, an activist of the Shetkari Sanghatana, the farmers' association. So, farmers found no market for their produce.

The import tariff for cotton is only 10 per cent, whereas it is 60 per cent for sugar and 80 per cent for paddy. International rules allow the government to increase the cotton tariff up to 150 per cent, but it chooses not to. China has protected its farmers by imposing a 90 per cent import tariff.

Farmers in countries such as the United States and China can sell at a low price because they receive direct subsidies. Our farmers cannot afford to sell at this artificially low price and so keel over. For instance, in the U.S., it costs $1.70 (Rs.79.90) to produce 1 kg of cotton lint, but it is sold for $1.18 (Rs.55.46). To offset the losses, around 20,000 cotton farmers in the U.S. get more than $4 billion in subsidies - approximately Rs.1 crore per farmer per annum, according to the Centre for Science and Environment's (CSE) report on the cotton industry. Farmers in the U.S. get a subsidy of $1 for every kilo of cotton produced, roughly the rate of cotton in the world market. Indian farmers get no subsidy. Vidarbha's 30 lakh-odd cotton cultivators spend Rs.3,000 a quintal, but they get only Rs.1,750.

"On the rare occasion that the retail price of tomatoes or tur dal goes up [as they did just before the monsoon], the media flash it on TV all day, and people in the cities complain. But they are quiet when the prices fall soon after. Do they bother to come here and talk to us when prices crash and we are in a crisis?" asked Prahlad.

If prices are low, can farmers try and reduce costs? Each year, the prices of inputs go up. And the chemical-intensive method that farmers use depletes the fertility of the soil. So every year there are more doses of fertilizers and pesticides needed. It is a vicious cycle. Maharashtra has the highest area under cotton cultivation in the country, but the lowest yield. The cost of production is Rs.70 a kg, double the national average, says the CSE report. The State government is supposed to send extension workers to guide farmers on effective farming techniques. But extension officers are rarely seen in the fields. Farmers rely on pesticide dealers and other farmers for advice, besides advertisements.

If cotton is unprofitable, why not shift to other crops? Farmers in Vidarbha (and most of India) still practise dryland farming - totally dependent on the monsoon. Besides cotton, farmers here grow mainly soyabean, wheat, coarse grains, tur dal, groundnut and oranges (in some areas). Vidarbha has only 10 per cent of its cultivable land under irrigation. "That leaves us with very few options. Besides, prices are low not only for cotton but for most other crops and vegetables. Whatever you choose, there are losses," said Prahlad.

There is not enough water for fodder, so dairy, which could provide a regular income, is also not possible. "Earlier, when we grew jowar, there was a steady source of fodder. But people have stopped growing jowar because it is not profitable, and neither is the dairy business. Now, there are distress sales of our only assets - cattle and land," said Sanjay Tigaonkar, a farmer of Wardha.

The interest waiver on loans and the grant of fresh loans to defaulting farmers, which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced on his tour of Vidarbha on July 1, may at best offer temporary relief. What happens at the end of the season when the farmer is left with no money to pay back the loan?

And what happens to farmers' debts with moneylenders? When the State government suddenly arrested moneylenders in November 2005, farmers were in a financial crunch. Moneylenders are their main source of funds since banks do not lend enough.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh admitted that the State had not been able to curb the crisis. "We are doing our best, both the Centre and the State are doing what they can. It's true the suicides are not reducing. Whatever help we are giving, we have not been able to solve the problem or fully control it. We are looking for suggestions," he said. Several groups in Vidarbha have come forward with suggestions, but the government has ignored the root of the problem - the widening inequalities between urban and rural India.

"Farmers are living only because they are not dying," says Jawandhia.

Vidarbha: Theatre of neglect

I am born and brought up in Nagpur which was the capital of Central Province prior to state reorganisation. Bapuji Ane , a congress M.P. was the pioneer for seperate Vidarbha. Thereafter Jambuvantrao Dhote also persued the issue without any result. Now when the Telangana issue is in the lime light. Vidarbhaits thought that now is an opportunity to take up the age old issue. Why the farmers and people in general think about the seperate state is based on the fact that this part of the state has been neglected right from the beginning inspite having rich soil but no irrigation and not much headway to this direction. The people feel that if they have a seperate state with capital at Nagpur their voice will be heard and taken care off.

The blog I am following with the same name Vidarbha Theatre of neglect has an audio which speaks volumes about the plight of the Vidarbha.

http://www.ndtv.com/news/videos/video_player.php?id=1161484

ईशान्य भारत- मतांच्या राजकारणाचा बळी

१९५० मध्ये संसदेमध्ये घुसखोरीचा विषय विचारार्थ घेण्यात आला. या प्रश्नाची गंभीरता तत्कालीन गृहमंत्री सरदार वल्लभभाई पटेल यांना जाणवली होती. शिस्तबद्ध लोकशाही वर प्रगाढ विश्वास असणारे, राष्ट्राच्या उभारणीची क्षमता असणारे व दूरदृष्टी असणारे ते एक महान व्यक्तित्व होते. त्यांनी अविलंब कृती करून इमिग्रेशन एक्ट(एक्स्पलशन फ्रॉम आसाम) मजूर करून घेतला. पण लगेचच म्हणजे डिसेंबर १९५० मध्ये त्यांच्या निधनानंतर या कायद्याच्या संबंधात अनेक फाटे फोडण्यात आले आणि हा कायदा एक मृत दस्तावेज बनून राहिला आणि शेवटी १९५७ मध्ये तो रद्द करण्यात आला. आसाम चे हितसंबंध जपण्याच्या दृष्टीने तसेच देशाच्या सुरक्षिततेच्या दृष्टीने उचलेल्या पावलामध्ये आलेला हा पहिला कोलदांडा होता.

परिणामस्वरुप पूर्व पाकिस्तानातून घुसखोरी ही चालू राहिली. देशाची सुरक्षितता कुठल्या थरापर्यंत संकटात आली हे या एकाच वस्तुस्थिती वरून लक्षात येईल की जेव्हा चीन ने १९६२ मध्ये भारतावर आक्रमण केले तेव्हा बहुतांश घुसखोर लोकांनी त्यावेळी पाकिस्तान चा ध्वज फडकवला. या घटनेमुळे प्रिव्हेंशन ऑफ इनफिल्ट्रेशन या नावाने एक योजना तयार करण्यात आली. या योजनेत ट्रीब्युनल द्वारे नैशनल रजिस्टर ऑफ सिटीझन्स, १९५१ च्या आधारे घुसखोरांना हुडकून काढण्याची व्यवस्था होती. हि योजना तत्कालीन मुख्यमंत्री श्री बि. पी. छलिया यानी सक्षम पणे अंमलात आणली. १९६४ ते १९७० या काळात २,४०,००० घुसखोर शोधून काढण्यात आले. तसेच अजून २०८०० घुसखोरांना १९६७ ते १९७० दरम्यान हुडकून काढण्यात आले. पण दुर्दैवाने नंतर कोत्या राजकीय वृत्तीचा खेळ सुरु झाला. श्री फकरुद्दिन अली अहमद यांच्या नेत्रुत्वाकाली आमदारांच्या एका गटाने असा प्रसार सुरू केला की अशा कृती ने काँग्रेस पक्ष आसाम मध्ये च नव्हे तर संपुर्ण भारत्तात मुस्लीम वोटांपासून वंचित होईल. आणि शेवटी वोट बैंक राजकारणाचा विजय झाला. प्रिव्हेंशन ऑफ इंफिलट्रेशन योजना सोडून देण्यात आली आणि ट्रिब्यूनल बरखास्त करण्यात आले. हि कृती म्हणजे घुसखोरी समर्थकांचा विजय होता.

२४-२६ आक्टोबर १९७८ रोजी उटकंमंड येथे मुख्य निवडणुक अधिकाऱ्यांच्या बैठकीत मुख्य निर्वाचन आयुक्त श्री एस. एल शकधर यांनी खालील विधान केले होते.

१९६१ च्या तुलनेत १९७१ मध्ये आसामच्या लोकसंख्येत ३४.९८% वाढ झाली असून या वाढीचे मुख्य कारण शेजारी देशातून होणारी घुसखोरी आहे. ही घुसखोरी जर अशीच होत राहिली तर १९९१ मध्ये ही वाढ १९६१ च्या तुलनेत १००% च्या वर होईल आणि परदेशीय नागरिकांचे प्रमाण हे स्थानीय लोकांच्या तुलेनेत खुप मोठे राहील. यातून मार्ग काढण्यासाठी मुख्य निवडणुक आतुक्तांनी भारत सरकारकडे अशी शिफारस केली की या घुसखोरांची निश्चिती करण्यासाठी भारतीय रहिवाशांना ओळख पत्रे देण्यात यावीत पण या शिफारसीकडे दुर्लक्ष करण्यात आले आणि आसामी जनतेच्या असंतोषात भर पडली.

मार्च १९७९ मध्ये मंगलडोई लोकसभा मतदारसंघात पोटनिवडणुकीच्या वेळी मुख्य निवडणुक आयुक्तांनी राज्य सरकारला या मतदार संघाची मतदार संघाची यादी दुरुस्त करण्याचे आदेश दिले. ट्रिब्यूनल ला या मतदार संघात ४५००० घुसखोर आढळले होते. ही वस्तुस्थिती उघड झाल्याने आसामची जनता संतापली. त्यांच्या मते जर एकाच मतदार संघात जर इतके घुसखोर आढळले आहेत तर संपूर्ण आसामात ही संख्या लाखोंच्या घरात जाईल. या सर्वावर कळस म्हणजे सत्तेत असलेल्या घुसखोर समर्थकांनी तत्कालीन बोर्बोरा मंत्रिमंडळ पाडले. त्यावेळी केंद्रात असलेल्या मोरारजी देसाई सरकारने देखिल या बाबत काहीच कृती केली नाही. परदेशीय नागरिक देशातच राहिले आणि मतदार यादीत देखिल कायम राहिले.

सप्टेंबर १९७९ मध्ये गोलप बोर्बोरांचे मंत्रिमंडळ गडगडले. त्यानंतर लगेचच आसाम मध्ये राष्ट्रपती राजवट लागू झाली. आणि १९७९ या मतदार यादीनुसार लोकसभा निवडणुका घेण्यात आल्या. या सर्वांचा परिणाम म्हणजे आसामी जनतेत असंतोषाची ठिणगी पडून आंदोलनाची सुरुवात झाली.

जानेवारी १९८० मध्ये इंदिरा गांधी सरकारसोबत ऑल आसाम स्टुडंटस युनियन च्या वाटाघाटी फसल्या आणि आसामध्ये हिंसा, अत्याचार आणि दंगलीच्या हिंसक पर्वाला सुरुवात झाली. तेलाची वाहतूक बंद करण्यात आली रेल्वे लाइन उखडण्यात आल्या रेल्वे पुलांना उध्वस्त करण्यात आले, अपहरण आणि हिंसेला उत आला. १९८३ चे निल्ली व गोहपुर मधील कुप्रसिद्ध हत्याकांड देखील याच दरम्यान झाले.

या दरम्यान देखिल केंद्र सरकार आपले कोते व्होट बैंक राजकारण सोडण्यास नाखुष होते. आणि बेकायदेशीर नागरिकांना कायदेशीर संरक्षण देण्याची केविलवाणी धडपड करतानाच दिसत होते. १९८३ मध्ये दि इल्लिगल (डिटरमिनेशन बाय ट्रिब्युनल) कायदा पास करण्यात आला. हा कायदा अशा प्रकारे करण्यात आला की त्याद्वारे घुसखोरांना हुडकून काढणे व त्यांची परत मायदेशी पाठवणी करणे अतिशय कठिण झाले.

साभार - श्री जगमोहन यांचे नॉर्थ ईष्ट त्रैमासीक मधील लेखावरुन