Mussoorie - Chamba Apple Orchard Belt Scheme Requires A Mid Course Correction

DO NOT BURN THE PICTURE FOR THE FRAME

It was way back in 1965, when the present state of Uttarakhand (UK) had not as yet been carved out from the geographical boundaries of Uttar Pradesh (UP) that, its political leadership spurred and pushed by some right thinking bureaucrats in the government, conceived and implemented a progressive socio economic scheme for the development of horticulture in the Mussoorie – Chamba forest belt. The then Chief Minister of UP, Shrimati Sucheta Kripalani dedicated the Mussoorie – Chamba Phal Patta scheme to the people of this region of Tehri Garhwal with extremely noble and well meaning intentions, wherein forest land under the Forest Department was given on lease to local and other people for cultivation of apples. The lease was given under the Government Grants Act, on the basis of draws which were held in the collectorate at Tehri and an Agreement signed between the government and the individual. In the Agreement, the government is represented by the District Magistrate of Tehri, who is termed as the Pattadata and the lessee, called the Pattedar. The forest land comprised Banj, Kookat and Mouru trees with thick wild undergrowth and clearing these for preparing the land for planting of apple saplings, was a very challenging and uphill task for all those who were the beneficiaries of the scheme. Moreover, the terms of the Agreement exclusively catered for the land to be used for cultivation of apple trees only and without any provision for the construction of any dwelling unit for the pattedar/servant/chowkidar/ to stay in and develop and maintain the orchard. The penalty for any transgression of the terms is very severe and invites cancellation/termination of the lease by the pattadata. Such leases are then given to persons who had earlier applied and are in the long waiting list, on the basis of seniority as determined by the concerned authorities.

The Mussoorie – Chamba Phal Patta scheme has been in place for about more than 40 years, given the gestation period of about seven years for an apple plant to bear fruit, but there has been no perceptible change / improvement in the socio economic development/ growth of the area as also the standard of living of its people, which the scheme was supposed to contribute to. The reasons for this are many and varied. Prime among these is the weather, wherein hail takes a very heavy toll on the appearance / looks of the ripe fruit and makes it a loser in the competitive market, which is flush with apples from Kashmir and Himachal as also Harsil and Nowgaon in Uttarakhand. Hail during the fruit bearing season, pits the outside of the apple and makes it appear less attractive, a very important aspect of buyer psyche, which adversely affects the pricing of the product. This alone is a huge factor in making apple farming in this area an unviable commercial economic activity. Most orchards have been economically impacted by this reality obtaining in the area and have thus made apple cultivation a non sustainable financial activity, which only eats into ones resources without a commensurate return. While, the use of nets to prevent hail from damaging the looks of the fruit is an option that is available to farmers, it is again very prohibitive in terms of costs. Most farmers have lost their investments, which they made in their orchards, because of the abysmally low pricing of apples grown in this belt. The annual sale hardly compensates the cost and is an enduring drain on ones financial reserves. Then there is the problem of wild animals and langurs, which live in the adjoining forests and are detrimental to the growth and health of the apple trees. Barking deer and langurs, eat the bark of the trees, thus killing it permanently. The district government Horticulture Department, which is supposed to provide assistance to the farmers in terms of making available good quality saplings, fertilizers, chemicals, spray medicines, implements, knowledge, support and guidance, has been very mediocre and lackluster in its delivery of responsibility. Other than issuing to all pattedars  an ‘Udhyan Card’ , which entitles one to buy what is available with the department on 50% subsidy, there is nothing else which is worth mentioning in praise of the district Horticulture Department , having its offices in various places along the entire  Mussoorie – Chamba belt. The District Horticulture Officer (DHO), Tehri who has the delegated authority and responsibility to regulate and manage the lease of these pattas on behalf of the pattedar ie District Magistrate, Tehri is woefully ill equipped and understaffed to perform his duties. His Phal Patta Amin, who has virtually wrested complete control and authority in the matter, functions more as the de facto DHO than the official incumbent. This is most undesirable in an organization, because then it allows unrestrained authority to vest with a subordinate officer who exploits this reality to corrupt the system. The Amin has earned for himself in the area, the sobriquet Director Horticulture, owing to his absolute control in all matters related with the regulation and management of the pattas. The existing state of affairs is pathetic to say the least.

  Also, it defies logic and understanding that, while clause 2 of the Agreement accepts the reality of either the pattedar or else his agents/servants staying on the said land, yet they are expected to stay here throughout the year under the open blue/ clouded/rainy/ snowing sky with wind velocity of 50 to 60 kmph creating ambient conditions of extreme low temperature during the winters. Construction of a permanent dwelling for either the pattedar or else the servant/agent is not permitted in accordance with government orders and is a cause for immediate termination of the lease. Thatched huts/ tin sheds are inadequate to withstand the uncongenial weather conditions and more so should one have his/her patta on North facing slopes, which receive winds at great velocity, making  the situation still worse to brave the inhospitable climatic conditions. Many a pattas have been cancelled /terminated for this very reason, making it well nay impossible for anyone to continue using these phal pattas for the very purpose these were leased for.  Frustrated and disgusted with the government’s apathy towards this partnership model of the phal pattas, hundreds of people who were allotted these have transferred (sold) their lease rights to others for a financial consideration and which is in blatant transgression of the terms of the Agreement. There were as many as 69 pattas which were cancelled / terminated on 12 Feb 2009 for reasons of transfer of patta, not paying the annual lease rent, construction of a permanent structure on the lease land etc, vide a public notice published in a vernacular news paper, but yet these continue to remain in the names of the defaulters. Some of these pattedars or their heirs have made their property into commercial ventures, in direct violation of the terms of the Agreement and they continue to prosper and flourish under the patronage enjoyed by them in a quid pro quo with the subordinate revenue officials. One such pattedar has even dared the pattadata, by allowing a sizeable chunk of his land to be converted into a motor road running through his patta, which allows access to a hotel in Kanatal. Needless to say the hotel is doing roaring business, kind courtesy the pattedar who has taken a stay from the District court in the matter and presumably good sums of money have changed hands between the hotelier and his accomplice in the deal. The pattadata, possibly under political pressure and an indifferent government response to the challenge of resurrecting a derailed scheme, which had tremendous potential to deliver for the purpose it was launched, can only remain a mute spectator in this entire drama being played under the phal patta scheme, which has become a cover up for making money under the guise of commercial activity other than apple cultivation.

The government of Uttarakhand will be well advised to revisit the phal patta scheme in the Mussoorie – Chamba belt and carry out a constructive review of its purpose and the reality which obtains here. It is an irony that, while so many apple orchards exist in this belt wherein pattedars are trying their level best to break even, the government has not thought about opening a cold storage and a small scale industrial project, which can use the cosmetically low grade local apple for making juice, jams/jelly/chutney, cider, vinegar etc and profit the growers/farmers by consuming their apples locally at a fair price and without the exploitative chain of the contractor/ transporter/stockist and retailer. The co-operative business model must be given a try here to rejuvenate the phal patta scheme. The success stories of many such schemes in villages around the country are a living testimony to this proposal. Also, the Mussoorie -  Dhanaulti – Chamba – New Tehri – Bhagirathipuram – Tehri Dam Reservoir route has become popular with tourists for its scenic beauty and pristine climate. The drive is on a beautifully laid out mountain road, which is a pleasure to drive on amidst the pine and deodar forests. There is a great demand for accommodation to lodge the tourists at an affordable price, which compares very competitively with the high end Mahindra Resort, Kanatal Terrace, Hermitage etc. Should the government of Uttarakhand carry out some midcourse correction to its rigid policy of not allowing any permanent construction on the patta land for use by the pattedars, then these dwelling units could also double up as accommodation for back packing tourists on a shoe string budget. This will not only provide additional rooms for tourists at affordable prices but will also generate some income for the pattedars, so as to sustain their respective orchards.

We need the bureaucrats who crowd the Secretariat in Dehra Dun to become more aggressive in their thought process and evolve as administrators who can also think out of the box, to inject new life into the phal patta scheme launched as a brilliant initiative of the Uttar Pradesh Government in 1965. Presently, lower revenue officials involved in the scheme are exploiting the pattedars, who continue to play ball in the hope that someday the State government may in a populist move make the lease land into free hold property under official notification. If that happens then large swathes of mountain slopes and land will become a haven for the real estate mafia who will then move in with their JCBs, Dozers, Cranes, Trucks laden with iron and steel and volumes of building material to completely destroy the environment and the ecology of the hills, which has already suffered in the making of the Tehri Dam. Can someone who feels dearly for his ancestral place, plead with the politicians and the bureaucracy to shake out of their indifference and make a difference?  Do not burn the picture for the frame.

Brig S D Dangwal

A Viewpoint

 YOGA - A POSSIBLE WINDOW TO MANAGE A PRIMORDIAL NEED

It was in June 1973 that Senator Percy, his wife, daughter and her boy friend stopped for lunch at our unit officer’s mess in Budh Kharbu, while on their way to Leh from Kargil. We officers were, of course a vigorous grouping of bachelors and forced bachelors, who were living a life of abnegation in the Ladhak Himalayas, in the call of duty. The Senator’s wife was quite taken aback when she learnt early on in her conversation with us hosts, that women and wives were not a part of our lives during the years that we had spent and would be spending here. It distressed her and she wondered how we managed to live by ourselves, for such long spells, sans the company of women. This was equally true for all our soldiers, about 800, who were a part of the unit. This is generally the condition obtaining in most field areas, where troops are employed and deployed on ground along the vast and diverse land borders, which the country shares with its neighbors. Tenures here on an average are between two to three years and thus bring to bear great emotional, social and psycho somatic stress on all those who serve in these areas. The soldiers are put to great anxiety on account of household problems which are on the increase, keeping in mind the transformation that has besieged Indian society. With nuclear families being a reality and the earlier joint family system more or less defunct, throws up a new challenge for all military leaders, who command troops in these field areas. Moreover, unit and organizational resources and operational responsibilities are stretched to breaking point at places and on occasions, which compound the existing anguish and push it to threshold levels of tolerance. The absence of a family and a woman to give company to and provide comfort, for long periods at such times, is rather agonizing. Therefore, among other reasons that are there, which adversely impact the situation and result in cases of indiscipline, insubordination, fragging and suicides among troops – the absence of a worthy outlet for testosterone causes havoc in the male psyche and evokes inconsistent behavior, resulting in the above stated aberrations.

With the deployment of the Rashtriya Rifles in the Srinagar valley, there has been a visible and incremental trend among soldiers to take the life of their superiors, comrades and self. The trend is disturbing and does not augur well for the Army. Both, the Defense Ministry and the Army Head Quarters are seized of this trend and have charged the Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS) in consultation with the Operational Command ( Northern ), Army Training Command (ARTRAC) and the Directorate General of Military Training ( Dte Gen of MT), to address the matter and find solutions to the problem. While, the Defense Minister answers questions related to this matter on the floor of the House and every time gives an assurance to the concerned members about its being in check, the truth is somewhere in between and the problem continues to remain. I think, we have to look for answers to the problem in the manner we handle and manage “testosterone among our soldiers”, who are deployed in conditions of privation and away from their families.

Indian society continues to remain closed and orthodox in its attitude and approach towards matters, which address sex related issues and have undertones of sexual bias in its content. The thinking within the army is similar and is visibly content to keep the subject under covers, lest it invite public opprobrium and sully the organizational image. The army’s attitude in this regard is equally hypocritical and in keeping with the National view.

Given the reality obtaining within the army, where soldiers are largely deployed in field areas, which does not allow families to live along with, paucity of married accommodation in family stations and the socio economic compulsions or else the prevailing social practice in rural India of leaving one’s spouse with one’s parents, need an examination of the psycho – physical impact of these circumstances upon the soldiers profile. This becomes increasingly relevant in the context of the evident stress related incidents, which have occurred with regularity and statistical significance in the past. While, various reasons have been assigned for these instances none has as yet mentioned sexual deprivation as a possible contributory factor, no matter what its scale.

Sex being a natural, human and primordial urge, is an emotion which is capable of drawing people to great heights of achievement. Therefore, within the boundaries of our social reality and cultural upbringing, we must endeavour to undertake the “testosterone management” of our soldiers. It is well understood and known that, the emotion of sex is a virtue only when used intelligently and with discrimination. When it is misused and often is to such an extent that, it debases instead of enriches both body and mind. As such, the desire of sexual expression, which is inborn, should be given an outlet through acts or impulses, which enrich the body, mind, intellect and spirit. While it may be submerged and controlled for a time, but its very nature causes it to be ever seeking means of expression. Therefore, if it is not transmuted into some creative effort it will find a less worthy outlet.

The means and method of transmuting sexual energy is available in the practice of HathaYoga, Pranayam and Meditation, wherein sublimation is recommended over resistance. With the technique being available to us, we must use it to advantage and optimize the potential of our human resource by educating and training our personnel to practice it.

Can we give it a whole hearted try and see the outcome?.

Brig S D Dangwal

Payback to society, for what it has provided you

CAN THE TWO RAWATS IN UTTARAKHAND MAKE IT HAPPEN

The ex servicemen (esm) of Uttarakhand are a valuable human resource and are spread over the 13 districts of the State. The districts of Dehra Dun, Haridwar, Kotdwar and Haldwani have the largest concentration of this community and are organized into various esm organizations, prominent among which is the Uttarakhand Ex Servicemen League (uesl). The uesl, in its recently held election for the President, unanimously elected Brig (retd) R S Rawat to the office. Rawat, a fourth generation officer of the Garhwal Rifles and the illustrious son of the centenarian Lt Col Inder S Rawat, KC has been involved with uesl  for the past six to seven years and has been tirelessly and selflessly working to alleviate the sufferings and problems which consume veterans. Particularly, in addressing and settling pension related discrepancies of war widows, the old and those who are ignorant of their entitlements. This involves visiting the remote areas in the upper reaches of Garhwal and Kumaon, with farthest first as a working principle, writing to the Adjutant General’s branch in Army HQ, CDA pension in Allahabad, Record offices, Head office of SBI in Mumbai and making many a personal visits to the local branches of SBI; all aimed at resolving discrepancies and discordances. Many have benefited from the effort and many continue to reach out to him for help and support. Notwithstanding this, the devastation that visited Uttarakhand in Jun 2013 struck an empathetic chord in his heart and mind, which became his inspiration to work for the afflicted people of our society. With a view to enter the process of helping out the needy in the second stage of the collective effort to rescue, provide relief, rehabilitate and restore; the uesl launched itself into a fund raising campaign from its own veterans, some corporate houses and NGOs. Which, it did in quick time. But then, aware of the extremely low credibility of the State government apparatus in delivering relief to the needy from funds donated by individuals and institutions / organizations, Brig Rawat decided to transport food and materials through the uesl network. It was a job well done and without any publicity or else making a show for the public to lap up and applaud.

But, then, the uesl must understand that in these times of media dominance and influence in public life, it is equally important for one’s work to be picked up and showcased, essentially to mobilize people’s opinion, which is the sine qua non of work involving social causes that survive on goodwill, fiscal and material contributions. The uesl, which was able to collect about Rs 13 lacs of money and material, both inclusive, spent every single rupee in providing the much wanted aid to the unfortunate people. Therefore, when Brig Rawat in his acceptance speech to the august gathering of veterans, on the occasion of his being unanimously elected as President of uesl, reiterated his commitment to work for society at large, it was heartwarming and welcomed by one and all. However, the uesl must get wizened by its experience of the recent past and while working indefatigably for those who are impacted by the vicissitudes of life and living, not yield its turf to the expedient political leadership of the State and its impudent bureaucracy. Given the presence of the valuable human resource of esm, which abounds in almost all districts, tehsils and villages of Garhwal and Kumaon, it will be in the fitness of things for the uesl to better organize itself in all 13 districts and expand its membership. Thereafter, infuse a greater sense of involvement among the esm and enthuse them to work towards not only its own brotherhood of veterans, but also act as a social watchdog and balm for the pain of the local people. Keeping in mind the geographical, geological and weather conditions obtaining in Uttarakhand, which make it into a highly vulnerable region for natural disasters to occur, the esm can be effectively and intelligently used to further people interests. Having said that, the uesl should work towards preparing a road map for working as an adjunct to the district and local government, in a spirit of stake holder ship with the State government. With a view to integrate the various district organizations of the uesl into the mainstream of public life at local levels, the uesl needs to evolve and work on a business model which will provide an inflow of fiscal support on an annual basis from the State government. This essentially to cater for the remuneration of such esm as are identified and appointed as subordinate Nodal officers, through the various district and uesl HQ. The modalities for selection and the charter of duties for these appointees will be codified and formalized, with a view to assign responsibility and fix accountability. It will be well worth the effort on the part of the uesl to arrange for a meeting with the Chief Minister, Shri Harish Rawat and make a presentation to him about this initiative, which can gainfully utilize the abilities, skills, innate discipline and commitment of the esm, who reside in the State, to work in tandem with the government and thus create a readily available pool of man power, which can support the State effort in times of such crisis, as visited Uttarakhand in Jun 2013.

Brig S D Dangwal 

Clean the System, For Good of Sports in India

A KNOCK OUT PUNCH TO INDIAN BOXING

It was in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games that, India came closest till then, to win a Bronze medal in boxing in the Light Heavy weight category, when Gurcharan Singh of the Indian Army, who in the quarter finals and in the last round was leading his Russian opponent by 1 point, with just about 30 seconds left for the bout to end, but gave away his lead and lost. He was heartbroken as was the Indian contingent and sports lovers back home in India. But, the positive which came from this defeat was the hope, which discarded the thought of sporting performance being majorly dependent on genetic endowment alone and Indians by and large not up to it at the World and Olympics level, in power sports and games. It was in the reality of this national disappointment and pain of winning just one Bronze medal by Karnam Malleswari in women’s weight lifting that, the then Chief of Army Staff, General S Padmanabham, who was pleaded with and goaded by none other than Lt Gen H B Kala, who was then the General Officer Commanding in Chief, Army Training Command with its HQ in Simla, tasked the Army Sports Control Board in the Army HQ to launch Mission Olympics with the aim of winning medals at international levels, including World Championships and the Summer Olympics. The Army true to its character and purpose, within a challenging span of a year and by mid 2002, established the Army Sports Institute at Pune, as also four Nodal Centers of Competitive Sports in the disciplines of Shooting, Sailing, Rowing and Equestrian. Colonel Rajyavardhan Rathore, who was honed as an international Double Trap shooter as part of Mission Olympics, did the country proud by winning an individual Silver medal in his event at Athens in 2004. It was indeed a very long wait of 100 years, since the commencement of the modern Olympics, that an individual Silver medal had been won by an Indian athlete. This validated the belief of Paddy (as the Chief is fondly known in the Army and Hira Kala) in our sportspersons having it in them to make it big, even if it is the Olympics. This achievement was bettered by Abhinav Bindra in the Beijing Olympics, by winning Gold in Air Rifle Shooting and Vijender Singh and Shushil Kumar a Bronze each, for the first time ever in Boxing and only the second time after a more than 60 years wait in Wrestling, respectively. The myth of the Indian sportsmen not having the ability to win individual medals in the Olympics was thus dumped forever and the past forgotten in the emerging horizon of the glorious future, which sports in India was looking at.

The Army, as part of its sporting culture and professional demands of aggressiveness, courage and marksmanship, has a history of exposing its trainees, soldiers and officers to boxing and shooting, not only as mandatory activities but also as part of its recreational physical training. Therefore, the army and the forces have not only contributed sportsmen in handsome measure to these sports, but also provided the management and administrative bulwark for the running of the National Federations, which govern and control these sports. In recent years, Brig Desmond Devine Jones, Capt Adjania and Brig P K Murlidharan Raja had given a vision, solidity and momentum to amateur boxing and all those pugilists who actualized their potential at the Asian, Commonwealth, World and Olympics levels. These aficionados, by their dedication, commitment, diligence and love for the sport had done all the spade work, which today provides the platform for our established and budding pugilists to perform at the apex level of competitive sport. Many army achievers at the Asian, Commonwealth and World level after they hung their gloves took to coaching and training of sub juniors and juniors and eased them into Opens competition. It was a consequence of the tireless efforts and visionary direction given towards developing elite boxing in the past, that in the recently concluded London Games of 2012, India fielded a very rich crop of about 8 boxers in the men’s and the celebrated Mary Kom in the women’s category respectively, in which she won a Bronze medal. The credit for this to a very large extent goes to Brig P K Murlidharan Raja, who like an ant worked for the winter when it was summer and for the summer when it was winter. Single minded devotion for the ten years that, he was the Secretary General of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF). Raja and I served together in the Army HQ for three years and he was like a devil possessed who was bowling from both ends, to borrow from a cricketing analogy, for advancing the standard of Boxing, which was aimed at getting as many qualifiers for the Olympics. His effort did yield the desired results with the unprecedented number of qualifiers in the London Olympics and the first individual Bronze medal in the women’s category.

While Brig Raja’s motivation and inspiration was excellence, the President of the IABF Abhay Chautala, whom he served as his Secretary General, was the chair of the President Indian Olympic Association (IOA). This, after another scamster and self proclaimed sports aficionado Suresh Kalmadi, who as the then reigning President of the IOA, had cooked his chips by being charged with huge corruption in the Delhi Commonwealth Games 2010 and was incarcerated in the Tihar jail. Thus, this was the window of opportunity for Abhay Chautala to give finality to his life’s yearning ambition of becoming the President IOA. Be that as it may, Chautala also wanted to continue calling the shots in the IABF and in an unprecedented move amended the Federation’s Constitution, to have him installed as its Patron and only yielded his vacant slot of President, to his brother in law in a sham process of elections. The rules were brazenly flouted and the minions of the IABF fell in line, to accommodate the diktat and desire of Abhay Chautala. After all, with him certain to become the President IOA, who had the courage or else the stupidity to challenge his writ? But, sadly for Chautala and the good of Indian sport, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) did not play ball with him and arm twisted the IOA to hold fresh elections, precluding tainted and corrupt people from contesting for offices in the IOA. The axe of the IOC fell on Chautala and his election as President IOA was quashed.

By now, the World Body of Boxing, the Amateur International Boxing Federation (AIBF), which was watching all the wrong doings happening in the IABF, took stock of the situation and issued a fiat demanding transparency and equity in the election process of office bearers. It gave a firm and resolute warning to the IABF to amend its Constitution and make it to conform to international best practices, as obtain the world over. When, the IABF hesitated in complying with the AIBA direction, it was threatened with de recognition from the World Body. More feet dragging by IABF, finally resulted in its recent expulsion from AIBA and de recognition. A very sad day for Indian boxing and all those pugilists who were looking forward to a Golden period, wherein their aspirations would fructify into a personal sense of achievement, sporting glory and National pride and honor. The desire to control and manipulate the National Sports Federation turfs, by the likes of Chautala and the disgraced and ousted erstwhile President of IOA, Kalmadi have not only disgraced the country among the brotherhood of World Sports Federations, but also hurt the interests and ambitions of all those sportspersons who train with their sweat and blood for the pursuit of excellence. The politicians and their cronies have done irreparable damage to the management and administration of National Sports Federations, wherein achievers have won despite the System and not because of it. One feels immensely pained and hurt at what Kalmadi and Chautala have done to the untiring efforts of all those sports administrators, trainers, sportspersons,  sports scientists, corporate houses, institutions etc who have continued to chip in with their abilities, organizational capacity, funds, skills and commitment to enhance National pride through sports achievements at the World and Olympics levels.

The AIBA has indeed given a knockout punch to IABF, only because of the greed and avarice of our politicians, who use their position as Heads of various National Sports Federations, to further their self serving interests only and nothing more. While Modi screams and rants from every dais, which he occupies while making his pre election speeches by saying “India First”, Chautala believes in only ‘I first’. I think, with the way things are in the National Sports Federations, eminent sportspersons and genuine sports administrators /managers need to come together and provide a viable option to the expedient shenanigans of the politicians, who have done to sports what they have to the country. The sense is conveyed by a monosyllable and which is ‘Pathetic’.

Brig S D Dangwal                 

Chief Minister, Are You Listening

RESPECT THE CHALLENGE BEFORE OVERCOMING IT

The change in the political leadership in the State on 01 Feb 2014, with the grass roots Congress worker and subsequent leader Harish Rawat, who was rightfully deserving of the position immediately after the Party had gone ‘first past the post’ in the Assembly elections, has rung in frenetic governmental activity comprising essential, much needed and overdue, and some populous schemes aimed at the restoration, growth, development and administrative gingering up of the bureaucracy in Uttarakhand. All of which is welcome and necessary, more so in the wake of the devastation that visited the upper reaches of the hill districts, from which the affected districts are still limping back to normalcy. Rawat, was anointed as the leader of the executive by the Party authorities, primarily to give the requisite impetus and momentum to the snail paced relief and restoration work, that has punctured the Congress image here and is likely to adversely impact its chances of returning the four Members of Parliament that it presently has in the 15^th Lok Sabha. With the reins of the Congress having been handed over to Rahul Gandhi, who as its Vice President and the youthful leader charged to take the Party to electoral victory in the coming General Elections, the challenge is more than Herculean and probably beyond the realm of possibility. But, political astuteness demands putting up a brave front, be imbued with hope and bank on an advantageous cross voting pattern, imposed by the national and regional parties, which are in the electoral fray. In a worst case scenario, should victory not be in sight then the endeavor is to threaten and stop the Modi juggernaut from coming into power and staking claim for the formation of a government in the Centre. When winning is not an option, then be a spoil sport and ruin the other’s chance. The CM is considered to be the best that the Congress has in its fold in Uttarakhand, to deliver on this political strategy. The change of guard, with just three months before the process of going into elections is a calculated and desperate attempt to operationalize this stratagem and win all five Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand.

Harish Rawat, is a long standing politician who has made a niche for himself in the State by the sheer dint of his hard work, Party allegiance and loyalty to the Gandhi family. Therefore, while he has a very appreciable understanding of the social, cultural, geographical, economic and local issues which abound and exist in the 13 districts of Uttarakhand; he also has the administrative acumen to lead his cabinet ministers and the bureaucracy towards meaningful governance. The same cannot be said about his predecessor, who wasted much of the time he had in the interregnum between the devastation in Jun 2013 and up to Jan 2014, to provide the much promised relief, restoration and re building required to bring normalcy to the affected regions. Aware as we are, that the lines of communication as these exist in the hills are solely road bound, therefore their state and condition is imperative for the desired connectivity, which these provide to the people for their sustenance and survival. The roads are the lifeline of the people and their access to food, health, education, agriculture, water, social demands, provisioning etc. Moreover, with religious tourism being a major source of earning and commercial activity of the local people here, they are hugely dependent on the successful conduct of the ‘Yatra Season’. The roads leading to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Hemkund, Gangotri and Yamunotri have all been severely damaged and washed away at places. The bridges, where these were earlier are no more there and the road alignment at places has changed all together. With the timeline for the portals of the Kedarnath temple to open at 6 AM on 04 May 2014 is a huge challenge which the CM faces, to open the road axis for the pilgrims. Similarly, the other shrines are equally affected and access to these is far from ready. Harish Rawat has made the building of those roads and bridges, which serve these shrines as a matter of prestige and honor for his Government, with an eye on the coming elections. He realizes that the political spinoff of this achievement will be huge and will boost his governance ability among his colleagues, as none other. But sadly, what is important for him is also to understand that the mountains have become extremely fragile and any attempt to undertake reconstruction activity, without the use of adequate modern technology, which goes into the making of roads here is pregnant with danger and waste of time, money and effort. Mr Rawat, it will be well worth it “should you first respect the challenge, before you try and overcome it”. It is rather surprising that now the CM has tasked the PWD, DIG Martolia and Col Ajai Kothiyal, Principal NIM, Uttarkashi to work towards this objective. To me it seems a disastrous decision, which will be replete with construction flaws, inconsistencies, leadership failure and foolhardiness to challenge nature and discard commonsense. With the weather being erratic and the ecology being extremely sensitive and delicate, it is any bodies’ guess that what will be constructed and made will be sub standard and vulnerable. The government may have to pay a huge price in their eagerness to push through their ambitious agenda, of challenging nature and its several ramifications in attempting to do something which should not be done at all. The desperation of the CM is evident in the fact that, the PWD has been tasked with the job in the absence of the DGBRO and a police and an army officer from the infantry, have been co opted in a civil engineering specialized road building undertaking, even if as task force commanders. I, wonder if it is the right thing to do in the existing circumstances. Rather, the CM should have the courage to take a political decision in the matter and not rush things up to meet the astrological deadline of making the roads accessible to the pilgrims, when the portals of the various shrines are ordained to open.

Brig S D Dangwal       

THE HAND THAT GIVES

UTTARAKHAND EX SERVICEMAN LEAGUE – A JEWEL IN THE CROWN OF THE STATE

The people of the hill districts of Uttarkashi and Karanprayag who suffered great loss of life, animals and property in the devastating deluge that gripped the geographical territory of these regions, swear by the trust that they have in “the hand that gives” and is officially designated as the Uttarakhand Ex Serviceman League (UESL). The outstanding work done during the crisis by the troops of Garhwal Scouts, 9 Independent Mountain Brigade, 6 Mountain Divison, Uttarakhand Sub Area, Para Military Forces, Central Armed Police, Uttarakhand Police, Indian Air Force and staff of Nehru Institiute of Mountaineering (NIM) Uttarkashi, under the daring and inspiring leadership of its Principal Col Ajay Kothiyal, SC, KC, VSM has been etched into the hearts of the hill folks, who consider them to be their saviors. It was in the aftermath of the rescue operations and in the second phase of the effort of rehabilitation, that the UESL under the stewardship of its core group and the “go ahead” given by its President Lt Gen H B Kala, PVSM, SC, AVSM seized the initiative to reach out to the ill fated people, who were consumed by the unfortunate tragedy and calamity. Driven by an enduring passion to help and provide succor to those members of our society who are distressed by circumstances and natural catastrophe, Brig R S Rawat, VSM and his dedicated band of a handful of officers, mobilized funds and resources through voluntary donations from the Ex Servicemen Community (ESM), Corporate Houses, NGOs, Charitable and Welfare Organizations etc and provided relief material to include composite rations, blankets, lanterns, stoves, water filters, sweaters, balaclava caps, socks, mittens and copies and writing material for students. These stores and materials were transported to the afflicted areas, which had been identified earlier by a network of deputed ESM who live there and distributed through the conduit of the Gram Pradhans and Block Pramukhs. The UESL continues to remain committed to garner more funds through its dedicated fraternity of ESMs and provide more and more relief to those who are in need, in the upper reaches of this Himalayan region.

It was very heartening to notice during the Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) of the UESL held at Regent Hotel on 25^th Feb 2014, the resolve of the House to complement and support all efforts of the State and Central Government machinery, to alleviate the sufferings of the people who constitute the indigenous population of the Hill State. While there is no gainsaying about the Armed Forces being the last bastion of the Nation’s integrity and security, it is a truism that the veterans who abound Uttarakhand and elsewhere are equally up to the challenges which civil society faces, in times of natural disasters and manmade tragedies. This is not done as part of a financial compensation received for any and all services rendered, but instead exclusively done as an intrinsic self less commitment, as a payback to society and its less fortunate people. There is character written all over this dedication, without an ounce of expectation or else reward. Nation building is a process in which the ESM is always willing to contribute and enhance, because of their inherent sense of patriotism, discipline and having a sound mind in a healthy body. It was in such an emotionally elevated and surcharged atmosphere of patriotic fervor, that the House was subsumed by the narration of the scant respect and regard, which the bureaucracy and the political leadership of the State have for the veterans. The hurt and pain which flowed from the voices of many representatives who had come from far and wide in Uttarakhand, was an apt testimony of this sentiment. The Secretary to the Chief Minister (CM) did not do himself proud when he had the impudence to tell the President of the UESL, that he did not have time to arrange for a meeting of the latter with the former. Neither did the previous CM show any sense of punctuality, dignity or courtesy as is his wont, when he arrived 25 minutes late for a Vijay Diwas function, to celebrate the victory of the Indian Armed Forces in the 1971 Indo - Pak War and did not even greet the senior most officer who was present there, the President of UESL, Lt Gen Hira Ballabh Kala (retd), PVSM, SC, AVSM. How sick and pathetic can the bureaucracy and the political leadership of the State get? There were others who expounded on the ongoing controversy regarding the unauthorized sale of army lease land in Pattharchatta Farm, in which the State Government and its executives are in cahoots with the real estate mafia to make a financial kill, aimed at lining their deep pockets from the sale of this swathe of land. The spirit and motivation of those who are in the know of this subterfuge and manipulation and are firm in their stand to prevent the authorities from this willful loot and plunder, are none other than ESM who live there about. It was by and large a very sad commentary which unfolded itself in the House and evoked some very passionate and strong responses. Nonetheless, it goes to the credit of the UESL that, notwithstanding the scurrilous manner in which the bureaucracy and political leadership of the State exposes itself and treats one of its most valued human resource, the ESM that, there was an unanimous consensus on putting our shoulders together and contribute in whatsoever manner we can, to come to the aid of the lackluster political leadership and confused and arrogant bureaucracy, in times of a State crisis. This is what we are and will always be, without pretensions.

It was also heartening to see Brig R S Rawat, VSM the force behind the relief operations to those afflicted in the recent tragedy that visited Uttarakhand, to be unanimously elected as the President of the UESL. It is he who has reiterated that, in the event of something unfortunate happening in the future also, we will not hesitate to seize the initiative and do all that we can to mitigate the sufferings of the people, to which we remain committed. The ESM fraternity does sincerely hope that, with the new Chief Minister in office, who has the reputation of being more rooted in the hill culture of humility and modesty, will give due consideration and just hearing to all such matters as impact and assail its dignity and interests. It is to remind the indifferent political leadership and pompous bureaucracy of Uttarakhand that, when the veterans are not respected and given their just place in society, which they are entitled to, then it is the State that is shamed and insulted and not just it’s ESM. We would definitely not want this to happen and are more than reassured that with Brig R S Rawat, VSM at the helm of the UESL, such a situation will not arise.

Brig S D Dangwal, VSM   

How Should AAP Play It in The Centre

AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME – PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY

The manner and intensity with which the enthusiasm of the youth and others is evident in support of the Arvind Kejriwal lead AAP in the urban and semi urban spread of the country, it is most likely that there will be an extremely fractured mandate given to the national and regional political parties in the coming 2014 General Elections. This, though a welcome indication, of the people of the country having at last found their spine by identifying with the most people friendly and honest political option, which the AAP has given to the near moribund and desperate Indian society, must be understood in the context of ‘ who should form the government in the Centre’? The outcome of the Delhi assembly elections and the formation of the state government with Mr Arvind Kejriwal as its hon’ble chief minister, has become the driver of the national upsurge of support for and identifying with the ideals and philosophy of an anti corruption AAP, in an enduring spirit of participatory democracy. This people’s wave and political movement in support of AAP, which could definitively impact the outcome in the share of seats in the Lok Sabha, which the two major national political parties will get, will pose a problem for the BJP and its allies in the NDA to form the government, with Narendra Modi as its Prime Minister. It is very unlikely that the BJP and its pre poll allies will be in a position to make a claim for the formation of a stable government, even while they may emerge as the largest alliance. There is a likelihood of a déjà vu at the Centre, as it happened in Delhi in the assembly elections, where BJP despite being the single largest party was unable to get a simple majority and prevent Arvind from becoming the chief minister.

In the event of this most expected likelihood in the outcome of results of the General Elections, which could force another election on the country, it will be in the best interests of all stakeholders that AAP extend support to the NDA, from within or without. The choice of this could well be left to the situation as it stands real time, then. The presence of elected AAP members who could well be first time parliamentarians in the Lok Sabha, will not only bring in fresh faces but a vibrancy that rejoices in the splendor of probity and an endearing spirit of selflessness and servant hood. This attitude will emphatically rub off on others in the treasury and opposition benches of the House, who are cynical about honesty and simplicity in public life and will therefore usher in a much awaited change, whose time has come. Given Mr Narendra Modi’s credentials and experience in governance as also his ability to establish a connect with the masses, who are influenced by his rhetorical oratory and loaded innuendos on the ruling government and its ministers including the Prime Minister, is a Hobson’s choice which must get exercised. It is too early for the AAP to be burdened with the onus of forming the government in the Centre, consequent to the 2014 elections. The opportunity should instead be used by the AAP parliamentarians to evolve and learn the nuances and the nuts and bolts of governance from the council of ministers and the craft and wiles of Mr Narendra Modi. This learning curve would stand the AAP members in good stead in the years to come and for the coming elections. Moreover, the seats which are won by the AAP candidates will engender the performance and chances of the party in the state elections, as and when and where these are held in the coming years. The Lok Sabha elections should be used by AAP not only for ushering in a climate of probity in governance but also to enhance their chances of forming

governments in those states where elections are due. It is the credibility of AAP and its acceptability across the length and breadth of the country, which will get substantially influenced and impacted by the outcome of the results of the Lok Sabha elections.

With the governments in the states being from political parties other than AAP, with the exception of Delhi, the thumb rule for the prospective candidates who contest the elections for the Lok Sabha should be to trumpet the ‘mantra’ of cleaning the system of the virus and cancer of corruption in most walks of public life in their respective constituencies. This is the most cogent and desirable slogan pronounced with conviction and sincerity, which the people are waiting to hear from their representatives. This is not the time to factor in local issues in their pronouncements and speeches, because these are actually quite beyond their control and ambit in a substantial manner, given the presence of existing legislators not willing to yield their turf to anyone. Any sign or show of exaggerated enthusiasm to address local issues and make a promise to resolve these, which essentially are not within their charge, will tantamount to making false and motivated claims, that when not delivered as promised will snowball into distrust and a loss of faith and be detrimental to the interests of AAP. The AAP candidates must maintain their exclusivity to address the issue of corruption as it obtains within the tiers of both the polity and the bureaucracy, in their respective parliamentary constituency. Because, it is the virus of corruption, which has essentially derailed the system of governance in most walks of public life and is the biggest affliction that irks, frustrates, angers and disgusts the people.

With a view to put a premium on our National interests, it will be best for AAP to support the NDA in the formation of a government at the Centre and use this opportunity to not only rein in corruption but also make its views, opinions and statements in stopping of Corporate Funding to  Political Parties, the Economic Development and Agricultural Growth of the Country, Investing in Infrastructure Development, Water Management, Energy Security, Poverty- Human Deprivation and its Alleviation, Fighting Terrorism, National Security, Centre – State Relations, Relations with Neighboring Countries etc. India is poised at the intersection of hope and despair, which participatory democracy and a tight leash on rampant corruption can slowly transform into a situation, which actualizes its potential and capacity.

Brig S D Dangwal