IT Has Not Benefited People

Muslim Murasu, July 2012

Information Technology revolution has gained traction in India since past ten years. Skyscrapers, air-conditioned campuses, slick employees, western looks and attires, these have been taking the nation forward. People involved in IT sector are isolated as those advanced at social level. IT corridors have become popular as islands of growth in cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai.

IT has not given any small improvement in day to day lives of Tamil people. There is no way to know availability of next bus. City is spread over 150 km. Traffic jams, accidents, people stranded on the roads are not taken care. IT has not solved any problem of the land or issue in Mohalla.

IT experts have developed as labor force for foreign countries. Such elites don’t help villages. IT development has narrowed down to benefit a select class in the society. A citizen applying for ration card has to struggle for months together. Relief is not granted in 10 minutes. There are no answers or actions for name missing, address change or procuring income certificate. IT department is teetering without strength in social sector. IT has not met expectations of seven crore Tamil population. There are no portals for consumers to know about water quantity in the city, distribution, breaks or leaks in pipes, mixing, repair, liters of water distributed daily. IT caters to the demands of those who are well advanced in life. IT professionals are toiling day and night for mammoth profits of multinational behemoths.

IT use for the people should be exposed. Social intellectuals should take this seriously. Modern looters are plundering in the garb of IT. Tax money of public is wasted. IT professionals are growing into a isolated caste, separate group, in Tamil society. IT sector is silently, strongly and resolutely ravaging the noble culture, ethos, heritage and traditions of Tamil society.

Farsightedness Of The State Government

Muslim Murasu, April 2012

Tamil Muslims laid foundation sixty years back for the commercial developments in Hongkong, Malaysia, Singapore and Burma. There is no land on earth that Muslims from Ramanathapuram and Tirunelveli have not visited. A disposition towards trade, global travels, privatization and modernization are hardwired into the blood of Tamil Muslims. Tamilians can rightly feel proud of transforming Arab deserts into world-class cities over the past 40 years. Privitization introduced by Honorable Prime Minister Narasimha Rao is now being vigorously pursued in Tamilnadu. 15 lakh crore rupees plan unveiled by Tamilnadu Chief Minister deserves welcome. The role, domination and involvement of government is receding day by day. Government will henceforth function as facilitator. A government reeling under a loan of one and half lakh crore rupees cannot be strong. Foreign investments and multinational behemoths will hereafter decide directions and lead the way.
Tamil Muslims have trade astuteness. Privitization is desirable. They can generously and liberally participate in the growth planned for the next 11 years. Long gone are the days when India mortgaged its gold reserves in offshore banks. Economy, commerce, exports, imports, media and IT have thrown global doors wide open. Tamilians can not anymore march independently. Entry and mercy of foreign capitalists cannot be avoided. It is in the best interests of Tamil Muslims to grasp the coming times. There is no principle difference between ruling and opposition parties in Tamilnadu. Whoever rules, globalization is the rule. Political parties are in bitter competition to attract foreign investments. Tamil Muslim traders should identify themselves as small, medium-level or large contractors and establish good relation with the government. Associations bringing together various enterprises shall be established urgently. Muslims are well acquainted to hundreds of years of global merchandise experiences. Today, an opportunity greets them in their own land. Intellectuals, activists, religious scholars, media experts and leaders should constructively goad them to take advantage. Seminars and workshops shall be organized at district and region levels to show proper guidance and clarity. They can join hands to the far sightedness of the state government. Otherwise, community will be crippled for hundred years; haplessness will rule the roost and there will be no way for prosperity.

Concealing Poverty

Baba Ramdev interview on TV
Excerpt published in Muslim Murasu, March 2012

Swamijis are grave threat to politics. Imaginations are set on fire likening them to extremists and terrorists. Qualities of saints are in the open for 120 crore Indians to scrutinize. Service and betrayals will be discussed by the public. Those who taint saints are easily able to take photographs in closeness with chief ministers. Medias release photographs. Politicians who are aloof from the public become desperate. People do not abandon Swamijis.
Black money is in the mix in medicine industry, narcotic sales, election extravaganzas and real estate transactions. Politicians can expose black money. Those who pulverized politics fear saints. They are categorizing saints as those who are cloistered in maths and those who venture out, collect people and expose abominable scandals in the country. There is no question of closeness or relations for saints. Citizens of India are struggling for their life. We have to guard both Yoga Dharma and social Dharma. “Do yoga. Do not interfere in politics”. This is the warning issued. A complete conspiracy is hatched. Let us face the facts.
All political parties accept in principle to bring back black money stashed abroad. Wealth details of bureaucrats, higher rung politicians and dominating businessmen should be revealed. People sitting in power are maintaining abject silence. There is not a single action. Wealth details of Qaddafi were not known until he was in power. His gold and silver reserves were exposed once he was expelled from power. Property of one Qaddafi was mind boggling. There are thousand Qaddafis hidden in India.
No one has to apologize to me. Saints have renounced everything. They don’t harbor fear or favor for anyone. They will forgive mistakes and excesses of everyone. No one has to fall in the feet of Swamiji. Police force was unleashed on those protesting against black money at Ramlila ground. They sinned. Truth cannot be kept in the darkness for long. Politicians, rulers are afraid of truth, reality. They are in mortal fear and distress. Ruling structure is covering the poverty in the nation with veil.

National Parties And Betrayals

Muslim Murasu, February 2012

Positions taken by regional parties are mostly with narrow vision. Leadership ends within a small landscape. Broad outlook and vision are not expected. Nature and dimensions of problems and their solutions vary between a population of 7 crore and a population of 120 crore.
The regional parties that march to parliament richly reap harvest from power centers in Delhi. Once the opportunity for parliament seat or central ministry dwindles, the same regional party seeks to lead people to confusion and offers all bad guidance. Solutions to problems are not going to pop out from inter-state clashes. People will alienate and stay aloof. Those residing in the state borders will be troubled.
Politicians who have lost elections and have been fled away by people and reduced to live their lives within state or district limits, are continuously on the lookout for new issues. They incite innocent people. Transportation is hindered. Bandhs and strikes are childish. This will aggravate poverty; pull down national income and per-capita income. Journalists who are prowling for news exaggerate immeasurably even minor incidents. Tamil people forget these developments within few weeks or months. Then politicians set their eyes on a fresh issue. Another three months of public gatherings, strikes, entertainment, collection, tours and theatrics.
No problem is conclusively solved. Permanent solutions are not in sight. High courts and Supreme Court overreaches into administrative limits. Stay orders and solutions offered do not bring back peace. Issues are put in back-burner.
These days when globalization is inexorably penetrating deep, it is essential to have water treated and recycled. Rains falling on the state should be adequately retained. Rainwater harvesting should be effectively implemented. Drip irrigation and dry land irrigation can be beneficial. River water sharing has been causing conflicts between various countries in the world. Water sharing between states is distorting and threatening national outlook. National parties have not offered appropriate guidance. They are adding fuel to fire. Big parties can act with courage and bring an end to river sharing problem.

Black Money And Inflation

Muslim Murasu, January 2012

Reserve Bank of India manages currency note printing. On an average, a currency note changes 50 hands before becoming unusable. Currency worth of ten lakh crore rupees is in circulation in India. National growth is 60 lakh crore rupees. People do not carry currency all the time in their hands and pockets. Two lakh crore rupees of currency notes is adequate.
There is no way 50 times 10 lakh crore rupees will be used. Black money use internally in India is around 150 lakh crore rupees. Money stashed abroad is 400 lakh crore rupees. Rampant hoarding of money started since 1990. Indian names have been recovered from Swiss banks. Politicians, higher officials and large entrepreneurs have been in this habit.
Baba Ramdev suggests that denominations of 500 rupees and 1000 rupees should be pronounced void. This will bring out white money and black money will go down the trash.
Money locked in vaults is not going to benefit anyone. Strong steps are needed to control this. Money movement of those having accounts with foreign banks should be brought under radar. There are no relatives abroad nor is there any foreign business; but the folks continuing to do foreign transactions are puzzling.
Banking contacts with countries that function as tax havens should be completely severed. Black money sharks should be awarded death sentence. Indian money stashed abroad should be declared as national property. Investments from Mauritius should be probed.
Price hikes are reflection of hoarding. There is constant manufacturing going on and 120 crore Indians are continuously toiling. But prices are spiraling up without any stop. Those who do not pay taxes properly should be eliminated from public life. Otherwise, inflation won’t reduce.
Hostile news is always on air about neighboring countries of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and China. But there is no hatred towards nations hosting black money banks that cripple Indian economy. Hypocrisy of our patriots becomes evident. Indian mentality to pose faith in foreign banks should be analyzed. Indian loyalty and foreign loyalty should be defined and discussed. Fear and hatred psychosis towards Indian banks and love and faith for foreign banks should be brought to light. There is no other way to rein in inflation.

Fifty Thousand Rupees Per Month

Muslim Murasu, January 2012

Inflation has not come under control with the change in the government. Monthly income of fifty thousand rupees can help manage inflation.
Protest, agitation, marches, strikes, meetings, gatherings, condemnation, point to weakness. Political parties do not have any useful suggestion to offer. Politician enjoying the comfort of AC car, bungalow, air journeys, foreign contacts, dominance of offspring and security setup seek every avenue to divert the issues. Babri Masjid demolition, Cauvery water problem, shouts for Yalpanam, Pakistan threat, flash bombings, onion price rise, Bofors scam, coffin scandal, Swiss bank accounts, black money drama, these are some of handy headlines. Magic phrases are used to mislead people. Politicians secure their families with colossal money and go to people only to leave them confused. Sabotaging relationship with adjacent states and fostering trouble with neighboring countries are part of the scheme. The elan with which politicians condemn America while maintaining frequent visits to the same country cannot be given a fitting sketch.
Muslims in Tamilnadu are battered and bruised by this spiraling price rises. They should not fall prey to diversionary tactics. Politicians raise slogans to amass more and more wealth.
Koodankulam, Mullai Periyar, Walmart, the list continues. Retail business revenue is 20 lakh crore rupees. Even if one-fourth tax were paid, it would have been 5 lakh crores. Poverty can be completely eradicated in India.
Muslims should not pay heed to protests and agitations. Anti-government stand is perilous. New and successive governments repeating the same follies with dexterity is what we have been seeing and got used to in the past 65 years. Police, court and prison operate under the aegis of government. Officers pledge unswerving allegiance to government. Muslims can avoid damage by supporting government. There is no point in opposing government. Only malafide cases can be the prize. Primary objective today is 50000 per month. Let us find ways to improve family income. We can support only the organizations, movements and leadership that take us in this direction. Let us stay away from diversionary dramas.

Training Brings Value

Muslim Murasu, August 2011
Economist Dr. Amir Ullah Khan speech at lamakaan, Hyderabad

This will be a free-wheeling discussion instead of a lecture. I am 44. If you interfere me appropriately, I will understand your expectations. State of Indian economy is the topic. When asked about the most pressing problem that India is facing, you listed corruption, education, leadership etc. During my childhood days population was considered the biggest challenge. Population was a problem 20 years back, but no more. 120 crore population looks OK. Population growth has come under control. Average family size in 1991 was 7.1. Today it is 3.3, and it will be 2.3 in near future. Two births and two deaths will balance out. Population will become stagnant. Population will become 135 crore by the end of this decade and become stable there.
This is a young population. Growth has proved to be the best contraception. While many family planning schemes failed, growth has finally reined in the population growth. Indian Prime Minister declared in Parliament in 2006 that population is our greatest strength and asset.
Let me take you back 60 years. Between 1950 and 1980, GDP growth was constant at 3.5% and this was called Hindu rate of growth. But population growth was 2.5% and because of this growth did not reach people. A poor country will have to grow much faster. Japan can afford to have GDP growth of 1%, France can have just 1.5%. It is sufficient for them. But 7.5% growth is inadequate for India. Because our base is poor. GDP, which is calculated based on some ten thousand factors, miraculously did not change in fifties, sixties and seventies. As they say, this can happen only in India.
In 1981, population growth dropped to 1.9% and GDP growth shot up to 5%. In 1990, it further went up to 6.5% while population growth dropped further to 1.7%. Today GDP growth is 7.5% and population growth is 1.6%. This is double whammy.
Sikhs were portrayed as terrorists in the eighties.Punjab, which was the most industrialized state in India, was on fire. One cannot walk in Ludhiana after 4 in the evening. Even New Delhi was not a good place to live. Patiala was nearly dead. Ironically Punjab problem came to an end with the death of Indira Gandhi; a very cruel coincidence. Rajiv Gandhi became young Prime Mister with new ideas. Growth was good. But financial discipline was terrible. When Punjab problem was ended, Srilanka, Tamil issue and Kashmir unrest started. A small motley group ruled India during 1989-91. Many won’t even remember those party names. It was confused, unstable politics. They were confused between Mandal commission and economic reforms. Then Narasimha Rao became Prime Minister with wafer-thin majority after buying some small parties in Jharkhand. But he bravely implemented drastic reforms that previous majority governments shied away from. There was sea change in foreign investment and internal banking system. The same period 1992-93 that saw economic reforms, also witnessed Babri masjid demolition and Bombay riots. Then came Devgowda, Gujral, 13 days Vajpayee and 6 years Vajpayee. We did nuclear test emphatically, for which the world has not yet forgiven us. Those were the two years when GDP growth went down.
In past 30 years, government has changed seven times. GDP remained unimpaired by these shifts. It continually grew. Growth remained intact despite famines, earthquakes, war situation, floods, government instability.
When Japan grows, growth is reflected in everything and in every dimension. This happened in India only during Mughal period. There was all-round growth, in arts, economy, army, security and culture. Today’s growth is not similar. Politics is not promising.
Today we are witnessing female foeticide. This has increased in urbanised areas. South Delhi is the worst accused of all 618 districts. Female foeticide is less in tribal districts, but more in urbanised areas.
Average Indian age is 24. This is a young nation. 65% population is less than 35. Japan, England and America went past this same stage in the past. Young population is important not because they will produce more, but they will consume more. So a young country won’t hesitate to spend. I finished B.E in 1987. Two companies BHEL and ECIL used to come for campus recruitments. Monthly salary was 1200 rupees. Only five students will be recruited. I joined BHEL. I proudly told my friends that I will buy a scooter before 1995. Scooter costed 9000 rupees. My friends told me not to be arrogant. But today I see youngsters buying cars and flats. I feel happy. Young population brings benefit to the nation.
But this is a fragile population. Recently I read small a news about inauguration of National Academy of Construction here near Charminar. This is stupendous development. This will yield good quality plumbers, carpenters and electricians. Training and certification can increase wage by 300%. Skilled workforce is scarce in India. Uncertified, untrained labourers are not reliable. Certification is a sure shot way for poverty alleviation. Youth population that is untrained holds no promise for future. There won’t be growth.
In 2000, 50% did not go to school. Of the 50% enrolled in schools, 74% were absentees. Because teachers were regularly absent. In 2010, 97% children have been enrolled in schools. This is a huge development. Work from developed countries was outsourced to India. Now some small countries depend on India’s help. Salary hike has been 14% continually for the past 9 years. This is the highest in the world. It took 18 years to double the salary in 1960s. Now it takes just six years. Hereafter quality should take precedence in lieu of labor arbitrage. Of the 60 crore working employees in India, only 22 lakh work in IT industry. But IT contributes to 9% of services sector. Even though workforce is less, its contribution to exports and services is huge. IT contributes to 26% in exports growth.
Quality has to be improved in education. An average sixth standard student struggles to read second standard textbooks.
Tuberculosis medicine costs just 6 dollars, 300 rupees. Yet one crore people die because of this disease. Only 3.5% of GDP is allotted for healthcare. When we go out just 5 k.m out of the city, stark malnutrition cases are visible aplenty. Protein deficiency is acute. Inflation has been continually rising in the past two years. Of all the vegetables consumed, 72% is of potatoes and onions. Onion has become center of politics. Inflation results in malnutrition.
An engineering graduate can work anywhere in India. But a farmer cannot sell his produce anywhere in India. There is liquor prohibition in Gujarat. This only benefits cops. When I was undergoing training there, liquor used to be sold in police stations.
Grain production in India is 220 million tonnes. 190 MT is sufficient for all Indians to eat joyfully. But 50 million tonne is wasted in storage and logistics. This results in scarcity of 30 MT. A person brings his produce from village to the market. When he started in his village, rates were different. Market rates are different. He ends up dumping his produce in the wayside out of sheer frustration and returns home. A farm produce changes 14 hands before it reaches final consumer. Some Indian barons are creating obstacles for the entry of investments like Walmart in retail industry. In 1961, farming gave employment to 79% and it contributed to 60% of GDP. Now 60% workforce in farming contribute to only 14% of GDP. India is fourth largest economic force in the world. We will overtake Japan quite soon. Yet we are home to 30 crore poor people. Growth is there, but distribution is missing. Is growth important or inclusive growth important? If we target inclusive growth, there will neither be inclusion nor will there be growth. This is my opinion. America is the most unequal nation in the world. Indian economy is 1.7 trillion dollar. Black economy will be half of this. Highest foreign investment to India comes from Mauritius. Indian money is re-entering India. Only 1.5% people pay income tax. 94% belong to unorganised sector. Income tax collection has increased 65% y-o-y continually for the past 14 years. Customs and Excise collection also has increased. But direct tax increase is good. Northern states are witnessing growth.

The Lost World Leadership

Muslim Murasu, May 2011

Both Hindus and Buddhists believe in karma and rebirth. They do not harbor intense commercial inclinations or unbridled profit orientation. Americans believe in market economy. In 1970s a study was instituted to analyze Japan’s rise that concerned the western countries. Economic development, commercial dominance and technology were in focus. Till 1750, Europe was a group of poor countries. Asia commanded two third of global production and India commanded one fourth of global production. Europe was shocked by the study results. Till 14th century India was the leading producer in the world. In 15th century, China pipped India and took the first position. In 1600 India regained the top position. Till 1820 India was ahead of all European countries including England. India’s growth was stupendous. In 1820 India’s share of world GDP was 18%. It came down to just 2.5% in 1900. Indian civilization crashed within a century.
We have to be taught about ourselves. India was looted till 1940 and afterward India was looted by socialist system. Globalized unbridled economic loot started from 1990. Two thirds of the wealth looted from India was after globalization of 1990. Tax rate was 97.5%. People started to take the money outside. Till now Indian money continues to go to foreign shores. Corruption, bribery, crime and hoarding reached a peak. 300 billion dollar, 15 lakh crore rupees, went abroad. Efforts to bring them back failed. Black money found safe havens in western countries. Western country do not practice saving. Innocent young girls are giving birth to babies. Many do not know their father. 51% of the families are single-parent families. Parent does not feel any responsibility; immoral and illegal abortions. Between 1976 and 2009, America imported goods to the extent of 8.5 trillion dollar more than its exports. That increased its debt. America is borrowing at a rate of 12000 crores everyday. Asia offered its funds. Of the world’s total savings, Asia accounts for 75%. America completely hogs this. America survives on the savings from Asian countries. Its economy is in very poor condition.
Today the nation is in need of a spiritually strong leadership. Clean leadership will attract clean people.
S.Gurumurth’s speech in two-day seminar titled ‘Transparency and Accountability in Governance – International experience’ contains lot of historical facts. Event organizer Vivekananda International Foundation, and Astha television that telecast this program deserve due appreciation.
It is frustrating to see nation’s wealth and economy being looted without any limits by western countries. Magazines, TV channels, institutions and lifestyles that infuse western thoughts and ideas should be rejected. Those who work and serve in India after completing their education should be honored. Bureaucrats, ministers and politicians shall cancel foreign visits at least for six months. Those seeking relationship with India are most welcome to come to Delhi and enjoy intimacy. Video conferencing will be beneficial. This is the first step to curb foreign yearnings and servility.
It is a cruel mentality to divide and differentiate Indians based on their religion. First and foremost, intellectuals should learn and practice to believe fellow citizens. India and Indian people are not two different things. This is the way to rise again.