Drought of confidence
July 22nd, 2008 | by Vijayaraghav | Drought of confidence Last year monsoon was playing havoc. I used to stand at my sliding window looking at the wet road and the gloomy atmosphere to have a feel of nostalgia. Propelling a nostalgic feel during the onset of monsoon is so dear to me because such moments carry more value to transcend my world of dreams. My thoughts are reeling under the labyrinth of past which I cannot recreate to give solace to my burning desires, but once you think about the current monsoon which is playing truant during the last four weeks, I get a feeling of drought in my imaginative mind. Last Sunday when I was going through the DNA my eyes got stuck to the front page Sunday recipe (today’s journalism is like involving in an experiment to cook a recipe by mismatching the ingredients) titled as “On farmers; a fight for survival”. Irrigation minister Ajit Pawar’s statement was prominent in that report he said that “There is worst news. Most dams in marathwada and vidharbha have gone dry. We have told district authorities that water in dams should be used only for drinking, not for irrigation” See how sensitive and concerned he is! Here comes a report about Rahul Gandhi on a whirl wind tour of Vidharbha. Nowadays he is on an apprenticeship to become the next prime minister of India. When he asked the villagers about their dreams he got puzzled with the answers. The poor young generation is seeing a dream of becoming doctors and engineers. After passing through the villages like Bothbodan in Yavatmal where 18 farmers have committed suicide in a span of three years, Dhemni Pradhi-beda, the village that won a government award for cleanliness and Jalka in Malegaon, he realized the naked truth but resorted into the usual political sense by saying that “I do not like the idea that one should not see big dreams. One must dream big and stand up to realize them. Difficult times come, but they have to be overcome together”.He was discussing philosophy by glancing through the drought affected paddy fields without any scare. I turned over the pages and reached to the interview of Dr M S Swaminathan and thought he speaks sense. In his view drought is bigger than the nuclear deal. He further says that one lesson we should learn is that crisis is an opportunity to overcome a problem. The break in the current monsoon has caused drought in several states. Deterrence against drought is more important than the nuclear treaty. Sadly in our country we are reactive and not pro-active. The problem is that in most situations we begin with a panic reaction. In 1972-74, when there was drought in Maharashtra we had recommended that the government needs to develop ground water sanctuaries. Today, 24 years later, we face a similar situation and the government has still not developed these sanctuaries’. All you have to do is identify ground water areas and reserve them – they are opened only at times of drought. See how practical he is! Today when I was watching the shameless scenes on idiot box in connection with the vote of confidence marred by unseemly scenes over allegations of bribery in the Lok Sabha, I couldn’t recognize as to whether the expression in the face of Manmohan Singh was a heartwarming smile or a trick to hide the shameless scenes. Though UPA won the vote of confidence by a comfortable margin, I feel they failed miserably in governing the country.
The farmers of Vidharbha will suffer as expected. They are not bothered about vote of confidence; they are bothered about the basic things like food, water and shelter. What is most challenging for a people’s government is to understand the nature of the problems and find effective policies to deal with the consequences.
29 Responses to “Drought of confidence”
By ClickVista on Jul 23, 2008 | Reply
I totally agreed with you that " What is most challenging for a people’s government is to understand the nature of the problems and find effective policies to deal with the consequences. ". very good resources and very informative blog…
By Iyer56 on Jul 23, 2008 | Reply
If and only if we had the people s govt,we could dream of a govt that could really take to heart the problems of the commoners and solve their mystery.We only have Govts that are formed with the intent of keeping others out,and when such arrangements fail
By Anjali on Jul 23, 2008 | Reply
u have hit a bull’s eye
By Muktadhara on Jul 23, 2008 | Reply
truly …our MPs are busy with the nuke deal ,overcoming issues like floods and drought . a villager in west bengal who has lost his house to the devouring flood was asked whther they are receiving any help from the govt ,answered that how can they get he
By Vida Writer on Jul 23, 2008 | Reply
Democracy dressed up in a clown’s attire and made to flaunt. India, is a nation of clowns \
By Nishu's on Jul 23, 2008 | Reply
It’s not raining in Mumbai…I hope it rains..properly here….
By Sundari on Jul 23, 2008 | Reply
we can make out it is framing and that is y we saw manmohan blank one thing is for sure the politicians are behaving like crabs only for power and made a joke of themselves in the world view only trying to slander each other and have a long way to grow u
By Shampa 2007 on Jul 23, 2008 | Reply
very good post…….
By Aleen Dyan on Jul 24, 2008 | Reply
Govts may come and Govts may go but the situation remains the same….when there is a rebllion they say its extrimism…..a neta in making…. glorify his findings…..not to help the situation but ofcourse to mark himself…..and this is our own choosen
By Iona Lazar on Jul 24, 2008 | Reply
All this things are a little bit too complicated for me…
By Anonymous on Jul 24, 2008 | Reply
Read my views about political happening of the country.
Satnam Waheguru.
By * G U R U on Jul 24, 2008 | Reply
Yes i do support your view….the picture is wonderful saying many things in it…thanks
By Saju Thomas on Jul 24, 2008 | Reply
great thoughts..But we as indians are doing again the same thing …critizising the government’s. We dont get tired of this.if rains are less what can the governments do , i think all the state governments were crying to do "Rain water Harvesting &qu
By Idle Mind on Jul 24, 2008 | Reply
I am not too sure if the PM is the same old economist we were so comfortable with. Vices of politics has gripped him as well. A well-defined post.
By Madhu Vamsi on Jul 25, 2008 | Reply
Farmer needs lot of support not only from govt but from rich people as well i feel. Interesting points mentioned by you…Thanks for sharing
By Prasanna on Jul 25, 2008 | Reply
Hi,
You are right…………..
the People, who were responsible for the welfare of the public at large, did nothing but filled up their pockets. Hefty bank balances, latest cars, flats/apartments/houses in posh areas of the metropolitan. cities, travel
By Vio Sno on Jul 25, 2008 | Reply
Dr M S Swaminathan’s is right."drought is bigger than the nuclear deal".The farmers of Vidharbha have a heck a lot to worry about let alone the vote of confidence. Very true.
By . Miranda on Jul 25, 2008 | Reply
Your point of view is very interesting….and so true…thanks dear Vijay…
By Rajiv S. on Jul 25, 2008 | Reply
I foresee deterioration more in the future, and these problems will continue to live with us…..What has been described and said by Dr M S Swaminathan’s is truly the fact but what was important in the Parliament was, a true witness to what pitiable state
By Abhinav on Jul 26, 2008 | Reply
The situation is really pathetic. I saw an interview on TV about how moneylenders exploit the farmers and the Police and the govt employees have a deal with the rich moneylenders. This causes the farmers to sucide. But our politicians are stressing on opo
By Sandy . on Jul 26, 2008 | Reply
I fully agree with Dr. Swaminathan. Thanx for sharing such an important issue so nicely, covering all aspects.
By Sonia Sonia on Jul 26, 2008 | Reply
Life is a constant struggle for small scale and landless farmers. Rains are often unpredictable and most areas are rain dependent unfortunately. disaster management in our country is still a new concept and a much required skill. Nice read.Tc.
By Nishu's on Jul 26, 2008 | Reply
Hello….Visit my new post…you will see me with my sister…in my new post…..
By subra on Jul 26, 2008 | Reply
well said! aam aadmi is not bothered about whether UPA won the confidence vote or not. sawaal roti, kapda, makaan ka hai.
By Santosh n on Jul 26, 2008 | Reply
I cannot agree with you more. Loan waiver is not a solution to the farmers problems, it just delays the impact of the problem. We think of short terms solutions ’cause the larger interest is elsewhere. Regds,
By Vijayaraghav on Jul 26, 2008 | Reply
To Santosh:
I am not discussing about Loan waiver, I am discussing about a practical approach to come out of the drought situation. Government has to find more effective policies keeping in mind a long term interest to deal with the situation rather tha
By Rakhi on Jul 26, 2008 | Reply
one thing which always makes me puzzled is the continuous gap between the stratas in society.and how the "represented" India is getting disconnected with the majority,still in village and farming is the employment.parliamentarians can go on play
By Umbrella on Jul 26, 2008 | Reply
I agree with u Vijay. Drought and inflation are having our nation in a strangle hold and our politicians r playing with heavy bucks. Rahul is a good for nothing rich man..that’s all. I hope ppl wont make another big mistake by electing him.Sorry for my be
By Ansyton on Jul 27, 2008 | Reply
Your anxiety is reasonable and issue presented well.. You could have proposed a remedy also. Preserving Rain water by constructing Dam or any other method is the only remedy .You see the protest on Narmada valley project, Here we people will not allow gov