Sunday, December 25, 2011

A Strong Lokpal Bill


Dear Manmohanji,

We need a strong anti-corruption bill with an investigating and prosecuting arm that cannot be influenced by politicians, fellow bureaucrats and vested interested parties. Stiff punishment should be meted out swiftly. We are relying on you to make this happen. May you have the power and influence to put India on the right track.

Seasons Greetings,



Saturday, June 25, 2011

Jan Lokpal Bill

Dear Prime Minister,


We stand with Anna Hazare. We call on you to endorse the Jan Lokpal bill and act urgently to implement effective measures to tackle corruption. We want a new era of corruption-free politics in our country.


Patriotically Yours,

Sunday, May 15, 2011

US Quandary over relationship with Pakistan


Dear Manmohanji,

The US is in a quandary over its relationship with Pakistan. The Left has been decimated. This is an opportune time to invite the US to establish bases in Kashmir, near the POK border and Ladakh near the China border. This would send a strong signal to Pakistan, it would ruffle China's feathers, the US will have an on the ground assessment of the situation in Kashmir and the China border, it will have a deterrent effect on the possibility of any wars with Pakistan and finally, it will be an economic benefit to Kashmir and Ladakh.

Sincerely,

Unnecessary Chest Thumping by Media Talking Heads


Dear Manmohanji,

All this talk of we can do what the US did in hunting down Bin Laden is just silly chest thumping. The US could get away with it because they are far away. If India conducted an overt operation like this the repercussions would be unpredictable. If at all India is compelled to do a surgical strike, it has to be done Quickly, Quietly and in Stealth mode. Satellite monitoring and Drones are probably the best options to target terrorist training camps.

Sincerely,

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

India-Kazakhstan Agreement

Dear Manmohanji,

Congratulations on signing an agreement with Kazakhstan. This is historic and the benefit to India will be significant.

Regards,

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Why this hu(e) and cry over stapled visas?

Dear Prime Minister Manmohanji,

Why are we making such a big deal about "stapled visas"? What does it matter if the Visa is stapled in one's passport or one's forehead? What is important is an entry in the Indian National's passport that the person visited China and returned. Both these events can be recorded by Indian Immigration Authorities.

The Chinese in some respects act like 5yr old bullies and have to be responded to with that in mind. Maybe an appropriate response is to issue stapled visas to all Chinese Nationals who visit India.

The real issue is that of sovereignty over areas belonging to India claimed by China. That has to be firmly stated and maintained by India.

Regards,

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Thank You for issuing the Notification

Dear Respected Manmohanji,

The people have given you a mandate and you now have the "Political Capital" to institute the necessary changes via an effective Lokpal Bill. Anna Hazare is a worthy adversarial partner who has given you this gift to set India on the right path. It is time for politicians ruling, in the opposition and sitting on the bench, to put Country and Citizens before Party and Politics.

People like Advani and the Press don't understand that when you mentioned that you are helpless, it is because of the lack of laws and governance that has allowed corruption to rise to unprecedented heights. Any PM would be shackled by vested interests. What they don't realize is it takes personal integrity to push this bill. The time is now and we will work feverishly to vote out every single politician who opposes the bill in the 2014 election.

I may be naive, but it seems we need to focus on two things:

1. The Lokpal does not have any jurisdiction over Policy and Programs.
2. The Lokpal does have jurisdiction to prosecute politicians and officials engaged in corrupt practices and sentence them appropriately if found guilty.

This is a historic moment wherein the citizens of India and well wishers from other countries have demonstrated peacefully for change. This is one of India's finest hours wherein the people of India and the government have worked together peacefully to address a grievance that even you have mentioned periodically. We have and will show the world how our "noisy" Democracy Works.

Respectfully Yours,