Divide The P(F)ool ACT

Observing the success and benefits of coach reservation exclusively for women, in Delhi metro; GoI is pondering upon dividing and relocating the population pool on the basis of gender. The line and direction of division can vary on the basis of topographical and climatic condition in the region. But once the area has been divided, the representatives of fairer sex will get the first chance to choose the faction where they want to live.

This division will be followed by nomenclature, where the originality will be maintained, but for the purpose of identification, suffix of fair-unfair will be used. For example, Factions of City X will be known as X fair & X unfair.

This idea has been developed by NAC (National Advisory Council) and will be piloted in Delhi, whereby Yamuna has been identified as mutually agreeable and natural line of division. Fairer sex has executed their right of first choice and preferred to settle down in Cis-Yamuna (Fair Delhi) as it has Connaught place, India Gate, Khan Market. Trans-Yamun (Unfair Delhi) has been allocated to male gender, which has Akshar Dham, Mayur Vihar and Noida.

Fair Delhi will be a protected area whereby any male member wishing to stroll will have to buy a ticket worth Rs 200.

NAC expects that this initiative will solve several problems like, feeling of insecurity among the fairer sex, and the problem of burgeoning population which was not coming under control despite several measures taken by the government.

The detail implementation plan of divide the p(f)ool act is yet to come; but, the members of unfair gender is unanimously expressing their dissatisfaction.

Fair gender is giving mixed reactions. Nishi, an active member of fair gender community, in her late teens, has expressed her dissatisfaction: “This is like administering a medicine, which can put end to disease along with the patient” whereas Jyoti, another member of the same community in late 40’s is happy with this initiative: “This initiative will improve my working efficiency as I will no longer be digressed”

Hypocrisy in the name of development

Few days back, I was in Purnia district of Bihar, also known as “Poor Man’s Darjeeling”.

I interacted with several farmers, ranging from small and marginal farmers to well-off farmers and I was shocked to know that agriculture which is so called as the priority sector is not in the
priority list of the farmers.

I tried to go for the root cause analysis, and for that I relied on primary survey and the tool used was focused group discussion (FGD) whereby I interacted with a set of question to get real insights.

The findings were really astonishing and one of which is:-

Hippocratic Policy Initiative:
Farming is still a labour intensive business in India; farmers are dependent on manual labour for their agricultural operations. These farming activities are dependent on weather, and leave a very small window for the farmers to complete their operations like sowing, harvesting, drying and threshing etc. In case the operations are delayed then the loss increases at exponential rates.

But, gradually the availability of labour has become one of the biggest problems due to NREGS policy of the Central government.

I am not against NREGS in any way, as the documental intentions of the policy is good and is sync with my thought of pro poor and pro rural. But, the way this programme is being implemented is an “OPEN SECRET” (everyone knows about it but everyone displays an ignorance) like Common Wealth Game.

This is the result of Hippocratic policy initiatives taken by the government, whereby the intention is not the work but showcasing of the number of initiatives taken which is pro poor and pro rural.

If something is coexisting and are interdependent then how policies like NREGS (now MNREGA) and Agricultural development are independent.

In addition to these Hippocratic policies, the process involved for taking government support is so complex, that most of the needy remain at the mercy of the officers, clerks or middle men to get their work done after paying out a fixed commission. (in pseud terms a service charge).

Mirage and Reality of India

Mirage and Reality of India
Why Farming and Farmer have always been cynosure of politicians, academicians, bureaucrats or the new the breeds of technocrats?
The answer is quite simple; India is a democratic nation, where majority rules through its representative and the ones who are in majority are the farmers. More than 2/3 of the Indian populations are dependent on farming for their livelihood.
So, there are large numbers of persons who have chosen the designation of farmer and profession of farming by choice.
This is something which has become a history or has it ever existed? Now, If we call someone as a farmer then it is generally signifies joblessness and are being looked down in the society.
Our society and economy has evolved in such a way that a person who earns even Rs 4000- 5000 per month, has more respect in the society than a farmer who earns significantly more than them. Due to this skewed behavior and lack of recognition farmers are always looking for a tradeoff in favour of some job which can give him recognition and monthly salary.
Let’s try to get a deeper understanding of the problem by analyzing it through two different streams:-
Organizational Behavior
Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs states that the utmost need of a person is their physiological/biological need and when this need is met he moves up in the ladder with several steps like safety, belongingness etc. .
A person with job can easily move up in the ladder after meeting its 1st step physiological need whereas for farmers it is very difficult to move from 2nd -3rd step and the from 3rd - 4th step.
So Farmers, being a human being with a limited life period, is ready to choose the path, which can meet most of their needs in their life span.
Finance
Unlike a person doing a regular job, the cash flow for farmers is once or twice and if he is lucky it may be thrice in a year whereas his expenses are like us almost constant throughout the year.
It may seem to several well of service people as if this is not a problem; So let’s be empathetic and think of a situation where you get your salary in 12 months or in 6 months and you have to meet your regular monthly expenses. With the constraint that your god, your boss, may deny or reduce your income anytime, just like the weather god for farmers.

So, In order to boost the dignity and self respect of India, let’s give respect to the person called farmer and assist the nation by assisting the farmer in real sense.
From wherever we are and in whatever manner possible!!!

Surrogate Crime

Surrogate Crime, who is accountable?
Mass media was clamoring over the POLICE ENCOUNTER of 1 person named Sohrabuddin Sheikh. An environment of ambiguity is hovering around the case, some are saying that the encounter were fake and some are saying it was real, and our investigation agency CBI is looking into it and several people are being questioned for it. This is one form of crime where one person has been killed directly using weapons.
Now let’s come to another form of crime which is brewing up in our country and yet going unnoticed. In this crime weapons are not being used, but people are crying and dying, due to non affordability of food grains, despite its abundance. This crime can be termed as “Surrogate Crime”.
The farming community is working harder and harder to produce food grains, which can feed the billions of Indians. But the post harvest infrastructural facility is not being provided and it is simply rotting in open. Is there anyone who is accountable for this, or is it everyone’s job and thus no one’s job!!
It seems funny when the general mass is being fooled by magical words like “Inflation in food items will come down by December 2010”.
How will it come down?
What are the measures that have been taken?
The magic behind this assurance is very simple and based on two fundamental principles
1st Principle: Human Behaviour of adaptability: - After a long exposure to high price rise the people will adapt to it, and something which is bothering now will become obvious by then.
2nd Principle: Price drop in Agri-Commodities at the time of harvest: - The soothing “THANDA-THANDA COOL-COOL” effect of low food price will come on the arrival of Kharif harvest, which happens to be just one month ahead of the time predicted by soothsayer.
But unfortunately, this effect will last for the next 6 months i.e. July 2011 and then a fresh cycle of price rise will start; as nothing is being done on ground to improve the supply side, nor any infrastructural support is being created to store large quantum of surplus available just after harvest. Thus, the number of people affected by this Surrogate crime will keep rising year after year, and there will hardly be any investigation agency looking after it.

Inviting Jungle Raj

Inviting Jungle Raj
“SAHERON MEIN CHALEGA JUNGLE RAJ” There will be jungle Raj within the city.
These are not the news headlines of INDIA TV; But the hardcore reality.
Have a look at any means of mass communication like newspapers or T.V, we come across N number of problems faced by “AAM ADMI” general mass.
Murders for water, food, and few bucks have become common phenomena.
This may be the harbinger of Jungle Raaj.
Why basic necessity is becoming a problem for AAM ADMI.
Does it mean that our great Politicians, farmers, scientist and business community went into deep slumber after independence?
Haven’t we done anything to ensure the availability of basic needs?
Let’s have a look at the performance of few important sectors.
Agriculture
At the time of independence country’s head count was just 350 million, yet we were importing food grains to feed our population. Then our farmers and agricultural scientist made a big leap in mid 60’s which is known as green revolution. From then till date, we become a surplus producer of food grains and our total food grain production in 2008-09 is 234.5 million MT, which is sufficient to feed the existing population of 1.18 billion.
Education
The number of schools has grown from few thousands in 1947 to 16 lakhs as of now. The same is the case with number of colleges. The quality of education has gone up and the literacy level has improved significantly from 5% to 65%.
Health
Just after independence healthcare sector was in shambles with large number of deaths and spread of infectious diseases. Life expectancy was around 35 years but a significant improvement has been made in this sector and the life expectancy has reached to 63.
In addition to the above three sectors road and rail network has spread to every state and district of the country.

Despite such an impressive growth and development, basic resources are becoming scarce and harbinger of Jungle Raj can be felt. The Population growth has taken a toll on all the developments that has taken place.

Then a question which pops up in mind is who can control this monstrous population, was population control, never a part of policy in India, If not then why?
No serious policy initiative has been taken by Indian governments, because just after independence population was not a problem and now Indian Politics has started revolving around the same old principle of divide and rule.

Let me try to explain my view point.

It is the illiterate poor (a form of AAM ADMI) who produce more kids, their source of entertainment is limited and they are unaware of the methods to control unwanted pregnancy. These illiterate people are gullible and easy to rule. They are being divided on trifle issues like caste, colour and creed. These AAM ADMI are being treated as vote banks and control on their head count means decrease in vote bank size.
These AAM ADMI are being fooled through different tantrums like
• Right to work (MNREGA)
• Right to Education
• And Now the Right to Food
These rights will not be needed if a single serious policy initiative to control the population is being made, because the existing resources are sufficient to ensure ample work, quality education and quality food.

In initial stage, these poor people “AAM ADMI” were not assisted in preventing unwanted reproduction but now they are being promised with controlled ration, which is just sufficient to sustain and reproduce but does not ensure progress.
The existing politics is all about creating problem at first stage and then pretend to solve it at a later stage.
But unfortunately in the process the head count has reached to such an extent that we have started behaving like animals and the Jungle Raj will be openly visible on streets, if population is not controlled.

Cricket and Agriculture

Seeing a high degree of correlation between agriculture and cricket, Agriculture minister, GOI has taken the responsibility of President, International Cricket Council (ICC).
After taking over as President ICC, here are some excerpts from a personal conversation:

Importance of Cricket
Cricket is popular throughout the world and is considered as good luck in countries like India and Pakistan.
Cricket fighting as a gambling or sports betting pastime also occurs, particularly in Australia, India, Pakistan and South Africa. There is lot of money involved in this game, and a gross estimate can be made from IPL 3.
The Popularity of Cricket can be gauged from the fact that every celebrity wants to have one cricket team. DHAKKAN Challengers was my favorite for this season of IPL 3.
This game is not new for me when I was kid; I was having my own team of cricket and we use to bet on them.
I am very well connected with cricket community; recently I was being invited in a closely held marriage ceremony of a cricket couple, which was not attended by me because of my tight packed schedule. But I have seen their exclusive and rare pictures, they were looking great and I wish him all the best for their future.

Importance of Agriculture & Cricket in Indian Economy
Both the portfolios I am heading is very important for Indian economy
Indian Agriculture contributes one fifth of national GDP and is feeding 1.15 billion human beings in India. It is a source of employment and livelihood to 66% of India’s human population. It is mother of all industries.
Cricket betting is turning out to be the biggest sports event and the biggest entertainment industry. This event has become the darling of all industries; you can see the gorgeous looking film stars, cheer leaders, business tycoons and politicians trying to become the center of attraction.

Future strategy for Indian Agriculture & Indian Cricket
My observation is that our team of crickets is not as strong as that of Australians, team of crickets from Australia has good physique and that is why they have made a hat trick of world cup title. After which, I asked my scientists from Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) to come with healthy diet supplement for Indian cricket.
Believe me, our scientist have done a mind boggling research to find out that, if decaying wheat cereals are fed to Indian cricket then it will improve their physique and keep them active in field.
The finding of this research is being implemented; tonnes and tonnes of wheat grains lying in FCI go downs are made to rot. I believe that after having this excellent food supplement our team of crickets will surely defeat the Australian crickets in the forthcoming world cup 2011.

RIGHT TO FOOD

Right to Food
The South-West monsoon has arrived in India and this time along with rain showers we can feel showers of right. GOI is in the process of endowing its citizens with Right to Food.
Isn’t it a great initiative and a great achievement for the government?
Of course it is !!
Ho & Who will be fooled through this Right ?
Let’s analyze this right by looking at it from left.
First, RIGHT TO FOOD from Biological point of view
Almost all the organisms born on this earth have few indispensible needs for survival; like food to eat, air to breathe and water to drink.
Introduction of Right to food is the first progressive step in the direction to meet our indispensible needs to survive.
General mass “AAM ADMI” might have got bored with the feeling of high inflation in edible items. So, the channel been changed and now comes the flavor of the season THE RIGHT TO FOOD.
This is the first right, the moment AAM AADMI will start getting bored, within no time there will be sequels available with titles like-
• Right to Breathe Fresh Air
• Right to Drink Clean Water
• Right to Reproduce
.......................
................ and the list may go on like the saas bahu serial which are being loved by AAM AADMI.

Second, RIGHT TO FOOD from Economics point of view
A large chunk of the Human population work for the sake of food, if our Government is bringing rights like RIGHT TO FOOD and ensuring free food or food at a cheaper rate, then will there be any motivation to work among the working class? Who will do the labour intensive work like crop cultivation, and if crop will not be cultivated, then what will be offered in RIGHT TO FOOD?
The new challenge before the economist will be to find out the reasons why human beings should work.
 
Third, RIGHT TO FOOD from Supply chain point of view
According to the latest official estimate from Department of Agriculture and Co-operation, total aggregated production of Rice and Wheat is around 167.8 million Tonnes; whereas our population is hovering around 1.15 billion. This means the availability of fine cereals is around 400 gms per day per head, significantly lower than what is required for healthy living.
India is once more on the verge of being food grain deficit, and unfortunately these food grains cannot be printed like currency notes to meet the deficit. It needs to be imported to meet the claims made in RIGHT TO FOOD.
As of now, our supply (Production) side is not capable and vibrant enough to meet the increasing demand. But yet many are giving pat to each other for this great achievement. This initiative will buzz(y) where AAM AADMI will be fuzzy, and will hear the noise without getting hold of any signal. Meanwhile there will be another chance to rule and redesign strategies to make fool.

Ladder to Indian Rural Prosperity

Ladder to Indian Rural Prosperity

India is making news for its average GDP growth figures of 7-8% for the current decade (2001-2010). But where is the development? Is it limited to just 40% of the population living in Urban areas what about the 60% of the population residing in Rural areas.

Isn’t it a cancerous growth?

Where one organ grows at a rapid pace at the cost of others.

Rural India is still deprived of basic facilities like all season Road, electricity, basic health care facilities, good educational institutes and employment opportunities. Why the fruits of development are not trickling down to rural India? Why rural India is trapped into vicious cycle of poverty?
This can be attributed to Four major factors:-
1. Lack of Quality Human resource
In order to implement a project in rural India it is very difficult to find quality human resource. People with caliber prefer to live in cities than villages, and if somehow they are posted in rural areas then they work half heartedly.
2. Improper Policy
Indian Policy makers are very capable, but when it comes to rural India their work seems to be sketchy. This may be attributed to poor know how about the rural India.
• In the name of Poor, millions and millions of rupees are being spent in MNERGA which is not self sustainable in itself.
• Billions of rupees are being given to fertilizer industry in the name of subsidy but there is hardly any enthusiasm to promote organic farming.
• Banks generally siphon out the money from rural economy and generally have low credit deposit ratio in rural branches.
3. Lack of Investment
Public sector units or Private sector units, both they are unwilling to invest in rural areas, and how can we think of growth without investment.
4. Capacity Lag among Rural Population
Villagers have the zeal to work for their development but they do not have required capacity. Their know-how about the processes is very limited and they are dependent on others to get their work done.
Breaking the vicious cycle:
Nurturing Agri-Preneurship in rural India
Consumption hubs “Cities” are facing dearth of food supply, and is reflected in the form of higher prices of food grains, vegetables, fruits and milk etc. This supply driven inflation cannot be controlled only through monetary policy, which siphon out surplus money from the economy by using different financial tools.
It requires an integrated policy initiative which can start self sustaining business activity in rural areas; Policy initiatives, which promote investment in rural India and ease the process of credit availability.
Villages are production hubs, they have immense unutilized potential. This can be tapped by developing large number of Agri-preneurs, who are living in rural areas, have the zeal to work for rural areas and if facilitated can develop their villages, Panchyats and Blocks into small Agri-Economic Zones. Several Profitable Agricultural enterprises can be developed in rural areas, depending on its fit with the agro-climatic situation, some of which are given below:-
I. Animal Husbandry
II. Dairy
III. Poultry
IV. Goatry
V. Piggery
VI. Horticulture
These enterprises will act as growth engines of rural economy whereby it will bring stability in the lives of rural population by diversifying their revenue stream and reducing their dependency of agricultural crops. These enterprises will also generate employment opportunities in rural economy and will reduce the migration for work.

Ladder to rural Prosperity
In order to develop Agricultural enterprises on a large commercial scale, Agri-Preneurs should be taken through ladder of rural prosperity. The details of which are given below:-
1st Step: - In this step sample survey needs to be carried out in the village to know the socio-economic status of the farmers, their revenue streams and their desire to take Agri-Business activity.
2nd Step: - Farmers should be mobilized to form farmers club and the requisite training related to formation and operation of the Club should be provided to them.
3rd Step: - The Clubs should then be motivated to take up an Agri-Business activity on the basis of agro-climatic conditions, their desire and their socio-economic status.
4th Step:-Technical, Operational and Managerial Training of the club members should be given on Agri-Business Activity identified.

5th Step: - The Clubs should then be assisted, in preparing detailed project report (DPR) for the Agri-Business activity and getting it sanctioned from commercial Banks. The clubs should be liasioned with different institution like NABARD, ATMA, KVK, NHM etc
6th Step:-Handholding should be done at the time of implementation of plan and marketing of the produce.

Om

Desh Kaa Culture Agri-Culture

Hi, Agrarians !

"Desh Kaa Culture Agri-Culture"

This was one of the slogan tought to us when we stepped into Ranchi Agricultural College of BAU, Jharkhand. Those were the times when I was in my late teens and I hardly cared to know about the indepth meaning of the slogan.

But now, when I am done with my graduation and post graduation. I can see the complete picture.

In Indian contest "DESH KAA CULTURE AGRI-CULTURE", is really true.

Our Agriculture,
Is the source of livelihood & Employment for more than 60% of the population
It acts as a feeder and booster of other industries
It is the only sector where you can sow one seed and reap a handful of grains

With development, the relationship between different sectors have beomce webbed and their interdependency has increased. But, Agri-sector is still the mother of all sectors, the growth of Agri leads to holistic growth, unlike other sectors whose benefits are limited to a small fraction of the population.


It seems funny to me when professionals debate about agriculture being highly subsidised by the government, whereas i feel that it is the agriculture sector which is subsidising others.

My Calculation says that, the market price of agricultural produce is much less than its cost of production.

Lets take a crop as an example; let it be paddy (as it is widely cultivated througout India)
and try to prepare a qualitative Profit and Loss (P&L) account of the same.

Fortunately government announces MSP (minimum support price) of Paddy and has purchasing agencies to support this price. But still in most parts of our country like Bihar, U.P, Orissa, M.P etc. MSP becomes Maximum support price, as the realisation by the farmers is always less than MSP.
But still for the purpose of calculation, we will consider MSP.
Total Revenue:
Sales of paddy @ MSP
Sales of Paddy husk
Expenditures:-
I) Direct Costs:
Cost of land
Cost of land prepration
Cost of seeds
Cost of sowing
Cost of pesticide management
Cost of fertilisers and manures
Cost of harvesting
Cost of marketing (Packaging & Transportation)
Cost of labour @ MNREGS rates (as it is taken as standard)
Cost of Capital
II) Indirect Cost:
Cost of sub-standard conditions of living (scarcity of electricity + Improper health srvices)
Cost of sub-standard education facility to their kids
Total Expenditure = Direct Cost + Indirect Cost
Profit/Loss= Total Revenue - Total Expenditure

Taking all the variables under consideration and follwing the above methodology, is the business of agriculture still profitable?

If the answer is No then why are farmers still doing farming.
It is because of our culture, It teaches us to feed others even if you are hungry.
Farmers are still doing farming because they are making profit, but in the process they are providing their labour at a much cheaper rate than what is being announced by the government in MNREGA.
Small and Marginal Farmers who form 85% of the farming population is subsidising the society by providing food grains at a cheaper rate produced from cheap labour.
Our farmers cannot stop farming as our culture is agriculture" DESH KAA CULTURE AGRI-CULTURE" . Farmers keeps working irrespective of all odds and unlike goverment departments which frequently goes on strike for one reason or the other.

Om