Editor,
Apropos to an article by Patricia Mukhim, “Tradition and our youth : the twain doth not meet,” (ST Mar 6, 2015) I fully endorse the observations made by the author on traits that our youths inculcate. The point of this letter is not to go on a bashing spree on what ails our Khasi youth. However , the failure to embrace the entrepreneurial spirit in an ever changing globalized world where with each and every coming day there is diminishing scope of job security, puts our youth in a highly fragile situation. To be an entrepreneur requires a lot of value change from a security mindset to freedom mindset ( mind you lobbying for a government , contractual work is not an entrepreneurial trait) , learning a lot of skills like communication, branding, attitude , visioning etc which is sorely missed in our people. You can forget the issue of influx when we can’t have a foothold on our local economy! This is hence a call for the aspiring youth to go for your dreams and release yourself from the shackles of this non-enterprising outlook in life . A starting point is to immerse yourself in books like, “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki and ” Think and grow Rich ” by Napoleon Hill. The world is their oyster for those who dare.
Yours etc.,
Gerald F Kharkrang,
Via email
AAP’s imbroglio
Editor,
The stunning victory of AAP in the recently concluded Delhi assembly elections is unparalled in the history of Indian elections where an infant party has achieved an impressive victory against heavy weights. AAP had also dispelled the popular myth that money power and muscle power are must for winning the elections. AAP’s victory had generated great hope and aspirations among a vast majority of common men across this country, not having any leaning to any political party. AAP also expected to revive the old glory of politics which was considered a saga of social service during the pre independence period and few years immediately after independence. Politics has of late become a synonym of all dirty tricks and a lucrative business for earning quick returns and people at large expected that AAP would be an exception. AAP’s spectacular victory was expected to be the harbinger of a new era in Indian Politics, where good people will join politics which was hitherto considered a cesspool for them. This would herald the beginning of the eradication of the corrupt, dishonest, unprincipled, selfish and crooked politicians and the rise of honest and principled ones. If these expectations are fulfilled, there is not an iota of doubt that India will witness phenomenal progress both materially and morally and will become one of the top nations of the world within a decade. The largest democracy of the country will also become the greatest democracy of the world.
All these high expectations and aspirations of the “Aam Aadmi” are slowly and steadily getting evaporated as infighting has already started in AAP. There were complaints of lack of transparency and internal democracy in AAP earlier also. But when founder members like Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav complain about it there will definitely be some element of truth. There is no smoke without fire. The way Arvind Kejriwal is getting rid of ‘inconvenient’ persons is a dangerous trend. Does he want that all the party members should be his sycophants and flatterers and behave like ‘His Master’s Voice’? Arvind Kejriwal should understand that differences of opinion is not dissent. Kejriwal wanted to concentrate in Delhi whereas Yogendra Yadav wants to expand the wings of AAP to other parts of the country. There is nothing wrong in the perception of both. Government and party should be separate. Being the Chief Minister of Delhi it is Kejriwal’s duty to provide good governance where as Yogendra Yadav being a party functionary can expand the party. Logically speaking, ministers should not spend much time on party activities as they are paid from the public exchequer.
Arvind Kejriwal reportedly threatened to quit as party’s convener if Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan remained in its Political Affairs Committee. It is pertinent to point out that Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav did not contest the election and also did not demand any Government post which proves that unlike many others, they are not power hungry politicians. Kejriwal’s way of functioning by intimidation, coercion, undue influence, threatening etc is unbecoming of the status of a statesman. Despite the fact that Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan volunteered to step down, a proposal was introduced to remove them which smacks of ulterior motive to humiliate them. Problems start when politicians think of the Party as their personal property. Annihilation of outspoken party men is not a panacea for the problems afflicting AAP. AK should appreciate that the gap between hero and zero is very thin and today’s hero will become tomorrow’s zero. If Kejriwal works like an autocrat and develops the coterie culture, there will be hardly any difference between AAP and other parties. AAP should continue to remain as the party of the common man and not as “All Arvind’s Party”.
Kejriwal who advised his supporters not to become arrogant of the amazing victory should practice what he preaches. Otherwise Kejriwal & Co will meet its waterloo in the not too distant future. A party which has come up with great expectations and aspirations should not meet with a tragic end which will be suicidal and detrimental to the democratic edifice of the nation. Instead of adopting a confrontationist attitude Kejriwal should discuss matters with all concerned and settle the vexed problems, before it takes alarming proportions. Let us hope that wiser counsel will prevail and impasse in the party will end soon.
Yours etc.,
E M Adithyan,
Via email