Goood article...

aaah..finally something we can all agree with. Well said Mr Tarun Vijay.

FINALLY HE WRITES
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Earlier in other blogs I expressed my astonishment that so many columnists had written about austerity and conspicus by his absence was Tarun Viajy. Finally he writes.
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I hand speculated that when and if he did write, then the following will be the points covered. I will re-iterate them here for the same of comparison.
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Austerity has been a traditional virtue of Hinduism, since before the Vedantic age.
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The so called secular media does not adequately report Austerity measure taken by Hindus, whilst similar initiatives taken by Muslims are applauded beyond necessarily.
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BJP has been practising Austerity, long before the so call secular party Congress ever did, remember the Rath Yatra and how thousands walked to get to Ayodhya.
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Hindus are Autere, even when it comes to voting, otherwise the BJP would never have been out of power.
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When Congress adopts Austere measures then that is for an election gimmick, while similar steps taken by BJP are in National Interest.
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RSS has always been austere and that Shyama Prasad Mookerji was more Austere that MK Gandhi. In fact MK Gandhi learnt everything about austerity from Sarvakar and the so called secular media did not give him the due credit.
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Indus would have been fuller of water if it was not for the fact the it was practising austerity.
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How did I do?

Great article as always Tarun Ji. The only problem is that whether the wana be prime minister who boasted that he could have been PM if he wanted to 10 years ago listen to all these good words of yours.
The only way forward would be a new youth leader from BJP who should be from a small town from a normal house like our cricket captain Dhoni. This can be accomplished by having greater democracy in BJP it self akin to the primary's in USA.

very well written blog.
i m sure even sonia didn't expect this!
she was perhaps, only concentrating upon the economy-drive aspect of the issue. however, this blog has brought out out other things too which are really as important.

i think sonis's directive will achieve many goals.

Mr. Vijay, this is the first time I am completely in agreement with your views! While this is a welcome step (per reports, 75% of a neta's budget is spent on travel) which will save some cash if implemented into law, we need to use this as a launching pad for curbing far and further more wasteful public spending.

I'm glad that at least someone took initiative. Kudos Sonia, Rahul. Let people think what they want, you have done your work.

get the fundamentals of good citizenship into netas and babus brains. There wont be a need for any special drives

Kudos!!..Very well written..To me this Austerity drive looks nothing more than a stunt as these Gandhi's are best at it..Amazing.

Tarun, We cannot have politicians that stand for all the good we can ask of them. After all, they are human beings as well. If I read you correctly, which of the following would you rather have?

1) Sincere, morally upright politicians who do not throw their weight around
2) More educated, sophisticated politicians, maybe with a hint of education
3) More self-conscious and politically correct politicians (for want of a better phrase!)
4) Politicians with pride in who we are historically, fight against green terror and can blend a sense of cultural and historical purpose into the empire-building plan.
5) Politicians with an iron-will who can counter the red terror from within - with patience and firmness.
5) Politicians who can lead the country into tomorrow by dealing with China in a more pragmatic, trade-filled, yet more secure manner.

Honestly, I am not sure if the aam aadmi cares about any of the above. And that is where we, as a culture, as a civilization fail. A friend of mine, who has a gift with words sent me this (in an email) during a month-long trip to China recently "There is no way you can stop this country from achieving greatness...every guy on the street knows and believes he is a part of something historic."

Of course, the situation in the hinterland could be quite different from Beijing or Shanghai. But I am sure each one of us in India can recognize the difference between our country and the quote above...the difference is in ONEness and OURness.

As a country, race, civilization, each one of us stands for something different. This lack of a common aim and goal stands between us and greatness...in fact, takes us closer to oblivion. What we need is not a bunch a politicians, but a leader - strong-willed, proud of our Indianness, strategically inclined but not afraid of operational nitty-gritty that achieve the strategic objectives. We need a LEADER. And every name mentioned in your piece falls short of this.

I think Indians below the Poverty Line can ever Travel in Economy Class as the author quoted, but the point is Ministers always misused budgeted money for travel which can be used for some other development projects. Government must come up with Rules and Regulations for using these funds which are allocated to ministers and there should be some form of accountability thereafter. Just making this a GARAM MASALA NEWS will not work. It might make sense if Ministers user their own bank account for paying those First Class Tickets, but that doesn’t happen. I think Government must also control the use of Private Jets and Helicopters which are common with the Ministers.

It reminded me of an incident, when United States Auto Industry needed Bailout, then the CEO’s of 3 big US automakers went to congress to Ask for Bailout Money, When they went, they went in Private Jets which cause a great uproar in the media. One News paper even quoted “You cannot BEG coming out of a Private JET”. That incident forced them to use their own Green Cars to come to Washington by Road for the next visit to Washington. Just wondering if Indian Ministers will ever understand how to Use Common Mans Money Wisely and help in the Development of India!!!

At the very least, the Supreme Court should take the initiative and get a simple law passed (it will never be done if left to the legislative branch of the givernment): (a) Nobody with a criminal record or convicted of a felony or has criminal cases pending against them can be an MP or MLA or remain one, for even a minute. (b) Complete disclosure of all assets including those in the names of family members and pet animals and other benami owners should be mandatory for MLAs and MPs, and any failure to comply with this should result in immediate forfeiting of the MP/MLA seat together with a fine and jail term. (c) Proven corruption should be punished with a life sentence without parole. If this is implemented mercilessly for at last 10 years, maybe there is some hope for the country.

Its a cruel facts about our political class, We need a cultural revolution in India in order to fix the problem

Well said. Most neta's forget that they are meant to serve the people, not rule them!

But, don't you think the junta has to elect capable people to occupy such positions of responsibility? Isn't it our fault? We should educate ourselves, be proactive and not wait for the government to help us.

Indian politicians are far away from being a gentleman. They are atleast a million miles away from our expectations of safeguarding the institutions of democracy, the social studies books indian children are taught in schools. Its a popular saying that the politians and policemen are the mirror of society. Hence it gives rise to another question- is this the way mahjority of Indians are going to behave once they have power? Can we expect this kind of behaviour from within our famillies in the same age group? The answer is no. We can't, most of us cannot, then from where have these Netas come? Out of world? Out of India? Out of our communities? But look around, a little closer and just a little closer- one can definetely see these characters all around us- not causing us too much damage because they do have have the power to.. once they get it.. it will be the same. Who are they? they are the bribe taking babus in electricity office, the vendor manipulating quantity and quality, the lpg delivery boy and many more. One of them could be our future- Netas, in the meanwhile, they are waiting for an oppurtinity.
But atleast this Austerity drive is enabling us to discuss ways and means to something constructive, improve, debate and suggest and not complain and crib about the poor state national affairs.

Your rumination might be closer to reality except for one fact that “economy” class is middle-class’s prerogative, not of people ‘below poverty line‘ (unfortunately majority of our population still travels in general class)..and their condition is not even remotely fathomable by our “netas“…and they don‘t feel the need for it anyway, considering air conditioned houses, Pajero, first class coupe, first class flying, lassi, chicken biryani et al. Yes, etiquette (civility??) is of huge significance. In fact, like any corporate sector “etiquette orientation” should be seriously considered as mandatory for our MPs, MLAs, Ministers (remember the feeble show-down of the minister from the south who was blocked by the father of a fallen solider during Mumbai terror attacks…and on top it in front of the camera??). Rahul Gandhi is certainly introducing a “new” trend/fashion in our politics, I really hope much talked about ‘austerity’ becomes very very very fashionable thing for all our politician…(well..they are good at sheepishly following Gandhi clan anyway, so they don‘t have to go out of their way). What a blessing in disguise would it be for us - the taxpayers and much required turning point for our polity!!

Thank you very much for writing your blog on such an important and burning issue. This happens in India every day and everywhere, our politicians and political figures want to take advantage of their positions and have no sense or feeling to realize the difficulties of other people. They only care for themselves and put others in problem. We can find hundreds of such instances every day and everywhere in India which you have faced, and the sad thing is that there is no organization where the people who are suffering from this type of incident can raise their grievances to take action. The Indian politicians like M.L.A. and M.P. or even their Chamchas are immune from any illegal action that they commit every day to harass the common people for whose services and welfare they stand for. We can find most of the times that they are involved in breaking the laws and committing crimes for their own little and petty gains.
My suggestion for the remedial measures for all these evils is that there should be a high level enquiry commission presided by a retired Justice or Chief Justice of Supreme Court where the victims of such actions can raise their grievances by filing a petition and after a issuing a due process of law and after hearing the parties action can be taken against the person involved.
The next suggestion is that all the State or federal legislatures should be properly educated and trained of their duties and responsibilities which they have to do in their political career as a legislature.
The legislatures who are voted by the public to serve their constituencies are often found involved in accumulating wealth and making big fortunes and not doing anything good for which they are voted for, for such type of persons people should not wait for next election term to vote them out but the voters should be allowed to raise their grievances against such type of persons to take them out from the membership of the house to have some check and balance on them.

I also have experience with these Indian netas. I, with my family, were travelling ti Shimla and the train stopped at Summer Hill. We saw number of gunmen pancing up and down the plateform. Two minute halt turn into one hour but these goondas did not allow the train to move. When we reached Shimla I complained to the station master but was told, very politely, that they were locam MLAs looking for some one. It was scary.

I fail to understand the reason for this "Austerity Drive". What good will it brng to India where a huge number of people are below the poverty line, where the cost of living is at an all time high, where there are constant and unending threats from the neighbours, where there are farmers troubled with droughts etc. With so many issues at hand, I cannot believe that the MPs are competing to prove who is more austere than the other. This will put a common mans' life in disarray. Someone should put some sense in these politicians and remind them about the pressing matters at hand that need immediate attention. If Rahul can do so nothing like it!!

I agree with Tarun this time

You've conveyed your point nicely. Your solution (teaching etiquette) is ok, but this will not work.
The MLAs will learn the etiquette and behave accordingly only if it is in their self interest. I do not see a case for their self interest.

I would suggest a different solution to this problem. I think a way to make this etiquette MLAs' self-interest is to increase the penalty for not doing so. I'm referring to this creation by empowering the people.

Common man should have the right to freedom. (You had to lose it when you were in the train.) He should first of all be compensated for being forced to leave his place. Since his freedom was lost, his compensation should be lot higher (similar to what one gets in court settlement if claims of mental and physical torture are proven). Since the government has to pay and a lot of MLAs fault, the government suddenly will owe a lot. Not liking this, the MLAs will be forced to behave.

Also, he should be empowered to complain not just to the ticket collector but also to a much higher authority. In fact, he should have bargained with the collector for a suitable compensation. That would have forced the collector to make a case for the person before the MLAs.

Firstly, T.V. people who live below poverty line do not have the money to even take a local train leave alone travel by economy class on an airplane.
That said, I do agree with the view you have put accross that this austerity drive will come to naught if politicians do not have basic manners.All politicians, except for a handful, irrespective of their party affliations are the same-corrupt, ill educated and mostly uncivilised. In fact, the place where I come from, politicians are looked down upon as greedy,womanising creatures fit for ridicule and parents shudder if their child shows any inclinition towards politics.Now, who is to blame for that?

Dear Tarunji,

You have made a valid point.Our so called "sons-of the soil" netas should be taught some manners.But I would like to know how much difference can it make if Rahul Gandhi travels only once by train.Its more to do with the poll gimmicks.Former PM Late Lal Bahadur Shastriji fasted for one complete day when the country was going through a severe drought and food crisis.Can you expect our netas to do the same? Ohh..I remember..there is one example of Karunanidhi...He declared he was on a fast unto death in the morning,rested in a cool environment where Coolers and ACs were present to suppress the heat and ended his fast just before the lunch time!..

What to say? What to expect?

Mr. Vijay you forgot to mention saffron terror - or is that intentional?

A sensible, unbiased article from Tarun, for a change. This one time, I feel, that all is not lost yet.

I can't understand whether Mr. Vijay is trying to poke fun at Shri Rahul Gandhi or he is praising him. The last 2 paras are confusing - if it is meant to be sarcastic then it is in bad taste. See whatever the past maybe at least these people are trying to be different, trying to change...which is far from said about BJP. Rahul Gandhi has brought a fresh perspective of politics to the fore, he has inducted lot of young blood in the party which is a good sign - the new faces of the party are not of the type the author here so scathingly describes. But i still don't see a single young polished and refined face in BJP. And pray which " recent victories" of BJP are you talking about Mr. Vijay? I really would like to remind you of the humiliating defeat the party has been seing since some time due to its dogmatic attitude. If at all - this austerity drive is diverting attention of the people from the disintegration of the BJP and not from its so called recent victories!!!!

Dear Tarunji,
Read your article with interest and like you I too strive for a just, utopian world (India), the way it should be and not IS.
I admire your courage in stating that these goons belong to all the parties. They do, but it's alright to be a goon when in a group (Collective Personality), we have to identify and reveal them as individuals, only then can we remove the chaff from the wheat!
BTW, You wrote that you have two incidents but related only one! Could you please either add the other incident or delete the sentence.

tarun would like everyone to be polite so that they make no trouble when he puts them in his gas ovens

I love it. Politicians must travel economy class at least once in their life time to understand how Indians below the poverty line live.

indian who s below poverty line doesnot travel in economy class .. Politicians must travel in un reserved compartment or crowed bus to know how the people live

A very well written blog.To understand a another's problem, you need to be in that person's shoes.The problem with our ministers is that they think that they the government,the power,the police and no common man can tell them what they should or should not do. By travelling by train once if they think that they have reached and understood the common man, what a pity!!!

Dear Tarun,for a change,an almost balanced article with the exception of forgetting (well old habits die hard)the mention of saffron terror along with red and green terror. Nothing is impossible and if you try, perhaps, u can have an India and not just Green,Red or Saffron.But, then this is perhaps just my wishful thinking which u are gonna prove in your next blog.

I have experienced this too... and its one heck of a time which makes me wonder whether we really live in a democracy. The concern for the fellow passangers is totally non existent and the etiquette is clearly missing.

There are very few people in current parties who can command the change. Rahul being one of them, should consider its true implementation rather than use if for political milage.

Tarun, your blog is indeed very topical. I can tell you several factual stories of harassment by MPs & MLAs & the total unhelpful attitude of supervisors in charge. Some yaers ago, a senior IAS officer of WBengal cadre was traveling in IAC class from Delhi to Kolkatta by Rajdhani along with his wife. At a station in Bihar an MP got in with three of his(unauthoriesedly traveling )Chamchas & they started behaving in an obnoxious manner. When the officer & his wife objected to this, they started hammering the officer & it went on even with the pitiful pleading of the wife. Ultimately, other apssengers in the train staff also intervened & the beating stopped. After they all reached Kolkatta, the officer went straight to the then C.M. Jyoti Basu & complained. In his characteristic manner, Basu rang up the Bihar C.M. & told him that if this happened again,he will ask the WB police to "suitably take care of Bihar politicians arriving at Howrah". I am told that the nuisance indeed stopped for some time after that.

Lets wait and watch. I don't know much about Rahul and Sonia Gandhi's actual intentions or actual lifestyle. However gullible I may sound but there is a wish for India. The wish is that Rahul Gandhi is truthful in what he is doing. A wish that for once we cynical Indians get to eat crow for doubting a truthful politician. A crow we will be happy to eat many times over.

This is another piece of a great article. Some of the comments here are hilarious as well. The eyes of some people have become jaundiced to the extent that they see folly in each and everything. They beg to be ignored!
About the austerity drive, the Neta's and their entourage are taking these drives only to the states where elections are due. This indicates a lot of unsaid things about the intent of the drive.
Such tokenism is a bigger insult to the masses who are reeling under drought and starvation. Instead of a one off drive like these, the neta's should take note of the numerous other ways mentioned in this article, how they can 'touch' lives of common people.
In Mahatma's land, a tokenism of this kind is a big insult to his teachings and his followers. The arrogance of Sharad ,Sharma and Shashi - for following simple ways of living alike their other billions of cousins in this country - underlines the attitude with which the politicians look at the cattle class that we all form. They forget it is the cattle class that pays for their AC accommodations. Just as the cattle's are reared and used unabashedly, but worshiped intermittently, so is the case with people who do not get votes.
We have a law to restrict the number of cattle that can be put in a railway bogie while being transported. Alas! I hope the austerity drive helps somehow to get a law for the restriction of number of humans packed in a bogie as well.
My challenge to Rahul Baba, take a train in Mumbai during peak hours in the direction of the rush in a Second Class compartment. Then your Dalit night-outs will have more legitimacy.

It is a great article. The writer has pointed some important aspect of austerity. I understand the author’s view that before austerity we should teach out Netas to behave in a civilized way other wise it will make common people life measurable. I am not agreeing with this idea.

As we learned in our life, we can make things perfect only by correcting our mistake.
No one is born perfect. We become perfect by learning from our wrong doing and assure that it will not happen in future.
When ever any political leader take any step in favor of common man we criticize that by showing the wrong effect of that never look the best part of.
The austerity move started by Rahul will take a big shape and ultimately reduce the expenses of the country.
It’s not only Netas who create uneasy atmosphere in train we all do. We with our flashy mobile; play song in high voice such that the person in the next bogie can listen it. We feel bad but until we have not showing out set. We play it with a little higher voice such that it proves its superiority.
So we all are same and we should understand that it take time to make the thing perfect. We should have some patience to see the effect of austerity. Kindly allow leader to take some good step such that India will change from developing to develop.
From some flaws to a perfect country.

Nice..really nice.
But Mr. Tarun Vijay you have mentioned RED terror, you have mentioned GREEN terror...where the hell is that SAFFRON terror? Although out of context but I really appreciate how wittingly you skipped the Saffron terror.

Great article till the last para, where he mentioned various types of terrors (Red, Green). He forgot to mention one!!!! Safron terror, going on for 5000 years........

"I love it. Politicians must travel economy class at least once in their life time to understand how Indians below the poverty line live"

How bizarre is this statement!! Its common sense that people who travel economy in airlines are NOT below the poverty line!! People below the poverty line CANNOT affort to buy even a low cost airline ticket of Rs.3000 just to travel from Delhi to Mumbai for example.

Bang-on!
I simply agree to their so-called "Simple living, high flying and a down to earth approach to get media attention." being a farce...
I hope they are hearing how anti-social and insensitive their so-called social and (a handful of them) highly educated MLAs/MPs are who prefer calling their partonized "AAM AADMI" a herd of despicable CATTLE???

* A correction to the previous post
Bang-on!
I simply agree to "Simple living, high flying and a down to earth approach to get media attention."
I hope they are hearing how anti-social and insensitive their so-called social and (a handful of them) highly educated MLAs/MPs are who prefer calling their partonized "AAM AADMI" a herd of despicable CATTLE???

Sarojini Naidu is on record to have said that, to help Mahatma Gandhi lead an austere and simple life, the Congress has to spend 1 Lakh rupees per month on his Ashram and its security - and all this is prior to 1947! So much for our political messiahs and their austerity lives. Austerity is not the cup of tea of politicians, it should be better left to the lot of real prophets who, incidentally had stopped being sent to the world 1400 years ago. No "austere" politician could ever win even the local Panchayat / Municipal election by flaunting his penury - leave alone hoping to win an Assembly or Parliamentary election. In the first place, no party worth its corrupt colours would ever offer a ticket to an austere or "below the poverty line" candidate to enter the fray in the first place! So why this show of hypocricy - instead of staging fake measures whereby rich people are forced to adopt a life of poverty, it would be much better to create and devise such policies and climate wherein the poor are helped to become rich and lead a life of comfort. Instead of adopting the line of "Garibi Apnao", it must always be "Garabi Hatao".

Reading some of the comments makes me cringe. People have no sense of proportions and size. How much would this charade of economy/rail travel save for the country ? When billions of dollars have been wasted on farm loan waiver and NREGA. The current GOI is adept at only one thing - media management.

Poor souls of this country are emotional people. So we are led by the pied piper of the great fake gandhians to believe that something 'nice' is happening.

Its an eyewash friends - if you have any interest in the economics of it, you would know that a) The ticket cost is nothing, the real costs are security, entourage travelling, grand rallies etc etc b) How little is the amount saved vs what is wasted by the huge government machinery, tax evasion, swiss banks etc

Please dont talk in sentimental tones about 'atleast they have started something good'

I worry about how our interest in running the nation is so superficial that people only want tokenisms and symbolisms !!! The nation is going down the drain with no real action from the GOI on defence, external affairs, agricultural reforms, labour reforms, security etc etc.

Only drama - and some people seem to love it !!! Bizzare

Congress Drama Company...!!!!

MATE INDIANS BELOW POVERTY LINE CAN BARELY BUY A TRAIN TICKET.... THE START OF YOUR ARTICLE IS STUP**..... total rubbish... how will a politician travelling in economy know what a below the line poverty class is???? there is no such area in an aircraft... what he should do is travel in a local train or live in dharavi for a month....... then contect from dharavi to make it better.... i still cant believe you started by saying economy travelling will show them how people bleow poverty lin live.. hahahahahaha.... ur funyyy... dude... honestly not worth being a writer...

There is a bigger factor - PERFORMANCE. We can tolerate a corrupt, high cost govt but not a non performing Govt. A govt that does not pay at all without charging bribes; a govt which could not punish Paki goondas for their ill adventures of killing and bombing our people on our land; a govt which is parasitic, lazy, inefficient and sleepy; a Govt which is not seeing the future where China and Pak may try to dismember India with the help of their agents in Bangladesh; a Govt which works above all at 5% efficiency. People must agitate to reduce Govt sector and get them freedom from sarkari Raj which will give a common man nothing in return. Avoid Govt banks, hospitals, schools, FCI, and score of products produced by loss making Govt sector and compell the govt to privatise.

I will never travel by a train in which any Gandhi family member plans to travel - I am not a bachelor nor do I have a Gandhi family name - but YES i have a family to take care of. To travel with politicians is like being on oxygen the entire journey.

As usual an excellent article and a mind blower. its pathetic to see how the congress big bossess tries to get popularity by part times shows. this is nothing but stunts to gain audience. anyway keep it up tarun with your mind blowing articles. jai hind

just as politicians turned from J to Y..let us see how long you also stay away from communal views

Tarun as always is only a critic. That's what the saffron brigade have always done, nothing constructive. Atleast have the decency to appreciate the little steps people at the top are trying to take to bring about a change.
What else can one expect from the saffron brigade who do not have the guts to accept that BJP is their political party.
Shame on you....

Enjoyed your article ..
But honestly if someone does something good .. lets appreciate it. If a Drunkard leaves his alcohol even for a day lets pat him on the back and say 'keep it up'.
Secondly .. i guess this was an honest mistake on yor part , along with Green and Red , you forgot to mention the Saffron terror ;-) .
P.S, To all the other commentators 'Austerity has got nothing to do with Religion'.

You are right.First they must be tought the basics of public behaviour.We don't know what their leaders do when all are bundled together for some Sammelans and Baithaks.Along with the prayers, such meets should begin with a lesson in public behaviour.

Instead of such phoney austerities, as members of ruling front they can immediately do following.

1.Expedite all irrigation projects, ensure availability of canal waters where irrigation facilties are available but farmers don't get water due to slothful babus.
2.Reduce travels and spend more time at your desks and with your phones to get the things done.
3. Reduce number of public holidays and make Babus work for atleast 8 hrs a day.
4.Cancel Judicial vacations, fill up all judicial positions and get cracking at pendency of cases[3.5 crores].If not done, it will make mockery of our democracy and judicial systems.People have lost faith in our judiciary to deliver justice,one of the reasons why Naxalism is on the rise.
4.If you can't do any such things, atleast don't manipulate media with such terrible stories of " austerity drives" .These are cruel jokes on people who have chosen to suffer you for next five years.

THE MAN & HIS MISSION
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William Butler once said “How can we know the dancer from the dance?” Similarly, it is near enough impossible to separate the Man from his Mission.
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So what kind of a Man is Tarun Vijay and what is his Mission.
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Even a cursory read of his posts here confirms that Tarun Vijay is a right wing Hindu extremist, whose mission is to promote his version of Hindu ideology, whilst actively denigrating minorities.
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To achieve his mission he employs a number of techniques, such as:

- To appear eminently reasonable whilst expounding his reactionary views.
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- To always create the impression that minorities are OTHERS, not like us. Hortense Vaughan accurately observed when he commented “Tarun would like everyone to be polite so that they make no trouble when he puts them in his gas ovens” Tarun tries to mould the feelings and sentiments of his readers so that any future Pogroms against minorities become acceptable.
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- All bad things happening in India, are attributable to its so called “Secular Constitution”. Had India adopted a true Hindu Constitution then nothing bad would have happened in India.
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- He romanticises ancient India and some contemporary Hindu practices. This excites jingoistic people – like Yigalite, Amit Deshpande, etc - who are seeking things to be proud of and he conveniently supplies them. Guys, one does not have to hate minorities in order to be a proud Hindu. Hinduism is a noble religion; it does not need Tarun Vijay to promote it, particularly at the cost of other religions.
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- He SELECTS examples that serve his Mission and carefully weeds out all such examples which may provide an alternative explanation. So Saffron terrorism is ignored and Islamic terrorism is highlighted. Chandan noted that here.
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- He believes that “minority pleasing” is vote bank politics and “Hindu pleasing” is not. Guys we are all in one vote bank or another.
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Lets’ live and let live and make my Bharat Mahan.

Enjoyed your article ..
But honestly if someone does something good .. lets appreciate it. If a Drunkard leaves his alcohol even for a day lets pat him on the back and say 'keep it up'.
Secondly .. i guess this was an honest mistake on yor part , along with Green and Red , you forgot to mention the Saffron terror ;-) .
P.S, To all the other commentators 'Austerity has got nothing to do with Religion'.

@Ravi Raj & Arjun, currently some people cannot swallow (or digest ) their food without saffron bashing. Many of these pseudos are convent education products & know more about Jesus than about either Ram or Kabir or Mahavir. What they do not realize is that, had it not been for the saffron resistance to the Mughals & other predators, India would have been an Islamic nation today, and these critics like Ravi & Arjun would not have been able to write a single word against the rulers without getting their fingers chopped off.

Very good and sencible article. Netas travelleing ordinary classes in train or ordinary state transport corp buses is really welcome only if they are not occupying half of the coach with security and psychopants.

Why dont writers of these blogs such as Tarun have to answer"this simple math question"?

Great point Tarun... these netas should change from core and bring in reasonable development within self to first become a good citizen. What is the point if he(Rahul Gandhi) is spending more money for his security by traveling by train rather than a chopper. This may be a good initiative but he should make it accountable to public how it is going to benefit the mass.

Lots of comments about people 'below poverty line' and 'economy class'. People BPL do travel 'economy class' or 'cattle class' in trains when they have to travel. And, that can be travelled for free, in the North at least.

4 wheel drive, front wheel drive, automatic drive, economy drive and now Austerity drive!!
Jokes apart, the great marketing machinery of the Congress within the media (read TOI) is at work again. I cant believe the amount of power weilded by the news and print media to influence gullible national opinion. This intentional distraction from core issues like national security, economic recovery, industrial progress and scientific achievement is a part of the countless and unstoppable anaesthetic blitzkrieg on the general public's collective mind. The indian collective mind is not strong enough yet to stand on its own with other populations like China, Israel or for that matter even Srilanka! This gullibility, instead of being erased, is being fed with even more numbing messages that blunt the thinking alltogether to create a paralysed nation, devoid of any responsible action.
The system that is 'India' is failing continuously, and only the best of Indians are able to keep the country wheels running for the 95% of the population.
I wonder if any single politician has the courage to be a real leader and drive moral authority and credibility back into this corrupt slush.

Ni2W - I have become your fan.

I no more read what this Tarun Vijay wrties..he is way out of the past tense or from the 'colony of insanity'. But now-a-days I just wait to read you comments....I am a big fan of you. Keep writing and I am sure very soon millions will be your fans.
Good job.

ggoood one...

" Politicians must travel economy class at least once in their life time to understand how Indians below the poverty line live"

Are you kidding me? Have you ever seen a below poverty line fly in an airplane before??I dont mean to be harsh. Come on gather up some sense before you start writing a blog.

@ @NI2W
it seems you have been hurt deeply by the truth depicted in his blogs..well i would say that it would be better if you comment on the issue at hand and do not spew venom against Tarunji.

In India sadly hindu bashing has become an much practiced art...You can gain instant popularity if u speak foul of the discrimination by hindus and speak praises for the minorities.

People like imran hashmi use this tool to gain news place on news shows..(may be serial kisssing is passe and he has to do something more to stay in the news and what better way to use the sensitive issue of the hindu-muslim enmity..

Its time all Indians wake up to these divisive forces ..lets identify ourselves as Indians and not by our religions , caste or creed for getting sops from politicians.We are responsible for the enmity between people bacause we have let poiticians divide us.

And for hindus i would say that better wake up you will be kept in the docks by the pseudo-secuarists.

@ Ravi

Do u know the meaning of terror?If hindus were terrorists then these handful of jihadis would not have wreaked havoc in our country.Saffron terror is an oft used term by the psudo-secularists to please the minorities and it has got no real meaning...

May be u need some other unique way to attract attention on this blog

@ AVINASH . B

I dont think that u need to become a fan of anyone to be heard.Ni2w is spreding false propaganda against Tarunji and u r blindly following him ..it seems that u have not even read the blog ...wake up and live in a world of sanity u kid

Economy class is intended for helpless mean,sub-standard and above all the most explotited class of people in India.Look at Andhra Pradesh, the chief Minister died in an air accident recently,but before his body was lowered into his grave, and the his mother was still crying, his son started a campaign that he be made to succeed the throne and all the M.L.A., Ministers, and specially the adviser of the Govt., a cabinet rank position joined the chorus that son be installed as C.M.Presuming that can be made as C.M.1st, he is a novice to politics,2 he has already earned name as a faction leader like his father3. he has already committed offences under foreign exchange regulations,4. his name still appears as one of the offenders in a murder case investigated by C.B.I..This is the etiquette of our political class.Bur poor Mrs. Sonia Gandhi chief of Congress party does not what to do.How can she accept the proposoal before Mr.Rahul Gandhi has been made P.M.So, it is better that this sort of people travel in separate plane or separate dabba unconnected with the poor little B.P.L. families.

WITH THEECONOMY FLOURISHING, IMPORTS ARE OPEN FOREIGN GOODS ARE EASILY AVAILABLE, OUR RULERS AS WELL BUREAUCRATS HAVE BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO LIVE IN LUXURIOUS LIFE LIKE KINGS AND PRICESSES.CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS IN LUXURIOUS WAY, SPENDING MILLIONS IN MARRIAGE ARRANGING ALL PARTIES IN 5 STARS AND SPENFDING HOLIDAYS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES,TEACHING CHILDREN IN COSTIEST PUBLIC SCHOOLS, RIDING ON LUXURIOUS CARS IS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TRADITION OF THIS COUNTRY. POLITICS WAS TREATED AS A PLACE TO SERVE PEOPLE BUT IS IS NOW SEEN AS A PLACE TO ACCUMULATE WEALTH SUFFICIENT FOR 7 GENERATIONS. POLITICAL PATRONAGE IS GIVEN TO SERVE THE PURPOSE OF VOTE THAT IS WHY CBI COULD NOT BOOK LALOO,MULAYAM,MAYA AND MANY OTHERS. MILLIONS OF CRORES AVE BEEN DEPOSITED IN FOREIGN BANKS.THIS IS HAPPEN9ING WHEN 70% PEOPLE COULD NOT GET TWO TIMES MEALS AND 90% MONEY OF GOVT. IS WASTED BY CORRUPT PRACTICES.THIS TIME THERE ARE 200 CROREPATI MPS AND MANY HAVE THEIR WEALTH INCREASE BY MANY TIMES IN 5 YRS. AND NO ONE IS READY TO INVESTIGATE.BESIDE THIS DYNASTY RULE IS INCREASING VERY FAST AND WHILE PUBLIC IS SUFFERING TO GET EVEN BASIC AMENITIES OUR RULING CLASS IS ENJOYING AND NO ONE IS READY TO LISTEN TO PUBLIC.NOW IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT CONGRESS PARTY IS THINKING TO INSTALL 284 STATUES ONE IN EACH ASSEMBLY CONSITUENCY IN MEMORY OF DECEASED CM. IS IT NOT SHEER WASTAGE OF MONEY AND RESOURCES.UNLESS OUR TOP ONES HAVE STRONG POLITICAL WILL TO ERADICATE IT EVEN IF ONE ORV TWO GOVT. ARE TO BE SACRIFICED NOTHING COULD BRING THE THINGS TO AUSTERITY.ELECTION EXPENDITURE TO BE CURTAILED OTHEISE THIS DRAA WHICH IS GOING ON AT THE MOMENT WILL NOT HAVE ANY EFFECT EXCEPT SOME NEWS FOR MEDIA. LET US ENUMURATE PATELJI OR ABRAHAN LINCON AND GET READY TO FACE WHATEVER MAY COME TO ERADICATE EXPENDITURE AND BEHAVE LIKE A POOR COUNTRY. LEARN FROM WEST ALSO.STOP THIS DRAMA AND FACE REALITY.

Is the austerity drive an ominous sign of troubled times ahead ? That prices are going to rise further. That the Government is helpless in tackling price rise. That we should brace ourselves for more surprises like increse in taxes and should tighten our belts and eat less, live frugally. Because, like there is no limit to the increase in price of Gold at present, similarly there will be no limit to the rise in prices of essential commodities. Thanks to our Agriculture minister who made a mess in the management of food items that there is a big shortage every where.

Undoubtedly we have green terror and the red terror. The question of the safron terror does not arise since safron will not stab in the back the mother/motherland and DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE the love of the safron for the nation. Whereas we know red terror is known for its betrayal during the dragon attack of 1962 and that betrayal continues today with their total traitorous silence regarding the hanky panky going on our norther borders, and regarding the green terror the less said the better except for the passing statements that without the fifth column support of shelter food water hideouts and information the descendents of ghor/ghazni would never dream of carrying out the bombay type massacre.......nivaas

YA IT'S TRUE THAT THE MINISTERS ONLY WANT TO FULL THEIR BAGS AVOIDING CONVENIENCE OF ORDINARY PUBLIC I DO TRAVEL BY TRAINS AND I HAVE ALWAYS SEEN THAT THE T.TS USED TO SELL THE THE CONFIRMED SEATS TO OTHERS POLITICIANS ARE ALSO A PART OF THE CORRUPTION . BUT THESE CORRUPTED POLITICIANS HAVE THEIR HANDS ON THEM .WE ARE DOING GLITCH BY MAKING THEM MINISTERS .WE SHOULD NOW RISE FROM THE DEEP SLEEP AND SHOULD THINK 100 TIMES BEFORE VOTING FOR ANYONE .

I completely agree with VB that supreme court or some public spirited lawyer like Ram Jethmalani,Fali Nariman & other like minded lawyers should force the court to pass such directives that no personal having criminal cases pending against him and or cases of corruption going on in the courts cannot participate in elections right from municipal level to the level of member of parliament.
Similarly no person can be appointed to the post of chairman of public undertakings,become governors or get nomination to the profit post.
Any officer found guily of corruption,all his assets should be siezed by govt. including all the properties in the name of his son, daughter and wife.
NO person who is drawing his salary from govt.coffers whether from a consolidated fund of india or otherwise should not be allowed to function till he declares all his property including that belong to his family members.
Yes,similar to the names of corrupt officials bieng published by CVC,the decalartion should be put on election commissions website.Further the person who is contesting elections/being nominated to a profit post should not have any arrears of electricity boards,BSNL, or any other govt.deptt. including income tax department.Many politicians keep all these arrears of income tax deptt. and of other utility deptts. under DISPUTE which should not be allowed.They should pay up like other ordinary citizens,and then fight the case with the deptt. concerned as u and me do. Have a clean certificate from all these deptts. and then become eligible for election.
Only drastic steps like these will make these politicians work honestly otherwise we will keep seeing CROREPATI member of parliaments and muncipalities and corporations.

Maan gaye Tarun saab. As usual your writing is though provoking, pinching reminding us of bitter realities.
I for the most part pity myself on the helplessness that I feel. Wonder if there was a way out or if I as a layman could do something about this.

Sir, austerity is seasonal for our politicians. Politicians love media glare and glamour. To attract media attention and publicity politicians are using new tools to be in limelight. Media for the sake of news chooses those and glorify who have eaten 100 mice and going out for pilgrimage. Look beyond politicians you will find more people who earn and live austere life at the same time save precious money which propel our economy.

@@@Ni2w & avinash.b
A prejudiced mind will only see what it fears. In your case, you have put up a counter-article explaining a non-existent opinion about what you had expected Tarun to write. This only displays your inability to understand reading. What you expected and what Tarun has written is different, so you have failed your own argument about Tarun's articles. It shows you have the very same fanatic mindset that you are accusing him of.

These days, whenever something goofy turns up on the news, chances are it involves a fellow called Mohammed. A plane flies into the World Trade Centre? Mohammed Atta. A gunman shoots up the El Al counter at Los Angeles airport? Hesham Mohamed Hedayet. A sniper starts killing petrol station customers around Washington, DC? John Allen Muhammed. A guy fatally stabs a Dutch movie director? Mohammed Bouyeri. A terrorist slaughters dozens in Bali? Noordin Mohamed. A gang-rapist in Sydney? Mohammed Skaf.
Now, I am sure its persecution of Muslims which has led to all of the above. At least thats what people like ni2w would like us to believe....

@Ravi Raj & Arjun, Yeah, what Brajesh Jain says is right, & I may add that but for a few Hindu brave rulers standing up against the Mughal onslaught, today Mughals would have ruled India.And their critics in the male category would have been castrated & enrolled as the King's eunuchs & the female critics would have been dumped in the harem.Now how do you find this prospect?

TRUTH NEVER HURTS

To: Neeraj Rai.
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You are absolutely correct that I am hurt, but not by TRUTH, but by propaganda and one sided clap trap often spewed out by Tarun Vijay.
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If you believe tha I am "pseudo-secuarist, then be prepared to accept that Tarun Vijay and you are Crypto Fascists. For me I rather be a Liberal (Secularist), than to be a Crypto Fascist like Tarun Viajy and you.
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You say let us not promote Hindu-Muslim enmity and then by moaning about Imraan Hasmi and co, you are actually fueling the very thing you wish to oppose.
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I have never indulged in Hindu Bashing. I have indulged in Hindu Extremism or Saffron Politics bashing. The two are not the same.
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If the opportunity arose, you will find me opposing Green Terrorism as well as Red terrorism and in the past I did oppose Sikh terrorism.
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I find Tarun Vijay's views reactionary, unnecessarily alarmist and largely abhorrent.

Economy Class : Teach Etiquette First :- by Tarun Vijay :The title so selected by the writer, itself is indicative of the hard fact that our Elected Members i.e.the MPs & the MLAs,should be first given 'Induction Training' comulsorily ,like a newly inducted factory worker &/or l Hi Fi officer in a Govt /Corporate Office / Factory etc . We have recently celebrated our sixty second Independence Anniversary : & lo our elected members, representing the Indian populace, lack the very basics of Etiquette ,niceties,decorum,propriety et al ! They are supposed to be the Law Makers &also to ensure that the countrymen follow the 'Sacred Constitution' religiously & conscientiously to the core ! The numerous references ,referred to by TARUN JI ,make one feel glum , gloomy & hapless onlooker,honestly ! We ,the men on the street ,have to come out of our silky cocoon to unshackle the AAM-AADAMI from such like ,so called Local Netas ,eventually sooner or later .Wait till 2014.It is not that far ! Make up your mind now itself & dump these half-educated & ill-mannered characters from the Parliament & the State Assemblies once for all .Bring in well-mannered ,reasonably educated & selfless to serve the nation /mankind ,with out any expectations .Bring in more & more honest leaders like Lal Bahudur,Jai Parkash Narain ,Dr Rajinder Prasad,Subhash Chander Bose,Shaheed Bhagat Singh ,the living legend A P Kalam Sahib- our former president ,Dr MS Randhawa, the unknown martyrs et al ! better Education System can show the expected result in the long run .

@ Neeraj Rai,

Still I am trying to grapple the mind set of Tarun regarding the lies and twisting of the facts, and now you too are doing the same. Please stop scaring the people's in the name of Hinduvata or that Sky is falling drama's.....
*
My boy, Hindu's in India are THE RULERS of this nation not Muslims or Christains or Sikhs. NOW IS THE TIME We need to give opportunity to Dalits to rule as they form the majority in Hindu's.
*
Don't you think we should be having a Dravidian Dalit OR converted Dalit as our PM as they form 70% of the Hindu population ?

Well said!We have reached such a low level in the name of Democracy,people,good people,ordy citizen are afraid of talking anything, even against a Municipal Councilar..Leave alone an MLA in your case..The goonda raj is our Only Success in the name of Democracy!We shd be ashamed of calling our country has produced Gandhi and Lal Bahdur Sastris!

Guys,
.
If you read all Tarun blogs one thing comes to mind...that something is COOKING. I guess Tarun is deceptively launching himself & I will not be surprise if I heard that he is NEXT top ‘HINDU LEADER’ of the SELF boxing political party.
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Now we can understand how the arm chair guys are made leader.......not from the "GRASS ROOT working with the aam aadmi" but from the AC office chair by blogging. This is our modern India.
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Next - How you become OTHER ‘HINDU LEADER’ ?.... Not by working with 'aam aadmi' but by BASHING pseudo-secularist, dalits, muslims, christians, sikhs, western world, middle eastern countries (I am sure he has not visited any one). Writing the blog with lies & twisted facts. Look at the Tarun supporter’s mindset, the threatening language been used, etiquette ?, self respect ? are testimonials on the TOI blogs.
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The saddest part of the whole story - Hinduism is been revived or made to feel proud by 'Bashing' the Women, minorities and poor people with twisted stories. Is this how we are going to save Hinduism? Can we stop ‘bashing business’ and focus on the Hindu religion by itself to attain moksha….
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Can you make your life better by following in footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindernath Tagore to give peace to India which we need very much after hard working day and stresses ????

Proudly I say I am Dalit Hindu.

ni2w and the likes of him have one simple yardstick. Anyone who speaks for Hindus is communal, and is anti-Islamic. These guys will go to any lengths, and will not hesitate to use legerdemain to spew venom against such people. As is evident from the first comment made by ni2w where he has accused Tarun of writing something which Tarun doesn't even remotely mention in his blog. Nowhere does Tarun talk of austerity w.r.t. Hindus or Muslims, or say that the BJP is more austere than the Congress. People like ni2w will constantly refuse to look within but will not hesitate to point fingers at others making imaginary accusations, in an attempt to cloak their own insecurities.

It is very easy to follow the line of thought of Hindu-hating, double talking secularists like ni2w. First they try and bully, then they use legerdemain laced with sarcasm, and then they try and mollycoddle in an apparent attempt to soften their previous fanatical hearsay. While all the time, being completely impuissant at making logical answers to any points brought up. And of course not to forget, using terms like communal, fascist, racist, Nazi, etc. Dharmic religions are inherently secular. Hinduism always believes in live and let live. However, when other totalitarian ideologues go about getting violent as is their wont, apologists like ni2w expect Hindus to sit quietly. And when that doesn't happen, its Hindu communalism. Or, as its become fashionable to call it now, "Saffron Terrorism". No Hindu scripture extols its believers to murder, persecute disbelievers or promises carnal, materialistic pleasures in the afterlife for doing so. People like ni2w very conveniently turn a blind eye to such divine injunctions in their creed, and waste no time in crying wolf when Hindus react to their brethren following such despicable decrees. They need to introspect why is it that 90% of the violence on this planet can be attributed to a particular dogma. And why is it that such actions are divinely ordained. Is that really a sign of true divinity? However, as I mentioned earlier, they very conveniently turn a blind eye, and adamantly refuse to look within. Under such circumstances it is easy to see why reform is nearly impossible in their creed. Secularism is a 2-way street. And it certainly doesn't constitute continual appeasement of a certain section of the society. Be it Zorastrians, Jews, Christians, Buddhists, and even Muslims, Hinduism has always welcomed other faiths with open arms. Even those that seek to dominate, and embrace violence as a divine decree.

Tarun didnt accept my previous comment as there was a not so good word used in it. So I am to write again.
N2iW and Avinash B., you two who are grappling to understand the mindset of Tarun, dont understand your own mindset.
Avinash, if you say Tarun's fact are twisted then why dont you google and confirm. Tarun presents facts that are not otherwise published anywhere. and just because those facts are about the Hindus and just because those are not published by Pseudo Securalist media (like you guys) doesnt mean that its twisted fact.

N2iW - your mindset is the hardest to digest, such preconcived notion about a writer, without analyzing the fact is absurditity. You are the kind of people, for whom "majority aceepting minrotiy every action is a virtuous majority, but if majority wants to do something for their own, without hurting minorities, then it is vice just because majority is doing it"
So be punished and accept everything is what is expected of majority/

ni2w and the likes of him have one simple agenda. Demonize anyone who speaks for Hindus as communal, fascist, racist, Nazi, anti-minority, etc. These guys will go to any lengths, and will not hesitate to use legerdemain to spew venom against anyone who speaks for Hindus. As is evident from the first comment made by ni2w where he has accused Tarun of writing something which he doesn't even remotely mention in his blog. Nowhere does Tarun talk of austerity w.r.t. Hindus or Muslims, nor does he say that the BJP is more austere than the Congress. People like ni2w will adamantly refuse to look within but will not hesitate to point fingers at others, making imaginary accusations in a sorry attempt to cloak their own insecurities and fanatical ideological leanings.

Ha Ha... Looks like Mr Tarun doesnt know what is poverty line or economy class. Have you seen any person below poverty line, flying or atleast travelling in any other economy class. Ministers will not get to know what people below poverty line experience, just by flying economically. I believe you would have flown in economy class, and your blog proves that you do not know, what is poverty line. You need to meet people below poverty line to get to know what it means, Sir!!!

Well said Tarunji. Unless the Netajis change their behaviour there is no point in preaching of austerity. It will be only at the cost of the common man's comfort. Let them attend first an orientation programme on "how to behave/ travel in Public utility services like trains etc." and also learn the "Etiquette" of the positions they occupy in the Public life.

i care a damn if the MPs and the MLAs travel first class or cattle class. let them do their two bit for the people who elected them and travel by a private jet for all i care a damn.

the sad part is if they are to practice austerity let tehm do it without a show imagine a Rahul Gandhi travelling in a 2nd class with all his body guards and his choicest meals, he has caused more inconvenience to us the fellow travellers than anyone else.

the best way to practice austerity is by ensuring that the money of the people is spent for the people's benifit and for the enpowerment of the people.

Austerity comes from stopping corruption and working for the welfare of the people. If mayawati has to tell me she travells cattle class i would rather ask her to practice Austerity by allowing people to crap on her statues

@Ni2w & Avinash B
First and foremost, You people need to learn the etiquette's of reading an article and expressing your views to it.
Who starts jabbing at others without listening? The answer is known.
Ni2w has written about his prejudices in his posts. A prejudiced mind would show you want you want to see. That justifies your comment.
Apart from this Avinash B your comments show the very same jingoism that you seem to be chiding me of. You dont see Indians, you see Dalits that's the crux of matter that is visible in your post. Try to not to do at least, what you accuse others of. Keep writing, Keep rocking.

To ALL those of you who mentioned "Saffron terror", I have just one word for you all: TRAITORS (That is GADDARS in Hindi)

If there is any such thing as Saffron 'terror', it is the RESULT of green/red terror. Be warned. It is because of people like you that terrorism thrives.

Excuse me. A mother is not a person to lean on but a person to make leaning unnecessary.
I am from Arabia and also now am reading in English, give please true I wrote the following sentence: "Without further less-than-stellar i am just required the two insurers are not the ranking, insurance auto."

Thank you so much for your future answers :p. Sevilin.