Government and Governance ( ICT enabled Social and Political marketing)

Trade Mark of 2011 is Corruption- A historical year for Indians

Heera Lal — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 14:59:19 +0000

On the last day of 2011, I pondered what trade mark is to be assigned for this ending calendar year. After deep thought, I found one word “Corruption” which attracted the most. It is a social product of Anna team. They are marketing it with full fanfare as social marketers. This is the single issue which hits all Indians inside as well as outside the country.
Anna team is not alone to take its credit. To know its genesis, we need to focus on Baba RamDeo. He is making people aware with the platform Swabhiman trust for many years. Initiall, he staged a protest in RamLila ground. He tried to raise the issue of black money and corruption. He pressurized the government of India to act for bringing black money back. He is highly successful in his mission. Government reacted against him and he suffered because he did some unthinkable mistake. One main reason among many is that he is not having a good team to carry on such time taking and slow changing process.
After black money issue of Baba, another team came into picture. This team is led by Anna. He is having a core team of renowned persons. They took a protest in Delhi against corruption. To curb the growing cancerous corruption, they put a demand for a strong lokpal as a weapon to kill it. This lokpal bill is pending for last 43 years. They termed their agitation as second freedom movement against corruption. Corruption is very rampant and affecting all in some form. They got support beyond their imagination.
People get medium to vent up their negative energy generated by corruption. The image of Anna was one major factor for gathering huge support. His agitation brought central government to its knee. Political parties are playing with this issue to get some benefit. But overall impression of pubic is against the political class. This is very dangerous proposition for the country. Reduction of faith in political actors and institutions are not good sign. But it is a fact and it is known to them.
Corruption is the biggest hurdle in development. It is growing slowly and silently. It is affecting all and retarding their growth pace. Inspite of its great negative effect, it couldn’t become a public issue. Thank to god that he sent two saints in 2011 in the form of Baba and Anna who made it a visible public issue. They compelled the governments to act upon unwillingly.
Social media played very important role in connecting people and exchanging their ideas freely. Through free social media, public supported, endorsed the movement against corruption. It took a shape as it is a movement leading the country to free it from corruption. Yet, we don’t get a tangible result in the form of lokpal, but a strong environment against it has been built. Its heat is felt by the corrupt government. It may be of any party or any state. The credit of government of India is at stake. Chief Minister of Karnataka lost his seat because of his corrupt practices. This is an irony that he was forced to leave even he was having majority support in house. On the other hand most troubled state of Bihar is hailed for its good governance. This tells that good governance is now the agenda for political actors to worship to please the ‘God’ to get power.
When movement was at peak, to dilute it, congress and some its allies said laws are made in parliament not on streets. This type of blame game was played to dilute the issue and movement. It is true that laws are enacted in parliament as per our constitution. In streets people are not making any law, but they have every right to make parliament know their needs and wishes. And this is the strength of our cherished democracy. If our representative will not keep and act as per the wishes and need of public in parliament and will do what party high command will say, then what option is left to public to tell their wishes to law makers. Should they not go on streets?
India is a representative democracy. Needs and wishes of masses are put before the parliament and legislative assemblies by their elected MPs and MLAs. But reality is what we know all. For a MP and MLA, the wishes of Party high command are prevailing over the wishes of people. Arvind Kejriwal- a prominent team Anna member- in his article dated 1st January 2012 in Times of India “India needs real democracy” very rightly and artistically said about high command culture prevailing in our multi-party political system. Whole system is dwarf before two or three of top leader who think himself as owner of the party. Its members do what so called high commands wish to see irrespective of public demand.
Our constitution says by the people, of the people and for the people. But in light of ongoing practice, Kejriwal quoted it like “of the party high command, by the party high command and for the party high command.
To prove his point he gave example of Rahul Gandhi. Rahul said Lokpal should have a constitutional status. After his debate in parliament, cong is behind it on war footing, leaving all previous exercises. He comes in category of party high command of Congress. Hence his wishes are prevailing over the wishes of the country. If not then why not this proposal before his debate in parliament. This raises a question. Does our democracy is practicing as it is in blue book. Its answer is a big “NO”.
This big NO has compelled to all of us to think seriously what to do to bring a match between practice and statute provisions. There is a tolerance limit of everything. If we see very minutely, we can say our representatives keep themselves above law by manipulation or by hooks or crooks. This alarming situation brought down faith of public in political actors and their associated bodies which in turn is very dangerous for the country.
Based on above discussion and cited reasons, I endorse the heading of Arvind. Party workers can’t change it even if they desire. Because party political system in India is very loose and can be manipulated easily. The related highest body is Election Commission of India. Its proposals for political reforms and opinions of public are eating dust in cupboards. Political reforms are utmost required, but it is yet not in picture. This type of functioning of our democracy is not desirable. If it will get the attention of party high command anyhow, it will be passed within no time. Thus, I see the dust created over corruption and black money by Anna and Baba as a very positive sign in the betterment of the country.
I would share the opinion of the others who see it wasted of time, money and many more things. Tavleen Singh wrote a heading “A wasted Year” in the Sunday express on the 1st January 2012. She says it is a myth that by creating a powerful lokpal, we will be able to dismantle the vast and complex infrastructure of corruption which have a life of many decades.
I think team Anna is not saying this. They are not saying that Lokpal is a magic stick with which ghost of corruption will set on fire. What I have heard and read from Anna and his team that Lokpal is a starting and it will be a strong weapon in the hands of people like RTI. This is the reason, they have announced to take up issue of political reform after getting it settled and operative like RTI. I fail to understand the logic given by madam Singh. It is like ‘acts are not made on streets.’ She has criticized NAC for food bill and Anna for Lokpal together. She has tried to prove her case meticulously, but I’m not convinced.
So far we were confined to 2011. Turn towards 2012, A news item in ToI (1st January 2012) says “2012 will not be easy for the country.” To some extent, I see it true, but not entirely. Spill over of USA and Europe’s bad economy will affect us negatively. Added to this, our corrupt practice will provide some acceleration to it.
Being an optimistic person and positive thinking man, I see some good fruits of social crop showed by Baba and Anna along with Indian public. Now ruling and opposition parties at Delhi and in state capitals have received many shocks of corruption earthquakes erupted intermittently in the 2011.
To prove the point government of Uttar Pradesh dropped nineteen ministers on the charges of mal practices till date. Further to add, Raja and his secretary are still without bail. BJP changed his chief minister in Uttrakhand before election. Why? Its reason is an open secret. It is all due to an environment against corruption built by two saints. Political class has its own compulsions, which we need to understand.
2011 is a historical year. In this year, we launched second movement to liberate the country from corruption with Gandhin style. As per me, 2012 will bring mix results. We will reap good fruits of crop showed in 2011 and we need to take pain to plant more trees like political reform bill to see India as a developed nation by 2020 as envisaged by APJ. To historical year 2011bye bye and welcome to 2012 with full optimism.
(Views are personal)
Heera Lal
www.makingyouhappy.org

ref:
1. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-toi/special-report/India-needs-real-democracy/articleshow/11322587.cms
2. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/a-wasted-year/894281/
3. http://www.iimahd.ernet.in/publications/data/2006-11-01_nravi.pdf

Convince if not then Confuse

Heera Lal — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:06:12 +0000

Political marketing: Convince if not then Confuse

Congress is trying to confuse public. Baba Ram Deo and Anna Hazare set two issues which keep hitting public mind- Back money and Corruption respectively. They are successful because these are social issues affecting the general masses. These issues were agenda points of BJP in 2009, but couldn’t get luster. BJP tried these political products to sell in the market of 2009 Loksabha election. It was not successful, reason being, BJP as political party didn’t have the required credit to hit public mind.
Duo made issues visible. Visibility crated problem for congress. Being in power for most of the time, it is not able to reject blames outright. One thing has set in publics’ mind that these are the bad side effects of misgovernance of congress. This situation is highly disturbing congress and its government.
Initially Congress and government tried to convince both. They labored hard to make them understand that their demand would be met. But all endeavor failed. Subsequently, they are busy to confuse public like past. Here they are doing a great mistake. Now public is well connected through different modes of ICT. Hence having information, and tool to verify the veracity of the facts and timing as well.
After independence congress was single effective national party. But with becoming Atal as PM in 1998 from BJP, things changed drastically. Now it is a parallel national party and giving stiff competition. Congress is losing its national character gradually at the cost of BJP and regional parties. If we evaluate some regional heads, they are doing better than congress. CM Nitish kumar is a good example to cite.
Congress has not taken any lessons from all these changes. If taken, not emulated to change itself to accommodate all such changes. This is one prominent reason of loosing political ground among many others. They are trying to do politics in Nehru and Indira style in a boundary less and well informed society which was almost absent is past. There are sea changes from then and now. Obama getting elected US president sent a worldwide signal about the change sweeping across the borders.
Congress needs to reform itself to meet public expectations. Political parties in power serve the society and public through policies. If assess the performance on this, we will get negative marks. Bills are introduced under public pressure but not passed. Lokpal bill is an example to it. Productivity of our legislative bodies and parliament are going down. It means politicians are doing what not to do and not doing what to do. Hence they are losing public faith.
Nitish kumar, Dr. Raman and Shiv Raj Chauhan, Tarun Gagoi as CM has set a new agenda for Indian actors-perform or go. This is called good governance and governance deficit. It is unfortunate to say, water is flowing against the gravity. Right of service was first launched by Madhya Pradesh and now GoI and others are trying to copy. It implies states are ahead in enacting public needed and demanded laws. GoI is lacking in its basic duties, so losing public faith.
In the tough political competition, all parties bound to respect public demands and mood. Days have gone of imposing will and ignoring public wishes. Congress is still in old mode of imposing and exposing. This is the reason two simple gentle man jolted the oldest party and its government. Further sad part, they are treating these two and their team to reduce the strength to agitation. This is going against. This is generating a feeling that they are getting this treatment because they raised public issues. This also proves old mode functions.
First attach on Baba and his close associate Balkrishana. Second attach is on Anna and his team. Santosh Desai has critically analyzed on this issue in his article. If they were not 24 carat gold- the ideal condition- can’t they raise the public issue. On this one can conclude like this. To raise such social issue first one should prove his 100 percent purity. By throwing mud on the social activists, congress is thinking that it will confuse public. It is a wrong notion and mistaken approach. Even if a bad character will raise these, s/he will get issue based support- at least on social sites- a strong tool in public hands. This was absent during Nehru and Indira regime.
Public has clarity in its mind. They know it is hard to get blameless person, in this case public is not seeing the miner blames of person raising their issues. They are concentrating on the issue affecting the country and its progress. And it is fueled by opposition, civil society, media and intellectuals. Even in deep rural these are talk of town and with blame on congress.
Old adage foreign hand, RSS supported is fired cocks. Information revolution made it blunt. Hard to understand why congress is using these blunt weapon. Now public questions why RSS and alike can’t raise such issues. What is wrong if it is raised by them? Further, they ask questions why black money generated and why corruption spread and whose duty was to retard its growth. Its answer is congress.
To prevent further loss, congress should accept its mistake like Clinton accepted as president in case of his sex scandal. Accepting mistake makes one great not mean. If Congress will accept the reality like Bill clinton and promise to act cleanly, they can set the whole process in reverse gear as long term political marketing strategy.
If not, 2014 election will be on these issues and as of now it will prove a nightmare for Rahul. Though he is trying to administer soft medicine to reform and adjust changes, but it is not working as disease is chronic one. Hence, it needs hard one to cure. One line theme for congress shed old style of imposing. Assess public mood and act accordingly if wish to have their mandate. Try to work with good governance as central agenda.
(Views are personal and based on different sources)

Heera Lal
www.makingyouhapy.org

Sources:
1. http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Citycitybangbang/entry/the-divine-middlemen
2. http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_bjp-accusses-congress-for-creating-emergency-situation-on-corruption-black-money_1554498
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Prime_Ministers_of_India
4. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-23/uk/30312708_1_steve-jobs-apple-founder-pancreatic-cancer

Political marketing through international diplomacy by OBAMA

Heera Lal — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 13:46:57 +0000

Changing Diplomatic Landscape inSouth Asia

In coming days, South Asia (SA) will be the epicenter of world power. SA has potent and fast growing rising countries-IndiaandChina.Chinais second largest economy after US andIndiais fourth after Japan- India and china together unmatched. With increasing clout of both, SA is in the process to change its diplomatic landscape.USpresident Barack Obama with an eye on re-election in 2012 is architecting new ways in this region. Four compelling issues made him to act speedily. One, ailing US economy; two, Osama catch in Pakistan; three, lost of strategic importance of Pakistan; four, containment of growing China.

One, ailing USeconomy: in December 2008 Obama unveiled stimulus packages that exceed $1 trillion. But, US economy did not recover as stipulated and expected. There is valid reason behind it. The Great Recession showed, dramatically, that theUS could no longer afford the combination of low taxes, low savings, high welfare benefits and foreign wars. Absent the trillions spent in foreign wars, theUS economy may have recovered quickly. But the war on terror doomed it financially.US government debt to outsiders has soared from 40% of GDP to 67 %, and further to 98%, including gilts held by US agencies like the social security system.

Economist Michael Boskin says in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that federal spending (25% of GDP), the budget deficit (10 % of GDP) and federal debt (67% of GDP) are all at their highest levels since World War II. The proportion of employed citizens (58.1%) is the lowest since 1983. The proportion of long-term unemployed (59%) is the highest since the 1930s. The proportion paying income tax (49%) is the lowest in modern times. The proportion getting government handouts (47%) is the highest in history.

As per US 2010 census data, In US, Indians are 0.9 percent followed by Chinese 1.1 percent. But in per capita income, Intelligence and labor grading, Indian-Americans are better than Chinese-Americans. Indians community has two governors and politically influential. They voted and supported financially to Obama in 2008. But ban on outsourcing hit hard Indian community in US. They are annoyed. Obama couldn’t afford this annoyance if he wishes to repeat in 2012.

On one hand he inherited the ailing economy and on other hand he is the great hope for theUSpublic. If he corrects and takes any measure, its side effect comes in way as in the case of outsourcing. To reduce the ire, he took many Indian in his administrative team. He visitedIndiain November 2010 and tried his best to put ointment on wounds by announcing his support for Indian permanent seat in United Nations Security council. He tried to assuage emotionally. Along with it, many important bilateral agreements were singed.

Economically and culturally both countries are much closer than any other SA countries. This is also a favorable point in site. This process of coming together was set in motion by thenUSPresident Bill Clinton. He visitedIndiaand went deep inside the country to see Indian strong traditions closely. During his eight years, he brought this process to such a point from where reversion in not possible. After his tenure, Bush was not that favorable like him. But he couldn’t set the things in back gear as politically it was not advisable and possible too.

To cure ailing economic situation, Indian big market is a point in consideration. Bilateral trades will help a lot in improving the sagged financial conditions. Indian Prime Minister ManMohan Singh is also having good inclinations towards US. His Core team which includes Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Kabil Sibal are also enjoying pro-American image in public. Times to time such allegations are coined against them by opposition. Therefore, for US India is the best friend in SA from economic angle.

Two, Osama catch inPakistan: after 9/11 incident, Osama became number one enemy of US and the most wanted terrorist worldwide. This incident jolted US from inside for the first time in recent past. This broke a myth that none can attack US. It used to boast and influence that if any one would enter into their territory to attack, their radars, satellites and missiles would not allow it and would foil the attempt in way. But 9/11 attacks proved all such thoughts hyperbole.

Destroying both trade towers resulted in worsening the economic back bone of the country. This is supplemented by unwise and political decisions of fighting wars outside and lowering taxes simultaneously. Through this tactic Bush was able to reelect and fulfill his personal ambitions. But he brought the country’s economy on the verge to collapse. Economic indicators prove this.

Bush could not find Osama. But, Obama located him in Abbottabad of Pakistan. US attacked unilaterally and killed him on 2^nd May 2011. This is the turning point for Pak-US relations. Before this date,Pakistan denied forcefully that Osama was not inPakistan. Finding Osama in Abbottabad made each and every American Pakistan’s enemy in the light of 9/11. Americans’ anger was at peak againstPakistan hearing his killing inPakistan. They celebrated his killing as they won a great war. It was viewed thatPakistan was abetting and supporting terrorists attacking them on one hand and vehemently denying this on other hand. When citizens’ mood is dead against thePakistan, politically it is not possible for US political bosses to keep it as ally in SA.

A key American lawmaker fromTexashas introduced a resolution in the House of Representative to freeze all US aid toPakistan. The House Resolution (No HR 3013) if passed will freeze all US aid toPakistanwith the exception of funds that are designated to help secure nuclear weapons.

“Since the discovery of Osama bin Laden inAbbottabad,Pakistanhas proven to be disloyal, deceptive and a danger to theUnited States,” Congressman Ted Poe said in a statement after tabling the resolution in the House on Friday.

“This so-called ally continues to take billions inUSaid, while at the same time supports the militants who attack us.Pakistanhas made it “painfully obvious” that they will continue their policy of “duplicity and deceit” by pretending to be US ally in the war on terror while simultaneously promoting violent extremism, the Congressman said.

Obama is the best political marketer worldwide as on date. Sensing citizen’s mood, he started acting againstPakistan. Now terror is a big problem for US. Terrorists give call for attacking US time to time. To reduce this danger, they need a safe and reliable partner in this region. In view of all circumstances,Indiafits in the block the best.

Three, loss of strategic importance ofPakistan:Pakistanwas built up as a spoiler state both by US (early 50s, 60s, and 70s) and byChinaimmediately after 1962 border debacle in NEFA and Ladhakh withIndia. Pakistan’s strategic importance was very much enhanced in early 50s when US looking for a base to fly the U-2 over USSR found the perfect base in Pehawar to sneak into the USSR from south and fly over vitally important USSR’s space station and strategic missile bases which were far away from the USSR’s European borders. This relationship ended with the shooting down of the U-2 spy plane byUSSR.Peshawar, Sarghodha,Rawalpindiceased to be important military bases to US as these were before the U-2 shooting down.

US focused to exploitPakistan’s peculiar geography to keep control over the Muslim world ofPakistanitself,Afghanistan,Iran, Gulf region (with huge Pakistani émigré workers),Uzbekistan,Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan etc. Pakistanis are delighted with the newly found role at the behest of US. They have thrown their lot behind US. Firstly economic and military aid is flowing back again.

US used to control Taliban and Al-Qaeda and other terrorists’ outfits from thePakLand. Now with fixing time line for withdrawal of US forces from July 2011, new equations are bound to arise.Afghanistandoesn’t treat Pak as friend. For them,Indiais more reliable than Pak.Indiatoo has its own problem to side withAfghanistan. If Pak will gain ground inAfghanistan, it may use this position to fight invisible war againstIndia. To remove this possibility,Indiais ahead to have a good relation withAfghanistan. US have a morale duty to see peace after their handing over of power toAfghanistangovernment. On this count, US can’t believePakistanoverIndia. Hence it is promotingIndiato take its place which is inIndiafavor too and play a bigger role there.

Getting Osama in Pak and withdrawal of forces fromAfghanistanstarted in July 2011 are two major immediate reasons for strategic importance loss forPakistan. It is all part of political marketing of Obama for repetition in 2012.USCitizens are against Pak emotionally with finding and killing of Osama. To harness this public feelings politically, political actors are hard pressed to show that they are againstPakistan. Breaking alliance is a part of this game.

Families are waiting for long to bring their near and dear back at home working in Afghanistan. America’s most senior commander, Admiral Mike Mullen, described the troop withdrawals from Afghanistan, announced by Barack Obama, as risky. Inspite of this opposition, Obama announced withdrawal from July 2011. Why so because this will help in winning elections in 2012. Families whose members are away for long will please them and they will support him. This action will cut expenditure on incurring on war. Thus, it will improve economy. This decision is also based on political marketing.

Breaking long ties withPakistanis not as easy as it looks for US. Exposed military and ISI domination and their nexus with terrorist outfits are the troubling point forPakistangovernment. Pak has well organized lobbyist inside and outside theUSgovernment. To put all these paid actors in reverse mode will take some time. They will try their best to keep it in order to continue their job in order to save their livelihood.

US President Barack Obama, in an unusual criticism ofPakistan’s continued flirtation with jihadi groups, toldIslamabad to cut its links with “unsavoury characters”. Given that Obama had not yet weighed in onPakistan, after Admiral Mike Mullen publicly described the Haqqanis as an arm of the ISI, his remarks can be a source of comfort toIndia. It may also mark a tipping point in theUS approach toPakistan. The presidential opinion coincided with the visit of US special envoy Marc Grossman toPakistan.Afghanistan contextually should emerge in the strategic calculus of theUnited States as the ‘center of gravity’ in American policies displacing Pakistan Army which has miserably let down theUnited States.

But political compulsions of Obama are above all. This is the reason Obama clarified and indicated his views and plan for southAsia. 2012USelection is critical for both Obama andPakistan. It is this which causing to break ties with immediate effect.

Four, containment of growingChina: One of the big worries Americans have aboutChina’s rising economic power concerns its immense holdings ofU.S.government debt. The fear is that Chinese actions regarding these holdings could end up destabilizing theU.S.economy, or that they could be used as a political tool to influence American policy. IfChina, let’s say, got angry atWashingtonover its support forTaiwanor the Dalai Lama,Beijingcould retaliate by dumping U.S. Treasury bills. Or perhapsChinawould sell Treasuries as part of a no-confidence vote on the future of theU.S.economy. By selling American debt,Chinawould weaken the value of the dollar, damage investor sentiment towards theU.S.economy and make it harder forWashingtonto finance its giant budget deficits.

There is no question that China’s recent explosive economic advances are of new concern to Americans with our ever-mounting bilateral trade deficit (which has exceeded $200 billion every year since 2005) coupled with China’s continued dominance as the number one holder of U.S. Treasury securities and its $2.4 trillion in foreign currency and gold reserves. This erosion of our economic position in the world, and the concomitant loss of manufacturing jobs, blamed by many onChina, has only added to the rising tensions between our two nations.China’s recent actions in the South China Sea andBeijing’s refusal to join the rest of the world in trying to containNorth Korea’s nuclear program andPyongyang’s aggression towardsSouth Koreaare further stress points.

The newChinanow presents itself as an alternative center of power, and financial largesse, to theUnited States—and has the resources to back it up. Having flexed its muscles to reinforce this new position,Beijingsought to allay growing fears thatChina’s

success might pose either an economic or military threat with the establishment in 2005 of the ‘‘Peaceful Rise of China’’ Public Diplomacy campaign. China’s successful implementation of this campaign in playing down the possible negative consequences of China’s ever-increasing dominance was illustrated in President Obama’s response to a question during the recent 2010 state visit by President Hu, ‘‘I absolutely believe that China’s peaceful rise is good for the world, and it’s good for America.

After collapse of USSR,in unipolar era, USAcontained Indiawith and through having an alliance with Pakistan. Now fast growing Chinais a bigger threat to US than India. Hence, USAis trying to use India’s soulder and space like Pakistanto check the growth of China. This concern of USAhas expedited the process of changing allies in SA. Diplomatic boundaries among different countries in SA are galloping to reach to some new stable ground.
NowChina is a great danger for its super power status. With growing economy ofChina, it is able to enhance its clout worldwide. The biggest problem, theUS facing, is how to save its worldwide supreme position. To contain growing power ofChina, US as per its habit will use someone’s shoulder and space. In SA, the most suitable ally- not partner- will beIndia.

Finally, it is most probable that in new diplomatic settlement in SA,USA,AfghanistanandIndiawill be in same boat. WhilePakistanandChinawill swim together in an other boat of SA diplomatic ocean. Here department of diplomatic affairs of United Nations needs to assist countries in SA in bringing new diplomatic stabilities amicably.

USpresident Obama is trying his best to regain power in 2012. He is trying to get voters to his side by International diplomacy in South Asia through his best social and political marketing skill of proven record as he is also known as internet president.

(Views are personal and based on different sources)

Heera Lal

www.makingyouhapy.org

Sources:

20http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Bill-introduced-in-US-House-to-freeze-all-aid-to-Pakistan/articleshow/10137012.cms

21. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/The-trouble-with-stalwart-allies/articleshow/10130185.cms

22. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13256676

23. http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ChanakyaCode/entry/significance-of-president-s-obama-s-visit

24. http://in.reuters.com/article/2010/11/08/idINIndia-52749720101108

25. http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL33529.pdf

26. http://www.globaltimes.cn/opinion/foreign-view/2010-11/592773.html

27. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Terror-shadow-US-set-to-cut-Pak-ties/articleshow/10274498.cms

29. http://curiouscapitalist.blogs.time.com/2010/02/26/will-china-dump-u-s-debt/

30. http://www.hindustantimes.com/US-threat-of-military-action-unites-Pakistan/Article1-751428.aspx

31. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-08/india/30257846_1_indian-strategists-tom-donilon-haqqani

32. http://cryptome.org/info/occupy-wall-st11/occupy-wall-st11.htm

33. http://lugar.senate.gov/issues/foreign/diplomacy/ChinaInternet.pdf

34. http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/%5Cpapers47%5Cpaper4603.html

35 http://heeralalpcs.blogspot.com/2010/04/reform-in-department-of-political.html

36 . http://therapup.net/2008/10/obama-will-be-our-first-internet-president

37. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/opinions/10344197.cms

Public, the 5th Pillar of India democracy

Heera Lal — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 07:39:08 +0000

Broadly we can say Anna agitation has two consequences:

Proved public is master and leaders are servant.
Mass leaders are more effective than elected representative i.e. mass opinion of public leaders is stronger than mandate of political representative.
What are the main differences between a public leader and a public representative?

In our constitution, we talk about three main pillars-Legislature, judiciary and executive. In addition, we treat free press/media as fourth pillar. Public who is the market for all four was in back as base. Public as base gives power to all to discharge some mandate. The distortion in assign mandate is more than tolerance capacity. Hence, public came out from base and took the shape of fifth pillar of democracy to show its strength.

Legislature is supreme among all five pillars being law makers. Constitution entrust it to frame welfare laws to run country smoothly in forward direction. But actions of our representatives are not satisfying the public. After election, they disregard public demand and opinion. And they are engaged more in self benefiting actions or no action. This affects citizens badly. In absence of needed law due to non performance of legislature, they suffer from different angles. Productivity of parliament has gone down. Recent corruptions highlighted their negative acts to intolerable limit of public.

Executive didn’t discharge their duties up to public expectations and as mandated by laws. Inactions and their corruptions corroded Indian steel frame and made this pillar very weak. Assessing this weak situation, our polity collaborated with this wing. Executive couldn’t refuse the association being weak and fear to be exposed by political class. Now in corruption, polity and executive are two sides of a coin. These two pillars did all big scams in partnership. One gets entry through selection to work up till the age of 60 while other through election for fixed five years tenure. An independent agency of Hang Kang conducted a survey of 13 Asian countries recently. It foundIndia’s bureaucracy the worst and topper from bottom.

Fixed tenure of polity and executive and reduced accountability/transparency changed their mind set from servant mode to master mode. This change of mind set proved very dangerous to general pubic. Partnership reduced actions against corrupt activities to almost zero. No action boosted the corrupt practices among both. Slowly and slowly polity dominated and now has the lion share in corrupt produce. Weak executive couldn’t prevent the polity from taking the dominant position in corruption and its enhancing. Frequent transfer, workless and unimportant posting are other tools in hands of political bosses to bring executive to compromising point.

Fed up with polity and executive, pubic approached judiciary to get relief. Though general impression of judiciary is not better than these two at lower level, but top judiciary enjoys better public confidence. A few Supreme Court (SC) judges took a lead and started giving quality judgments. A step ahead, they monitored the implementation of their orders. By this procedure, SC compelled government to take proper actions. Actions helped in saving the hope of public. Recent judgments improved image of judiciary.

Free media as fourth pillar of our democracy has a very important role to play. More or less they are enjoying better reputation than others. Though, it is not criticism free. But by and large, it doing good job currently. Media is also suffering from the corrupt practice of the partnership firm of polity and executive. They alone are not in a position to challenge the partners. To challenge them, they need some good partners. Among all, they found the public and civil society their best friends. They associated with them and become partner in crusade against corruption.

Elected representative doesn’t give proper heed to public opinion once elected. Alone none is capable enough to fight and break the nexus of executive and politicians. Public Private Partnership (PPP) model helped them. This model is even promoted by United Nations. PPP model gives role to the societies to play in all walks of life. Government is reducing its role and shifting it to civil societies. It is associating with civil societies in almost all departments. Public and civil societies together started taking relief with the help of media and judiciary. Media highlighted the corrupt practice and judiciary gave the relief. Gradually civil societies snatched the politician’s ground of providing relief to public.

Public, civil society in association with media took some public issue to settle it. Centre for Public Interest litigation is a good example in proof. This center through judicial recourses compelled government to act to benefit the masses. Baba Ram through his Swabhiman trust took up black money issue and popularized it. Government took many steps in public pressure, after and during his agitation. Baba Ram Deo’s mass support and its pressure jolted the mandated political class. Civil societies are taking their ground and their mass supports are snatching their mandated power. Baba made a start. Annoyed government tried to suppress him with their mighty power. To some extent it is successful due to mishandling and lack of experience of Baba.

Anna an experienced social actor and leader along with its team took up the corruption issue. During his protest in April 2011, government made his team partner in drafting under public pressure. But, after a few meetings they divorced. Government representative did mistake in calculating his mass support. They administered same medicine tried with Baba. This didn’t work. Anna declared his agitation as second national movement to liberate the country from corruption. This helps in associating public emotionally with his movement. Media supported him beyond limit. This action of media annoyed political sector. These public and civil societies acted as fifth pillar of our democracy to decide the roles for representative.

Effective judicial actions, media publicity and civil societies mass catching issues, together, have created a history- Anna agitation. Government realized its mistake. It brought a resolution same day in after noon which was not proposed in the morning. This is done to meet mass demand. Elected representative passed it unanimously under the pressure of mass leader Anna unwillingly and send it to standing committee related to it. Here public shows they are with mass leader and not with their representative to whom they elected. Public set a norm by making mass leader stronger than elected representative. This has not been done earlier since 1947.

This jolted political actors inIndia. It compelled them to think about their wrongdoings. Hence it will result in to self corrective actions. This is a good precedent for the other democratic countries worldwide. Elected representative and selected executive are forced to think about their real role of services-servant role. It is all probable, they will think to discard their disguised role of master. Anna, a symbol of public, took master role and directed the public servants to pass a resolution which is in the favor of the country. And they did it first time. In past they didn’t, treating themselves master. Treating themselves master, they never give due regard to real master-public opinion. Thus this agitation is unique as it proved that public is the real master on ground. None can usurp this role with them.

Our elected political actors are representative first from public angle that elect them. For them, they are representative first and leaders latter. Social actors are leaders only for the public. They provide lead to their causes in different forums. The hair difference between leaders and representative is very important. Representative must give due regard to their need and opinion. They must act accordingly. They must serve the public by giving voice to their will in law making places. Leaders have slightly different role. They provide lead to their causes. For leaders unlimited area while for representative their services are limited to their constituency only.

Might and arrogance of government can’t subside easily. They would try to show their might like Baba Ram Deo- may be in disguise. They may try to revenge judiciary, media and civil societies. Some media reports indicate towards this. But any such move will be counter productive.Indiabeing a democratic country, the mass opinion of public is supreme. Any move against this, in the age communication revolution, will be a suicidal step politically.

(Views are personal and based on many sources)

Heera Lal

www.makingyouhappy.org

09412493734

http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/men-and-ideas/entry/a-primer-for-the-corruption-fighter?sortBy=AGREE&th=1

Political marketing of Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat

Heera Lal — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 15:00:00 +0000

In general we follow 4Ps in commercial marketing.

1. Political Product: Narendra Modi as CM of good governance. There are two products which he is marketing as political product: his personality and good governance.

2. Price: If he will be voted to power as PM- just for the sake of saying, he will progress the country like Gujarat. He is offering his service to the nation in exchange of vote. He has proved his services inGujaratas CM. Hence product reliability and quality are there.

And it will sustain in the market. His good governance is established and recognized by the society.

3. Place: His place of transaction isGujaratnow. He is now trying to promote his political product for other places of the country. Now he is aiming whole country as place of exchange and to position his product.

4. Promotion: His fast of three days started form 17 September 2011 is his promotional activity for selling his political product at national level.

When I compare his style of functioning and managing the political affair, I found many similarities with theUSPresident Barack Obama. Just a few are:

Both are well read and having in depth knowledge of political sector.
Both are ICT savvy and using its beauty for the benefit of the society in good governance as modern tool.
Both are having bigger personality than their party.
Obama was having a big obstacle in the form Hillary. Likewise he is having here Advani.
Both are having authoritative and decisive personality.
Both are good orators and famous for their effective speeches.
Public see both as change agents.
Both are self-made.

Now seeing the situation and time period for next election, he will be able to carry forward his candidature for the post of PM. He is having problem with his universal acceptability. Riots inGujaratare blots with him. Now he is focusing to remove that with full vigor. The way he is trying to get rid of this, there is all probability to get success- seeing his management capability and being a self-made man.

Above all he is now the best symbolic, mass and popular leader of his party. His competitors in party-L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitely, Nitin Gadkari- are not having all three required quality together. Here he is having edge over other colleagues in the party. He is a performer along with Lalu Prasad quality that is he is able to promote himself. He knows the tricks how to sell the political products and its timing.

There are two alliances in the country. One is led by congress and the other by BJP. If he will be able to get the party ticket from the party then he will have to appear in the test of alliance-in case of shortage of majority. This is very difficult.

The biggest outsider competitor is Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. No doubt the acceptability and performance of Kumar is better than Modi on many counts. But party strength wise not comparable. Modi has to work hard on two fronts together. He needs to enhance his acceptability in public and NDA allies.

His 3 day fast is a well chalk out plan to start on these two front. Wooing Muslims through their grater participation is the first strategy. The Muslim participation is up to the expected level. And greater participation of allies is second steps planned. TN Chief Minister sends her representative and CM Punjab participated. He is successful in his mission.

All circumstances in view and his growing personality, I am for sure, he is next Atal Bajpai of BJP. It is a matter of time only. He is trying to position his candidature for PM by applying all concepts of commercial marketing with help of ICT tools.

(Views are personal and based on many sources)

Heera Lal

www.makingyouhappy.org

09412493734

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Congress-ridicules-Modis-5-star-fast-BJP-lavishes-praise/articleshow/10020447.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-toi/special-report/On-Race-Course-road/articleshow/10025018.cms

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/bjp-2014/848092/

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Fast-friends-Muslims-swell-Sadbhavna-show/articleshow/10023420.cms

Land Bill of 1894 in house after 117 years.

Heera Lal — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 06:07:19 +0000

It is true that if RG would have not taken it, it would have not moved an inch like past. It is a bill enacted in 1894 and since then remains same for last 117 years. But question is why it is now and not before. Country freed in 1947. What compelled congress to wait since 1947 till now for this amendment. Except a full term of Atal, congress ruled the country after independence. So, in blame game sharing, 90% share of blame goes to congress.
We must thanked RG and Jairam too for his good intended actions. If good actions will not be applauded, it will die- a dangerous situation will come very soon. We must praise all good steps and actions of anyone without political marketing.
If it will be passed, this will be the first big achievement of RG as leader. This will be a political product which he can market in future.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Jairam-tables-land-bill-says-Rahul-Gandhi-force-behind-it/articleshow/9904244.cms#write

No other govt has shown more will to fight corruption

Heera Lal — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 05:35:26 +0000

It is very hard to agree with your pleas. What is the meaning of no other government? Which party ruled India 90% of the time, after 1947? Except a full term of Atal, congress ruled the country after independence all along.
After 1947, some intermittent interval came to refresh congress rule. If we divide the credit to develop corruption among governments as you said, 90% share is yours. And rest 10% is of Atal, Deovogowda, Inder Gujral, Charn Singh etc- Other governments in your language. Hence accusing others didn’t convince like your general oratory.
RTI act was passed after a long battle of more than 10 years started by Aruna Roy in Rajsthan. Congress passed it when no option was left. It tried to delay it to the extant possible. If Corruption is harming all, then why Lokpal is kept pending for last 43 years. For sure, now you will clear this pendency as no other way out to delay it- in view of Anna shadow and do or die.
Corruption, in our supreme pillar of democracy, is rampant. For the first time, you mentioned about political reform in this write-up- seeing the announcement of Anna team as their next issue after Lokpal. Why congress didn’t give heed to this very urgent issue. Albeit, ADR and ECI in tandem spearheading for this reform and lobbying hard for long.
Now, a good chance is there for this reform to see the light of day. Why? Its answer is very easy to find. You are not going to take it willingly. Anna team has announced it as next agenda after Lokpal. In view of perceive heat of Anna, a beginning has been made by you.
All above- a few from a long list- prove otherwise what you said.
Congress’ established formula Talk-and-Walk days has gone long back. Please follow the new Walk-then-Talk, like Bihar to regain public faith as you desire in this article.
Thanks to accept reality.

http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/digvijay-singhs-blog/entry/corruption

Reforms to the rescue

Heera Lal — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:59:05 +0000

Very nice article but you are talking only one side of the story. It’s fine to resort economic reform in 1991. It brought fruits to the country and helped in reducing corruption. Is there any fiscal reform without its negative effect? Its simple answer is “No”. In every economic reform, we evaluate both the sides and tried to minimize the negative one.
Why, then FM and now PM, didn’t perceived the ill effects of growing corruption along with growing economy after 1991.
Why he didn’t take appropriate steps to reduce this by product- corruption- by legislating acts to retard the growth of this future graft in parallel with GDP. LokPal may be an act to say which is pending long before 1991.
Why he ignored demerit (expected corruption growth as by product of reform) and talking only about merits (high GDP). This proves flaws in reform and skewed one. Being a world renowned economist,he can’t blame anyone for this. He has to take this blame in right spirit and take corrective measure to rectify this mistake which done in 1991.
Agreed to your proposal that he should continue reforms. And the wish of public in symbolic Anna should get due respect. Political reform must be on the top of agenda to avoid any further long agitation. This is the next agenda point of Anna team as they announced.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/Reforms-to-the-rescue/articleshow/9900689.cms

Anty-Anna and Their Plea

Heera Lal — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 05:45:20 +0000

Anty-Anna and Their Plea

Anty- Anna folks from all sectors pleaded:

Parliament is supreme. It can’t and should not be subverted.
None can dictate our sacrosanct parliament.
No time tagging is possible with it in making laws.
Anna’s act will weaken our well cherished democracy.

No doubt pleas are emotional in nature. No true Indian will allow above. Atleast, I will not allow at any cost.

Above all is possible only when, Our Parliament enjoys public’s strong faith? Maintaining and increasing faith in parliament is the basic duty of its members. Now question is whether the acts (baring some) of our leaders inside and outside it are helping in increasing the public faith in it. Some acts to highlight the dwindling public faith in parliament are:

MPs fund increased from 2 Cr to 5 without any opposition unanimously within hours. Performance of this fund is in public domain. Literature on this recommends reverse action.
LokPal bill running pillar to post from 1968 which is meat to clean corruption from public life.
Political reform bill is utmost needed to clean money power and criminals from politics and to bring real democracy in our political sector who rules the country. ADR and ECI are spear heading like Anna team to make it a reality. A big Demand is already in the market for it. Yet no step is in site to full fill this public desire. Women reservation bill, administrative reform bill are some glaring example to mention from a long list.
Vote-for-cash incident and cancellation of membership of 11MPs by then speaker Somnath Chaterjee are some real aspects of the acts.
Down going productivity of parliament in making required public welfare laws.
To save democracy situation compelled praiseworthy acts of Judiciary and CAG.
Recent incidents of CAG, 2G are some from a long list.
Ministers, MPs and top babus are in jail.

Do above acts have helped in increasing public faith in parliament? No, these and a lot more acts of our political actors have created a big distrust. Public have lost hope and faith in their political bosses. Hence, reduction in their faith in parliament due to unexpected acts done by its members.

Public wanted to recoup this lost faith. They found that in Anna team. To restore faith in democracy and trust in political class, our political sector need to adopt change in their acts and ways- leaving inertia and master mentality aside. Only preaching as good orator is not going to help them. Their acts must match their preaching. Now they can’t run their self business in the name of parliament as anty-Anna folk did.

Public is fed-up and not ready to allow leaders to act like what they are doing now in the name of saving democracy and parliament supremacy. ICT has made public socially awakened and now they are well read in Open University of the society with help of modern technology. They are now able to read between the lines to save themselves from the tarps of our so called social leaders as political bosses. Anty-Anna people instead of reforming Anna team, they should preach our double-speak political class to mend their acts as per the public expectation and desire of the parliament.

Anna gave a start to this through his 13 days protest on JanLokpal bill. Santosh Hegde correctly said so far foundation laying is done. Government and political actors are not willing to budge even an inch to meet this popular demand. But public support and their huge pressure brought them on knee. Government U-turn decisions in a day. They passed unwillingly a unanimous resolution on all three issued proposed by Anna team.

In between Rahul Gandhi tried to give a bigger picture of Janlokpal- an improved version of it. He proposed that lokpal should have a statuary status like ECI, CAG during his statement in parliament. In addition, he also emphasized that many more acts would require to eradicate it or to minimize to a greater extent. Though his intention was nice and his proposal was better than JanLokPal. But in charged atmosphere against government and congress, his idea evaporated. None give heed to it.

His idea was perceived as delay tactics and to divert attention form this issue- seeing the adamant position to adopt Janlokpal. Kiran Bedi reacted on this, before climbing Everest, one should first climb hills. Both Anna team and Rahul are correct at their places. Anna completed his job by climbing hills. Now it is turn for the Congress to achieve Rahul’s picture by bringing an amendment bill to give it a status akin to ECI. For this a special secession may be conveyed. I think Rahul should make effort to realize his proposal to recover the losses done due to Anna episode.

Dwindling Faith in Democracy

Heera Lal — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:54:33 +0000

Dwindling faith in democracy is a worldwide problem. This is weakening our democratic institutions which are strong pillar of public faith. Now countries need to learn lessons and set this trend in reverse gear to maintain worlds’ law and order. Election of Obama- a black African American- is a good example to quote in its support. Decreasing faith in political actors- and in political institutions- made him President.
Americans wanted to teach the political bosses a lesson. Recent grave economic crisis of US to avoid default on payment on 6th August 2011 is a serious point to be noted. The latest riots in UK (started on 9th Aug 2011) are second in row. The ongoing uproar in India on corruption and black money is a supporting fact of reducing faith in democracy. India needs to take lessons out of these and act accordingly to materialize its dream of to be a developed country by 2020 by former president APJ.
Latest deep economic crisis of US looks like this. But it is not. In fact, it is a political crisis. This is a result of false supremacy, manipulated political decisions and ego. They are consuming undue and living lavishly life on debt bond. On this problem, USSR Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Americans are parasite on global economy. To super imposed egoistic supremacy on the nations, US fought unwanted wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Such politically motivated actions landed the world super power in deep irreversible economic mire.
The permanent solutions of this can be possible by behavioral change. Changing social thoughts and actions are not easy. This is what Obama is saying, trying and focusing to set his house in order. Rather than playing the role of Chaudhary worldwide. To achieve this he is making efforts by applying all modern tools and technology of social marketing. Social change is a time taking process. Hence, he will not be able to see its fruits of his initiative, even after at the end of his second term- if he gets me sure of it.
Americans now need to lead an austere life like Obama. He is taking the blame of debt crisis which is a bad political product of Mr. Bush. It is his austerity that he is taking responsibility and defame for which he in nowhere accountable. His consensus style of functioning is a big weapon in his hand. And second time, he will re-elect on this quality in 2012.
Obama is trying to mend Americans to leave false supremacy and embrace reality of life. So that US should avoid USSR like dismantling of the country. He will succeed in his this mission being capable to drive the country on such a U- turn path. But not will reap its result as president in 2016- assuming his reelection.
The dwindling faith in democratic institutions and political actors gave chance to Obama. And first time in US history a black African American became the most powerful man of the world. He defeated none other than Hilliary who used to be the first lady for eight years. This proves great erosion of public faith in social organizations. This U-turn in US politics is strong signal for other democratic countries- UK, India.
Recent riot, loot, arson and ablaze on August 9, 2011 in UK reduced “Great Britain” to just Britain. How sudden such well planned man made disaster catches wide area is a dangerous fact to ponder. The ugliest part is that the most civilized and powerful Great Britain was not able to contain the spread in time. Instead it broke out into many other cities. Result was so strong that overnight great title evaporated. This is another red signal for nations having firm belief in democracy. Reducing faith in democracy will give such glaring and grave result time and again.
Unwise political decisions, bad governance and false supremacy have lowered the image of the US and UK. These problems are caution signals and wake-up calls to India. The ongoing movement against corruption and black money is coined as second movement to liberate India form corruption after 1947. Anna Hazare is living in a 10×10 meter room in Ralegan Siddhi of Maharastra province. He is getting overwhelming public support. This is due to lessening belief in political institutions. It will finally land us in big and irreversible mire if not taken steps to correct it the earliest.
The most damaging aspect is that government and political actors are not supporting the good causes. Instead in retaliation, they are making an all out efforts to thwart their endeavor. Further more, they are criticizing judiciary by saying over judicial activisms and over reach. Judiciary has enhanced their effort to implement their orders to send justice to its end. This judicial action can’t term as over reach or over activism. It is the basic duty which judiciary must ensure. Following basic duty is not favorable to government and politicians. Hence judiciary is attracting the wrath of affected political actors.
The comptroller and auditor general (CAG) is also under attach like judiciary on over reach account by same class who grossly lacks in discharging their duties. The constitution of India entrust CAG two duties to discharge- One as auditor and the other as controller. Unfortunately our past CAG acted more as auditor but less as controller. They didn’t discharge their duties as per the desire of our constitution. Present CAG Mr. Vinod Rai is discharging complete duty. He is doing both auditing and controlling functions effectively. Doing complete duty is happy news for Indians, but he is getting wrath in lieu of praise from same class. However public is seeing CAG as ray of hope to save the country from going to be ruined. And CAG esteem has risen very high in past few months.
India is famous for its unity among diversity. The binding bond is made-up of thread of faith in democratic organs. The recent public uproar on corruption and black money made it visible. These two issues are now talks of the town. Thanks to Anna and Baba for their patriotism act- by raising these issue without caring the consequences. They act as vent to release public resentment. Both are criticized and their efforts are thwarted by political class.
Many moves are made to implicate them to demoralize. Intensive investigations are on against both. Baba is under scanner and a FIR is lodged against Bal Krishna. This is all done after their agitation at Delhi. Why not all such actions before that, this proves it as revenge acts. Not giving permission to Anna for Gandhian style protest is show callous attitude of the ruler. It shows they are protector of corrupt practice. Such thoughts and actions will further decrease the public belief in democratic institutions. And finally, we Indian will also land in mire like US and UK.
To avoid such situation, we must take lessons from these two big democracies of the world and support the public causes of social activists Anna and likes. There is a famous saying “hate the sin but not sinner”. Likewise we must support their good causes if not them. If this will not be done, our dream to be a developed nation by 2020- by APJ former president- will be a nightmare. And it will affect Indians first and global public at large.
Congress is doing a historical mistake. This mistaken loss is irrecoverable. Congress is trying to find out political solution of issues raised by Anna and Baba. The mistakes lie here. Issues raised by duo are not political one. Both are not having any political ambitions. No doubt they are having sympathy of oppositions like public, but there is no symptom of intimate political game plan against the government. If it would have been they would have contested some elections. Dealing these issues politically will decrease public rating of congress. Congress already downgraded from AAA (UPA-1) to AA(UPA-2).
Still time is there for congress to take corrective actions. The current uproars are a public movement- not a political issue. Though it seems like that. This movement has strength of misgivings and bad governance of last 64 years. Congress needs to structural surgery to fizzle out this movement as they are doing in land acquisition. Congress must take lead to liberate the country from corruption to show its intentions to convince public.

(Views are personal)

Ref: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43982710/ns/world_news-europe/t/us-parasite-global-economy-russian-pm-vladimir-putin-says/
2. http://www.ruthfullyyours.com/2011/08/09/london-a-wave-of-rioting-looting-arson-and-violence-spreads/