Whispers Forum

How much would it have cost ISRO had CH3 been lifted/placed on moon the way it has been done smoothly? Would the owners of technology have agreed to give us technology? Would they have palmed off outdated technology to us as was the case in all CG imports till 2014? There is no dearth of hate mongers trying to demolish, discourage and dishearten indigenous creators of “capital”. They pride in thinking themselves elite or leftists or liberal. This obsession with words, jargon and hollow rhetoric has done India great damage in the pre-2014 era. Many of us have witnessed it all for more than 70 years at least and possess better idea of such wasteful endeavour. You can’t justify a strike at a production facility before it is even commissioned. But that only was all communism of India. Is India a borrower only in accomplishing mission CH3? As the ISRO Chief rightly hinted, our traditional knowledge gives us enough material. Can India not claim the credit for the First Ever Space Flight? It is no laughing matter: who has not heard of TRISHANKU? The flight failed, but it was undertaken. Such gems of knowledge are neither researched well nor shared. Still, the hate mongering class considers itself “elite” and a right to discredit our indigenous genius? If they have achieved for a fraction what would have cost 100x more, it deserves to be appreciated. Let us shift to positive thinking now at least.
M L Gupta

Walk into any North Indian city to notice the castes and communities as the most dominant factors. The Bimaru States are considered more notorious in such abnormalities with UP, Haryana and NCR Delhi, topping the list. Let me come straight to the point.
The motor vehicles' owners have a false sense of pride in painting their castes and communities on cars, trucks, tractors, bikes etc, little realising the ill effects these practices have in promoting castes and communalism (hindu-muslim divide). It merely satisfies their inflated egos.
All these perversities have the unfettered blessings of the political class and their goons.
Sample some specifics.
Phrases like Jats, Gurjars, Rajputs, Brahmins, Yadavs, Thakurs and religious symbols like " 786" and " Om " along with provocative slogans , are boldly painted with impunity on the body of vehicles, especially those plying in rural areas. The menace is silently jeopardizing the fabric of our society.
Have we ever thought about the dangerous impacts these practices have on our children- growing in a caste-ridden, communally-charged society ?
Whom to blame?
The Police are the worst offenders. It fails to arrest the law breakers for violating Section 179 (1) of the Motor Vehicles Act. Is the police corrupt and casteist too, one wonders?
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

In an era when the media is at its lowest point, an online portal like ‘whispersinthecorridors’, which publishes news mainly on the government sector, needs a standing ovation for bringing scams against certain departments like NHAI. Not only CAG, but even the Parliamentary Committee on Transport has tabled several reports in Parliament on NHAI running through a certain handful of officials, with officials mainly in deputation, leading to huge corruption. It doesn't seem to affect the ill morale of the management of the NHAI with such continuous reports being published, so the PMO and Cabinet Secretary have to interfere.
Manoj Kumar Sinha

The bill introduced in Rajya Sabha envisages (a) removing CJI from the selection panel of CEC and CEs; (b) replacing CJI by a union cabinet minister; (c) downgrading their status from SC judge to Cabinet secy. In the nutshell, make the election commission, a political body. This retrograde step would rob the EC's selection process of its transparency while hitting its credibility and political neutrality. Strangely, the bill was referred to the Standing committee without discussion. Politicians are the elected representatives having vested interests in elections. Their participation in locating CEC&ECs, would involve "Conflict of interests" negating free and fair elections. This may not stand the scrutiny in the court of law. The political bias could be eliminated only when the Judiciary is associated with the selection. A panel headed by PM with LOP and CJI as members, could alone meet the ends of justice. The CEC and ECs , as at present, must continue to be selected from out of several candidates on the criteria of personal honesty, integrity, probity in public life and most importantly ,the political neutrality besides the ability to take firm stand before the political class. These essential attributes are rare commodities. The civil servants, more often than not, are found to be pliable, malleable, willing to be manipulated. What a pity? Some believe that the job of CEC/ECs would be best handled by IAS officers by virtue of their experience in conducting elections. This is a misplaced perception. Political neutrality is non negotiable. Citizens are not interested in selecting ‘Yesmen’. The moot point is: Why select CECs and ECs from out of retired bureaucrats, alone. The civil servants believe in taking instructions from the political class. In such circumstances, how could they ensure free and fair elections? Getting a CEC like the late T N Sheshan, is an impossibility. He refused to be browbeaten by political masters. Few suggestion for law-makers. In order to have a wider choice, it would be appropriate to expand the catchment area by including eminent persons, other than retired bureaucrats. Several non-IAS persons with legal and legislative backgrounds had, successfully handled the sensitive portfolios of CEC/ECs. Recall prominent CECs like Dr Nagendra Singh (former Judge, International court of Justice), R V S Perisastri, S L Shakdhar, Ms V S Ramadevi and so on. Let us think beyond this and learn from the wisdom of the hindsight. Why can't we consider retired Chief Justices of High courts for appointment as CEC/ECs along with others? Instead of downgrading the status of CEC and ECs, the constitutional body should have a judicious mix of a retired chief justice of a high court as CEC with an eminent civil servant and LOP as members. All enjoying the status of Supreme court judge.CEC should be the primus inter pares, as, at present. The search committee procedure under the Cabinet Secretary, is irrelevant. He is an appointee of PM. Let this be the thumb rule for all constitutional bodies including the C&AG and UPSC. These should also have chairpersons and Members, selected by the same methodology. These suggestions merit close consideration by the law makers. If implemented, these would demonstrate the fair-minded approach of the Prime Minister besides enhancing the feel-good factor of Indian citizenry.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

The frequent disasters in Himalayan states particularly in Himachal Pradesh like cloud bursts, landslides, flash floods have broken the back of the tourism industry. Thousands of people depend on tourism as their means of sustenance in the states. Tourists are afraid to come to the mountains due to the devastation caused by the heavy rains during monsoon months. The occupancy in the hotels of the HP has reduced to two to three percent, which used to be 30 to 40 percent during the rainy season. Tourism industry needs immediate support. Even more important is to restore ecological balance in the Himalayas and ensure safety of local people as they have been residing in unsafe houses that crumble down like a pack of cards during heavy rains.
Aditya Pandey

Bharat Internet Utsav is a nationwide campaign by the Ministry of Communications, from July 7 to August 21, 2023. The Utsav aims to highlight the importance of the internet in the lives of citizens and to encourage its use for positive social and economic change. It also aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure that all citizens have access to the internet.The Utsav aims to reach out to citizens across the country, especially those in rural areas. It is a celebration of the power of the internet and its potential to transform the lives of citizens. The internet has made it possible for people to access information and education more easily.The internet has created new opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship and it made it easier for people to connect with each other and build relationships.
Kimi Gupta