This year the whole of North India was under the grip of unprecedented cold
wave. There were reports of cold wave deaths from the cities and towns but the
news of local governments measures to help homeless people were conspicuous by
their absence. These winter months are also seasons for various functions to be
hosted by the Central and various state governments. The report of cold wave
deaths did not mar the gaiety of these functions While the poor were forced to
live and die in open under the sky without adequate blankets or bonfire
arrangements, the popularly elected governments of all political parties were holding
these functions with full pomp and show. The flowers used to decorate the
venues might have cost huge amounts. A little bit of austerity could provide
some warmth to a few souls. ,
The last but not the
least of these extravaganzas is the much
hipped Congress Chintan Shivir. This Shivir
was actually formalization of Rahul Gandhi,s number two position in the
Party. Except Rahul Gandhi,s speech today there was no chintan about the
worsening condition of common Indian in the speeches of either the Prime
Minister or the Congress President or of any other leader. Just before Chintan
the government did rub salt in the wounds of common Indian by increasing petrol
and disel prices. Rahul Gandhi talk about his aim of working for the welfare of
common Indian and common Congress worker. Unfortunately this commitment was
nowhere reflected in practice. The way the whole city and the venue was
decorated, the posters and banners, and
the kinds of VVIP arrangements for the shivir, the celebrations after the
already known announcement all over the country showed that it was less about
assuming responsibility more about getting enthroned to power. The whole
exercise seems a continuation of Darbar culture which the British rulers used to show their might and affluence to
their subjects or the slaves. The Imperial Government held these darbars in
1877, 1903, and 1911. The Durbar of 1877 was held beginning on 1 January 1877
to designate the coronation and proclaim Queen Victoria as Empress of India. It was
attended by the 1st Earl of Lytton—Viceroy of India, maharajas, nawabs and
intellectuals. In this darbar also Queen Victoria
in her Message to the people of India
promised that under our rule all from
the highest to the humblest, may feel that the great principles of liberty,
equity, and justice are secured to them.
She further stressed that objects of her Empire was to promote their happiness.
their prosperity, and advance their welfare.(taken from wikipedia). In practice we
all know this did not happen. India
and the Indian people were bled white. The last eight years of Congress rule
has virtually bled white Indian people and there is no sign of remorse. On the
Contrary the Prime Minister was patting his own back for his achievements. The
British has left this country but the Darbar culture at the cost of the people
continues.
