Thursday, March 15, 2012

Poverty of sharing ideas


Dear Sri Sudheendra Kulakarni ji,
I am an ordinary youth of India with some knowledge about my society and poverty. Of course, Rajaneeti is beyond my imagination. Yet I am interested to watch the political discussions in T. V. Incidentally on 14 March 2012, I happened to watch you on Times Now, discussing about Railway budget. One point that you mentioned made me very curious. “We know how to bring funds for the Railways” (may not be exact words which you said, but meaning is same). Oh! The implication was that if we had NDA government then we would not have raised the railway fares. But the paradox is that we have a UPA govt.
            But, Sri Kulkarni Ji, I am only bothered about the welfare of common people of my nation and ‘inclusive and sustained growth’ of the country.  I am not bothered which party has the reins of power.  Whoever it is, the purpose of growth and development of the country must be achieved with the contributions all wise people like you.
The Indian Railways, which has spread over 64,000km, with 12,000 passenger and 7000 freight trains each day from as many as 7,500 stations to carry almost 25 million travellers and 2.65 million tonnes of freight or 36% of the total hauled across the country, is short of funds and is facing lot of shortfalls in safety, maintenance etc. What I thought soon after your statement was, “why don’t you give your ideas of raising funds in railways to the present government? Why do you allow them go wasted?  Yes, I know that you may be tied being in the opposition party. But, my simple question is which is primary for you - whether growth and development of our country? Or rule of India by NDA? Should India wait till NDA comes to power? Why can’t you step forward and give your developmental ideas to the Railway minister?
My humble request to you is to provide your innovative ideas to the present govt. In this era of coalition governments at the centre, you may not be sure of getting railway ministerial berth to moot your ideas even if NDA comes to power. So, present your ideas for the benefit of the country. What I expect is that both the ruling and opposition parties should join together in the nation’s interest.
Ideologically am not bound to any political party. I support those individuals who work for the country. As Indian constitution mentions, First–past-the-post system is followed in India. According to this system, individuals will contest in the elections and not the political party. I am a strong follower of Law of Land. So, my final request is, please raise above party politics and work for the country with unity in diversity.

Yours faithfully
Akshara C Damle
Citizen of India.


[Sent to The Hindu... But was not considered for publication... ]