Moment to Speak

Every society has certain degree of minimal order, based on certain shared values and norms , for its existence , continuation and sustenance . Those shared values and norms gradually become the binding force on the members of those society or community. Without order no society and for that matter any living beings cannot thrive for long. Order is the basic credo whether we may look at the basic unit of our lives from family, community, society to nation-state or international community. Even if we go beyond to the level of the star and inter planetary objects, there is only order and no chaos. It is conspicuously manifested in their spherical movement and operation. Any slight deviation might result in a big catastrophe that would go beyond our imagination. 1. Human Society If we talk about human society, it is order that is one of the basic foundations of its existence, growth and progress.  Durkheim   believed that society exerted a powerful force on indiv...

There is an affliction that runs around our present state of affairs. That has with passage of time is becoming all pervasive afflicting our nerves, veins and cell structure of our polity and society. That affliction may be called the ‘patron-client relationships. ’ It has become omnipresent and emerging like a Frankenstein, out to devour everything on its way. One may accept it or may deny it but it is a fact of our lives. 1. Outline A tendency to better of our ego and to become more than our actual self is gradually being manifested in every power structure and processes of our lives at political, social, economic, cultural, business, academic or any other spheres that may be named into. It does not matter if that way we get manifestation by bypassing, overshadowing, subjugating or undermining others. The others include anybody, whether individuals, office holders, institutions in state or society. The others may or may not be our competitors. By such an endeavour, an att...

Government is for governance. The primary function of any government is governance nothing more and nothing less. In a democratic set up the government is for an effective and stable governance.  1. Outline Governance is effective when transparent system, procedures and processes are in place to make time bound decisions by decision makers to achieve the delineated goals and objectives. Bureaucracy in government is the linchpin to give effect and stability to governance. It sees and ensures rule based procedural correctness within the set out legal framework. The legal framework may be by statues or by common law, i.e. legal rulings by judges in a court of judicature.   2 .  Governance Ancient scriptures and Upanishads place emphasis on Dharma (no equivalent English translation) as means and end of good governance. The duty of the king was to uphold Dharma . The legitimacy of the state and of the king derived from Dharma .  Governance includes the tripod ...

We are always in search of something to fulfil our mental desire thrust upon us. We may be doing it knowingly or unknowingly. However, the ultimate goal is knowledge in a state of freedom. This has been beautifully elucidated by Swami Vivekananda: “The goal of mankind is knowledge. .... Pleasure is not the goal of man, but knowledge. Pleasure and happiness come to an end. It is a mistake to suppose that pleasure is the goal. The cause of all the miseries we have in the world is that men foolishly think pleasure to be the ideal to strive for. After a time man finds that it is not happiness , but knowledge , towards which he is going , and that both pleasure and pain are great teachers, and that he learns as much from evil as from good ... All knowledge that the world has ever received comes from the mind; the infinite library of the universe is in your mind. The external world is simply the suggestion , the occasion , which sets you to study your own ...

A person is known for his morality and the values he upholds. This correspondence is similar to the society that we live in. Governance on a macro-micro continuum requires not only an effective constitutional and legal framework but also the values that we cherish and the morality that we uphold. 1. Outline Democratic governance is the essential paraphernalia for creating, maintaining, enforcing, and sustaining a rightful order for society backed by security, equity, and justice. It is not that everything operates in a vacuum, but more significantly, the constitutional and legal framework through which we are evolving More particularly, the constitutional and legal framework that is being framed through deliberation, discussion, drafting, review, finalisation, and adoption through appropriate stakeholders That framework may be called the fundamental law of the land. In India, we call it the Constitution of India. It was adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26...