Let's have Military Rule sans sudden coup...

A periodic dose of military rule will help us appreciate the value of 'Freedom' and the associated responsibility that ought to accompany it.

We often hear it said that we get the government, (and the municipal corporation, and the police) we deserve. 
But methinks we are asking for, indeed we need a good dose of ... military rule. No don't look West to locate and quote a history of coups. Instead calm down and read on -
For a period of about 6 months before every election, let us have the military personnel administer India, ie, the function of governance will be carried out by the three defence forces, supported by the paramilitary, the Territorial Army, and the Home Guards. A civilian will still head government, don't worry - the President, as S.C.A.F.
A periodic dose of military rule will help us appreciate the value of 'Freedom' and the associated responsibility.
"Responsibility is the price of freedom", ... whether it is freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of choice, or any of the other 'guaranteed' freedoms.
Why do I say so? Read on - 
On the return of a brand of noodles, my fellow citizens say:
"Welcome back, 
We missed you.
So what if you're not healthy? At least you're safe.
We are living (surviving) on far worse food, air and water.
Go ahead, you make your profits.
We and our children will overcome. If we don't, there's always the 'karma' scapegoat to blame..."
On car-free days, my fellow citizens say:
"I'll not observe car-free voluntarily. I'll oblige the day the exercise is made compulsory".
On plastic-bag usage, my fellow-citizens say:
"Let the Govt ban. Till then don't deny us our convenience, laziness and indifference.
....oh, the environment? The business environment is very good, very eco(nomy)-friendly. See the amount of FDI we are raking in".
On civic sense, my fellow citizen says:
"Yes, yes, my neighbour has none.
The municipality has not provided dust-bins....
The contractor and corporator are hand-in-glove..."
On traffic sense, my fellow citizen says:
"The police is not around.
Zebra crossing? What's that?
These pedestrians... can't they see where they are going?"

Got it now?
Let me list the immense benefits of a 6-month military rule.
1. The military will ensure strict adherence to pre-election model code of conduct.
2. Indifferent citizens will get a chance to 'obey', follow rules, stick to nation-wide legitimate diktats.
3. For 6 months, it's possible to get even the media to behave.
4. The entire country will get a sample of what governance ought to be.
  My fellow soldiers will do a great job; I know for sure.

Comments

Post a Comment

i appreciate that you have some thoughts to share, and are taking the effort to do so.

Popular posts from this blog

The Power of Vishnu Sahasranamam- Vani's rebirth

A real 'story' as told by a close friend: "Vani was in her early thirties when I first met her in a Mumbai local sometime in the late ‘70’s. She never talked much but her helping tendency was obvious. She boarded the train at the starting point and always found a seat. Instead of sitting through the hour-long journey, she would offer her seat – a luxury - to another lady. My acquaintance too began this way – a few pleasantries exchanged over the train’s din. After a couple of months, she was not at her usual seat. Everyone presumed that she was on leave. In the busy buzz of the Mumbai life, no one thought twice about her till she came back after nearly 4 months. None of us could recognize her. She had lost weight, her cheeks were sunken, eyes lifeless, and to top it all, she had an almost bald head. Out came the rude shock that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo radiation therapy. She hoped that she had won over the disease, but even before ...
Read more

"Did Hanuman return the mountain?"

Image
The query was popped while we were travelling in Srinagar by road, trying to have a fill of the valley's humbling views of the Himalayas all round. Here are a few glimpses of Gulmarg and Pahalgam My son's query caught us unawares, and also got us thinking about the doubt that we never raised during childhood sessions of the Ramayana epic , and I decided to call my mom, our free encyclopaedia for all things religious / spiritual / cultural. "Yes, Hanuman was disciplined, and he did return the Dronagiri mountain to its original locale". (was our spot answer) Pahalgam Back to the query - Anyone, any idea? There are several versions, all quite satisfactory, if you spare a thought. - Rumassala is one of several places identified by the Sri Lankan Tourism Department as being associated with Ramayana. Hanuman carried a part of the Dronagiri Mountain that was rich with medicinal herbs including Sanjeevani from the Himalayas to revive Lakshmana. 'When the chief physicia...
Read more

Seeing is believing - hot springs of Manali

Image
Hot water springs of Manali - - When I first heard about them, I thought - no, I can't believe it till I see it. In several spots in and around Manali in Himachal Pradesh, there are hot water springs notably at and near the temple for Sage Vasisht, and at Manikaran that is located about 70 km from Manali. These are actually sulphur springs that are the result of Himalayan plate tectonic activity. The sprouts near the temple for Sage Vasisht - nice hot water to wash clothes by hand - nil power consumption of the eco-unfriendly kind, and exellent exercise for the arms! (There are separated bathing areas within the temple premises, where cameras are forbidden) In Manikaran, the sprouts that supply public baths Views from inside the Shiva temple in Manikaran, and the public bath near the Manikaran Gurdwara After seeing them though - I am bemused. In my school history and geography lessons, I have been taught about the 'hot springs of New Zealand' and 'lumbering in Canada...
Read more