Yesterday petroleum minister finally came out with the inevitable announcement of increasing petrol prices. It had been a long long time that oil barrel prices had been flirting with 90s, making the price rise just a matter of timing rather than a decision. But it was a sigh of disappointment to see BJP activists coming in the road to take out processions against the price rise. What makes the situation more ironical is that the price rise has been a lot less than the required. Indians enjoy a huge subsidy in kerosene and LPG which in turn results in higher auto fuel prices, as kerosene and LPG are identified as under basic living and are used by all masses.With petrol selling at 50+ and kerosene selling at <5>

India is today cruising at such a strategic juncture that whatever policies we choose, will impact the high speed development we are building upon. If there is an anomaly in the building blocks then what the hell are we constructing on it? Right now we need robust economic policies and a strategic vision keeping in mind the future turnings. With sound financial constructs like Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and finance minister P Chidambram in driving seat I was sure that India Shining would keep glowing, but the arm twisting by Left and time to time opportunism by BJP has made it rather India Shimmering. Democracy gives one big advantage to scholars – the right to argue each and every thought; but the moment you give it to corrupt or fools, all you get is a chaotic indecision.

There has been a huge hue and cry on 1-2-3 agreement, but then how many knew about it at all? Center has been saying that they are open for discussion, but all the left and BJP has to say is that its a wrong decision. Million dollar question is WHY? If we are not ready to get US deal for our future power needs then there should be a second plan, where is the discussion for this? I really hate it when people say that don’t ask me what is right but what you are doing is wrong! Left is still lost in the old ideas of socialism and firmly believes in shunning anything with capitalism label. We don’t need to discuss what happens when you just close your eyes to the things you don’t like and keep crying out your own song.

India is not free of evils, there are lot of problems and we have a huge repository of knowledge that has been accumulated over ages and is being lost or re-invented. The basic philosophies taught by Vedas and Hinduism need to be learned by young generations in constructive manner and the illiteracy needs to be eradicated. If the VHP and Shiv Sainiks launch a war for these motives we can put many small villages also on the track of development. But no we remain lost in our own small battles of dividing the state for satiating more ministers (Andhra), giving free Power to farmers even as state coffers are bled to bankruptcy (Punjab), selfishly spending tons and tons on own and threating to pull support if judiciary questions wealth (UP), making government a family legacy baton (Center, J&K, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, TN, Karnatka…. the list is a long one!