Mr Nilekani, can you now feel Team Anna’s frustration?

Dear Mr Nilekani

Two and a half years ago, when you were appointed to head the Unique ID project, we celebrated it – for many reasons.

For one, it signalled that the Manmohan Singh government, fresh from its election victory, was ready to do business. Just the fact that it had handed over the responsibility of implementing so important a project of assigning a national identity card to every Indian, which had implications for everything from national security to the effective implementation of social welfare policies, to someone who had a proven track record in corporate excellence and could harness the power of technology suggested earnestness on the government’s part.

We had long been inured to seeing luddite netas and babus monopolise the policy and implementation space in government without a long-term vision or a sense of operational efficiency. Although there are instances of technocrats working the levers of the creaking bureaucratic machine and raising the bar – the name of E Sreedharan springs to mind – they were the exceptions that validated stereotypical notions of governmental inefficiency.

The induction of stellar professionals from the private sector, with a record of working in challenging corporate environments, a 360-degree view of a dramatically changing world and high standards of personal integrity counted, for us, as a fruitful harnessing of our national resources. We had hoped that your success in the unique ID project would inspire many more corporate titans with a track record of building great institutions – Deepak Parekh, perhaps, or S Ramadorai – to get involved in policymaking and implementation, and that they would be welcomed by the system.

Today, those hopes have been compelled to take a reality check.

Yesterday, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance rejected the National Identification Authority of India (NIAI) Bill, effectively giving your unique ID project a kick in the butt.

For sure, panel members had forceful arguments to make in defence of their rejection of the Aadhar Bill: politicians and special interest groups have unsurpassed skills when it comes to sabotaging or slowing down legislation that serves a greater common good. Witness the unending drama about bringing an effective Lokpal Bill to check corruption, which has dragged on for decades. It needed a mass uprising, channelled by Team Anna, to finally get politicians to focus their minds – and even today they are still up to their dirty tricks to weaken the Lokpal.

We’re sure you find all these political and bureaucratic games intensely frustrating: you signed on to oversee this project in the belief that you were serving a larger national cause. And yet you find yourself boxed in and stymied by petty turf wars between politicians and bureaucrats. And even the Prime Minister, whose whole-hearted backing you appear to have, is unable to create enabling conditions for you to get the job done.

We share your agony and your frustration.

We only wish you would also share some of the frustrations of us common folks who too have been banging our heads against the stone walls of the government and the bureaucracy. I specifically allude to the frustration of Team Anna, which you appeared to belittle in an interview not so long ago.

At the height of Team Anna’s fast in August to get a strong Lokpal institution in place, you went on air and ridiculed Anna’s campaign as “naïve and simplistic”. You argued then that while a Lokpal was necessary, Team Anna had been “drinking the Kool-Aid”. You then hard sold your unique ID project as being a better device to combat corruption at the grassroots level, where the common folks interact with the government.

And although you said you empathised with people’s frustration over corruption, you argued that Team Anna’s protest was not justified. In every other way too, the overarching tenor of your comments suggested that you were batting for the government – and offering politicians an alibi.

“When a very serious parliamentary body (the parliamentary standing committee) has taken it (the Lokpal Bill) up for consideration, why are we not working through that system?” you asked rhetorically. “I have visited Parliaments in the UK, the US and France; I’ve met with top leaders across the world. The standing committee procedures are second to none. Let us respect that.”

You even suggested that the widely held negative perceptions about politicians were unfair. “I’ve been in public life for two years and my respect for politicians has gone up . I think they are extremely hardworking,” you said. “We have to respect our politicians.”

I dare say that after what the parliamentary standing committee and the politicians have done to slow down or sabotage your unique ID project, your estimation of them is somewhat different.

Remember, Mr Nilekani, this is what is happening to someone of your stature: you had everything going for you – a high profile, well-earned respect, the prime minister’s public backing. You’re convinced in your heart that what you’re doing is vitally important for the nation. And yet, you’re being slowly checkmated by the political system. If they could do this to you, imagine what they can do to powerless nobodies who are banging their heads against a system with entrenched vested interests.

Imagine the frustration of Team Anna, which is an outsider to the system, widely reviled by politicians for daring to challenge the corrupt system on which they thrive, and which has no political backing. And yet, when it goes on protest to pressure the government into acting, you called it “naïve and simplistic”.

I trust that after what happened to you, you have a better understanding of the frustrations of Team Anna.

Mr Nilekani, not all is lost. You can still redeem yourself in the eyes of those who yearn for a strong Lokpal Bill. Anna will be on a fast once again on Sunday to protest the continuing efforts to dilute the Lokpal Bill.

Come and join us. Let’s share stories of our frustrations: you can tell us about the obstacles to the unique ID project, and we’ll tell you why we are on the streets once again.

And together we’ll find a way to get the system to listen to all of us.

Yours-in-solidarity

An Indian

http://www.firstpost.com/politics/mr-nilekani-can-you-now-feel-team-anna%E2%80%99s-frustration-151494.html

जिंदगी न मिलेगी दोबारा

जब छोटा था, तो पिताजी के सामने जाने की हिम्मत नहीं होती थी। वह जिस कमरे में बैठते, उस कमरे से बचता था। पिताजी से बात कहनी होती, तो मां का सहारा लेता। वह हमारे बीच में डाकिये की भूमिका निभाती और मेरे लिए वकील बन जाती। उनसे जिरह करने का साहस मेरे फरिश्तों में भी नहीं था। यही हाल मेरे दोस्तों का भी था। पिताजी मुझसे बेहद प्यार करते थे। लेकिन यह कभी उन्होंने कहा नहीं और न ही मैंने यह कभी जानने की कोशिश की। यह रिश्ता दोनों तरफ से मूक था। इसमें एक अजीब किस्म की अजनबियत थी। वह बोलते कम, हुक्म ज्यादा सुनाते थे। मेरी जिंदगी के सारे फैसले वही करते। मानने के अलावा कोई दूसरा रास्ता नहीं था। लेकिन मेरे जवान होते ही दुनिया बदलने लगी। पिता दोस्त बन गए। उनके सामने बैठना, उनसे गप्पें मारना सामान्य-सी बात हो गई। हम स्कूल की फीस मांगने में झिझकते थे, आज के बच्चे डैड से रिलेशनशिप पर बात करने से नहीं सकुचाते। पीढ़ी बदल गई, रिश्ते बदल गए। हमारी पीढ़ी में रिश्ते समूह से तय और निर्धारित होते थे। परिवार बड़ा था, व्यक्ति छोटा। रिश्तों में बराबरी नहीं, एक हायरार्की थी।

ऐसे में जब मैंने पिछले दिनों जिंदगी न मिलेगी दुबारा फिल्म देखी, तो रिश्तों का एक नया संसार दिखा। समूह नहीं, व्यक्ति दिखा। न परिवार बड़ा, और न व्यक्ति छोटा। दोनों बराबर। व्यक्ति परिवार के सामने सरेंडर नहीं करता। बेटा और बाप, दोनों को पता है कि जिंदगी सिर्फ एक बार ही मिलती है। और उसे अपने तरीके से ही जीने में मजा है। फरहान खान पूरी फिल्म में अपने पिता से मिलने की ख्वाहिश लिए अपने दोस्तों के साथ स्पेन जाता है। उसके पिता और उसकी मां के बीच जवानी के दिनों में एक रिश्ता बन गया था। उस रिश्ते ने फरहान को जन्म दिया। लेकिन पिता नसीरुद्दीन शाह शादी के लिए तैयार नहीं थे, जबकि मां को प्रेमी के साथ पति भी चाहिए था। नसीर ने शादी पर अपनी ख्वाहिशों को तरजीह दी। उन्हें पेंटिंग्स बनानी थी। दुनिया देखनी थी। अपने हिसाब से जिंदगी का मजा लेना था। फरहान उनकी जिंदगी को सीमित कर रहा था। उनके सपनों को धूमिल कर रहा था। लिहाजा वह अपने रास्ते पर चल पड़े और घूमते-घूमते स्पेन जा पहुंचे। इस दौरान फरहान की मां ने एक दूसरे शख्स से शादी कर ली। फरहान उन्हें अपना बाप मानता रहा, लेकिन जिस दिन उसे असलियत पता चली, वह अपने असली बाप से मिलने को मचल उठा। मां ने समझाया, पर वह नहीं माना।

नसीर अपनी दुनिया में मस्त थे। उन्होंने कभी यह जानने की कोशिश नहीं की कि बेटा कैसा है। एक पल के लिए भी वह बेटे के रिश्ते में नहीं बंधे। वह बड़े पेंटर हो गए। उनकी अपनी अलग दुनिया थी। फरहान की तड़प जिंदा रही। वह स्पेन में अपने पिता को खोजता है। फिल्म चलती रहती है और उसकी तलाश भी। आखिरकार वह अपने पिता से मिलता है। दोनों अकेले। सिर्फ नसीर और फरहान। भावनाओं का कोई ज्वार नहीं। आंसुओं का कोई रेला नहीं। फरहान जानने को बेताब कि क्या कभी उसके पिता को उसकी याद आई? कभी उससे मिलने को उनका दिल तड़पा? नसीर बहुत संतुलित...स्थिर...शांत, कोई नाटकीयता नहीं। कहा, तुम मुझे सलमान कहके पुकारो। वह आगे बोले, तुम्हारी मां शादी करना चाहती थी और मैं अपने सपनों को छूना चाहता था। दोनों के बीच कोई रिश्ता नहीं बनता था। फरहान थोड़ा निराश होता है, भावुक भी। लेकिन वह भी स्थिर है, शांत। कोई नाटकीयता नहीं। नसीर फिर कहते हैं, न मैं तब तुम्हारी जिम्मेदारी लेना चाहता था और न आज। नसीर ने एक वाक्य में रिश्ता बनने से पहले ही रिश्ता तोड़ दिया। हिंदी फिल्मों की तरह फरहान की आंखों से आंसू नहीं निकले। न उसने अपने पिता को कोसा। न कोई गिला, न शिकायत। न अमिताभ बच्चन की तरह नाजायज होने का दर्द। वह बाहर चला आता है। दोस्तों से मिलता है। सब कुछ सामान्य। वे सड़क किनारे रात गुजारते हैं। फरहान को नींद नहीं आती। रितिक रोशन सुबह उठता है। फरहान को देखता है। फरहान उससे कहता है कि मुझे सलमान के पास नहीं जाना चाहिए था। यानी उसे अपने पिता से मिलने की कोशिश नहीं करनी चाहिए थी। वह आहत है, लेकिन कंप्लेन नहीं करता। न अपने पिता को कोसता है। वह खुद से नाराज जरूर है, लेकिन अपने पिता की 'इंडिविजुअलिटी' को वह स्पेस देता है। उनके फैसले की इज्जत करता है।

पिता-पुत्र का यह रिश्ता हिंदी फिल्मों के लिए बिल्कुल नया है। जायज और नाजायज से परे। अमिताभ बच्चन की दर्जनों ऐसी फिल्में हैं, जहां नायक शुरू से अंत तक अपने को जायज ठहराने की जद्दोजहद में जीता है। त्रिशूल के अमिताभ और संजीव कुमार का संबंध। अमिताभ की नजर में उसके पिता ने उसकी मां के साथ धोखा किया। पिता को सजा मिलनी चाहिए। अमिताभ बदला लेने के लिए संजीव कुमार का कारोबार चौपट कर देता है। अमिताभ कुंठित बेटा है। रिश्तों के चक्रव्यूह में पिता की मजबूरियों और उनके निजत्व का उसके लिए कोई मतलब नहीं है। समाज बड़ा है, रिश्ते बड़े हैं। व्यक्ति और उसकी ख्वाहिशें छोटी हैं। फरहान कुंठित नहीं है। उसे अफसोस बस इतना है कि उसने क्यों किसी के प्राइवेट स्पेस में दखल दिया।

उसके मां-बाप को अपनी तरह से जिंदगी जीने का हक है और उसे अपनी तरह से। मां-बाप के बीच के रिश्ते को उसे नए सिरे से डिफाइन करने हक नहीं है, न ही उसे अपने को अपने पिता पर थोपने का अधिकार है। वह उनसे पूछता जरूर है, वह उसे अपनाएंगे या नहीं, बाप-बेटे के रिश्ते का नाम देंगे या नहीं? लेकिन यह एक व्यक्ति का दूसरे व्यक्ति से संवाद है। पुरानी दुनिया में रिश्ते 'डिफाइन' नहीं होते थे, वे 'डिफाइंड' थे। उन पर सवाल नहीं होता था। उन रिश्तों को तोड़ना अपराध था। त्रिशूल का अमिताभ यह सहन नहीं कर सकता कि उसका पिता उसकी मां को छोड़ दे। मैंने अपने पिता से कभी सवाल नहीं किया कि उन्होंने मेरी जिंदगी का कोई फैसला क्यों ऐसे किया? मेरे रिश्ते में सवाल पूछने का अधिकार नहीं था। वह 'टेकेन फॉर ग्रांटेड' था। नए समाज में कुछ भी 'टेकेन फॉर ग्रांटेड' नहीं है। न जिंदगी और न रिश्ते। पिता और बेटा, दोनों की अपनी-अपनी जिंदगी है। उसे अपने हिसाब से जीना है। अब किसी बेटे को अपने बाप के सामने जाने से डर नहीं लगता। फरहान और जोया, रिश्तों का नया संसार दिखाने के लिए शुक्रिया।

Shared from : http://khabar.ibnlive.com/blogs/16/643.html

Living Dumbledore’s Way

Seven novels of Harry potter have got phenomenal success all over the world. I am fortunate enough to read all of those. Millions like me have gone through fantasy, born in JK Rowling’s mind. Like epic movie of Indian cinema “SHOLEY” each and every character in Harry Potter series has a purpose, and leaves a lasting impression over readers mind. At a glance, the series tells the tale of fight between Harry and Voldemort, symbolizing good and evil forces. Rowling carefully picks her character and intuit some specific feeling with them. For Ron and Hermione its faith, for Hagrid its glee, for petunia, Vernon and duddly its pity, loath for snape and his sticky hairs and fear for voldemort .

If we look around in our world, it is full of Voldemorts, Snapes, Veronon, Malfoys and they make   formidable alliances. You also find Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, Wiselys and Longbottom in plenty, but they rarely make alliances, because everybody struggles to become himself a Potter. We love getting other people's help in our fight, but reluctant to give when asked for same. This is why a nexus between evil minds lasts long and alliance between good natured people lives short. If it ever becomes successful, then be assured that some Dumbledore is there.Therefore, when Dobaldore comes in scene, reader’s heart swells with respect.

Dumbldore is Headmaster of Hogwards, Biggest wizard of all times. He was offered post of “Minister of Magic” many times, but he refused such high position only to nurture young wizards at Hogwords. Unlike of those pigmys in our world who sit in high chairs, get exponentially high of what they deserve.

He is owner of Elder wand. Very shrewd and knows everything from the beginning, what reader and Harry Potter come to know at end. He keeps vigil watch, sent silent help and lets feel harry and friends that they made it. He lives by his famous saying “It is not our abilities that show what we truly are. It is our choices.” He saves Harry from many of threats, counsels him in every juncture, yet never imposing a decision. He lets harry choose his way. He shapes Harry’s life, his character, yet from a distance. He loves harry, cares him, but never mentions this. The reader and harry feel his love deep inside.

But harry is not getting special treatment. He loves each of his students in same way. Be it Ron, Hermione, Finigan, Longbottom and even Draco Malfoy. And most important, it was Dumbledore who visited an orphanage to bring Tom riddle at Hogwords. He cares them all. 

Tom riddle alias Lord Voldemort is no less powerful. He is immortal with his hurcruxes. He can kill with one spell “AVEDA KADAVERA”. He is feared and rules with iron fist. But one thing Harry has that voldemort don’t- "Purpose". Seeking power for sake of power no not purpose-he tells Potter. Harry fights along with friends, Voldemort with slaves. Harry finds courage, because he has purpose. Harry wins because he has FRIENDS and he has TRUST. It was not just Harry’s win; it was a win of Dumbledore’s legacy. Thanks havens Dambaldore was not a shiksha-kermi just pretending to do what he is paid for.  

But Dumbledore’s legacy does not stop on how he mentors his student. It was him who finishes first two hurcrux. All this he did without sending to Press release to "daily prophet" or interview to Reeta Skeeter. He drinks the mystery potion himself, plans his own death in a way that helps to tight net around Voldemort. “to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure” he says.

He keep good job done and makes no fuss. “We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy”- he says in “goblet of fire”. In today’s world, Dumbledore is rare and endangered species. Our children find no such mentor in school, society or even in family. Even in offices and Parliaments lot of Voldemorts, Malfoys and Fudge are sitting on high places. Most of Children and juniors follow their footsteps, and get rewarded. This becomes there way for whole life. 

Lot of disillusioned potters are out there friends….... Why not try to become Dumbledore for at least one Harry. And if you go trying for more... I assure you, it will not make Harry's army. It shall be Dumbledore's Army.
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By: Manish Singh                                 ritumanishsingh@gmail.com

WHERE SHOULD MY ASHES GO...?

One of finest actors of old times, Shammi Kapoor passed recently. The “Forefather of Rebels” wished his ashes to dispersed in Dal lake of Shrinagar, so it was done.

Shammi’s image in our generation’s mind, comes from Chitrahar songs. The TV had recently gone RANGEEN and all family sit together to watch it around 8 PM. Shammi’s evergreen songs from An evening in paris, Kashmir Ki kali, Teesri manzil etc were regularly repeated . It was hard to believe that lofar kind of his style overjoyed my father, when the same tried by brother was strongly desisted.

Anyways… His last wish reminded me of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. I heard that He wished to his ashes should dispersed over lands of india “The BharatBhoomi” and so was done with help of airplane. It also reminded one short story by Fredrick Foresyth in which a heirless tycoon, when detected with cancer, sells all his property to purchase load of platinum. Then the precious metal is turned into coffin. All of this was done with due secrecy. Then he make his will that his body should be cremated in sea, in a particular coffin kept in his garage. This way, he ensures that he keeps all his worldly wealth with him, even after mortal life. Perhaps Shammi and Nehruji also wanted to keep all there wealth forever with them. What their  wealth was, I wonder.  

Taking the easy one first, I thought of Nehruji. Son of a wealthy lawyer, he spent his earlier life in roads and jails. Later he rose to thorny throne of power. In Personal life, he had very few things to cherish. Wife died and daughter divorced, sitting at home. He must have found solace in making India a cohesive and prosperous country. So, India and its land was the final choice to get associated forever. His soul will rest there in peace. So, he asked for it.

It also leads answer to Shammi’s case. His biggest hit movies were shot in Kashmir. His iconic “Zulfo ka rang sunhara” ends with his falling in Dal Lake. This song might have been ringing in his ear in entire life. He may have kept white beard below his bald head, but that handsome boy shaking head and singing romantic songs would have appeared every time he looked into mirror. He must have spent good time around Dal Lake, with his wife Geeta Bali mimicking his filmy Andaj in real moments. He cherished those memories of Kashmir, and Dal Lake. He knew his soul will rest there in peace. He also asked for it.

These great men, achieved peak of their respective field. They rebelled, made own path and succeed. But there last wishes make me to think. In this life, while we endlessly battle with Bread, Blackberry, Bureaucracy and Biwi, do we possess some cherished memories? Do I have real passion for something or have associated  with some place that gives my soul final rest. Do I really have strong sense of association with any of world offerings? If not, didn't I wasted  my worldly existence this long?   

This world may or may not remember me after my demise, but I ought to remember some of its offerings. i don't want to leave this world empty-handed. So, in my remaining existence, I’ll strive not only to achieve, but also to enjoy, associate and relish. To depart with such memories deep in my soul. 

So friends, my ashes shall not go to Allahabad, it will be somewhere else ….!!

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By Manish Singh                     ritumanishsingh@gmail.com      

It’s all about Choices

I completed my graduation in 1998. In those days, every graduate was supposed to sit in civil service examination of state or union. Some did this for own ambitions, some to follow the suit and some to keep their folks happy. Co-study and Coaching culture had propped up in our small city. One fine day, I also found myself landed in such a coaching institute.

It was run by some “very experienced, Civil Service aspirers”. It means, and most of faculty also sits in same exam they were coaching for. And it was indeed a successful coaching center. Many of my seniors, junior and fellow student cracked various examinations. Some time even a faculty managed to cracked some and left institute, leaving us in dilemma whether to be happy with his happiness or feel sorrow for loss of a good faculty.

One good practice was that successful candidates were called upon to give a lecture, and inspire us with their success. When some would-be IAS, Deputy Collector, DSP, Sub inspector, Teashildar, Sells tax officer, Excise officer came. Atmosphere was electrifying during speech. All students come in assembly, and fix mesmerized eyes to successful man. I remember when one very respected senior came with all Police Inspector outfit embossing-“DESHBHAKTI- JANSEVA”. We Listened their voices, telling about successful methods, tales of hard work, long study hours. They all, dedicated success to teachers, friends and family. We all wanted to become like the person before us.

Fourteen years later, Arwind kejriwal hit headlines for his anticorruption movement with Anna Hazare. Mr kejriwal, would someday have celebrated his selection in Indian Revenue Services. This service gives opportunity to sit on very high positions. More comfortable then IAS, which has to take pains of law and order, development, people, politicians, and had to perform a fairly large variety of functions.

An IRS has power to twist anybody’s arm anytime he wants, and had to deal with people, only willing to compromise at ANY COST. Such a nice job, and he Quit. Why...? Instead, he chose a bumpy path to fight for RTI, Lokpal and people’s cause.

On other side, I heard disturbing stories of successful friends from coaching. One Deputy Collector got suspended more than once for wrong reasons, still unmarried, stories of his extracurricular activities are also in air. That "Deshbhakti-Janseva" Sub inspector suspended for taking bribe. One suspended for killing innocents in fake encounter for claiming promotion. One more lady who rose to become judge, was sacked for rampant corruption. One sell tax officer, had accepted bribe many times from my colleagues. even a lady tehsildar, trapped for taking bribe and now sitting ideally at home. When I read this in newspapers, tried to remember faces of these people, in old times. Then I wanted to be one like them. Today, I doubt if can I can say same thing...

My friends made their choices, and Mr kejriwal made his. Because it’s all about choices we make.

PS: Readers may have been thinking that I didn’t achieved anything in that coaching. Well, it’s not entirely true. I chose, chase and proposed my wife in that coaching. So, now happily married with two kids. Again, it’s all about choices we make!!!!

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By Manish Singh- ritumanishsingh@gmail.com

Indian's Alteregos

A Common indian has many faces. and mostly it behaves according to situation or environment. I can quote one example, take Metro Rail in Delhi. If you have travelled in it, you might have seen its system and operation. All stations are neat and clean and all coaches are will maintained. The people travelling in these trains are the same who travel in Indian Railways. Have you ever tried to analyse why and how it happens.

It is clear there is nothing wrong with the people. It is the system which force them to live accordingly. There are many such instances. In the recent movement, even the administration has appreciated that in their career they have never seen such rally/mob to keep the premises so clean. So our people are OK. It is the system which make them good or bad. Once while I was travelling in train from Baroda to Delhi, some youth sitting were discussing, now we have lost our patience, its impossible to do anything for development in our colony. One old gentlemen (sleeping on the upper birth) came down and said, “Are you aware about Sher Shah Suri? During his time there was no lock. People never used to lock their house. Because, everyone know if caught, their hands will be cut off. Yes, you may not be able to change the system now, but don’t ever think that this system will continue for ever. May be after 50 or 100 years but it will change. Those who lived their life during that time never had ever thought that people in our generation shall have to live this life when nothing is safe.

Therefore, we should be optimistic and do our duty to bring about confidence in the people and advise them to work for the cause honestly, sincerely and dedicatedly. There is nothing permanent and impossible

Don’t Throw Stones

Mistrust is being created over Anna’s Draft by saying it keeps NGOs out of purview of lokpal. It needs to be clear that it surely covers all bodies and officials who use public exchequers’ fund (say taxpayer’s money or Govt. Fund) come under Janlokpal THAT INCLUDES NGOS TOO.

It could otherwise be taken as that “FOREIGN FUNDED NGOS SHALL NOT COME UNDER LOKPAL, THIS IS WHAT ANNA’S TEAM WANT BECAUSE THEY ALL HAVE NGOS AND PERHAPS FOREIGN FUNDED.”

Things need to clarify. Many NGOs get funds for foreign agencies. Before that, they get nod from central government and registered under FCRA. All these funds are monitored under FCRA act, need to be audited annually and submitted to GOI home affairs ministry. Such accounted funds are annually (even monthly as in CG) checked by LIB, Special branch etc. again by Registrar, Income tax Deptt. In addition funder’s own country’s ombudsman checks in their way. So there are already multiple systems in place. However, to kill anna’s integrity, fuss is being created that he doesn’t want NGOs under purview of lokpal.

First understand the meaning of NGO. Nowhere in our constitution or litigations, term NGO is ever mentioned. It is a broad term in use by UN after WWII, for organizations those are not controlled by government (subtext – working for welfare, harmony, rights etc). But one can (read Govt. if it want to..) take all people’s association - registered under societies, trusts, cooperatives and companies act, are NGOs. So from Reliance to IPTA, Amul to Tirupati Devsthanam Board, and FICCI to Shiskakarmi sangh all are NGOs. These do not take fund from government hence they are out of purviews of Janlokpal. If you want to bring otherwise funded NGOs (read foreign funded), every private body will come.

But In our folklore, NGOs are those who get “Theka” from government. They should come under lokpal and Annas draft has brought them under Locpal. Aruna Roy’s bill includes foreign funded NGOs, and annas team has not contradicted it so far. As NGO, We also do not have objections. If there is nothing to hide, let come 5^th, 6^th,…100^th agency to check, recheck and re-rechecks.