Introduction:

Drinking has become a fashion and a mark of aristocracy now-a-days in parties, celebrations, picnics, feasts and in marriage-occasions and anybody not arranging it on such occasions is derided upon as an outdated, out-modeled man. Instances of the father-in-law and the bridegroom consuming alcohol during the marriage are not uncommon. Also, I have come across news in a Odia daily that a bride did leave the marriage altar at the sight of a drunken husband.

Why only in marriage functions alone, relatives attending a funeral ceremony, sacred thread ceremony also have sometimes been found in a drunken state. People carry the corpse only when they are presented with drinks in many cases. A bereaved family is made to take a break from their tears and arrange liquor to satisfy relatives and to see that the corpse is lifted. People dip themselves in the drinks on occasion of immersion ceremony of idols of Gods. Holiness and purity are relegated to the background and ridiculously and shamelessly substituted by dances and music under the heinous influence of wine. A man under the influence of liquor performs double or treble the task he is used to.

The root cause of loss of peaceful social climate:

Drunkards are so smart and punctual that on the Republic Day, on the Independence Day, on the second of October and the election days, they never run short of liquor, even if liquor shops remain closed on these days. They made hay when sun shone. Their stocks are more than adequate for any occasion. The drunkards can go to any distance and spend any amount to procure a bottle, but they are seldom prepared to go a furlong if their own children are crying for a bottle of milk.

A laborer spends his lion’s share of money earned on liquor, neglecting his own wife and children and ignoring his individual self in the process as he drinks more and eats less. Drug addiction has taken so huge a dimension now-a-days that teenaged boys and girls working in garages and hotels and working women fall prey to addiction. Many students in schools and colleges fall easy prey to drugs and ruin their careers and lives.

The root cause of disturbance and loss of peaceful social climate in modern day homes is due to large scale consumption of liquor. All rapists, criminals and murderers are drunkards or druggists. According to a survey conducted on crimes by drunkards by ALAC, a de-addiction organization of New Zealand, in its survey has come out with the report that out of every five cases of premature deaths, one is from road accident, three from family violence and one on property matters. The average expenditure of police budget worldwide is 15% on curbing drinking-related violence.

Statistics:

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of the USA in its survey report says that 37% of rapes, 27% of physical violence and 15% of the thefts were committed under the influence of liquor. The victims of the crime are primarily among women, children and members of the culprit’s family or friends. In addition, thousands die of poisonous liquor every year for which the government pays ex-gratia besides spending on the treatment of the victims. Colossal amounts are also spent by the Government on inquiry commissions.

It is true that a fair amount is collected from the purchase and sale of liquor as government revenue, but a major portion of this revenue is spent on the liquor-crimes and liquor-criminals. Any revenue left thereafter is just a flash in the pan. This ill-got money is immoral in nature and the benefit derived out of it should never glorify theft, robbery and other illegal, immoral activities connected with it. Gujarat, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Laccadives are among a few Indian states which have banned the production and sale of contraband including liquor. Gujarat is the only Indian state where provision for the death penalty exists for production and sale of poisonous liquor.

Conclusion:

No developmental work has suffered owing to less collection of revenue in these states. Ban on the sale of gutkha has been well-received by people and ban on production and sale of liquor will make people happier still. Public opinion is clearly in favor of a total ban on production and sale of contraband in any form and of any nature. Women activists have come out in huge numbers, destroying the products. A new Excise Act should be made by the government and strictly implemented. No more atonement on criminal revenue should be the motto of the Government.                          

Life is a mingled yarn of good and bad both. The warp and wool of fabric of life is made up of tears and smiles together things shine through contrast. They become dull through monotonous similarity. Its is perhaps, the tears and trials of life that bring the smile of life under the sharpest focus. We rise no paradox if we say that the sorrows are the sufferings of life are infact, responsible for keeping us blooming with smiles and bubbling with enthusiasm. Life would have been sapless, dark and drag if there would have been no tears to tear off this curtain of similarity so produced by the permanence of smile. Tears present a more vivid image of human life and greatly enliven our lives.

Undoubtedly, the weight of constant sufferings and sorrows is apt to prey upon the human arid mind as it did when someone broke out into a lyrical cry:

"Oh God! lift me as a wave, a leaf, a cloud.

I fall upon the thrones of, I bleed"

We can clearly conclude that our life without tears is as dull as our life without smiles. That is the reason why tragedies of Shakespeare touch us more than his comedies. Sorrow is a great amplifier of happiness as it brings the latter in a broad relief. Perhaps, this very reason made me sing in the praise of sorrow.

"Sweetest sorrow!

Like me, our baby and I nurse thee on my fest,

I thought to leave thee,

But now of all the world I love thee best."

Many times, it happens that we are busy in doing some work and if it is not completed by us on time then, they become a disturbing element and result in creating frustration in our mind. It is the tear of earth that keeps our smile in bloom with our loved ones and friends. It is true that ten-thousand times ribbed and edged at the anvil of human experience without love. We know that days are pleasant when night follows it. Have we ever thought why the moonlight look lovely at night? Moonlight is charming because sunlight comes after it. Sorrows are bearable because we expect joys. Sorrows are changing moods, appeal to every heart. Joys would have been little known if there would have been no sorrow.

Life is both sweet and bitter. Sometimes, it surrounds us with grieve, bewail and pain while sometimes it gives the pleasure of cheers, glee and optimize our life. The important thing is that we should never give up. We should enjoy our life. It is natural, a God-given fact that a man has to spend his life with both happiness and difficulties. from both the  make friends as joy of your life so that you may not be sad or feel lonely in life. Because time hangs heavy in our hands and makes us frustrated because they are the only ones who stand with you as the pillars of "Sorrow and Joy" and are the friends of your loved ones.

"Its your life, make it large"

Introduction:

In the course of corruption and sky rocketing rise of prices of essential commodities in government of the day, promulgates long awaited food security ordinance. The government is unable to stop stiff price hike of essential commodities and vegetables. Honorable President of India approved food security ordinance and now it becomes a law. During the last general election of 2009, United Progressive Alliance had promised in their manifesto to people of India to bring forward food security bill within 100 days of staying power. Now, they are at the helm of affairs in national politics for more than four years. Monsoon session of parliament is round the corner. Without waiting for approval from Parliament, abrupt announcement of Ordinance of food security bills raises few eyebrows. According to some eminent political observers, the single most motive behind the introduction of this ordinance is to strengthen the political base of theirs. Though, it is a completely separate matter is, how this ordinance will benefit UPA (United Progressive Alliance) in the upcoming general election to be held next year. The Alliance in power at the center, UPA is trying hard for a record comeback to civic center by introducing food security ordinance when the general election is hardly a year away. It is a completely separate matter but how this scheme is going to eradicate hunger and  poverty among paupers is to be seen.

Poverty eradication:

In our country one percentage of the population has difficulty in arranging their livelihoods in day-to-day matters. We have achieved independence six decades ago, but a huge chunk of people of India is still reeling under abject poverty. Sometimes, they have to resort to eating jungle grass and small insects in order to stay alive. It is a shame for citizens of this great country, when lakhs of people have to stay with no food or half food. The United Nations had called to eradicate poverty and rootlessness from developing countries by 2015. Till this date nation of the world including Brazil has achieved this terrific achievement of removing poverty and hunger in their respective countries. India is still trailing in achieving the objective of completely eradicating poverty by 2015. Brazil has achieved this due to favorable economic environment and stable government at the centre. It is time to rethink our fiscal policies as why 30 countries have succeeded, in achieving this inevitable. During 1990-2012, period the rank of India in terms of poverty and hunger is higher than some Asian and African countries. According to Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations, in India more than 2.17 cores of people live with hunger. It is a worrying figure from a reliable international organization. Till previous year according to world hunger index, out of 79 hungriest countries, the rank of India is 65. Pakistan and Bangladesh are ahead of India in world hunger index.

In eight states of India including Odisha, poverty and hunger are prevalent in more than 41croes of people. Till previous year, one fourth of world’s poverty is in India. China is more populated than India. Poverty in China is less than India. In India, more than 50 percentages of children have malnutrition problem since their birth. More 43 percentages of children under the age of five have lesser weight than normal. In India, 77 percentages of people are earning livelihoods for one meal per day. They are able to purchase 70 percentages of foods on a daily basis. The number of poor people according to Eleventh National Development Plan amounts to more than 300 million. Large proportions of poor people continue to live in rural areas. The poorest areas on the map of poverty in India are in parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal. The major causes of poverty in rural areas are lack of proper education, financial access, productive ideas and inadequate health care.

Food security ordinance:

According to food security ordinance, a person who is recognized as unsatisfactory by state governments is entitled to five kilograms of rice per month in one to three rupees per kg. If for any valid reason, government of the day is not able to give adequate rice or vegetables than the person is to be refunded with money. Up to 75 percentages of rural population and up to 50 percentages of urban population will have equal food rights of five kilogram food grains per month on a highly subsidized rate. States have been asked to formulate and identify rural as well as urban poor. The coverage area will be determined by central government. The central government will provide ample assistance to state government who is dealing with these projects at local level. The assistance includes intrastate transportation, food grain handling charges, margins of fair price shop dealers, information and communication technology outsourcing, doorstep delivery, identifying poor people from “Adhar scheme” The Unique identification scheme. District grievance redressed officer along with state’s food commission will look into the matter of grievances and they will act like Ombudsman for the poor and the needy.

According to many organization who are dealing with permutations and combinations related with nutritional values of adults, for a senior citizen to stay strong and in good health, he needs 12-14 kg of green vegetables, one and half a kg of dal and 800 grams of oil. There is no mention of essential food items in food security bill. The essential food items consist of Dal, salt, oil and vegetables. It is true that healthy food items like that of mutton, chicken, egg are now costlier. Poor people face financial difficulties to afford such foods. In Odisha state government is giving away 35 kg of rice in subsidized prices to family below poverty lines in a month. According to food security ordinance, a family of five would be entitled to five kilograms of rice per person. This means that they will get 25 kg of rice. In Odisha alone, that family is getting 35kg of rice per month in subsidized prices from state government schemes. With the introduction of food security ordinance, the same family’s rice quota will be reduced by ten kg. Now, respective state governments are buying rice from farmers. State governments are procuring 5.76 core tons of food grains from farmers. It is 30 percentages of total rice production in India. Rest 70 percentages of rice are available in the open market. After introduction of food security ordinance, Centre will have to procure additional 7.4 core tons of food grains. It is 50 percentages of total rice production in India. There will be less rice left in the open market. This can lead to black marketing and red taping. Warehousing of surplus food grains is a grave problem in India. Food Corporation of India is unable to cope with gigantic output of paddy and wheat. Most grains are left outside to the mercy of sun and rain which perish with time. Proper building of entire range of warehouse architecture is a necessity. Owing to rise of economy more and more cement structures are there. For this agricultural lands are converted into normal lands. Decrease of cultivated lands has an adverse impact on food grains output.

Abolition of subsidies:

In the recent years, rise of prices of fertilizers, grains, electricity, water pump, irrigation tax have compelled farmers to stay out from agricultural activities. This is impacting directly on food production output. Growth of agricultural output is at all time low. This will lead to the capture of pastoral production by larger private companies as well as big multinational retailers. In this ordinance, there is a provision that, if government fails to provide adequate food grains on time, then it is going to give direct money to the concerned poor. This scheme has similarity with exact cash transfer scheme. This seems that with due course of time the privileged public distribution scheme will give way to direct cash transfer scheme. In the age of liberalization, there are many advocates of removing subsidies and other famous welfare schemes. In the future government will remove subsidies and give the same amount of money to bank accounts of concerned persons. Slowly with inflation government will pay less intrinsic value of money to people and with due course of time entire subsidy regime will be abolished further. In this manner, the entire PDS infrastructure and mechanisms will be abolished. Government will resort to direct cash transfer scheme of payment directly to bank accounts of people. Now very few grains will be left in the open market. Then people will have to depend upon remote big companies and multinational companies for food purchasing. On the other hand, government is paying out a fixed price to farmers for food grain procurement. With due course of time, government will resort to honest cash exchange and ignore farmers. Farmers have to sell their food grains to substantial private companies and multinational companies at a lower price. With due course of time, farmers financial status will be marginalized and he will be facing the debt. Multinational companies and big private industrialists will buy farm lands on lease and introduce large scale machine farming. This will enhance food output and minimize labors.

Conclusion:

The most significant illustration for hunger is the lack of identifiable objective land reform Act. Most of the farmers are not foremost farmers. There are landlords who control a vast area of land. They employ small and secondary farmers on a day to day basis. This is the main cause of unemployment and poverty. They live in abject poverty. This reduces their earning capacity. How to remove poverty? It cannot be removed along with food security and direct cash transfer to bank accounts. The government of the day should focus on increasing agricultural business, exports, creating and sustaining favorable farm environments, proper distribution and conservation of foods through warehousing facilities. Agricultural productivity index lays three to four percentages of entire gross domestic products. In 80s, agrarian production was 38 percentages of entire GDP. In the current year, it is 14.3 percentages of entire GDP. It means that over 60 percentages of farmers who run their family with dependence on agriculture, their learning is limited to 14.3 percentages of entire GDP. So, in conclusion, there should be a comprehensive aid program to eradicate poverty. Tailor-made schemes like food security ordinance and direct cash transfer will not help the poor and the downtrodden.

Consequences of corruption can be destructive

Corruption and carelessness are directly responsible for heavy tolls on public life and property, which is evident from the recent happenings in Uttrakhand where massive destruction took place and later we saw the ugly faces of carelessness and corruption, which aggravated the whole incident from ugly to uglier.  Uttrakhand is an apt example of overriding corruption where numbers of dams and buildings have arisen against the recommendations of experts who forecasted such incidents decades ago but governments and their employees grossly ignored these for personal gains. The fact that man, who has slightest of power has dominated others but it has caused indescribable suffering and misery to others. People who try to establish a more organized society always face greedy and corrupt people who foil their efforts for personal gains. Such people do not spare even to god causing harm to innocent people in the process.      

Corruption is abuse of entrusted power for private gain

 I rather laughed them out whenever someone asked me if I ever been a victim of corruption in my country as the stories of corruption in our country are widely spread here in this country as elsewhere in the world and people wish to know about these to satiate their curiosity. It is not that any country is free from such practices but not the kind of so widely spread in our country, our situation is perhaps altogether different and too deep-rooted in general. No region or country in the world is immune to the perils of corruption but we figure in the list most affected by this evil. We figure very high on the list of transparency international who works exclusively to study corruption rate in different countries.  

The corruption

Although our sinful nature, the kind of world we live in and the thoughts of corruption can exert great pressure on us but the question is, can we resist their influence! You might wonder how. The answer is not that simple since we have come too far from our age-old time tested traditions and moving toward misleading beliefs of materialism. That is where the problem of corruption begins. This is not only the government employees who are corrupt but also most businessmen who keep cursing system for its corruption can easily adopt dishonest practices. They fall perhaps to achieve their set goals or to survive the evil designs of government employees who would not let them succeed unless they paid money to them. Many people in corporate world do not want to pay under the table but succumb to giving bribes when they find it a big challenge to remain honest and incur heavy financial loses by not obliging them.  

The evil of corruption is worldwide 

We all know like many people in the world that corruption is inevitable and could never completely eliminated from our system and that is understandable. We all know that throughout history, people have tried their best to form governments, changing them repeatedly, yet they could never form a government, whatever the political parties declared in their pre-election manifestos. Yet they have never succeeded in permanently eliminating the evil of corruption from anywhere in the world, unfortunately our country has it more than most others.  

I am an optimistic but in current state of scenario in our country, I see no resemblance of a hope that any party is going to deliver the result to poor ones who are crying for help, loaded with different problems like inflation, scarcity, corruption, lack of infrastructure, no basic amenities etc. The situation turns worst when no one in government sector or paced in responsible positions is prepared to fulfill his responsibility but running after his (undue) rights despite enjoying best facilities available to them. Sadly, many today do it intentionally and victimize others by taking undue advantage not of lowly and poor but well to do businessmen as well. These corrupt people not only indulge in corruption but spread and influence others as well to act corruptly. The one who becomes victim of these corrupt people tries to recover his money through corrupt means and the evil spreads on. (A word map of corruption which shows you the actual situation, you can see us in whole red color. Blue color indicates very less or no corruption)

We all know what happened in recent incident in Uttarakhand, people in official capacity that were responsible for the safety and security tried to game the system by filling their own pockets before arranging safe rescue of thousands who were stuck up in different places. The relatives of high ups in the government misused their power and made lot of money in the mealy in the name of rescuing marooned people. They did not hesitate to ask money from the people who were suffering badly and were in need of immediate hospitalization. They also did not hesitate to ask for their costly belongings for a short distance ride to safer places. Local people joined hands in help as well robbing them. It was a naked dance of greed and that is not yet over. 

Local and central governments, leaders of different parties will pet their backs non-stop for months and years to come for their help but the fact remains if there is a GOD He will have no choice but to remove these sinners who refuse to change their ways so shamelessly. I for one would be thankful to Him if such people could be prevented from influencing human life so shamelessly although what I am writing here is only my wishful thinking because if god was able to do this entire job, he could have done it already.  

Conclusion of my story

This is general people of this country, who shall have to work to battle against corrupt tendencies, which put us down acting so selfishly. There is no doubt whatsoever that good people are still there who wish to set things right but they are sidelined by the corrupt ones because they out number the good ones by a big margin. But I am sure that the day will soon arrive when poor people of this country will wake up and uproot the evil and corrupt ones and the day will arrive sooner than later.

Image taken from wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corruption_in_India