India is the biggest democracy in the world, it is said. But the living condition of the major section of the common people, the kisans, farmers and agricultural workers, has not improved in any significant manner. It is stated that more than 20 lakh farmers have committed suicides in the recent past. Despite all tall claims by the government, the suicides of indebted farmers are increasing in many states. See the list of certain states below, where the suicides have increased in the last ten years:

State                                     Farmers’ suicides (average per year)

1995-2002                            2003-10

1. A.P.                        1590                                       2301
2. Assam                     155                                         291
3. MP-Chattisgarh 2304                                      2829
4. Maharashtra      2508                                       3802

(Source: NCRB Accidental death & suicides in India Report 1995-2010)

My Hearty Greetings and Best Wishes to all  friends, comrades and well wishers for the Makara Sankranthi, Pongal  and New Year! Let the New Year be a bright and pleasant one!

The proposed Indefinite Strike of Postal Employees w.e.f. 17th January 2012 stands deferred after discussion between Secretary Posts and the Union representatives and settlement on major issues. The proposal of the Department to close many RMS offices and Post Offices will not be implemented as per the agreement. The present Post  Offices and RMS offices will continue functioning as earlier.

My hearty congratulations to the NFPE and other unions which had been in full preparations for the strike and have now got settled the main issues.

Prime Minister Dr.  Manmohan Singh termed the high levels of malnutrition among the children in the country a ‘national shame’. The facts revealed in a latest study that 42% of children under five are severely or moderately malnourished and 59% of them suffer from moderate to severe stunting, are not only a ‘national shame’; they are also an ‘administrative shame’ he stated.

I appreciate the speech of the Prime Minister admitting the national shame. The Congress party has been ruling the country since 1947 except for brief periods when BJP or other parties were in power. As such the main responsibility lies with the Congress only, the Prime Minister of which is Dr. Manmohan Singh himself. Since Congress is the present ruling party also, what it is going to do to change the situation. Is there any clear plan to eradicate this national shame?

Of course, a government aggressively proceeding with neo-liberalisation and also favouring the corporates instead of the common people of the country  will not have such a plan. Or if there is any plan, there will be no commitment to implement the same.

The government policy should change in favour of the common people. Then only they will get justice. The people themselves should pressurize and struggle for the same.

Since December 9th this year, the staff quarters I am staying, D-7, Telegraph Place, Gole Market, New Delhi, allotted to the BSNL Employees Union, is under repair. These 11 quarters in this compund might have been constructed at least 80 years or more  back by the British rulers. These quarters are having only ground floor  with arched doors. This quarter might have been repaired at least about 7-8 years back. So the present repair has become essential and it is being done.  I was thinking that by the end of this month and year, the repairs will be over. However, it may take some more days in the new year. Surely the maintenance was necessary.

The quarters are having maintenance and repair. What about me, the resident in the quarters?  Is there any chance of repair and maintenance in the new year? I think it is necessary. Each person requires to be updated and organised to deal the new situations and challenges. You have to start it and if you start from the New Year, well and good.