One Nation One Election

Election is the main feature of any Democracy and India being the largest Democracy in the world holds election at every five years. But sometimes elections are held before completion of five year term also, due to the fall of government. Elections enable voters to select leaders and to hold them accountable for their performance in office. As a result, elections help to facilitate social and political integration. For a vast country like India, Election is not only lengthy but it is too costly as well. Indian election is the world's most expensive one. The first election in India was held in 1952 and It costs about 10.45 Crores ! According to the New Delhi based Centre for Media Studies, India has spent an unprecedented 50,000 Crores in the recent Lok Sabha Polls (2019).
50,000 Crores is a huge amount. With these amount India could had opened AIIMS in many of its states or We could have brought S400 Missiles as well ! Since 1952 the cost in conducting elections got increased every time due to inflation. 

The powers in our country is decentralized (i.e. Transfer powers from Central to Local levels) and which means we have three tiers of government. The head of each government is directly elected by people and again which means Elections at each levels ! 
See election is very important in every democracy but it would be more good if India can save money and utilizes those money on various developmental projects. 
The present government is planning to work upon ONE NATION ONE ELECTION Project, Which means election will be conducted only once for choosing the governments at Central as well the State levels. First we should know that this is not an entirely new concept for us as we have already conducted election for both the Centre and the State Level at once during 1952-1967. But due to premature dissolution of some states, the system got disturbed and these non-predictable events kept taking place at the Centre and the State. That's why elections are so complicated today. 
Undoubtedly, One Nation One Election is going to save a lot of money as well as manpower but there are a lot of complications in its implementation. 

First, Sacrifices to be given by existing governments at state levels to held fresh elections, for all the states at once. It seems that Regional parties are less comfortable with One Nation One Election because if it gets implemented then they might loose election due to Pan India wave(The party who win in center will win in most of the states).

Second, After choosing a base year for conducting election, Few amendments' are to be made in the constitution. Such as, Article 83: Which deals with duration of houses of parliament. Article 85: Dissolution of Lok Sabha by President. Articles 172: Relating to duration of State Legislatures. Article 174: Dissolution of State assemblies. Article 356: Presidents Rule. 
Third, Restructuring the powers and functions of the Election Commission of India to facilitate procedures required for simultaneous elections.  

Benefits of One Nation One Election 

1. No wastage of Money
2. More focus on Development
3. Bureaucracy and Security forces will not be busy in conducting elections at different states for the whole year.
4. Political parties don't have to gather funds all the time for elections. 

No doubt, One Nation One Election is the need of the hour for our country as it has a lot of benefits. It won't only save our money but it will also save our time and energy of our bureaucrats and jawans. However it is also true that it has to be implemented with making consensus with all the political parties, after having a healthy debate and discussion, on which the Indian democracy is based. 

दो जून की रोटी

वैसे तो इस मुहावरे से जून महीने का कोई लेना देना नहीं हैं फिर भी न कुछ न कहते हुए भी बहुत कुछ कह जाता है ये शब्द। "2 जून की रोटी" की कीमत हम क्या समझे? सब-कुछ बना बनाया जो मिल जाता है हमे। वैसे तो ये सबका मौलिक अधिकार है पर फिर भी बहुतों को जूझना पड़ता है इस "2 जून की रोटी" के लिए। सही मायने में इसकी कीमत तो एक ग़रीब या मजदूर ही बता सकता है जो दिन-रात एक कर देता है "2 जून की रोटी" के लिए। सड़क पर बैठा एक भिखारी, जिसे जन्म लेते वक़्त ये कहाँ पता था, की कितनी ही यातनाओं से गुजरना होगा उसे "दो जून की रोटी" के लिए। 

जमाना बहुत ही तेज़ गति से बदल रहा है,लोग बदल रहे हैं,रहन-सहन का तरीका तक बदल रहा है। हम इतनी तेज़ गति से आगे बढ़ रहे हैं जिसकी कल्पना भी नहीं की जा सकती। चाँद तक जा पहुँचे हैं हम एवं आए दिन नए-नए प्रयोग किये जा रहे हैं। "विकासशील" से "विकसित" देशों की सूची में शुमार होने को अग्रसर हैं हम। किन्तु एक काला सच यह भी है कि हमारे ही बीच, हमारे ही कुछ लोग तरस रहें हैं आज केवल "2 जून की रोटी" के लिए! ये कैसा विकास है?

एक और तो हम थकते नहीं सामाजिक न्याय की बात करते हुए, किन्तु आज भी कोई बाप तरसता है अपने बच्चों को "2 जून की रोटी" देने के लिए।

 

यह विफलता किसकी है?

सिस्टम की या सरकार की या अंधाधुंध व्यापार(पूंजीवाद) की! जिसने अमीरी एवं गरीबी की खाई को और भी गहरा कर दिया है। मैं नहीं जानता। मैं तो केवल इतना जनता हूँ की रौशनी से जगमग एवम चकाचौन्ध से भरे इस दुनिया में एक दुनिया वह भी है जहाँ केवल गरीबी है, भूखमड़ी है!

गलती चाहे किसी की भी, कचोट तो माँ भारती के मन में भी होगा, जहां एक और हम सुखी-संपन्न हैं तो वही दूसरी ओर एक तबका आज भी तड़पता है केवल "2 जून की रोटी" के लिए!

 
सुनने में बड़ा अजीब सा लगता है यह, "दो जून की रोटी" किन्तु यह भी एक कटु सत्य है कि इस "दो जून की रोटी" का आज भी उतना ही महत्व है जितना हज़ारो साल पहले था एवं कल भी यह उतना ही महत्वपूर्ण रहने वाला है जितना की आज है! इंसान को जन्म से मृत्यु तक "2 जून की रोटी" चाहिए ही चाहिए।

आज तो फिर भी ठीक है, पिता जी कमा रहे हैं बेटे-बेटी खा रहे हैं। किंतु कल जब हम भी अपने जीवन के उसी दौड़ में जा चुके होंगे जब हमें सही मायने में समझ आयेगा कितना महत्वपूर्ण है व कितने ही जातन से मिलता है यह "दो जून की रोटी"।

ख़ैर, आज 2 जून है और आज की रोटी काफ़ी स्वादिष्ट है!

Qutub Complex: A Brief Overview

Qutub Complex has different monuments and buildings from Delhi Sultanate. It is situated at Mehrauli in Delhi, India. Many rulers like Qutub-ud-din Aibak, Iltutmish, Ala-ud-din Khilji, Firoz Shah Tughlaq and The Britishers has given their contribution in building and maintaining the complex. There are several monuments and buildings are present in the complex. They are as follows:-

1. Qutub Minar
2. Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque
3. Alai Darwaza 
4. Alai Minar
5. Tomb of Iltutmish
6. Tomb of Ala-ud-din Khilji
7. Tomb of Imam Zamin
8. Iron Pillar
9. Lantern Pillar
10. Sanderson Piller

Let's know about them one-by-one.

Qutub Minar

After winning the battle against Prithvi Raj Chauhan in The Second Battle of Tarain in 1192, Mohammad Ghori left his governor Qutub-ud-din Aibak to rule India. After the death of Ghori, Aibak became the master of Hindustan and founded the Slave Dynasty in 1206 AD. He destroyed 27 Hindu and Jain temples, and used the materials of temples in his first major building, Quwwat-ul Islam.

Aibak began the construction of Qutub Minar in 1192 AD. He died while playing polo in 1210 AD. When he died, the construction of Qutub Minar was incomplete. Only one storey of the Minar was completed till his death. The construction of Minar was completed by his successor and his son-in-law, Shamsuddin Iltutmish (1211AD-1236AD) in 1220AD. 

The Qutub Minar was made on the memory of famous sufi saint, Bakhtiyar Kaki but it is also recongnized as a 'Victory Tower' as Ghori wins the battle against Prithvi Raj Chauhan. It is also marked as beginning of Islamic rule in India. In 1368, The Minar was damaged by lightening. Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351 AD-1388 AD) repaired The Minar and he replaced the damaged storey with two new storeys made up of red sand stone and white marble to give it more strength to face any natural calamity. Thus it has five Minars at present. Inscriptions also indicate further repairs was made by Sikandar Lodhi(1489 AD - 1517 AD) in 1503 AD.

Features of Minar

1. Qutub Minar is the world's tallest brick minaret, which measures 72.5 metres or 239 feet.
2. It's diameter is 14.3 M at the base and 2.7 at the top.
3. Qutub Minar is UNESCO world's heritage site. 

Gallery

Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque

The Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque is also know as Masjid-I-Jami. It is known as the oldest mosque of India. The mosque was built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek by ruins of 27 Hindu and Jain temples. The mosque is believed to built in between 1193-1197 AD. Few changes were made by Iltutmish and Ala-ud-din Khilji in this mosque. The images of Hindu gods and goddess is still visible in some pillers or walls of this mosque. This mosque is built on the same pattern in which 'Adhai di ka Jhopra' was made. The 'Adhai din ka Jhopda'  is made in two and a half day thus, it is named as 'Adhai din ka Jhopda' 

Alai Minar & Alai Darwaza

Alai Minar was a very ambitious project of Ala-ud-din Khilji. Khilji wanted to make it double the size of Qutub Minar but after his death none of his successors made this. The Alai Minar is an uncompleted project. Alai Darwaza is the main gate from the southern side of the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque in the Qutub complex. It was built by Ala-ud-din Khilji in 1311 AD. It is constructed using red sandstone and is adorned with white marble. The walls of the Alai Darwaza are intricately inscribed with Nashk script. 

                                            

Iron Pillar 

The iron pillar, also known as 'Ashokan Pillar' is one of the world's foremost metallurgical curiosities. The pillar is 7.21 Metres high and weighs more than six tonnes. It was originally erected by Chandragupta II Vikramaditya (375-414AD) in front of a Vishnu Temple at Udayagiri and later it was shifted to its present location by Anangpal in 10'th century. The pillar bears an inscription in Brahmi script. The pillar is not rusted yet! 

                                        

Tombs of Iltutmish & Ala-ud-din Khilji

The tomb of Iltutmish and Ala-ud-din Khilji is also present in the campus of Qutub Complex. The tomb of Iltutmish lies to the northwest of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. Iltutmish's tomb is very amazingly made and it consists Islamic verses on the wall. 

Besides these monuments, There is also a Garden, A Lantern Piller and A Sanderson Dial is present in the Qutub Complex. The Qutub Complex recognize as a very important site in the in Indian history that shows not only the magnificent Islamic monuments but it also shows how Hindus are humiliated from ancient time by the Islamic invaders in India. So make sure you will have a look at all the monuments, Not only the Qutub Minar the very next time you visit the Qutub Complex.

Euthanasia : Death With Dignity

What is Euthanasia?
In simple terms, If a person wants to die then he can die on the basis of his choice. People wants to die for various reasons. But death is not the solution for any problem. On the other hand, Some wants to die due to the incurable disease that he is suffering from. Such peoples should also have the right to die with dignity. In India, Euthanasia have been a debatable topic for a long time but on 9 March 2018 the honourable Supreme Court of India has allowed passive euthanasia in India. Euthanasia is allowed in some religions also. Like in Jainism, A person is allowed to take 'Santhara' in last days of  his life. It is the religious practice of voluntarily fasting to death by gradually reducing the intake of food and liquids. In Jainism, it is not considered as a suicide. Instead they call it "Death with dignity."
Euthanasia is allowed in some of the countries also. In America, Euthanasia is not allowed but in some of the provinces like Washington DC, California & Colorado 'Assisted Suicide' is allowed. 
'Assisted Suicide 'is allowed in Switzerland & Germany as well. In Netherlands, after having a discussion for 30 years and in Belgium for 3 years, Euthanasia was allowed in the year 2001 and 2002 respectively. 

Types of Euthanasia

1. Passive Euthanasia: If anyone who is in permanent vegetative state like in coma wants to die then to whom ever he has designated in his 'living will' will take decision behalf of him. If the designated person allows to give him passive euthanasia then all the life supporting system will be removed and medications will be stopped. The person will die gradually. India joins the countries that allows Passive Euthanasia. (Living Will : A will in which a person decides in advance to refuse life support system in case of terminal illness. In this will, he designates a person who will take decision on his behalf)
2. Active Euthanasia: It involves administering a lethal dose on a terminally ill person. It is illegal in India and considered as a criminal offence as it can be misused to take one's life.
3. Assisted Suicide: A type of euthanasia where doctors can write those medicines after whose consumption the patient dies. It is allowed in few countries mentioned above.

Aruna Shanbaug v/s Union of India Case

Aruna Shanbaug's case relates to passive euthanasia. She was sexually assaulted (She was about to marry in a month) in a hospital in Mumbai in 1973. After this incident, she becomes comatose and remains in persistent vegetative state for 42 years. In 2011, a petition was filed on The Supreme Court of India but the court rejected the petition. Aruna Shanbaug died in 2015. Passive Euthanasia then becomes legal in India but only in a special circumstances. 

Arguments

Long years ago The Supreme Court said that Right to Life means 'A dignified life' and if the state can not improve the daily livelihood of people or if the state fails in fulfilling the basic needs of people then state has no right to prevent anyone to die. We got the 'Right to life and Personal Liberty' under article 21 of the Indian Constitution so 'Right to Die with Dignity' should also be there. Comatose person and the person who is suffering from incurable diseases cannot be allowed to continue suffering. Is it a justice with them to keep them on life supporting system forcefully? They can't even express their feelings. To consider this, The Supreme Court of India confirms that Right to Die with Dignity is a Fundamental Right. As the court allows passive euthanasia, strict guidelines have been made by the court to prevent the misuse of it.
Let's consider the another side of it.
Every person is associated with another person. If a person dies it affects the lives of many people. If a person is allowed for euthanasia then who will look after his family? What if he is the sole bread winner of their his family? Life of a person is life of a family also.

Always remember that euthanasia is only for those who actually need it. And ending the life is never a solution. 

Demonetization: Good or Bad?

On Nov 8,2016 Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi announced that all the old currency of Rupees 500/- & 1000/- will not be the legal tender. It was a huge surprise for everyone. At first people didn’t understand that what actually had happened? Then Mr. Modi announced that government is now going to issue new notes of 500/- and 2000/- and the old 1000/- rupees note has now completely banned. It was a very big step taken by the Indian government and definitely it was going to affect the lives of 132 crores peoples living inside the nation. People from across the nation started giving their reviews about the demonetization and how would it be beneficial for the nation.

Demonetization was such a kind of step about which the government couldn’t afford to tell anything before because if they did so people having black money would definitely find some ways to store them that’s why I think Mr. Prime Minister has announced it all of a sudden which I think is right but at the same time the government should have done some preparation so that the people would not had been suffered like they did. The new note’s dimension was different from the old one. It is little big in size. And the government realized it later on and then the ATM’s was instructed to change the cabinet in which the note is stored. If this things would had done before demonetization then I think people might have suffered less. Anyways. Every coin has two aspects so let’s discuss some pros and cons of the demonetization pointwise.

Limitations

· At the time when demonetization was happened, The world was growing very faster but we slowed down due to the demonetization. Our GDP fell by 0.09% in the first quarter.
· People faced a lot of difficulties while changing their notes due to the massive rush. Especially the merchants and traders suffered a lot as the demonetization has affected the whole market. Daily wage labours were left unpaid due to the scarcity of the new notes in the market.
· Even after the demonetization the number of fake currencies has increased by 50%.
· It took near about 8 thousand crores in printing the new notes.
· The cashiers working in the bank had also very much suffered as they have to work from 10 in the morning to 11 in the night and due to the very less time provided by the government for preparation, the banks did not manage to get cash counting machines and due to this a lot of cashiers face difficulties in counting the cash and not only that many cashiers had to pay fine ranging from Rs 1000 to Rs. 2.5 Lakhs due to some miscounting(due to heavy work load) of such a huge amount of cash.
· The demonetization was done for 15 crores 41 lakhs rupees and A/c to the government near about 2-3 lakh crores rupees will not come in the banking system and in this way those money will be eliminated from the system as Black Money but A/c to the reports issued by the RBI only 10 thousand crores have not come in the banking system means 99.3% money has come back.

Positives

· After demonetization the government also come to know about the unaccounted wealth. Near about all the wealth has now come in the banking system and which was seen as a drawback before now has become a plus point why because all those unaccounted wealth has and become taxable and due to this income tax payment has increased in an enormous amount.
· Demonetization helps in boosting digital economy of the country. People understand the benefits of digital payment and started using debits cards, e-wallet etc. The government has also launched a very effective payment method called UPI Payment (BHIM: BHARAT INTERFACE FOR MONEY)
With the help of UPI, now people can send money within a fraction of second. And even a small merchant or a chaiwallah or a subjiwala has also started taking digital payments. This is the positive impact of nothing but demonetization. Through demonetization we are also working to achieve a dream of becoming a DIGITAL INDIA.
· Number of tax payers increased from 1-2% to 4-5%. This results in increasing tax revenue by 25%.
· Due to the demonetization, the terror funding have stopped in the Kashmir valley and stone pelting has now reduced by 75% in Kashmir and not only this but Naxal activities has also reduced by 25%.
· Near about 3 lakhs fake companies has shut down.
· Bank loans and real state has now becomes cheaper than before.

Conclusive Remark

Demonetization is a very good idea in a longer run but it has short term teasing effect and it could be done in a better way if the government would had planned it in a nice way. People would suffer less, Comparatively.

Usage of data from Social Media for political reasons is Unethical

Data theft these days is a very big issue and these days our data is very unsafe due to the increasing cyber crimes. Data theft basically means taking our information illegally from social media or any other platforms. Commonly, This information is user information such as Passwords, Social Security Numbers, Credit Card Information, Personal Contacts, Images etc.

Usage of data from social media for political reasons is very unethical and also a kind of cyber crime. These days data are being theft to understand the psychological behavior of the peoples especially political parties are doing this to gain benefit in the elections. It is also alleged that in the recent American election political parties have theft the data to manipulate the voters and took benefit in winning the election.

I personally think to theft our data is a heinous crime and it is a serious threat to our privacy as well. It is a global issue and steps should be taken by the founders of social media to protect our data.