Democracy, a Well Organized Hypocrisy

Democracy, a Well Organized Hypocrisy

“It is the government  of the netas, by the netas, for the netas”

By Mukesh Sharma

When India got freedom from the clutches of the Britisher, China was said to be lagging behind by 60 years in comparison to India because of certain developmental works and infrastructure like railways, roads, Institutions etc. carried out by British regime in then India, and today, as the facts reveal, China must be 100 years ahead of India in almost all the fields. Even after 72 years of Independence, unofficially, over 45 per cent populace is below the poverty line, battling for life in the morass of hunger and poverty. Though these hopeless and hapless masses, euphemistically are called as ‘masters’ in democratic dispensation and their elected representatives as ‘servants of masters,’ the ‘masters’ reel under abject poverty, and the ‘servants’ roll in riches. Undoubtedly, democracy sounds to be a well organized hypocrisy, particularly, in India.

Democracy, a Well Organized Hypocrisy

As an answer to tyrannical rules of predestined Kings and Queens who used to have divine right to rule their subjects in savage world, perhaps some victimized or a public spirited mind must have coined the most attractive word ‘DEMOCRACY’ in good faith.

Meaning of Democracy

Scholars maintain that the term ‘democracy’ first appeared in ancient Greek; it originates from ‘demos’ (common people) and ‘kratos’ (strength) where Cleisthenes is referred to as “the father of Athenian democracy.”  Wikipedia says “Democracy means rule by the people.” Further, one of the most revered and a renowned president of America Abhram Lincoln spells it out tersely as “the Government of the people, by the people, for the people”.

However, common people argue that the democracy seems ‘safe and sound’ on the pages of holy ‘Rule Book’ only; out of the book, she (democracy) is only abused, misused and disused. In the name of democracy handful of able bodied and minded people manage to grab the power by their ‘poly-tricks’, and shrewdly call themselves ‘servants of people; they live like kings and the people remain at the mercy of their ‘servants’.

Lucrative business

Over the years, politics has become the most lucrative and the most-sought after business; no material investment except ‘TIME’, and assured unaccountable wealth. No business gives such huge returns. Though this GRAVY TRAIN attracts everyone, only careerist politicians with political link and muscle power manage to ‘board’ it. Of course, a few exceptions are always there.

As per the Election Commission report, there are 1866 registered political parties. Out of these, 56 are recognized as registered national or state parties. The people allege that the most of the political parties are like private limited companies headed by the self-appointed ‘chairman’ and ‘directors’. These political parties are run like family business; the title is always passed on to son or daughter of the family. With muscle and money power, the family members of the family develop a ‘pocket borough’ so-called ‘constituency’. They continue to get elected years after years and become an ‘institution’ in politics. Even if by some quirk of fate, they happen to lose an election, they manage to enter the Parliament through ‘back door’ (Rajya Sabha).

Demi Gods

Since there is no restriction in the formation of political parties, there is plethora of political parties in India that has marred the democracy;  votes are divided. And after election, such small parties gang-up to share the ‘loot’. The poor electorate have no SAY in the well chalked out SYSTEM loaded heavily in favour of netas; no provision of referendum; no rule to recall a non-performer representative. It is a crime to speak against an ‘elected representative’ at least for five years; they are not accountable to anybody; they become demi-gods.

Free-loaders

India is a country of under-class and free loaders. Except a few blessed, the majority of the youth are jobless or not gainfully employed. They just scrape through the life. Such youth are easy prey of these ‘gangs’. They ‘recruit’ them as members. The youth join these ‘gangs’ for an identity tags. Such youth are used to organize rally, bandh, etc. as per the directives of the ‘directors’ of the ‘companies’. And such companies continue to thrive because of their clouts and alleged ‘extortions’ from the unknown sources; crime and corruption go hand-in hand. The free-loaders and public extortionists continue to get richer and richer. It is open secret that almost all the political parties have crores of rupees in their coffers beyond the reach of Income Tax Department, with no material business.

No Free Votes

What is noteworthy, if any candidate is elected on the ticket of any ‘gang’, irrespective of social or national interest, he or she will have to toe the ‘party line, and look after the interest of the party (chairman and directors). Thus he/she becomes a prisoner within the party. He has no FREE VOTES. Even in British Parliament elected representative have FREE VOTES; they can express their views in national or social interests and can vote also even against their own party. So is in US, but not in India. That is why unruly scenes are witnessed in the Parliament. ‘Debates’ look like ‘gang-fight’.

See-saw Game

In the eye of the world, elections are held regularly after every five years. Mainline ‘gangs’ handpick candidates as per their worth and benefit, the party can drive out of their clout, and these candidates are imposed on the electorate. If you can’t avoid rape, enjoy it. On the Election Day, out of despair, the people line up to vote to teach a lesson to sitting MLA/MP who usually betrays the trust of the people, resulting in the election of the opposite candidate. It is like a sea-saw game; if one is down, the other comes up. Ironically, thus elected candidate declares himself as a popular leader of the masses. His ‘victory is celebrated by the ‘party’ workers for the ‘spoil system’, not by the people. Professionals call this anti-incumbency. Thus governments after governments are changed after every five years. Grasping netas get richer and richer and the poor populace continues to hope against hope for betterment but in vain; however democracy goes on and on.

Perception

Here the role of so-called FOURTH ESTATE (media) is also not beyond doubts. It is national misfortune that the most of the newspapers/TV channels are partisan. In collusion with netas, they, allegedly, side with one party or the other. They are no longer servants of light; they are no longer surrogate of public opinion; they remain busy in creating the PERCEPTION either in favour or against a neta/party. It is all business; everything has a price-tag in this materialistic world. If God governs people by belief, netas with the perception.

Degeneration

Degeneration of democracy has come to such a pass that any political party with no mandate can form the government. Netas call it the ‘game’ of numbers. Anyone who has never contested any Lok Sabha election, can become PM.

Hopefully, valued readers would agree that the duty of the elected government is to use collective wisdom of parliamentarians and earn wealth for the nation and use it for the welfare of the electorate (people). Professionals might dismiss it as an inverted snobbery, but people do maintain, it is not democracy but mockery of democracy.

Our constitution starts with the phrase ‘we the people’. But irony is ‘people’ are nowhere except on the day of election and after that they are just a scrap. Man on the street alleges “it is government of the netas, by the netas, for the netas.” Evidently enough, Democracy is a well organized hypocrisy in India.

Sentence- framing, Key to Good Writing

Sentence- framing, Key to Good Writing

Writing is like drawing water from well; more one draws the water, more it gets clear and clean

By Mukesh Sharma

The sentence-framing should not be confused with sentence-making. Based on translation from mother tongue/first language to English, the sentence- making is taught to students who learn English as a second language, through tenses and modals at school level. Though dependent on basic rules of sentence- making, the sentence framing is a syntactical ability of the writer to couch thoughts into suitable sentences, and draw a pen-portrait for the visualization of the scene and to enable the readers to feel the described situations. The Grammarians call it ‘composition’ or ‘synthesis’.

Be it a student or an ordinary educated person, sentence-framing is the most common problem. One can afford to speak badly but can’t take liberty with the written sentences. If one has confusion about the meaning of a word/ phrase, one can look it up in dictionary. If one has confusion about the correctness of a sentence, no dictionary is available to verify the correctness of the sentence. The most of the student-writers make the serious syntactical errors, and continue to drag it on even without the knowledge of its incorrectness.

Confusion over sentence-framing

The best way to learn sentence-framing is to read at least two English newspapers seriously daily without fail. It gives the idea to describe the same event/ incident in two different ways. To a learner, imitation is the easiest way to learn an ‘art’. Apart from sense, an avid reader must study the sentence-framing used by the scribe / journo in the newspapers for writing Headline, News stories, Editorials, Feature, Articles and Commentative writes -up.   

Before actual sentence-framing is discussed, it is inevitable to know how the mind reacts to the acquisition of a second language. Mother tongue is picked up through repeated hearing, and relating the words / sentences to things and situations that too without the knowledge of grammar. Of course, English can be picked up, if one lives among native speakers. This blogger has met scores of men/ women from Punjab settled in UK/US. They speak English with British/ US accent although they don’t know to write or read. It is easier to pick up a language than to learn as one picks up to sing a song like the singer even without the knowledge of ragas or suras just by repeatedly listening. Hearing and reading are the modes to pick up a language that further helps to read and write.

Moreover, right from first standard to PG level, students read number of text-books prescribed in syllabus. During this academic pursuit, the mind is fed with the great number of sentences, and whenever, a student sits down to write something, mind starts ‘supplying’ the readymade sentences which are already there in the mind. It doesn’t make any new sentence. If an attempt is made to think and make a new sentence, the mind makes it through translation from Hindi to English. So, the need is to feed the mind with the standardized sentences related to different situations of life to write well, as much as possible. 

However, to be a good writer, one must know how to mould sentences according to the need of thoughts, and here comes the sentence-framing. All the writers use THREE TYPES OF SENTENCES to express their thoughts.

1.   Simple sentence: A sentence which has one subject and one predicate with one finite verb.

Simple sentences are short and emphatic. It helps to create a staccato effect. It is used for clarity and emphasis. Besides children story books, it is extensively used in poetic expressions. Here are a few examples:

i.)    He was injured. He couldn’t walk.

ii.)    We are not alone. There is moon. There are trees. There is wind. Over and above, there is God.

iii.)    Making tea in kitchen, she burns her fingers

-    Born and brought up in a village, she was unknown to tea.

-    Learning English is not difficult.

-    (using participles)

-    Hinduism, one of the oldest religions, is observed in India and Nepal.

-    You have to work hard to become somebody in life (Using ‘infinite’)

Fair is foul, and foul is fair - Macbeth, Shakespeare

2.   Compound sentence:  A sentence which is made up of Principal or Main clauses where two independent clauses are connected to each other with a connective (co-coordinating conjunction) such as : for, or , therefore, so, yet, but, and, still, nevertheless, however, only, it is used for brevity and explicability. For example:
  i.)        Parents scold you, for they love you.

ii.)        Hurry up or we will get late.

iii.)       He was lazy; therefore he didn’t get any work.

iv.)       I don’t have cash, so I will withdraw from ATM.

v.)        He is not well off, yet he will never compromise with his principle.

vi.)        He may be honest, but I can’t trust him.

vii.)      He is rich and he can buy out

viii.)     She was annoyed, still she kept quiet

ix.)        He failed, nevertheless he didn’t lose heart.

x.)        The parents give their children the boat; they can’t however meet all the demands.
xi.)    She knows English; only she can’t speak eloquently.

3.   Complex sentence:  A sentence which has one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses that usually begins with dependent clause and connected together with a connective (subordinate conjunctions) such as :after, although, as, because, before, even though, if, since, though, unless, until, when, whenever, whereas, while. For example:

- After her first degrees, she decided to get a job.

- Although, she was poor in English, she cracked IAS.

- As netas are corrupt, the people have become indifferent to the issue of corruption.

- Because of financial problems, he couldn’t sustain his business.

- Before you fill up the form, read the instructions.

- Even though he is poor, he can’t be dishonest.

- If he works hard, he can succeed.

- Since he is sick, he can’t attend class.

- Though he is genius, he can’t crack IAS.

- Unless you work hard, you can’t succeed.

- Until he comes, you will have to wait.

- When I reached station, the train had left.

- Whenever you need me, you can turn to me.

- Some netas pretend to be global whereas Modi is a pure nationalist.
- While there is sun, we can make hay.

Furthermore, there are certain standardized phrases extensively used by the writers/ journalist to maintain flow of thoughts from once sentence to other or form one paragraph to another. For example:

-   Over 50 percent people are below poverty line in India. As a matter of fact, the most of the netas are corrupt.

-   For no apparent reasons, she turned down his proposal.

-   Infact there is cut throat competition; it is not easy to start a new business.

-   It passes belief that people like Asaram can commit rape.

-   Parents always scold their children for their mistakes.  Needless to say, they care for their kids.

-   The students study day and night to crack IAS exams. Obviously, the success doesn’t come cheap.

-   As a servant of public, netas live king’s life. On the contrary, public, the master live in abject poverty.

-   The most of the netas roll in money. Surprisingly enough, they have no personal business.

-   The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. Undoubtedly, democracy has been replaced with ‘lootocracy’.

Besides sentence-framing, yet another common problem faced by the student- writers is the ‘sequence of tenses’. It is usual pit-fall for the students. Here, the students must follow certain established rules:

1. Past tense in Principle clause must follow Past tense in the Subordinate clause too. For example:

-   The court found out that he was not guilty.

-   All students worked hard so that they might crack SSC.

Exceptions

i)  In case of universal truth, past may be followed by present tense:

-     Gandhi said that non-violence is key to peace.

ii) If subordinate clause is introduces by ’than’, a past tense in principle clause may be followed by any tense as required in subordinate clause.

iii)   She loved him more than she loves her own children.

-      The people liked Indira Gandhi more than they like Rahul Gandhi

2.   Present or Future tense in principle clause may be followed by any tense as required.

-  People think that he did commit the crime

-  People can’t believe that he committed the crime.

Exceptions

- Subordinate  clause denoting’ purpose’ must be in present, if principle clause is present or Future:

People work hard so that they may earn.

Since writers/ scholars maintain that English Grammar is more confusing than comprehensive, it is better to study the sentence-framing, and style of established writers and develop a distinctive diction. Look at the lucid prose/ style/ word play. While addressing the senators on government, David E. Lilienthal says:

   “Any form of government, therefore, and any institutions which make men means rather than ends, which exalt the state or any other institutions above the importance of men, which place arbitrary power over men as a fundamental tenet of government, are contrary to that conception, and therefore, I am deeply opposed to them.” 

After the assassination of Gandhiji, Jawaharlal Nehru addressed the nation with the words:

   “Friends and comrades, the light has gone out of our lives and there is darkness everywhere. . . . The light has gone out, I said, and yet I was wrong. For the light that shone in this country was no ordinary light. The light that has illumined this country for these many years will illumine this country for many more years . . . .”

Mind you, writing is a matter of practice. It is like drawing water from well. More one draws the water more it gets clear and clean. Life is the best school. One continues to learn until the last breath. So live life long as a student in this vast world.     

Learning Practical Letter-writing

Learning Practical Letter-writing

Through standardized format and chunks, anyone can learn letter-writing needed in day-to-day life

By Mukesh Sharma

After Alexander Graham Bell, the world has come of age. The prototype of wired-telephone, the internet has brought about a revolution in the field of communication, and has shrunk the world into a tiny cell-phone. No longer the much-awaited postman of yesteryears knocks at the door and shouts ‘postman’ today.

But it doesn’t mean that age-old practice of letter-writing has become ‘extinct’ and has lost its importance. To lovers of English literature and writers, still it is a classified genre of English literature; and the students love to read the collected letters of Thackrey, George Eliot, Swinburne Henry, James, Kathenn Mansfield, D.H. Lawrence, etc. To advocates, it is an instrument to serve legal notice. To authorities, it is the way to communicate specifically. To school-goers, it is the most important question in English paper. To government services aspirants (SSC, UPSC, etc.), it is an unavoidable part of descriptive English.

What is noteworthy, during long writing/teaching profession, this blogger has observed that not only students but also common people who use English as a second language, face problem in the Practical Letter-writing, needed in day-to-day life. This blogger wrote a book entitled Whom and How to write Complaint Letter by Mukesh Sharma in 2001; it turned out to be the best seller and was approved for purchase by 17 American Universities/Institutions including US library of Congress (New Delhi), Delhi Text Bureau, Delhi University etc for school/college libraries.

English is based on standardized phrases and chunks. To a second language learner who doesn’t have good knowledge of these indispensable phrases/chunks, the letter writing becomes rather a taxing exercise.

To a student or any person who use English as a second language, the easiest way to learn letter-writing is through standardized FORMAT based on standardized CHUNKS; with basic knowledge of English, anyone can write any type of letter. In fact, the most professionals use standardized formats and chunks related to particular matter. All budding advocates rely on precedents (standardized method of writing affidavit, petitions, etc.) for quick disposal of work.

Defining a letter

What is a letter? A letter can be defined as a purposeful and persuasive and to the point written communication through which the writer 'speaks' to the addressee with due respect in order to seek his/her personal indulgence/intervention in some specific matter, for its needful solution.

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Learning Practical Letter-writing

Categorization

According to practical needs of letters in day-to-day life, letters can be categorized as follows:

1.       Personal letters: Though all the letters are personal letters, it reflects the feelings and knowledge of the writer, specifically speaking, any letter addressed to kith and kins or friends may be termed as personal letters. It may further be related to: well being, congratulations, condolence, advice and invitation.

2.     Official letters: usually addressed to official holding public office/authorities. It may be complaint letter, grievance letter or a whistle blower.

3.       Letter to Editor: Since newspapers are looked upon as surrogate of public opinions, it is an age old practice to write letters to Editor related to some social/political issue or comments on any write-up/article/news published in the newspaper.

4.       Letter to Ambassador: It is not an ordinary letter related to any ordinary issue/matter. An Ambassador represents his/her country in the host country where he/she is posted, and tackles the matter of bilateral interests diplomatically. Even the government of host country can’t give ‘direction’ to the Ambassador; it can simply request or send the ‘demarche’. However, being a member of public, any citizen of the host country may write to Ambassador on merit.

5.       Business letter: It is a common correspondence between two persons or companies doing some business in mutual interest. It is usual letters may be related to introduction, payment or any other matter pertaining to business.

6.       Job letter: As the nomenclature suggests, it is related to ‘job’  –  a letter written to any business organization that has advertised the vacancies in its company or business establishment.

Contents and Format

A letter consists of certain contents which are essential ingredients of letter-writing:

1. Senders address  2. Date  3. Address of the addressee 4. Subject  5. Addressing  6. Introductory para 7. Middle  8. Request  9. Concluding line/remarks  10. Salutation  11. Closing

The format of the letter as shown below would give the idea of the placement of the contents in the letter:

Ground Rules and Chunks

The students-writers must keep certain ground rules/useful tips in their mind for acquiring letter-writing skill:

1.       Every letter should be,preferably, on printed letter-head. If no printed letter-head is available, better type out name, address, and mobile number at extreme right at the top of the page:

From:

Ramlal Sanwal,

B-14, Mukherjee Nagar,

Delhi-110009

Mob.: 9874561000

2.       A letter must follow left hand alignment, the popular format. Each content must start from fixed left hand, starting from 1.5’ left margin as shown in format.

3.       Date must be written on the left in the style:

 November 30, 2018

4.       No ‘To’ on the letter-head above the address of addressee. It is always on the envelop.

5.       Address of addressee must follows the style:

 The police Commissioner,

Police Head Quarter (HQ),

ITO,

NEW DELHI-110002

6       The name of the addressee may be mentioned after the address (except in personal letter).

Kind Attn.: Sh. Ramlal Tiwari

                   ….(designation)

7.       Don’t forget to mention ‘subject’. It must reflect the content of the letter in nutshell like the headline of a news story:

Sub.: Complaint against Mr. X, S/o Mr.Z, R/o………….(Mob…….), with respect to …………. (contents of subject may vary as per the subject matter of letter)

8.       Addressing the addressee:

i.                    My adorable Mom/Dad/ My dear friend/ My respect-worthy uncle etc. (for personal letters)

ii.                  Dear Sir,/Hon’ble Sir (if addressed to Minister/PM etc.) (for official letter)

iii.                Sir, (letter to Editor)

iv.                  Your Esteemed Execellency (letter to Ambassador)

v.                   Dear Sir/Dear Mr. Sachin Singh, (Business letter)

vi.                 Dear Sir/Respected Madam (Job Letter)

9.       The main body of the letter must consist of I)Introductory para, ii) Middle, iii) Request, iv) Concluding para/lines, v) Salutation, vi) Closing followed by sender name in capital.

i)                    Introductory Para

a.       Personal letter (well being chunks)

Hope this letter of mine finds you all in pink of health, and with the grace of God, and blessings of elders, I am also doing well here

b.      Personal letter (congratulatory chunks)

My joy knew no bounds when I learnt from newspaper that you had cracked UPSC and had secured 10^th rank.

c.       Personal letter (condolence chunks)

It is a matter of great sorrow that your beloved grandfather is no more.

d.      Personal letter (advisory chunks)

I have learnt that you have not fared well in your class test.

e.      Personal letter (invitation chunks)

Thanks for your invitation letter regarding the marriage of your …………. Indeed, it is a matter of celebration.

            Official letter (chunks)

a.       As a victim, I would like to lodge complaint against the captioned person in the light of certain hard facts as under

b.      With due respect, I wish to bring to your kind notice the problem of …………..

c.       As an over harassed/disgruntled citizen, I would like to draw your kind attention to ….

              Letter to Editor (chunks)

Through the columns of your prestigious newspaper, I wish to wake up the authorities concerned with respect to problem of …………….in the largest interest of public.

               Letter to Ambassador (chunks)

At the very outset, I apologize for intruding upon the precious time of Your Gracious self by writing this letter, but I am constrained to do so for seeking the personal intervention with respect to ……………………

              Business letter (chunks)

a.       Introductory

We have great pleasure to introduce ourselves as a fast upcoming company dealing in …………with five years business standing in the market.

b.      Payment

This has reference to captioned outstanding bill raised against the supply of …….two month ago and it is still unpaid despite many follows up which is against the paytment terms.

             Job letter (chunks)

This has reference to your ad published in HT dated ……….regarding the vacancy for the post of Sale Executive in your prestigious organization, and I wish to submit my candidature for the same.

ii)  Middle:
The middle of all the letters consists of all the important points related to purpose of writing-letter mentioned in separate paragraphs in brief. A writer may describe it in simple English/simple sentences.

iii) Request: 
It is inevitable part of all the letters. It may be put in simple standardized sentences which are common to all the letters e.g.:

I, therefore, request you to kindly look into the matter and take needful action in the largest interest of justice and the common people.

iv) Concluding lines: 
In almost all types of letters, a common chunks can be used as a part of concluding remarks/line:

Hope my prayer would be answered favourably.

v) Salutation
The salutatory phrases usually used at the end of the letter which is common to all the letters, us:

With most respectful regard.

vi) Closing: 
Common to all the letters, and may be written:

Yours truly,

      Sd.

(RAM SINGH)

Mind you, writing is a matter of practice. More you write, more you learn to write. This blogger sincerely believes, the valued readers who use English as second language, would find the tips useful.

Copyright © 2018 by Mukesh Sharma