Elections T20

Dear Editor,

Your leader rightfully has spotted the casual approach displayed by the political parties, in naming the candidates for individual constituency. While this can be partly explained as highlighted in your leader to the networking and highly interconnected communications blaze which can be launched by the parties, it does not take way the essential need of the voter to know adequately before the election date, the options before him.

One of the ways to ensure this is to have the filing of the nominations deadline almost 40 days ahead of the election date. Such an approach would make the candidates visible.

It is a fact that in a democratic environment and a free press, it is in this intervening period - between the nomination date and the date on which we cast the vote, the candidates are near “Naked” in the public eye. After that they are shrouded in secrecy and the law builds around them a fortress, which ordinary citizen cannot penetrate.

It is in the interest of our nation that these candidates are subject to close scrutiny for a given period of time before each  one of us exercise our franchise.

With regards,

V.BALAKRISHNAN

 

Democracy vs Majoritarian will

V.Balakrishnan ​​​​No.19, Ist main RoadKarpagam Garden

Adyar, Chennai-600 020

Cell:98401-21596Mail:balakrishnanv@icloud.com

 

 

Dear Editor,

 

Sub: Democracy Versus majoritarian will

 

 

A series of articles in the lead page and your leader have started of an intense debate on the freedom of expression,freedom of speech as enshrined in our constitution. New insights, interpretations of the provisions have emerged from this intense discussions and informed articles, penned by qualified competent and experienced jurists, eminent lawyers and intellectuals.

 

One of the fundamental arguments, which have been missing in the debate, I thought, was the right of the every citizen of“to listen to divergent views and expressions as derived fromthe right to freedom of expression and speech of individuals.This I believe is embedded as an integral part of the freedom of expression which gives us as individuals “The Right to be exposed to speech and writings, new thoughts, ideologies, religions etc”. The Majoritarian will assumes it has the right to suspend this essential right of every citizen of India which eventually would lead to a vacuum of new ideology and ideas.

 

This is highly objectionable and a collective approach is needed to present a new interpretation and get directions fromdemocratic institutions such as our apex Court to bring backthe rights of every citizen of India into normal parlance. Majoritarian will should not deny us, a citizen of India, right to listen and right to agree which a contrarian view and celebrate the Independence of India and every religion / ideology practiced here.

 

Thanking you,

 

 

 

 

V.BALAKRISHNAN

 

 

Fair Regulation.

V.Balakrishnan ​​​​​19, First Main Road,

​​​​​​​Karpgam Gardens, Adyar,

​​​​​​​Chennai – 600 020

​​​​​​​+91 9840121596

Dear Editor,

 

Sub: Fair Regulation

 

The leader in your paper today rightly stresses the need for ‘fair’ regulators. It is verytimely. I am in total agreement with the stated opinion that the current decision of the regulator is a “Balanced Decision”. If they had taken a narrow view they would haveto hold Tata Power responsible for the ‘rash’ bidding adopted by them. Such an approach would have been counterproductive as in the total grid with operating capacities in excess of 178000 MW, we are currently adjudicating on the tariff of just8000 MW (including Adani Power) less than 2%. While taking the deciiosn therefore they might have weighed and considered that giving an incentive of 52 paise for these plants, on a pooled basis will have very little impact on the pricing to the consumer.

 

At the same time, the assets under consideration namely Tata power and Adani Power are current state of the art plant with life span of 30 years plus from today and need to be encouraged.

 

Notwithstanding the above, considering the view of price increase being there theregulator has correctly, taken effort to offset its impact through tweaking some of the provisions by shifting from ‘availability’ to ‘Load factor’ and removed unnecessary comfort to the major utility operators. In sum the move has saved some plants, which were on the verge of shutdown and has paved the way for reducing the pooled cost.

 

With regards,

 

V.BALAKRISHNAN

 

Journalistic independence

A series of Op Ed article, the responses from the individuals who feel aggrieved through these exposes, have set me thinking as to what is the role of journalism in democracy. To start with, an opinion which is that of the journalist that some thing is wrong or some one has been doing some wrong on to someone, becomes the core basis or belief to construct a story. What if that opinion is wrong or is best on purported facts, which turned out to be untrue at a later date?

Does the journist pay a price? The journalist might have been a mere instrument, who has been manipulated by an interested party. Since we hold the journalist and/ or the papaer that brings the stories in high esteem, our opinion is also high jacked and we also become victims. 

What does one do in such circumstances? How does one punish the manipulator? And how do we sto these happening again?

It is time we raised these questions and debated answers to bring in more security to our democratic functioning. 

Disappointments that has to be turned to I great success - that must be the story of a successful executive.

At times, even the most experienced executive faces situations, which suddenly spin out of control and the opportunities, which just till then looked so plausible, turn to nothing. 

And when this happens at the hands of some ill behaved person and in temperate, person who starts talking  of something which he has no clue whatsoever but does so as if he is doing it day in day out, you are further peeved. You maintain the decorum in deference to the authority which is his because of his closeness to someone. This is a classic case where your failure turns to frustration and you do something rash. 

But a mature player, does take time off to think it through and converts the opportunity nevertheless. While one sets out to do it, he must prepare deliberately to avoid the coterie and if faced with must take it head on to close out.

I am setting out to do it and will share the entire story once it is successful. I for one have decided that there are situations which are not acceptable and I will correct it to have it my way.