Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Sunday warned the government that his supporters would be back in the Capital on August 9 to start a fresh agitation unless strong measures were taken to bring back black money stashed away abroad and designated as “national wealth.”
Speaking at the conclusion of his day-long fast at Parliament Street here, Baba Ramdev said his followers would, starting Monday and ending August 8, collect signatures from villages across the country to mobilise support for his campaign.
Baba Ramdev, sharing the stage with Anna Hazare, called upon Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to pass a strong Lok Pal Bill to combat corruption. “Your personal honesty is not enough. You have to be politically honest too. You have to keep your Cabinet honest,” he said, addressing the Prime Minister.
Baba Ramdev said his followers would take to the streets from June 4, the anniversary of the infamous clampdown by the Delhi Police on his supporters at the Ramlila Maidan here last year, which left one woman dead, and mobilise public opinion in favour of bringing black money back to India and a strong Lok Pal Bill.
Delivering a restrained speech, Mr. Hazare focused on the need to bring in legislation enabling citizens with the “right to reject” corrupt legislators who take part in elections. He also denied rumours that his core group, dubbed Team Anna, wanted to prevent Baba Ramdev and him joining hands.
A slight commotion ensued when a man, claiming to be a disenchanted former supporter of Mr. Hazare and Baba Ramdev, threatened to immolate himself.
Baba Ramdev and Mr. Hazare began their fast after paying obeisance at Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi's Samadhi, before proceeding to Parliament Street where a large crowd of Ramdev supporters had already assembled. Besides pasting Baba Ramdev's posters all over the venue, his Bharat Swabhiman Trust had erected a large tent to provide shade to the protesters. Giant screens were installed and water pouches distributed at regular intervals.
A bevy of religious and community leaders, including Baba Ramdev's close associate Acharya Balkrishna and Team Anna members Shanti Bhushan and Kiran Bedi were seated on the dais. They chanted patriotic slogans, which the huge crowds, unfazed by the sweltering heat, echoed.
In a combative speech, Acharya Balkrishna said that since June 4 last, there had been a witch-hunt against him, as part of which he received several notices from various investigating agencies, but till date none of the allegations against him had been proven. “The agencies are under pressure to act against Baba. In one year, they could do nothing to Baba. In future too, they will not succeed,” Acharya Balkrishna said. “The suffering of 80 crore Indian citizens had tormented Swami Ramdev so much that the yoga guru took up the fight against corruption.”
Other speakers at the venue were Dalit leader Udit Raj and Islamic scholar Maulana Kalbe Rushaid Rizvi.
Keywords: Anna Hazare Ramdev fast, Lokpal issue, Jan Lokpal, Team Anna, anti-corruption movement, UPA government
As we see many people are only giving baseless comments in the news paper only by diverting people's focus. Either they are fully corrupted or partially corrupted or not really interested to eradicate the corruption in India. Many media channel are only showing the worst news as I saw TIMES NOW 2 days before .The main question was asked "Ramdev is working under the ANNA or vice versa, who is main leader of the anticorruption campaign on 4th June"..I think media person are not supporting anti corruption campaign just adding the spicy in the people's mind in the debate.
Why to pay Income tax on our Salary? Do the government doing something to every individuals? Are they utilizing the whole income tax amount (which they received from every individual - from crore of people) for the welfare of the society every year? Even though paying huge income tax by every individuals there is no Well infrastructure/progress in India. This is happening because -Indian government is corrupted. Hence Government in India will remain silent as deaf and dumb. First let the government to be honest. Government is for the people, they should think something like that then the India will be rich in everything. First change the government recruit honest and dedicated guys for the India Government. Then we can expect some way to eradicate the corruption.
Admirable sentiments Baba Ramdev. To prove that you are clean, honest and a tax payer please publish the sources and application of funds that you receive, the taxes you have paid and the profit you have made from various enterprises you are interested in. The rule, let the person who is scruplously honest throw the first stone.
In an economic system based on profiteering, resource and market exploitation, ever increasing competition ,consumerism and branding, corruption is something bound to happen.
Sooner or later it will lead to a tsunami of social anarchy followed by communism and again capitalism will rise.
I'm very sorry to sound like a party-pooper. But, you guys who expect a divine intervention in the form of Ramdev are in for a shock. The guy is running questionable businesses worth over 1000 crores by exploiting people -- village people. His agenda is not worth the mindless support of the innocent people. But alas, if the masses are innocent, we deserve to bring this upon ourselves. God save us.
Arvind Kejriwal stated that political class are spending Rs 100
crores to create a smear and denigration campaign against Anna 's
team in the media, that includes print and TV. You can see that
clearly by seeing the headlines and various breaking news that are
displayed. Media has become the govt's arm to thwart and defeat
the anti-corruption movement. The entire media focus is on rifts
and snubs and so called corruption in Anna 's camp. Can you
believe that Kejriwal who left a cushy job(he could have made a
few hundred crores by himself in that job) and a retired pensioner
Kiran Bedi and Anna are the whole media 's target for smear
campaign. Media should play a positive role and go after our
corrupt dishonourable MPs and ministers.
How can we say somebody right and wrong as it is very difficult at this scenario. Many people take such cause to surface in the public and win supporters in exchange of their so called service to the society and the country.Here i am not supporting any political personality,but giving my view on such issues which always takes an ugly turn in the long run.The persons who are stigmatizing the others cannot say that they don't have their personal interest making hue cry in the public.As a citizen everybody knows that there is some fault in the system,but taking a radical step towards the government cannot take you anywhere.As history has witnessed that during the French Revolution in 1789 the revolutionaries, who were fighting against the monarchy in the beginning ,had brought massive damage to their people by guillotining them.In the beginning they had great support from the people,but as they succeeded in their mission they started butchering their own people.
Maybe Ramdev is a spiritual person, but Anna has not claimed to be a saint. He is a simple man. And anyway at least they have the balls to do something about the huge problem we have in India. The corruption is stifling us as a nation. Who cares what the media thinks. It is time India makes a stand against these crooks. So what if he is a Hindu yogi, why should that bother anyone. If you don't like it go to Pakistan.
Baba Ramdev is looking very positive, more matured. I love it. It is a better example of bounce back after bad events in our life. God bless you...
An honest man must not fear from any kind of enquiry.our prime minister is an honestman as every congressman says and defends him like he is above the law and he is defended by those people,they themselves corrupt.this government headed by manmohan singh has rewarded corrupt politician and bureaucrats at every level.example ex cec,mr thomous as cvc and many more.the reason is nothing but today this government is supported by likes of BSP.SP,RJD,NCP,DMK, WE know very well about these parties and congress history is well defined about corruption.IN fact all these corrupt has ganged up against the people of this country.actually this is our fault that we voted for these parties,we can not blame the people of this country because 80% people are very poor and they get manipulated easily.we have to follow the path of ANNA to get rid of these parties and people.we have support him for our life and future generation.
I Really feel sorry for my Friends who call the efforts of Baba Ramdev as media-drama, friends if we can't do anything for our country then at least we should support /encourage the people who really want to do something. their efforts are not for their personal benefits,they are fighting for their countrymen. Some people have a strong view that BABA RAMDEV has Political ambitions, to those I would like to ask a simple question,what is wrong in that?? as a citizen of INDIA each and every Person has right to serve their country whether he be a SAINT or a spritual guru. Friends, as responsible citizens,we must support right men at right place...
Ramdev rightly demanded. Under PM honest veil major scams took place during UPA regime and now they demanding for dropping of tainted minister form his cabinet and initiate investigation from the SIT instead CBI to reveal the true facts of the scams caused huge loss to the exchequer. When he was finance minister in PVN period did an fantastic job due to his captain provided political stability and ask him to do the reforms of stagnate market to infuse fresh funds and vibrancy to build new era for country and he succeed in that by opening market to international. Being a PM He failed in delivering lot more expectation that has kept on him by citizens of this country as well corporate. Recent report saying that last quarter GDP is lowest in the past nine years and predicting that this year GDP is below 8 is alarming the situation and send threatening signal in the market. Why this government successively failed in controlling inflation despite taken few measures mean that those implement
Some people have the tendency to point their finger at someone who has a great responsibility. Being a responsible person is very difficult, and it is not possible to make everyone happy at the same time. As Swami Ramdev is pointing at his finger at the Prime minister, Manmohan Singh, saying honest personally ,but not politically. By saying so Sawami Ji wants show that he is the only one who has this touch-stone to check somebody's honesty or dishonesty. As far as fasting is concerned they are just using fast as a tool to terrorize the government and win the support of the innocent masses.As Anna Hazare has already made fun of fasting several times. These people are again attracting the people by their fast and calling them to support them in their 'struggle' to root out the corruption.Do these people ever think of those innocent people who are workers and are the sole breadwinner of their family who come to support this kind of cause and lose their jobs and their family goes hungry??
Some kids here doesn't understand the gravity of the situation, crisis in which the nation is meddled into. They call these 'fasts' as drama or some crap. Don't worry kids, we will get the SYSTEM set, happy browsing..
Indeed , fasting & all these dramas have become a useful weapon to use Indian people .Everyone wants to be in news. Before putting allegations to others , lets check the huge fortune of our very own Baba. I do not understand when Indian mass will start realizing the difference between fake and reality. And talking about corruption, it is everywhere. From peon to minister.When whole country is corrupt , against whom this drama is being done. Corruption is a demon which is inside everyone. First fight your actions & instincts.
It is great finally India has given birth to leaders who are ready to sacrifice their life to fight corruption diasease of our country , I support them gracefully. MERA RANG DE BASANTI CHOLA................................
Those people should come up with some strong proof and more importantly with idea of solution to bring money back. Criticizing some selected people without any proof make such movement unconvincing to the people.
Here are some people who never interested to take up people's issues as national issues to get rid of the evils of corrupt system donated by Britishers. These peoples will sit on ac rooms and make comments but patriots like Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare comes to the street and take up the issues because they never belongs to British hiarchy but Bharat's culture. Please think for the POOR who still poor, even after 65 years of independence, because of our British donated system!! Come out from the kala angressi thinking and support these types of Movement proven by our forefathers.
There is no problem in show of strength with the current set of leaders against corruption if only the methods and alternative they chose will not lead us to draconian authoritarianism or anarchy! We have enough of it in the existing system. Tried and tested. We need real alternatives that will not subvert the constitution and that will not become extra constitutional.
@Sanjay & BSKumar. Everyone like you think that someday someone from heaven will come and save the nation. What a joke !! It's very easy to sit in an air conditioned office and comment of others act. Those who care so much about their nation must come out and support such missions. If u can't make a very big beautiful Garden then atleast grow a small flowerpot. Trust this makes some sense.
I am very sorry to say that the freedom of Indian media has been outraged by the government. Alok Mehta like wise journalist has become the clinger 'chaploos' of Congress. India need war against corruption. Everybody wants corruption free India. Then why not media is supporting to make India clean. They say that Ramdev Baba and Anna Hazare and his team is stained. Then I want to know, who will fight against corruption? Will the God come to fight for us? About the Krishna, Ram, Indra, Vishnu, Shiva media will tell that all are stained. Means nobody is here to fight against corruption. Ha ha ha! Arnava Goswami like honest and very wise journalist has to shut up his mouth. What will happen of this country. For the shake of our future please save and build up the self dignity and self confidence, honesty and sacrifice. Then we would be Great and Bharat would be Great.
He is not as corrupt as proclaimed by media nor anti secular. If anybody has to deal with the corruption then first start from Political class, Bearucrats and so on. Media are paid to twist the fact and prsesnt it. How can one say that Congress are non-secular as it was evident when one of there PM has openly supported Mass killing of Sikh, on contary, Mr Vajpayee clearly opposed Mass killing.
Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev are doing well for the country against against corruption. If we get back all the black money, India will be wealthiest country for upcoming 300 years. Today in our daily life we are observing such type of corruption and corruptionist, so this type of illegal activity should be avoided easily if Lokepal bill comes against corruption.
First u will have to be honest Mr. Ramdev then only you can raise finger against any person's dignity especially of MANMOHAN SINGH... Think twice before speaking like this for a person who lives on his dignity and self respect... Don't make propaganda.... And let me to know the people of this country that this ramdev baba has been trying to make position in the ALWAR LOK SABHA CONSTITUENCY by sending his colleagues and organizing camps there just to try his hand in the next general election.... Can't he serve the people without coming into power? Its a propaganda of this baba and nothing else....This is his real story on which he wants to work in the future....
Who the hell ramdev is? He is a baba as he wants to usurp the power that's why he is organizing dharna n fast... Why don't he goes for fast for life term until inflation goes down? Why don't he stops organizing camps for agitating against government silently? Because he doesn't want to create hurdle in his ambition of creating wealth by making people fool.... Every time he talks about immense wealth of politicians and bureaucrats... Has he ever talked about the source of his wealth which he has made by wrong means by hiding and by arranging false facts? If he is so called country men then why don't he pays income tax and sale tax clearly n why don't he thinks about country If he is so generous abt the people of this country and about the inflation of this country then y don't he start distributing his medicines at free of cost and making entry to his camps at free of cost whereas he is selling tickets of camps.... He is making fraud over the emotions of the people of this country
I don't understad when people call such 'fasts' as media drama. In a representative democracy like ours, what should be the way to voice your concerns - hardtals, bandhs, protests, rail - roko or, a peaceful demonstration like 'fast'. Its not that fasts have lost its effectiveness, the only thing is that people have lost faith in its effectiveness. A fast is just a signal, a gesture of protest just like wearing a black arm band. And to spread the message to public, media presence is necessary. Why call it a media drama? Some people say Baba Ramdev or Anna have no idea what they are demanding. I invite these people to come forward and share their idea, Anna is just providing a stage for such people. Please come forward, show the strength of our constitution which draws its power from citizen of India. Lets not see political motive in all the actions. Even if there is such a motive, it is for goodness of the system. Why condemn it?
Nice to see some intellectuals sitting in their comfort zone commenting over the intent and the future of people doing SOMETHING to awake the India, awake the citizens of this great country where the politicians ask the common mass to survive at costs and to survive in condition which was shameful during post independence and matter of shame till now. Let's not comment upon the people who are at the verge of the end of their natural life fighting for honor of OUR NATION.
Mr.B S Kumar , what you have said ,I agree. But why does the Supreme court of india says that the government is not serious about bringing the so called BLACK MONEY back to the country? I need to say that the Govt. should do something positive so that the country regains faith on them.
Divergent views on Mr.Manmohan Singh by Ram Dev and Anna Team does not draw a descent scene sharing the dias together.Anna Team should dissociate Ram Dev.
I hope they form a party and contest the 2014 elections. I will vote for them. Our country needs change and these guys are it.
it is easy to play with immotion than solving the grim problem indeed,baba is playing with sentiments of people by playing the same tricks which was played by our politicians in past,public is so gullible they will trust them again and again,instead of protesting inherent sins of capitalism, we should evolve system where majority of people play their game in clean transparent way and help not only their self esteem,communities,families but also nations, we need to adopt best practices of system and promote human value spiritual value and transference.
Only not only give us the right to reject elected representatives but let our political system be irrevocably altered to enable right to reject candidates that political parties nominate for standing in election by referendum. Only this will ensure we weed out the criminals from the political spectrum.
The courage and the bravery of Egyptians led to the removal of Western backed Hosni Mubarak and put him behind bars for life. While India is boasting as the largest democracy on earth, this only helped the corrupt politicians and escape from their criminal responsibilities and accountability. It is time for the ordinary Indians to involved in politics, expose all corrupt and criminal activities of the UPA leaders and make them accountable. Indian UPA regime has been voting in the International organizations including at the UN Human Rights to deny democratic demands and crimes against humanity due to their collaboration in hideous crimes. Indians will be proud if they follow Gandhian and put an end to undemocratic practices.
Leaders on a truly spiritual or political path need to communicate. Media is only one path. Majority of Indians are spiritual or philosophical because of our culture and way of life in accepting and tolerating everything in the society we live in. Therein lies the problem. Therein lies the solution. If we as Indians must get rid of corruption from our every day life neither do we need a Anna nor Manmohan Singh to do anything special. All we need to do as act ourselves. We in our individual capacities are reflected in the the politicians we have chosen. All we need to do rid the country of corruption is stop being productive, starve the economy and stop thieving scoundrels access to exploit our natural resources. Our leaders and party presidents in a large part are to blame for not giving us candidates with qualification, calibre and mettle to be real leaders; they allow parliament and the nation to degenerate. Politics must again become a profession of Service, not Profit.
It is so incompetant government that people need to fast from time to time to remind government of its duties. It is a shame. People need to be thankful to Anna and Baba for trying to eradicate corruption.
India's Prime Minister is free to choose the members of the council of ministers and also to drop any member from the council at any time.The PM therefore has to logically share the blame for any wrongdoing by a minister if that minister is not dropped from the council of ministers.Any talk about the personal honesty of the PM is not relevant to the issue.
Ramdev and his crowd will again come on August 9 and give another 'strong message'and another ultimatum and will keep giving empty threats.
Let Ram Dev first give up his huge wealth amassed in the name of religion, then come and preach honesty.
It is not harmful if a spiritual leader shows some patriotism. Let him do what he can to save the motherland. Its great to see people commenting on such issues. It shows that they care for their country. But instead of sitting back and lamenting about the condition of the nation and criticizing those who are trying their level best to achieve a corruption free land, it would be better if you could do something concrete yourself. Calling it their 'political ambition' and declaring the act as 'a guaranteed flop show' is not helping, really. If you have a better solution, all of us would really want to hear it and implement it. If you don't have one, you have the right to remain silent rather than spoiling someone's effort.
Corruption is the major distraction of our growth as well our image around the world. The thieves must change by themselves or they must be punished. It is not the Politician is alone the corrupt; even the Judges are corrupt; I had seen the Judges giving verdicts based on who offered them more bribe. Most of the Judges are honest, but the there are black sheep. When I went to a sub-Registrar’s office to receive my documents (after the registration is complete), the sub-registrar won't let me receive the document since I didn’t go through "his" men. He asked me to stand aside and started 'serving' others who already taken care of him. I stood there and sarcastically smiling at his 'Deals', which really annoyed him within minutes. Then he ordered his sub-ordinate, "Bring Sir's document first" turning his head towards me. When the docs arrived, I handed him Rs. 300 towards the fee and waiting for Rs. 20 balance. He smiled at me like a beggar; I insisted on the balance; he had no option!
Good job, Baba Ramdev and team Anna! Keep up the fight. You are the true patriots who can bring the glory back to India. India needs spirited, action oriented leaders in this time of crisis, not money laundering politicians. There is no agency left in India that is clean and corruption free. In fact, the character of the people has started leaning towards corruption. It's the first step towards evilness. Please help bring character, ideals and high principles back to the country. Make Mahatma Gandhi proud of the country he envisioned. Bravo Baba Ramdev! Bravo Anna!
its shocking to view such naive comments..baba ramdev and anna hazare irrespective of their motive are surely creating awareness about the issues of corruption and black money;something about which most of the indians have insufficient information and awareness.
I salute the determination of Team Anna (Bedi, Kejeriwal, Bhusans...) and Ramdev. They have been relentlessly continuing this battle for us and self centered citizens of this country, even when the whole system is against them. We don't deserve leaders like you, let us and the country rot, we are happy with our third world mentality, poverty with scamsters and rapists roaming scot-free among us.
We all know corruption CANNOT be totally solved; BUT we need to check it to extent possible BY making suitable laws e.g lay down rules for issue of permits for buildings within TIME limits; ensure it is done. Bribe takers MUST be punished by SUSPENSION from duty; ALL MONEY stacked abroad, when found, shall be confiscated and USED by Govt for their welfare schemes ONLY - anyone who does not declare assets abroad is considered a criminal and will face HEAVY sentence once traced etc. Make Govt administration more apparent and helpful, tell IAS officer and others they MUST take action FAST when grievances brought to notice etc; ALL remain a dream; some feel British Govt acted better !! Pity indeed, our folks have lost all values !!
I am an old man of over eighty yrs and I fully agree that both Annaji and Babaji are fighting for a good cause to help the majority of Indian Public who are mainly from the lower middle class and below the poverty line people. Our PM also wants to put thru measures to improve the lot of this category of Indian public.But the measures his govt takes by way Central Budget,Pay commission recommendations so far benefited the well to do Govt officers and not the poor public and those below the poverty line?! Just one instance -the last year Budget(2011):- The Union Budget reduced the Sr Citizen's age for Income Tax for the first time from 65 to 60 yrs. Who were the main beneficiaries? It is only the well placed officers of the Govts.Banks,PSUs and the companies. In this year Budget(2012-13),when the Govt wanted to levy tax on jewellery and gold why did they remove this later? I am just giving examples to show that their steps are not for the poor majority?!
The 20 lakh crore funds stashed overseas includes those by politicians. Is it really that alone which is keeping India a third world nation? The true spiritual and enlightened don't get involved in petty politics and the drama and media spectacle of 'fasting'. Ramdev and Anna are hypocrites.
Ramdev should prove worthy of being an example by paying his tax on the profit he makes from his Ayurvedic products; he has being claiming tax exemption on these products till now.
these fasts are best done in front of the tahsildars offices where money changes hands for 'fast track' processing of routine certificates. These fasts are best done in front of RTO which issue licences when every one knows majority of the persons are being issued licences even without undertaking tests. Majority of the RTOs in India do not even have a standard testing ground of their own. Duplication of licences are rampant inspite of computerisation. There is no mechanism in place where a person holding a licence from one state is easily prevented from applying for licence from another state. A combination of Bio metrics data from Iris Scan, Facial recognition and finger print scanning embedded into smart card systems with a central database accessible by vigilance departments will go a long way in preventing fraud and reduce black money in Real estate, certificates and licencing systems in the country. Technology and not farcial fasting to draw media attention will help.
It is high time media starts giving little importance to all these agitations. Any small leader of our country can mobilize more than a lakh people any where. What is the mandate these two gentleman has and if they are serious about this, welcome and start a party and bring in changes. It is grave mistake, indian government gave importance to them. Ramdev, first let him declare his revenue properly before authorities, before demanding somebody else on this. Let us see how to enhance the efficiency by enactment within the existing principles of democracy.
Kumar n Sanjay, By questioning and criticizing the mission for good cause are very easy. But have you done your part. You have to take it up at your own or please support. Let us start talk about it, spread the awareness to make mass movement. Critisizing Baba and Anna will weaker the good cause and on the way formidable corrupted folks will be further strengthened.
Who is not corrupt in India ? Impossible to find a Mr. perfect India. There is Telugu Idiom "Doriki te Dongalu Dorakakapote Doralu" Proved guilty,stamped thief, otherwise stamped sincere.
Again Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare came in the picture. It is clear that there is some kind of political motivation behind such fast drama. The words of Baba Ramdev had directly targeted to UPA government and its cabinet members. It is unbelievable that there is no other party men who had listed in several scandals and even jailed. If Baba Ramdev is shielding only Manmohan singh alone, he has to be reveal the names of other those who sitting in the cabinet have involvement in corruption or black money deposited in foreign accounts other wise Baba is insulting the the whole people.
@B S Kumar, That's what RamDev Baba is trying to say to the government. When Government fails,only then Babas and Annas emerge. They would not have been in that place, had it not been for our Governments failure to come clean on black money. All their came with is a White paper mentioning source of black money being generated which we already know.
We have to understand that it will not help in the long run. Peaceful demonstration is a form of protest and it goes with the democratic ideal. However action like fasting is to be done at individual level not by involving the mass in general and creating chaotic situations. Our democratic institutions are strong and we should have faith in it. If the ministers are corrupt it doesn't mean the democratic mechanisms are weak. The real question is about corruption. The only way to stop is by starting at individual level. I have seen a lot of my colleagues stand against corruption, but they chat in gmail, facebook during office hours. They make personal calls from office when it is not authorised. They provide false bills for medical claims from their organisation. When they are caught in traffic for jumping the signals they give money to the traffic police without a receipt. All these are form of corruption. When we are like this, then the politician we choose are bound to be a dishonest.
Hasare should aim for a group of 'Corruption-free' swamies!
@B S Kumar I don't think its a problem who is raising an issue about the black money. A spiritual person or a common man. Whats more important is that someone does it. We must get above these trivial 'questions' of who is doing what but think of how one person could do something themselves. Not knowing the fundamentals of any process is a good point raised but I am sure the fundamentals of law making is understood enough by Mr. Bhushan. For any other processes... I hope someone like you or me will come forth and help raise this issue who knows it well. The government just lacks the intension of REALLY doing something about it. Be it a doctor a lawyer a carpenter... the government will dig out issues with everyone. As trivial as paying 9 lakhs or not flying economy as compared to 400 lakh crore. We just gotta focus on cancerous and fatal problems rather than temporary cough and cold.
"Rs. 400 lakh crore of Indian money was stashed abroad" Ok lets do the math. 400 lakh crore is 4 followed by 14 zeros. In US dollar terms(at 56 Rs/$) its 7.27 Trillion USD. As per world bank in 2010 India's GDP stood at 1.73 Trillion USD while USA's at 14.58 Trillion USD. This means the quantum of black money stashed abroad is more than 4 times the size of India's GDP & half the size of US's GDP. Ridiculous as it may sound, let us assume its true. Question is where is this money parked? Lets assume its parked in tax havens of the world e.g. switzerland, malaysia, singapore, andorra, Cyprus,Liechtenstein, Luxembourg etc. Now even if I add up GDPs of all these countries, combined GDP is about 1.1 Trillion US dollars. Compare this with 7 Trillion dollar of 'black money'. Question still remains, where is this money parked? On the moon may be. Anyway what else do you expect from a man who says terminal cancer or AIDS could be cured by yoga. Think about it!
According to Baba Ramdev India would become a greater economical power than China and the United states if black money stashed abroad is gotten back.All one can say is that Baba needs to get a decent education first,i am appalled to find that such a man has thousands of followers.If the likes of Baba Ramdev and Anna hazare dictated policies then this country would go back to the cave ages.
I hope the coalition of Anna- Ramdev group can pressure the government to enforce some sort of law to limit the corruption at certain extent. Ramdev's area expertise in not only in limited to spirituality,he has deep knowledge in economics, marketing,politics, humanities and other socio-economic subjects. Now we all expect that,Ramdev will pay Crores of Rupees in taxes from his billion dollar business enterprise. He would be a role model for other Billionaires for Corporate Social Responsibility.
It is time Baba Ramdev concentrates on his core competency i.e., yoga instead of playing politics. This applies to Anna as well. Let him mentor many youths in Gandhian movement instead of listening to Prashanth Bhushan, Kejiriwal or Kiran Bedi.
"This fasting business is also wearing real thin" @Sanjay and B S Kumar If fasting is wearing thin in the land where it had the greatest effect earlier then we should see that it is strong again by supporting the movement against corruption through real fasts unto death. If these fastings are effective in other countries in this age then why should they not be here? Flinging comments against them in the comfort of your armchairs is not going to help strengthen the fight against corruption but instead it only makes the black money hoarders happy to see people like you sitting idle and doing nothing to bring them to justice.
Impossible, if our PM aims for 'corruption-free' Cabinet, more than 50% of our parliament seats will be empty. Baba Ramdev miracle will not work.
Ramdev returns with Socialist Anna Hazare on today, is a another setback for UPA-II and is again daring to Manmohan Singh's Cabinet.It can never predicated if this formula is going to be worked at all,but this time, the dissent have spooked amid relevant time when country is struggling with Shambling economy, as a positive,this will arouse patriotic sense in each of us individuals who dwell in ignorance. Probably,it is laying foundation with 2014 Elections manifesto.
This is a guaranteed flop show. It will go a long way in oversimplifying the issue of black money stashed abroad by many individuals and companies in the minds of gullible people. Leaders on the spiritual path should stay on the spiritual path, not take up arms in battles they do not have a clue about. This fasting business is also wearing real thin. What we need is a concerted effort by which we get access to the list of people who have stashed black money abroad, and thorough investigative processes that can bring to light the criminality of such stashing, and more importantly, prove that such money belongs to the nation state of India. Without this proof, we cannot use international agencies to try and bring anything "back". These zealous patriots must understand the fundamentals of such procedures to start with.
Politics of 'fast' has become a serious business and a media-drama.
Political ambitions, and not public welfare, is behind these farcical
fasts. I really hope that India gets some honest and natural mass
leaders who care for public and not the interests of their kins.
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