Dear Dr Manmohan Singh,
You are one of the few persons we still trust, hence this letter. The matter of black money stashed abroad affects all of us citizens in one way or another. The desire to see justice done is near unanimous, with exceptions being those who actually have the ill-gotten money in overseas accounts.
Much has been written and highlighted in the media and followed with a keen interest by most. As a concerned citizen, I would like to speak out and share my thoughts on this with you.
.
The two people who are seen to be leading the anti-corruption movement are Mr Anna Hazare and his able team and Baba Ramdev and his supporters. I find Mr Hazare’s work commendable in that he has actually taken concrete action (fasting and protesting peacefully) rather than just indulging in semantics. His team has a well| thought out plan on steps to be taken and have tried to proceed in a decent ,organized yet firm, manner. They are trying to engage meaningfully with the government.
Other people have also tried to make a similar point as Mr Hazare but in a different manner. Sadly, things have degenerated into a bit of an incoherent mess. The way Baba Ramdev and the government have engaged with each other makes for a bizarre tale. Everyone is debating the legitimacy and qualification of Baba Ramdev as the frontman for the corruption campaign. He has been irresponsible in some of his proclamations and the Government in some of its behaviour.
Sir there is no doubt that the man best qualified for the job is you. Please wrest the initiative back from the Baba and reach out directly to us citizens. The Baba woukd not feel compelled to tread in your domain as he and also all of us would be secure in the knowledge that you have taken over. Baba Ramdev could go back to his area of expertise; his contribution has been immense. Never has the nation taken its breathing or health as seriously as it is doing now and a huge share of the credit for this goes to Baba Ramdev.
What we expect from you sir, are the following simple steps:
1. Declare that you are attending to the matter of black money on a priority basis and convene an urgent meeting to formulate an action plan. Set a time target for this matter to be sorted out. Invite some eminent opposition members and non-political experts as discussants in this meeting.
2. Outline to the public the action plan that you have now formulated.
3. Engage meaningfully with foreign governments and Interpol on this issue. India enjoys a fair amount of clout and respect in the world . Use it.
4. Give transparent monthly updates to the public through your press spokesman as to where the process has reached in that month.
5. Have a respectful dialogue with Mr Anna Hazare and his team and give them a patient hearing. Try to move beyond one or two sticky issues. Realise that both sides are acting out of concern for democracy. The issue about the PM being under the purview of Lokpal stems not from a disrespect for you but a genuine fear of what will happen if an elected person with a criminal record gets your chair in future. After all, even presidents can be impeached should circumstances deteriorate. Convince or be convinced. Either way, move forward!
We are priviledged to be led by a charming, affable Prime minister with a brilliant mind. The fact that you are a good man is well established. Please sir, be a good leader too. We, the people, are with you.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Anjali Mehta, citizen
You are one of the few persons we still trust, hence this letter. The matter of black money stashed abroad affects all of us citizens in one way or another. The desire to see justice done is near unanimous, with exceptions being those who actually have the ill-gotten money in overseas accounts.
Much has been written and highlighted in the media and followed with a keen interest by most. As a concerned citizen, I would like to speak out and share my thoughts on this with you.
.
The two people who are seen to be leading the anti-corruption movement are Mr Anna Hazare and his able team and Baba Ramdev and his supporters. I find Mr Hazare’s work commendable in that he has actually taken concrete action (fasting and protesting peacefully) rather than just indulging in semantics. His team has a well| thought out plan on steps to be taken and have tried to proceed in a decent ,organized yet firm, manner. They are trying to engage meaningfully with the government.
Other people have also tried to make a similar point as Mr Hazare but in a different manner. Sadly, things have degenerated into a bit of an incoherent mess. The way Baba Ramdev and the government have engaged with each other makes for a bizarre tale. Everyone is debating the legitimacy and qualification of Baba Ramdev as the frontman for the corruption campaign. He has been irresponsible in some of his proclamations and the Government in some of its behaviour.
Sir there is no doubt that the man best qualified for the job is you. Please wrest the initiative back from the Baba and reach out directly to us citizens. The Baba woukd not feel compelled to tread in your domain as he and also all of us would be secure in the knowledge that you have taken over. Baba Ramdev could go back to his area of expertise; his contribution has been immense. Never has the nation taken its breathing or health as seriously as it is doing now and a huge share of the credit for this goes to Baba Ramdev.
What we expect from you sir, are the following simple steps:
1. Declare that you are attending to the matter of black money on a priority basis and convene an urgent meeting to formulate an action plan. Set a time target for this matter to be sorted out. Invite some eminent opposition members and non-political experts as discussants in this meeting.
2. Outline to the public the action plan that you have now formulated.
3. Engage meaningfully with foreign governments and Interpol on this issue. India enjoys a fair amount of clout and respect in the world . Use it.
4. Give transparent monthly updates to the public through your press spokesman as to where the process has reached in that month.
5. Have a respectful dialogue with Mr Anna Hazare and his team and give them a patient hearing. Try to move beyond one or two sticky issues. Realise that both sides are acting out of concern for democracy. The issue about the PM being under the purview of Lokpal stems not from a disrespect for you but a genuine fear of what will happen if an elected person with a criminal record gets your chair in future. After all, even presidents can be impeached should circumstances deteriorate. Convince or be convinced. Either way, move forward!
We are priviledged to be led by a charming, affable Prime minister with a brilliant mind. The fact that you are a good man is well established. Please sir, be a good leader too. We, the people, are with you.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Anjali Mehta, citizen
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