Swami Ramdev Establishes Political Party in India
Swami Ramdev (real name is Ramkishan Yadav) is well-known in India as a Hindu swami and a promoter of Yoga. He is the founder of the Divya Yog Mandir Trust and offers Ayurvedic treatments to millions of Indians. The popular swami has announced that he is launching a political party named Bharat Swabhiman. His party will field candidates in all the 543 Lok Sabha seats (lower house of parliament). In a strange decision he said that he will not contest elections himself nor take up a political position. Maybe he wants to be like a Sonia Gandhi (the power behind the power)?
There is no question that politics in India has gone from bad to worse in the last few decades. The Indian government has enacted a wide range of reforms in all sectors except politics and government. Fortunately the election commission itself is largely an independent body and this has helped the commission conduct free and fair elections for the most part. Outcome of elections is not a contentious issue as it once was in the seventies and eighties (many elections held during this period in “volatile” areas were routinely rigged to get favorable outcomes).
Swami Ramdev’s entry into politics should be welcomed. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which is the main opposition party in India has completely fallen apart and has lost popular support from mainstream Indians because of its close association with right wing political groups and organizations. Although the main opposition party the BJP itself is a regional party because it has very little support base in South and Northeast Indian states.
The question is whether Bharat Swabhiman is all that different from the BJP? Will Bharat Swabhiman be able to get support form the Indian electorate who traditionally vote for center and left of center parties? If they cannot then all they will achieve is to take away votes from the BJP rather than provide an alternative to the Congress Party lead United Progress Alliance (UPA).
Swami Ramdev’s yoga movement has broad base support in India. It is not restricted to the religious conservatives alone. But politics is different. The Swami has said very little in the past to the secular and religious minorities in India that will give them the confidence to vote for his new party.
The Divya yoga website lists the five targets that they want to achieve as 100% voting, 100% nationalistic thinking, 100% total boycott of foreign companies and complete support to swadeshi, 100% organization of patriots and to make a healthy, prosperous and “cultured” Bharat by using yoga. This is not good news for the secular and progressive minded Indians.
The Swami’s political party has to clearly separate itself from the multimillion dollar yoga business. It also has to articulate and set goals that most people in India can identify with and believe in. Otherwise it will find itself right alongside the BJP, Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and others like them as failed entities that tried to change India’s course using Hindutva.
Related posts:
- Examining Swami Ramdev’s Goals for Bharat Swabhiman
- Ramdev Qualified to Talk About Corruption?
- Swami Nityananda: Tantric Yoga to Tantric Sex
- Conspiracy in India to Diminish Muslims Economically?
- The Future of the Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP)
Category: Culture & Religion
Yeah I saw it on TV when he was telling his idea, I must say I am VERY MUCH interested in joining him. dont know what or how he is going to turn out to be .. But the idea is GOOD..
he was talking of making members with 11rs.. each vilalge a thousand and so on…
I hope it all goes well.. and he does what he speaks … All the best to him…
I hope he succeeds too. India needs powerful and new ideas.
I am against any political party that has caste and religion in it…I have to wait, I guess
I agree Nalini. I am hoping that he stays away from religion and caste. Odds are against it.
well looking what is happening rite now….i don’t expect his to make a religious party……but i would never vote for a person….who says that the Homosexual people are mentally ill and he can cure it……… :x
Hitesh … there are other allegations against him and his medical practices as well. The outcome will depend on his “party’s” policies. He is yet to detail what those will be.
homosexuals are mentally sick if u dont recognize thateven u are
mentally sick even the church agrees that u of all civilisations hindus should be proud of ur culture and its teaching instead of disgracing a person of such high values
Peter,
Homosexuality is not considered as a sickness or a disease by any reputable medical institution or organization in this world. You are simply being homophobic. What the “church” agrees is irrelevant. The “church” at one point thought that whites were superior to blacks and Indians, that slavery was ok and that women can be the property of men!
I think Baba Ramdev is as corrupt as any other politician as can be seen by his insanely exaggerated claims involving his yoga. Every single disease he claims he can cure and that millions have been cured by using his yoga and herbs. No proof. He has no evidence other than his words. That is corruption.
Welcome Jake.
I agree with you that Baba Ramdev is corrupt. He is nothing but a snake oil salesman. In addition I also blame some of his educated followers and supporters who believe that there are simple solutions to complicated issues. Having said that I believe that he is no more or no less corrupt than any other religious figure present or past.
You all people who expressed thoughts against Baba Ramdev are live dead bodies. People like you can not accept new thoughts and do not want changes against present political scenario. The all corrupted political parties and administration system will be washed out through the people like Baba Ramdev. I have faith in the person and have full confidence that we will win.
@Manzoor
With followers like you who are willing call people any name that comes to mind how can Ramdev fail?
Any person with any conscience left will support Baba Ramdev. Only the corrupts, evil type, people with vested interest in continuing the current setup oppose him. Such people are Asura or Rakshashas. This is war among the Devtas and Asuras again and Devtas will win as always. Truch will be triumphant.
In fact if you want to know about a person, just ask his views about Baba Ramdev. Only Rakshashas oppose him.
@Rajesh
So anybody in a secular democratic nation like India who does not support Baba Ramdev is corrupt, evil, has vested interest and is also either a Asura or Rakshashas?
Did you take your medication today Rajesh?
Dear Hari,
I said that whoever is opposing him is certainly Asura as Baba Ramdev stands for and promotes only Devatva. Any one opposing Devatva is Asura.
Your sarcastic comment that “Did you take your medication today Rajesh” indicates something. As per Sanatana Dharma, one should not hurt anyone else either physically, financially or emotionality. Now you decide yourself if your comment was to hurt me or to take care of my health :)
Regarding medication, I’ve stopped taking Vytorin and Prevacid, costing about $2/day, thanks to Baba Ramdev’s Pranayama and lifestyle. My father avoided knee replacement surgery, saved lacs of rupees and suffering, again thanks to Baba Ramdev.
Rajesh,
The following was your statement “Only the corrupts, evil type, people with vested interest in continuing the current setup oppose him. Such people are Asura or Rakshashas”. Obviously your Sanatana Dharma works for others and not for you.
What Baba Ramdev stands for and promotes is to be decided by every Indian come election time (and not just by his die hard fans alone). You think that he promotes only Devatva. I think he is homophobic, made medical claims that are false and has a political philosophy that is based on ratcheting up Hindu nationalism. I will not be voting for him and I am sure that does not make me an Asura or Rakshashas.
Witness testimony is very important for such movements. The other day on TV I saw a guy on wheelchair stand up and walk the moment the preacher held his hand and touched the handicapped man’s forehead!! Maybe Baba Ramdev who has studied only up to the 8th standard knows something that modern scientists, engineers and doctors do not know :)
Dear Hari,
Please read my post, I said that those oppose him are Asura not the one who don’t support him as they may not know what he stands for.
The Sanatana Dhrama works for me and that’s why I’m replying to your posts politely without any sarcasm :) In fact after watching Baba Ramdev for some time and doing pranayam, I’m full of peace and ananda and don’t feel like hurting anyone. He also gives me courage to stays the truth and that’s why I said that only Asura will oppose Devatva which is fact.
Although the devtva he stands for and elections are different things, the majority of people who support devatva or truth or righteousness will support him. If the polls on Aajtak are any indications about 92% people supported him when he announced the intent to fight corruption in next election.
His medical claims are not false, my whole family has witnessed it and only after that I started believing him. I think you should try his paranayam for at least 3-4 months regularly and you will see for yourself the benefits.
His political philosophy is not based on ratcheting up Hindu Nationalism. It’s based on just nationalism and that’s why most Muslims are also supporting him.
Yes it may sound paradoxical that he knows something that doctors don’t know. In fact he’s not invented anything, it ways already there for thousands of years, he just made everyone aware about it. Yes scientists, engineers still don’t know much about the secret of the universe. I say this even though I’m myself an IITian working in Silicon Valley :)
Not voting for him doesn’t make you Asura as long as you vote for any honest candidate. Only the corrupts, evil type, people with vested interest in continuing the current setup are Asuras and I hope you also want to remove such people from ruling and looting the country. Don’t you want that ? If you see 2-3 criminals/goonda type and one honest candidate during next election, who will you vote for?
Rajesh .. no human being is an Asura whether they oppose Baba Ramdev or do not support him. Even voting for a corrupt candidate does not make anybody an Asura. I might vote for a corrupt politician if I feel that his social policies are in tune with my basic beliefs. So “politely” responding because you are at peace with yourself after you call people names is hippocratic to say the least.
You have already made a dangerous assumption that “majority of people who support truth or righteousness will support him”. It smells of an attitude of moral superiority. Baba Ramdev has said some bad things about homosexuals. According to him and his supporters like you it might be the true and the righteous thing to do. Others might disagree. The point is on many issues there is no global consensus on what is true or righteous. It means different things to different people. What is legal is the only thing that matters.
The question is not what scientists know or not know. But what does Baba Ramdev know? I hope he publishes the “ancient knowledge” on the web or somewhere where it can be peer reviewed. I also hope that the Baba’s pharmacy and his medicines are treated the same way and put under the same scrutiny as any pharmaceutical company!! But then the truth will come out :)
Hari , I am u r nightmare. Tu latho ka bhoot hain jo baaton se nahi manenewala . U r big surf excel daag , dhabha in ur family . Ur father & mother would be feeling ashamed of u because u r gay. If u want proof how yog(pranayam) & ayurved cures the disease read book ‘yog in Synergy’ by Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, you will get this book in Patanjali chikitsalya(clinic) in chennai. in this book u will find documentation of disease, before and after doing yog(pranayam).ur eyes will be wide open . If u want to cure ur gay disease start practicing yog(pranayam) and surya namaskar. God bless u in ur efforts.
Welcome Sumupit (also known as Stupid Hari … me being the Smart Hari!!)
I am not gay. I am happily married for 11 years. But I am a strong supporter for equal rights for all humans irrespective of their sexual orientation. That is how my parents raised me. They taught me to love and look for things that we have in common as human beings and not focus on the minor differences.
Based on your comments I think that like Ramdev and many of his supporters you are also homophobic. People are very skeptical of these Babas and their followers like you because they talk a big game but their underlying message is of hate and about dividing society.
I do not want to read a book on medicine written by a man who has passed only the 8th standard. It would be a waste of my time and intellect. Modern medicine is the best option there is and anybody who puts their life in danger by believing that Pranayam and Surya namaskar will solve major health issues is fooling themselves.
Every Indian should support and encourage Baba Ramdevji –
we really need a tremedous change in our Indian Government and Politics and Beuraucracy .
Have any body heard from any political party that they will make India the best county in the world ?
Have any body heard from any political party that they will make people friendly government ?
Have any body heard from any political party that they will make government answerable and accountable to people ?
Is there any government department where there is no corruptio ?
Is there any government department where there is innovations and efficiency ?
Is there any government department where there is punctuality and value to time ?
Is there any place in India which is the best place in the world ? leave the historical places and the natural places ?
Is there any place in India which is the cleanest place in the world ?
Do we have the best innovations in the world ?
Do we have the ideas, technologies , innovations …….. of our own or is borrowed from western countries ?
Is the common men happy ? Is there any convenience to common man ? Can a common mac come up in his life easily in India or in other countries like USA or Europe ?
There are so many things and reasons which can be said – why we need a change .
Why there is a need of a government or a King and what is their most important duty ?
The need of the government is to see that every thing in a country is going on properly , protect the country people , keep them happy and prosperous , see that every body is healthy , every body is getting their basic needs and a good ethical and character building education .
Is the present government doing it ?or past government did it – why they did not do it ?
They may argue that India is a very populous country and India is a democracy – but this is a stupid argument .
If India is a very populated country – then you also have many people to govern them and what ever kind of democracy is there we all want to live happily .
Why did our People fight for Indipendence from Britishers ? To Rule the nation in this way ?
Actually speaking – India is not yet indipendent . We are totaly dependent – we are depended on foreign companies , we think foreing way , we do not have our basic thinking style also , we are ruled by corrupt government , we are not able to get our basic needs easily , It is very difficult to deal with government people , very difficult to get justive , no proper roads , no proper water , no proper electricity , most of the people are poor , un educated etc… etc………….. millions of things like this .
Is this Independent India . After 63 years of Independence we are not Independent .
Where is the real India – which was somewhere areound 2000 to 3000 years or more back . The land of Lakshmi and Saraswathi ?
Why not try our own Indian Style and seee – may be the world will follow it . Do we dont have confidence in our own self , our own culture , our own minds ………..
Why are Indian people working in Foreign countries – does Indians dont have Imagination power to do something new or to make companies better or equal to the world level or are we inferior or we can learn from the western or Foreign countries only , what the problem is ?
The problem is the Politicians , Beaureacrats and Government style – we should change it and then see how India Becomes Bharat …………………………….
Let all of us support Baba Ramdevji – Surely there will be some mistakes when they may come to power but their intentions are very clean and they will overcome all the mistakes and bring out the best of Bharat .
Welcome Nitesh,
I am all for change. I am definitely open to the idea of someone like the Baba entering politics. But like many people I am very skeptical. I would like to hear clear cut and detailed policy goals and objectives from his party. High level feel good statements are not enough. Everybody is tired of corruption, poverty, favoritism etc. But I want to know how the Baba is going to resolve these issues? I want to know the details of how India can be independent of foreign companies and countries and still feed 1.2 billion people. So detailed answers to these and other issues that you mentioned would help people like me who are undecided make a decision.
I think there is no point in arguing whether Baba Ramdev is a genuine entity or not. Anyhow we know that both the ruling party and the opposition party are not good. So why not be open to a change in the form of Baba Ramdev. We can conclude later. We have nothing to lose here.
We have a lot to lose Kushal. The ruling party and the opposition party may not be good. But we cannot argue with the fact that India’s economy for the past 10 years is growing at around 8% a year. Why risk this growth by handing over the country to someone who thinks that 100% boycott of foreign companies and 100% voting are good ideas?
First of all there is no need to be skeptical – because there is no risk at all for you , me and the nation in selecting any political party other than the present parites in exisatance . Because all of them are third class – which lead India to the stage we have today .
Actually speaking there is no value for the existing political parites – they just have value and a little bit of respect because they have power and a big government workers behind them – who are ready to do everything on their instructions .
The most important thing in the world is the will to do something – it is not important how you will do it .
Where there is a will there is a way .
If the intentions and the back ground of a person is good then – the person can easily use the government workers and the whole workforce team to do things better . Surely there will be a lot of bureaucrats who want to do better things – but they are not able to do it due to politicians .
The most important thing I feel , Baba Ramdev will do is (If he wins the elections )
1. Change the education system ( Bring more ethical and character building education – which will make people -responisble , puctual…) The GDP of a country – depends more on the quality of the people it has .Not on what resources it has .
2. Strict laws against corruption – this will give convenience to every citizen – and then you will see more number of innovations , enterpreneurs ,leaders……. from India to the world .
A poor or a medium class person cannot come up with day today problems – in addition he also have un supporting government creating problems for smallest of thing – electric connection , water connection , reshan card , telephone connection , sewage line , Non Supporting Police ……..
And if he wants to become a enterpreneur then there are more problems from other government agencies ……
IS THIS INDIPENDENCE ?
3. It is Obvious that He will bring best health to the nation in some way or other .
4. Indian companies and Businesses will be highly encouraged as they are toaly against foreign .
5. He is going to change lot of rules and laws – which are troubelsome .
6. He is going to change Indian Justice system .
7.——————–
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Now the question is how he will do it ? Dose he have so many ideas ? Dose he have a team for that ? Will he be able to implement them ? ……,
For this we will have to see his day to day activities and how fast ,active , punctual , perfect ,dedicated , honest ………he is in his daily schedules and his profession .
If any person from any field is fast , active , puctual ,perfec…….. in his profession and day to day life then he can do anything very easily in any field .
This is a universal Fact .
It is not necessary to know how they will do it but it is necessary to knpw why they want to do it and who will do it .
Nitesh … there is a serious risk. A known devil is better than an unknown angel. Irrespective of what is happening to India politically there is no denying that in matter of twenty years we have become one of the biggest economies in the world. At this juncture we should be very careful and very sure before we hand over the reigns of such a complicated nation at this critical juncture to a novice (politically, economically, foreign policy and in terms of education) just because he says the right things. I do not mind living in a corrupt country. But I do not want to live in a country that is corrupt and broke.
DO YOU THINK – IS THERE A COUNTRY CALLED INDIA ?
IF YOU ARE THINKING SO – THEN YOU ARE WRONG
GO TO ANY PART OF THE COUNTRY – YOU WILL FIND REGIONALISM – YOU WILL BE IDENTIFIED BY YOUR PLACE .
IF YOU GO TO SOUTH THEY WILL CALL YOU NORTH INDIAN AND IF YOU GO TO NORTH YOU WILL BE CALLED SOUTH INDIAN . IF THE MATTER IS JUST CALLING THEN IT IS FINE – BUT IF THERE IS ANY SMALL PROBLEM YOU WILL BE KICKED OUT OF THE PLACE AND IF NOT THEN YOU WILL FACE A LOT OF TROUBLE – IT IS AS SAME AS YOU ARE LIVING IN AUSTRALIA OR A FOREIGN COUNTRY.
WE DO NOT HAVE A NATIONAL LANGUAGE . WE ARE PATRIOTIC ONLY DURING CRICKET MATCH OR A WAR .
FIRST WE HAVE TO MAKE INDIA – JUST BY MAKING ONE NAME AND CURRENCY – INDIA IS NOT ONE .
INDIA ‘S BIGGEST UNLUCK IS -WE HAVE NOT WON THE FREEDOM(INDEPENDENCE ) WE ARE BEEING GIVEN THE INDIPENDANCE – SO WE DO NOT KNOW THE ACTUAL VALUE OF IT – THAT IS WHY WE INDIANS ALLOW THE THIEVES AND CORRUPT TO RUN THIS NATION – OTHERWISE WE WOULD NOT HAVE ALLOWED THEM TO DO ALL THESE DIRTY THINGS . YOU CAN SEE MAJORITY OF THE COUNTRIES GOT THE INDIPENDENCE DURING THE PERIOD OF 1945 TO 1955- WHAT SHOULD BE THE REASON . THE REASON IS WORLD WAR II .EUROPEANS DID NOT WANT WORLD WAR III TO HAPPEN .
DO YOU KNOW WHAT ARE THE MAJOR THINGS WITH INDIA TO BE PROUD OF ? IT IS ONLY OUR HISTORY NOT OUR PRESENT .
WHAT IS THIS GENERATION GOING TO GIVE TO INDIA ? NOTHING ? WHAT WILL BE THE HISTORY IN FUTURE FOR THE PRESENT PERIOD ?
REGARDING THE INDIA BECOMING ONE OF THE BIGGEST ECONOMIES – CAN YOU TELL ME WHY INDIA IS DEVELOPING – WHAT SHOULD BE THE CORE REASON FOR INDIA TO DEVELOP . IS THE REASON GOVERNMENT OR SOME THING ELSE ?
THE REASON IS INDIA’S POPULATION .
IF INDIA WAS NOT SO POPULOUS – INDIA WOULD NEVER DEVELOP . NONE OF THE FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND MNC’s WOULD BE INTERESTED TO INVEST IN INDIA . GOVERNMENT IS ONLY OPENING DOORS FOR FOREIGN COUNTRIES .
WHY IS GOVERNMENT NOT ENCOURAGING INDIAN PEOPLE IN INNOVATIONS ,TECHNOLOGIES , BUSINESS , AGRICULTURE .
THE MAIN QUESTION IS WHAT ARE WE ? WHAT IS OUR IDENTITY ? WHAT WE SHOULD BE ?
SHOULD WE DEVELOP ON THE FOUNDATION OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES OR SHOULD WE DEVELOP ON OUR OWN FOUNDATION .
IF VOTING BABA RAMDEV IS A RISK – THEN WE SHOULD TAKE IT . BECAUSE TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING WE HAVE TO TAKE A RISK .
BEFORE I DIE – I WANT TO SEE – WORLD FOLLOWING INDIA – NOT INDIA FOLLOWING THE WORLD .
IF THE BASIC PROBLEMS OF INDIA ARE NOT SOLVED THEN – POOR INDIAN PEOPLE WILL NEVER TASTE THE FRUITS OF DEVELOPMENT – IT WILL REMAIN IN THE HANDS OF FEW .
WHY IS GOVERNMENT NOT CHANGING THE LAWS FOR ENCOURAGING MORE INDIAN ENTERPRENEURS , MORE TECHNOLOGIES – WHY IS GOVERNMENT NOT SOLVING THE PROBLEMS OF PEOPLE ? …………. MILLIONS OF THINGS .
WHY IS GOVERNMENT NOT TELLING THAT – INDIANS ARE THE BEST IN THE WORLD AND WE WILL MAKE THE
BEST AND USE THE BEST AND WE WILL GIVE THE WORLD THE BEST . WHY IS GOVVERNMENT NOT TAKING STEPS TO BRING OUT THE BEST PEOPLE , BRING OUT THE BEST GOVERNANCE .
IF INDIA WAS LIKE GERMANY OR JAPAN OR USA – I WOULD HAVE SAID IT IS FOOLISHNESS TO VOTE FOR BABA RAMDEV . BUT INDIA IS NOT LIKE THAT – INDIA IS WITH A OCEAN OF PROBLEMS – WE WILL HAVE TO BRING A REVOLUTION OF CHANGE .
CAN YOU FIND OUT WHY BABA RMDEV WANTS TO FLOAT A POLITICAL PRATY ?
I DO NOT BELIEVING IN LIVING WITH CANCER – I BELIEVE IN CURING THE CANCER -THOUGH IT MAY BE RISKY TO CURE IT .
IT IS NECESSARY TO HAVE A SECOND AND CORRECT INDIPENDENCE AT THE MOMENT .
Nitesh .. what you are stating is your vision of what India should be. Many people will disagree with it including me. I do not think that India needs a national language or regionalism is bad (India is a very diverse country). You are also discounting what India has achieved in the past 65 years.
The question here is not what is wrong with India. Most Indians with common sense know what is wrong with India. The question is how is Baba qualified to lead India? What are his policies? Who are his nominees? How is he going to fix all that is wrong with India? As William Feather once said “Beware of the person who cannot be bothered by details”.
Mr.Hari – from your last Post – I also understand the reason why the students of IIM IIT and goods and clean people entering into politics and float a Political Party – always loose the elections and are discouraged .
Nitesh … the reason why highly educated or motivated people fail in politics is because they are idealistic. Idealism will not work in politics. Politics is in a diverse country like India is about making compromises. It is like the back up player. They always look good until they become the starter. Baba is India’s latest back up player!!
Yes Hari,you are right.Politics is about compromises.Thats why Nehru and Congress compromised on India and partitioned it so that they could be the king.Not only that they compromised to hand over India’s greatest patriot Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose to the British,lest he would oppose partition and unite India.You are right,everything in India has been compromised.India’s freedom has been compromised by some power loving and corrupt thugs!!!!
But remember,patriots are still born in this country and they are one’s who show the way whenever necessary.
Sumit … I am an equally patriotic Indian who disagrees with your version of the events that lead to partition. I happen to think that Nehru and Gandhi did a great job considering the circumstances.
Whats your real name Hari?Mind sharing it?
“I want to feel passion, I want to feel pain. I want to weep at the sound of your NAME. Come make me laugh, come make me cry … just make me feel alive” – Joey Lauren Adams.
Yes my name is Hari and I am a very proud and patriotic Indian, Hindu, non-believer and compassionate human being among other things.
Hari
After reading the comments of some of these Baba Ramdev supporters, I get the impression that they are more loyal to Hindutiva than they are to India. They are not patriotic Indians but patriotic Hindus.
Hari,
You may think Gandhi,Nehru has done a great job, but history wont think so.History is written a long time after actual events.Still you see there is lot of influence of Nehru family,Western world in the modern era as such truth is supressed.The events that took place in the dying momemts of Indian independence,1941-1947,are still withheld from public.Like the effect of INA trials,cause of Royal Navy mutiny,general strike in Mumbai,underhand dealings of Nehru and Congress with British during transfer of power are still supressed from public.But how long will they manange to hide it?
No influences stay for long.Only Truth prevails.
The Roman Eagle was considered invincible,same was the grand Zorastrian empire.Where is the British Empire that rule 25% of the world?They are all transitional.What stays are noble thoughts,noble deeds.Buddha’s teachings are today as relevant as they were thousands of years ago.Buddha never stepped out of the country but his philosophy travelled far and wide.This is the power of noble thoughts.
Sumit .. please come down from the high chair you are sitting and stand with the rest of us. Stop talking about truth, patriotism, famous Indians and India’s heritage as if you are the only person who knows about them or care about them. We all are well versed about all these qualities and individuals. The article is about Baba Ramdev and his political aspirations and his impractical goals for Bharat Swabhiman.
I agree with some of the views above…Just hoping he stays away from the issues of caste and religion. He has had a clean image till now and diving into such issues will spoil it!
Vishal … I think he has tarnished his image a little bit with his claims about Yoga curing serious diseases. Although I have no problems with him entering politics I have serious issues with how he wants to fix the country. The goals that he has set for Bharat Swabhiman is very naive and does not take into consideration the diversity of India.
An article by one Mohan Murti provoked the wits out of me.
(The Hindu: Is the Nation in a Coma?) [Edit]
He suggests we are a banana republic in a coma. Please do read this article before you look at my Ramayana length rant.
We are not a Banana Republic in a Coma
By Ajay Goyal
Banana republics are small poor countries with tin pot dictators. They are usually illiterate countries dependent on agriculture or single crop like Bananas without any developed education, industry or enterprise. As such they are politically unstable and often the power is grabbed by army captains or colonels.
India is no banana republic. Indians are a highly educated, world-wise entrepreneurs. We have a well developed industry. Millions of Indians are educated as well as any other nationa in the world. We are a diversified economy. We have more than Bananas – we have coconuts, too. We have brilliant minds and a professional army that has never taken power through gun.
Banana Republics are often ruled by schooled or graduate military men. We are ruled by illiterate thugs.
At the same time we are so much more than a banana republic. The finest and most brilliant of our country ( and we have many fine minds) with just a few exceptions are robbing and plundering everything and everyone around without any shame, hesitation, fear , regret or scrutiny.
Banana republic often hang their dictators. In India affluent people queue to give their daughters in wedding to such thieves.
We are not a nation of soldiers as many banana republic are — we are a nation ruled by thieves — coteries of licensed Billionaires, corrupt bureaucrats and bandit political dynasties who scheme and manipulate brilliantly to rob and defraud a billion people.
Therefore by definition, India is not a banana republic. This is a republic of rogues.
Sixty years ago when we achieved independence – Europe lay in ruins. Almost 1 in 3 men in Russia had been killed in the great war. Untold destruction was caused by Nazi Germany all over the Russian lands. All of Germany had been levelled by allies and Russians in retaliation. London had almost no standing buildings. India was at that time, the second biggest creditor of Bank of England ( Yes !) They were dead, the Europeans — we were young, vibrant , free and standing on our two feet. That was the beginning of our end.
Twenty years later European countries – Germany, Belgium, Holland, France, Britain created economies stronger and bigger than India. The per capita in these countries rose from nothing to thousands times more than Indian per capita – often 10,000 times more. That is, an average European was earning and bringing home 10,000 times more than an average Indian. He still does. 600 million Indians still live in hunger. Educated Indians talk of European financial crisis but they do not realize that job or no job — Europeans do not sleep hungry any more. They started prospering we started getting poor. Why? Because all we had began being stolen by our own finest. The British yet had some shame when they plundered India – Indians have been bereft of all shame in plundering India.
Then even smaller countries like Portugal, Spain, Greece passed us byin growth and development. US was already a distant dream – that millions of educated Indians migrated to. A generation of Indians lost its brain because of corruption to United States. In time, less than 15 million Indians ( or 0,15% of Indians) living abroad began providing more than 7% of Indian GNP in foreign remittances to India. In India they were being robbed and strangled by corruption – in the west and east they were free to work, prosper and give back to the country. If they had been allowed the opportunity at home – India would have doubled its GDP every ten years in the last four decades. Instead we remained comatose for nearly 30 years with negative or zero growth.
Thirty -forty years after independence where were we? Back to Mohanjadero. Our toilets and sanitation was at the level of pre-historic civilizations – still is. Millions of people can only take a shit along rail lines in the morning – The “Ass Darshan” from Indian railways is world wonder. A testament to our “development.” Every step in Indian “development ” now takes us ten steps back. Wrong priorities, forty years too late, environment destroyed and full scale robbery in everything that is done.
Why have we remained backward? Not because we had no resources or no good people. But because everyone who could get power and opportunity — stole. Corruption stole a generation’s prosperity.
When we graduated as engineer in 1986 and came to Delhi my starting slaary was a whooping 1600 Rs a month. That was nearly US$ 80 per month. When I travelled abroad first time by selling my motorcycle hiding $100 in my socks ( because we were not allowed to take money aborad – while billions of Indian money was already in Switzerland) I was shocked to find that European engineers were earning 20 times more than me. Why? Because my wage was being stolen by bureaucrats and politicians and their favourite licensed business people. That is how they stole the life of a whole generation. Good people struggled in poverty, bureaucrats and politicians rolled in comfort and stole everything around.
Good men from good families with good education with good rank become thieves. What kind of fate is this for a country ? That the best of the best become thieves ! That people can demand and accept a bribe ! That in every day life, in everything you do you have to pay a bribe ! That no one in government works unless he is stealing. How can educated well bread people demand and take cash from someone ! Our engineers, police, teachers, doctors, – they all do it ! How can a country get so corrupt !
But if you think we lost to Europe, China, US and Asia – wait till Africa passes us by. Those of you who have been to Africa would have seen how Ethiopia, Algeria, Egypt and then Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, Botswana have developed. They had none of the advantages and skills we Indians have had. Despite wars , famines and long lasting affects of colonialism, tribalism and AIDS, Africa is now developing fast. Look at South Africa and the world cup they are hosting. And then be ashamed at the Commonwealth Games we will be hosting. Even Africa will pass us by. The worst traits of Africa are present in India but the African pride, the new spirit of Africa is absent in India. We are a nation without any national pride – plenty of false, gung- ho, macho bluster but no real pride. No pride and no shame.
That is why to most Indians none of this talk matters. Be sure, tomorrow there will be many to spit at me for saying so in plain words. There will be arguments and statistics thrown in my face and at Murti.
We will be told – look how far we have come. To them I will only say – let us talk about how far we could have gone and where we could have been. We have nothing of what we need and everything of what we do not need. That is when progress is designed by idiots and thieves for their benefit not for the benefit of the nation but lining their own pockets.
Our country is in a terrible state. It is because we Indians lie to ourselves and we pick the lies other tell about us so as to boast about ourselves. There is no positive spin, lie, half truth , statistic or headline from the west Indians do not find and flaunt to feel better about India.
We lie to ourselves that the world respects us. B.S. Read this article by Mohan Murti – the world knows in what condition we truly are. In the last year I have met a dozen European tourists who left India within two weeks after arriving for a six month travel – they just could not take the dirt, the squalor, the beggars, the shit, the hotel owners always ready to rape, the peeping toms, the rats, the lizards, the dirty bed linen, the pan spitting crotch scratching men glaring at them, the drunk bus drives, the rickety transport, the bugs, the diaohrrea… the reality of India that is neither exotic nor entertaining. India can have million times more tourists. Instead we have an Incredible India campaign which is a national lie. It shows an India which does not exist. And when someone dares to show the true India – the bureacrat will always be ready to label it “western poverty porn.”
And yet, we are not a banana republic. They are small and have limited possibilities. We are am enormous country with great potential and possibility. We are a country where 90% or more of people are the decent, kind, generous, God fearing, hard working, humble, honest and hard working people. I am sure this is true of banana republics too. And yet, only the worst thieves, thugs, rogues and corrupt bureaucrats rule over these 900 million. They are ruled only by a man with a gun.
We are ruled not by dictators but by thieves. And while they are stealing our lives – we are helpless cowards – watching them do it.
Banana republics have the spine of steel – unbending stupid gun barrel kind of spine. We have the spine of a banana. Bent, soft spineless spine.
And yes, Murti is right – Europeans see us as boastful, lying, cheating frauds because much of our leadership in business ,in industry, in government bureaucracy and politics is just that.
By 1993 I had been in business with nearly 50 of the top 200 business houses of India. I can say that in no transaction was even one of them honest in its dealings. They did not honour contracts. They never kept their word. They never honoured a commitment. Embassies and bureaucrats colluded with them. Business were run from offices and homes of Ambassadors. False export documents, forgeries, fake payments, money laundering were a norm. Tea shipments were mixed with wood chippings. Clothes containers arrived filled with trash jute bags. Not one single shipment of nearly 1000 made it in time. And yet when these captains of industry would come to Europe to meet me, they would be boastful , drunk and almost always looking for a white woman. Most of them had pimps as their representatives. They would feel comfort in business not with an honest and upright person – but with pimps. And all so often they find likes of themselves in Europe to do business with them too.
But that was last century. 17 years later, we have more sophisticated Indians in charge – people like Lalit Modi and Shahi Tharoor and Jairam Ramesh. We are supposed to have clean government – new faces, new watches , better suits, better accent. But I wonder if it is new shit or same shit in new suits.
Still, we are not a banana republic. They are small and do not have professional army and functioning upright judiciary. We do.
One generation of Indians will have to fight to take this country back. We really have to fight the thieves and bandits who have taken over country. We, our generation, needs to wage another freedom struggle. And we can only do it with the tool Mahatma Gandhi used – Truth and Non Violence. We need to free India from these rogues and we can only do this if we start by telling and facing truth. Good people must stand up, stand in elections, fight for their lives and fight for the lives of their children. Good people must set aside regionalism, cast, language, pettiness and all social dogma and form a will to free India from this monstrous grip of corruption and thievery.
We are a republic ruled by rogues where good men have become slaves to thugs
Nitesh,
I think we have discussed many of these points before. No one argues that changes have to be made in India. The question is whether Swami Ramdev is the person to do it. He has not other achievement other than running a successful yoga business. In a democratic nation there is not point in crying foul about corrupt politicians. We get what we deserve. So we the people (including Ramdev) are equally to blame for the mess.
I want to know what achievment is required to enter into politics and run the Indian Government ?
Nitesh … the right question should be who is most qualified to lead a large, diverse, multi cultural, multi-linguistic, multi-religious country with a complex yet fast growing economy that is rapidly integrating with the world financial system?
ok that is fine – please let me know who is qualified for that ? I think you will be knowing it – may be Hari …..
Thank you for your endorsement Nitest. Unfortunately I am not interested. Indians have done a great job of electing good candidates for the Prime Minister’s position in the past 20 years. I trust them to pick the right candidate the next time around as well.
Swami Ramdev is a legendary Guru, Last week I read a news in a chinese newspaper mentioning INDIAN politics is curroupted, So Swami Ramdev is the one who is capable to get rid of corruption but still many indian people are not aware about his good ideas and so he is travelling all over india to give light to the all indians. And finally the newpaper made emphasis on yoga for chinese citizens to practice yoga & live peaceful life.
If chinese can follow why dont we?
Welcome Bhargava,
I personally do not care what the Chinese think about corruption in Indian politics. China is a totalitarian regime and the government does the “thinking” for 1.3 billion Chinese. Baba Ramdev should teach the Chinese how to fight for their rights. But then Yoga is more profitable!!
How can Ramdev end corruption in India? Can you explain to us what his plans are for eradicating corruption in India? Before you do please also confirm with noted economists and financial experts that these plans will work. There is a lot of corruption in India because Indians by and large encourage corruption and benefit from it. It is not just a political problem.
The fact that he is talking corruption strictly from a political standpoint shows how little he knows about the subject. Corruption in India can end only if Indian society is reformed. You do not need a political party or get elected to do this.
I am not going to vote for Sonia Gandhi who has 2 billion dollar account in swiss bank.
Her sonwant t be PM,WTF don’t play with billion lives mate.
1.73 trillion in swiss bank proven.5 trillion minimum estmated.
I am confused about NDA.
But i am sure about Bharat Swabhiman.
45 crore ppl in India earns less than 1 kg onion today.
From birth certificate to death certificate you will see corruption.
From Pan Card to Passport you will see corruption.
Name a department that is free of corruption.
Who ruled us for over 50 years????
Congress.
After reading this if u r still barking that congress is better than just go out,see the cleanliness.
See the beautiful roads,see the pollution,just go and have a look around.
If you love that scene then vote for Congress.
If you don’t love broken roads,polluted water,traffic,corruption,45cr BPL then don’t vote for Congress.
To have a clear view of what Bharat Swabhiman stands for,go to youtube and search for Rajiv Dixit.
watch atleast 5 of his videos then u ll have a clear picture of what Bharat Swabhiman stands for.
Vande Matram
Abhi,
How much did Bharat Swabhiman pay you for your endorsement? Just kidding!
You do make similar claims as many other die hard Ramdev supporters. You point the finger at people like Sonia Gandhi and make accusations against them. However, you have no evidence to support your claims. Like most other Ramdev supporters you talk about the laundry list of controversies that is plaguing India today. Listing all the controversies might be an achievement for someone who only has an 8th standard education (like Ramdev) but for the rest of us it is old news. We want to know the causes and the potential solutions. Unfortunately Bharat Swabhiman offers no solution.
You state that “To have a clear view of what Bharat Swabhiman stands for,go to youtube and search for Rajiv Dixit”. Isn’t it the same Rajiv Dixit who said that 09/11 attacks was stage managed by the United States, a claim only the most extremist elements in places in Iran make? How can a person who is so misinformed on such an important issue offer a “clear view” on anything to fellow Indians? Isn’t he part of the group that came up with “wonderful” ideas like 100% voting, 100% Swedeshi and 100% yoga based nation to solve India’s problems? None of this has ever worked and will never work in the future.
Most Indians are very skeptical about Congress and that includes me. But there is no viable alternative. India has real issues and it will take decades of growth to solve them. If Ramdev is serious about running the country and be the difference maker, the first thing he has to do is resign from his company and stand for elections. We Indians do not want another Sonia Gandhi which is what Ramdev is trying to do!
you keep ranting the ram dev is only an 8 grader but actually this 8 grader has surpassed many phds in medical science. What have you learnt in education- only rote learning cramming up things and vomiting in an exam. Dare not call yoga a business with your contaminated tongue . He has documented enough evidence to lend credibility to his claims. If you have got enough spunk,then file a suit against him and prove your point. At the end of day,you will learn your lesson the hard way.
Stating the truth is not a rant. If it is then is all the complaining that you Ram Dev supporters do regarding corruption could also be considered as ranting!
What evidence do you have to show that the 8th grader has surpassed PhD’s in medical science? Are we supposed to just believe you and take your word for it? The comparison you make is a total insult every doctor and for that matter every Indian who has struggled hard to get a decent education.
You state that “Dare not call yoga a business with your contaminated tongue”. Why don’t you make this statement to Ramdev? He is teaching yoga and making money by selling books and DVD’s on the subject. Go to the Divya Yoga website to see how Divya Yog Mandir Trust is ripping people off by charging anywhere from INR 49 to INR 200 for yoga based DVD and VCD’s. Why can’t Ramdev provide this information to the poor people of India for free?
Ramdev is selling a “Yoga for eye disease” and “Yoga for diabetes” DVD on this website. Did you say that he has evidence for all this? Where is this evidence that the rest of the world is still not aware of?
Why should I waste my time proving that Ramdev’s cures do not work? People of India in millions seek modern medical treatment when they have health issues. So will you. And that is indictment enough!
Now I know, people like you are the greatest deasease for India. By the way I also work as a professional engineer in north america.
Biz,
As Bertrand Russell once said “The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt“. I have doubt when it comes to Ramdev and his claims!
Baba Ram Dev Ji You can suceed in the politics if you brears the barriers of the caste system prevails in india. You are requested to look after all the people of India. It is also brought to your notice that Miss Mayawati also wants to eredicate this system but she was failed by some people of narrow minded. Remove corruption along with caste than you will definitely succeed. I also join your party. Tell me the way to join the party.
Thanks
Shiv Kumar Banwal
B.A (Hons) Pol.Sc. M.Ed. M.A. Eco. LLB
Lecturer Eco. Delhi Aided School
As one of the “people of India” I can tell you that I am fully capable of looking after myself. It is also my personal opinion that you can eradicate corruption and fight the caste system without running for political office.