Lord Ganesha has been visiting this small community for the last 50 years!

 When Nagaraj, our neighbor and family friend dropped in, and pulled out an envelope and gave it to me, saying  "it was our 50th year". I was quite perplexed. 

Anyway as I read the invite, I was still confused. I asked, "How old were you when you joined them?" 

I was amazed when he said "we, a group of friends, started it."  The friends wouldn’t have been even teens. 

A group of pre-teens who started a "Royal Association", also had installed and performed Ganesh Pooja for the last fifty years is surely a story that needs shared. 

We had attended a few of the earlier functions. The present one was in a grand style.

I requested Nagaraj to tell us more and here is the story. An inspiring one! 

I wanted the story, his and his friends in their own words!

Remaking India. The answer to tyranny and passing of an era!

Wonder why Indira Gandhi ended the emergency and declared an imminent election? Many reasons are given. It was the advisors, spiritual gurus, a forecast of victory and so on. 

The suggestion that it was 'conscience' is generous! More likely it was her strategy to take the opponents by surprise! She knew them and had played her cards well earlier!

"Congress President Kamaraj orchestrated Mrs. Gandhi's selection as prime minister because he perceived her to be weak enough that he and the other regional party bosses could control her, and yet strong enough to beat Desai [her political opponent] in a party election because of the high regard for her father... a woman would be an ideal tool for the Syndicate."....

Indira Gandhi did not read  the mood of the people right and lost the election. 

It was Jayaprakash Narayan, the inspirational Gandhian activist, who corralled the unlikely alliance .... peculiar but briefly potent political force.  ...

While we appreciate the sarcasm, whether the politicians acted like sheep or cattle, the joke is always on us, the people.

India Today cartoon by Ponappa
on Indira Gandhi's political isolation. 

India Today is prudently polite .. 'The astonishing plasticity of political personalities and alliances first seen in the Janata victory still pulses in the coalitions of extremes that have since become a familiar feature of Indian elections.' 

Light That Failed:

The choice of PM was left to Jayaprakash Narayan and Acharya Kripalani... Their choice of Morarji Desai was a bitter pill for some, but earlier in the day, wheel-chair-bound JP had led the Janata MP's in an oath of unity at Raj Ghat.

They could have had an election! It is disappointing, but not surprising to learn about the infighting amongst the elected leaders. 

 Swatantra Party  formed earlier by Rajaji in 1959 was a break away from congress. It  faded away after Rajaji's death. Rajaji did have valid differences with the Nehru's policy!

 A pity that our countrymen cannot get away from being bhakths of gurus, leaders and movie stars! Real issues take a back seat!

I remember giving  Rajaji a guard of honor near cubbon park while I was still a school kid. Have forgotten the other details! He spoke to each one of us. 

Incidentally he studied  in Central college, Bangalore. My college too and he too was an Iyengar! A brahmin who was progressive. But his government's prohibition of alcohol is debatable!

....There  was a blunder by All India Radio, they mistakenly announced JP's death, Parliament was adjourned......but PM Desai declined to declare national mourning.

I had overheard Mr. HVR Iyengar, ICS  and as Governor of Reserve Bank had maintained that he was not part of finance ministry and took independent decisions!

Arun Shourie was quoted in these pages.."They killed his promises and now they are bent on killing him as well."

.... Morarji Desai's government, reduced by defections and resignations, would last only till July 15.......JP died on October 8.

Dramatic persona of the opponents. 

JayaprakashNarayan, /Jagjivan_Ram, Morarji Desai , Madhau Dandavate, H N Bahuguna, Nandini Satpathy, Choudhary Charan Singh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee

The Comeback.

Mrs Gandhi would not live to see the end of the tempestous decade that unfolded since her declaration of Emergency in 1975....

..Growing sympathy for her and frustration at the ego wars of the Janata netas...

.In 1979, when PM Charan Singh sought her support  for his government. When he refused to drop the charges against her and and her son Sanjay, she brought his government down. ..Revenge served cold. 

Did this type of ridiculous politics continue   in future? 

This decade however was full of challenging events ....

The operation blue star.  Mrs Gandhi's assassination, Attack on Sikhs,  Mass conversion of Tamil dalits,  anti-outsider agitation in Assam, the Bhopal gas leak tragedy..Double Murder by Ranga and Billa, Bhagalpur Blindings....

There were good things happening too..

Maruti car manufacture, The rise of Angry Hero, Entry of small screen, video invasion, miracle at Lord's, 1982 Asian games performance, panther-like grace of Padukone and hockey had its last hurrah! 

My personal memories. My niece Nanda was taken from her school to wait at the hospital where Inndira Gandhi was fighting for her life. Nanda had the same type of rare blood as the PM. 

My chat with Prakash Padukone years later at BGC as we waited for an interview for membership. He was absolutely graceful and polite! Whoever saw him as they walked in would stop to say hello!

Happy Independence day.

Remaking India. The years of upheval,1975-1985

Going back to 'India Today' publication! 

1975 to 1985 were called the 'The years of upheval'.

"INDIA TODAY'S first decade is bracketed by tyranny and tragedy......A period marked by the personality who ruled the country for nearly sixteen years altogether: a story of triumph and persistence - but also a cautionary tale. And a reminder that no political leader embodies this country's destiny or control its narrative indefinitely."

"The 1975-1985 is also a story of resilience..."

Wonder why 'who ruled the longest' is more important than 'how they ruled'. An ongoing debate. However, you  are only expected to be either a bhakth or hater. Other points of view are  considered irrelevant. 

It is disappointing, when one says 'Modi should go', just  because he was not formally educated. Let us remember that an uneducated K.  Kamaraj was considered a 'probable' PM candidate after Nehru! Oh yes, it was the Time magazine which said it. 

Let's go back in time, and recall  the story of Ekalava. He was self-taught and was equal  or a better skilled archer than Arjuna. 

Impressive that India Today began its journey during the emergency. The first issue was titled  'The Emergency: Now You See It, Now You Don’t'. A fascinating title. 

 Foreign papers asking 'Where is the emergency' was a good question! 

I do not remember emergency in so much detail. I had just changed my job and was busy settling down. 

The workers attitude did change for the better! One of them even said that he trusted the Nehru family. As they were well-off and were not after money. 

I too benefitted, as the transfer of ownership of an apartment I had bought went  smoothly at the municipal office. The clerk who handed me the transfer papers  mentioned that normally there was a 'mamool' charge for such work! He didn't dare to demand it. So I didn't pay!

The dark days:

Eventually we did get to hear about the ugly aspects of the emergency. The imprisonment of opposition leaders and citizens suspected of being against the ruling government. The control of news. Forced sterilization and botched procedures causing many deaths. Sanjay Gandhi's urban renewal resulting in demolition with bulldozers! "An eerie preview of the 'excesses' of later eras."??

I remember the shock expressed by a friend who had lived in Delhi about the rise of Sanjay Gandhi, to become the defacto ruler of India during emergency. 

From what I heard about his behavior, he would have been a source of worry, especially to the parents of the young!

The June 1978 cover story on Sanjay Gandhi confirms this fear.  "....He would show up in court, surrounded by his praetorian guard, 'goons' we called them because they behaved as such.

I do hope the young generation read the stories of  'the emergency'  and learn. Especially the present generation who are seeking drastic changes! 

The inference,  "And a reminder that no political leader embodies this country's destiny or control its narrative indefinitely"  sounds hopeful and that the losers will accept their loss gracefully. 

My view is that India is heading  towards a 'feudal dynastic rule' in the garb of a democracy. Hope to find answers as I continue to read this special issue on Remaking India. 

Remaking India. We believe in Miracles and have they begun?

  

                                                         OUR BELOVED COUNTRY 

IN REALITY IT IS MORE COMPLICATED 
NEED MORE EFFORT
PLUS SUPPORTS 
TO HOLD IT TOGETHER 

It is raining in Vancouver, so no walks for me! Hence the blog. I try to be sincere. With a bit of sarcasm!

I tried to learn more about CJP! While some are ecstatic, others are worried about how it will  turn out in reality. It reminds me of a  stampede, while people suffer, organizers manage to escape. The situation is still very fluid, I am just reacting to what is said in wikipedia. It is still very early times. 

It is a miracle that the party does not want to replace a government! It just wants to create space for younger people! However it is obvious that the political parties which have been trying to dislodge BJP/NDA will support CJP. Their politicians, not so young, but young at heart, are also dancing with joy after GOI yielded to the CJP demands! They are supporting the movement and monetarily. 

Founded: 16 May 2026; 2 months ago (Wow on my Birthday!)

Examination reform.  One of their objectives. 

They have succeeded in forcing out the Education minister holding him accountable! The buck stops there. It was the ministers job to stop the other wrong doers. The parents who pay  the middlemen, who bribe those who set the question papers and so on. 

There is no credit given for the government to have worked with a new system. A secure one for conducting the examination and announcing its results in record time. It is politics  that worked. Never appreciate  the opponent! Doubt all their words!

While it was necessary to fix the system, I do not know if CGP offered to help in any way. Or at least acknowledge that it was the government that discovered the cheating and took action. The name chosen for the party, sarcastically, perhaps suits the group. That is how a cockroach is known to behave. Go hiding when it doesn’t work for them. 

It is small miracle, that Nandan Nilekani, and not a lawyer, is given the task of reforming the system. A legal person perhaps would have applied many legal do's and don'ts. A proof that today. IT dominates!

Youth employment:

 We are at the moment quite worried about AI. Companies are shedding senior people so that they can invest in AI and at the same time with a lack of clear picture, the young are not hired. I wonder if I have missed a eureka moment which suggested remedies. 

I have no issues that CJP chose to work top down! The interests of well educated young men hoping to become doctors. I assume in time they will find ways to help the uneducated and the not so educated  and those 'below poverty line' youngsters. It is possible that with the problems we have, they could live in Jantar Mantar a long time! Hopefully they will not break rules and begin walking to protest near the parliament. 

I could suggest more items to add to their list of things to rectify. I guess corruption would be already on the list. The time needed to resolve a case in the courts. I would suggest Garbage collecting and disposing system. My friend  Late. Ramakanth worked on it in Karnataka. The present CM, when he was DCM had,  had welcomed people to help him in this endeavour.

The party released a formal five-point manifesto in May 2026:

No Chief Justice shall be granted a Rajya Sabha seat as a post-retirement reward.  😅 Totally unfair considering a CJI gave birth to CJP.  I feel a lot of system change is necessary in the way judiciary is working. I guess this is written as sarcasm was their main forte. 

If any legitimate vote is deleted, the Chief Election Commissioner shall be arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, as taking away voting rights is "no less than terrorism" (in reference to the 2025 Indian electoral controversy). Obviously buying the opposite parties line. Politics in play! I hope the real Gen Z will act sensibly. The creators seem to be biased.

Women shall receive 50% reservation (instead of 33%) without increasing the strength of Parliament; 50% of all Cabinet positions shall be reserved for women. : 

Why not CJP members to be nominated by the president.  I wonder if this is meant as a joke! Let them check how panchayats are working. Why not strengthen rules in the parliament about the netas behaviour and attendance. etc

All media houses owned by the Adani Group and Reliance Industries ("Ambani") shall have their licences cancelled to make way for independent media. Bank accounts of "Godi media anchors" shall be investigated. 

I guess this is again just  sarcasm. I wonder if RG had read the CJP founders mind! If so it is a miracle. 

 Industries all over the world, I would say even in dictatorships, have a very serious role to play. You have to understand and act. India had tried MRTP and gave up. The country needs to debate and act. We need to study in a very broader perspective. We have to learn to find a viamedia. Also rethink about the farmers strike and the result. Learn from Buddha, the middle path. 

Any Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) or Member of Parliament (MP) who defects from one party to another shall be barred from contesting elections and holding public office for 20 years. OK but 20 years is too long. 😜

Additional points suggested by activist Anjali Bhardwaj and accepted by the party include ensuring the CJP remains answerable under the RTI Act and refusing to accept any anonymous donations. No comment

Membership : Not sure whether I qualify or want to become one!

The eligibility criteria for joining the CJP are deliberately satirical: I was, now 'cynical '

Unemployed ("by force, by choice, or by principle"): By aging

Lazy ("refers only to physical activity"): No I play golf or try to!

Chronically online ("at least 11 hours daily, including bathroom breaks"); Close enough, it is frustrating to see the number opinionated people pontificating 'online'.

Ability to rant professionally ("content must be sharp, honest, and point at something that matters"):

I wonder how honest applicants  are going to be! IT is still to invent an app to catch liars! 

The party states that religion, caste, and gender are not considered in the membership process.

I am sure Almighty God will be pleased, not sure about the Godmen!

AI gyan from the all Pervasive website:

 Dipke has described the CJP as a platform rather than a conventional political party and has said that it is not affiliated with the AAP or another established party. He has stated that the movement seeks to create space for younger people to participate in public debate while remaining peaceful and democratically organised. The CJP's published proposals have included measures relating to examination reform, youth employment, women's representation in Parliament and the Cabinet, restrictions on post-retirement political appointments for judges, and media ownership. During its 2026 protests, the movement primarily focused on alleged examination irregularities, accountability for paper leaks and the resignation of the education minister. Dipke has cited B. R. Ambedkar as an important influence on his political views and approach to social

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP; lit. 'Cockroach People's Party'), also known as the Cockroach movement, is an Indian youth-based frivolous political party founded on 16 May 2026 by Abhijeet Dipke, a political communications strategist and activist.

Founded 16 May 2026; 2 months ago (Wow my Birthday)

Headquarters, New Delhi, India

Ideology, Political satire

cockroachjantaparty.org

Politics of India Political parties Elections

It was created in response to remarks made on 15 May 2026 by Surya Kant, the Chief Justice of India, in which he referred to certain activists and unemployed youth as "cockroaches" and "parasites of society", sparking widespread public reaction. Kant later clarified that his remarks referred to people obtaining fraudulent degrees and did not target India's youth, whom he called "the pillars of a developed India".The movement's name is a wordplay parodying the ruling party in India, the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The party achieved significant popularity online, rapidly gaining a large following across social media platforms shortly after its formation in May 2026.The party issued a five-point manifesto relating to the conduct of parliament members and of election commissioners, reservation of seats for women in politics, and media licensing. Beginning in June, the party led protests in Delhi and across the country over the fallout from irregularities in that year's entrance examinations for undergraduate medical programs. The protests culminated in talks with the Central Government and the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, the Indian Minister of Education, on 25 July 2026. The education minister's resignation was considered a major victory for the Indian youth movement.

Alongside its online presence, the movement organises protests and community service activities across India. The movement campaigns on broader societal, economic, and political issues affecting Indian youth. It is not registered as a political party with the Election Commission of India.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified and dismissed allegations regarding foreign funding related to the CJP. On 25 July 2026, the MEA stated that neither the Indian government nor its intelligence agencies have any information regarding foreign funds linked to the CJP and its protests.

Formation and structure

Abhijeet Dipke, a political communications strategist, launched the "Cockroach Janta Party" (CJP) online on 16 May 2026 as a satire of the political establishment. The party's name is a references to the CJI's remarks, as well as a parody of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. The CJP's name roughly translates to "Cockroach People's Party", paralleling the BJP's "Indian People's Party". The CJP's website went live under the tagline "Voice of the Lazy & Unemployed", describing itself as a "platform for all the 'cockroaches' out there".

Dipke said that the CJP is not affiliated with any political organisation and intends to serve as a platform for young Indians who feel left out of mainstream politics. He stated in an interview with India Today that the CJI's comments had been particularly hurtful because they came from the custodian of the Constitution, who is tasked with protecting freedom of expression. 

The CJP created a mock political platform that rapidly gained traction across social media. The BBC characterised its tone as "somewhere between parody and sincerity" and noted that the platform contained "recognisable political claims: accountability, media reform, electoral transparency and expanded representation for women."

Social media

Dipke used artificial intelligence tools to design the website and manifesto,[9] and to generate images to promote the movement. Within days of its launch, the movement gained a massive social media following, rapidly overtaking the official Instagram handles of the major political parties in India. By the end of its first week, the movement had garnered hundreds of thousands of official sign-ups and tens of millions of followers. In two weeks, the account gained 22 million followers.

The Cockroach Janta Party's official X account was withheld in India on 21 June 2026 when the account had around 90,000 followers. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology ordered the restriction under Section 69(A) of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Although the official reason remains confidential, The Indian Express reported from anonymous sources that the government was acting on inputs from the Intelligence Bureau citing national security concerns, arguing that the CJP's content was inflammatory and gaining rapid traction among youth.

Within minutes of being taken down on X, the party returned with a new handle titled "Cockroach is Back".On 26 May 2026, Dipke moved the Delhi High Court challenging the block. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court the account was blocked because it could have "created chaos" in advance of the 21 June resitting of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for undergraduates (NEET). Considering the concern as no longer valid, the court ordered the unblocking of the account on 7 July.

Leadership and spokespeople

Prior to founding the CJP, Dipke worked as a volunteer with the Aam Aadmi Party social media team between 2020 and 2023, where he created meme-based digital content aimed at young voters during the 2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly election and served as a communication advisor for the Government of Delhi's education department. Dipke belongs to the Mahar caste of Dalits from Aurangabad, Maharashtra, and completed his master's degree at Boston University in the United States, before returning to India in June to lead protests. He had feared being attacked or arrested.

The CJP initially appointed three spokespersons, but later removed Vijeta Dahiya. The party later named Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, Vaishnavi Gaur, Aafreen Nawaz, Deepak Baliyan, and Ratna Singh as the spokespersons.

Ideology

The CJP describes itself as "a political front of the youth, by the youth, for the youth: secular, socialist, democratic, and lazy."Dipke has stated that the campaign is not interested in becoming a traditional political party and has no desire to induct established politicians, noting that "Gen Z wouldn't like it if current politicians joined the CJP."However, the party inducted mainstream politicians from other parties within days of its formation.

According to Dipke, the movement seeks greater transparency and accountability in government spending, explicitly criticising non-transparent initiatives like the PM CARES Fund. The core mission is to provide a platform for young people marginalised by labels such as "lazy" or "cockroaches", using satire as a political tool.

There is more to read about CJP 

Remaking India. Gen Z. A demographic dividend?

Woke up to read about the latest on the CJP protest! I am in Canada, hence it is morning here! Wonder how those, who were hoping that India will go the way of our neighbours, will act! India is reputed to be a country which goes one step forward and two steps back! Hope it will change! I do not think it is worthwhile to discuss the fairness of the demand that a minister resigns! It is said anything is fair in love and war! It is especially so in politics where the love for power is immense.

As kids we were indeed called 'cockroaches' to put us down. I guess the CJP youth are all Gen Z. They  called themselves cockroaches thanks to a Judge, who claims he was misquoted! I think and hope these young people are just 'pretend' and not 'real' cockroaches! 

The 'real' ones hide behind the wood work and come out at opportune times.  The corrupt, crooked and greedy ones who  infiltrate with selfish motives are the real cockroaches. They are seen everywhere, as  business persons, bureaucrats, politicians and so on! It is difficult to ferret them out. It is even more difficult to keep them out in our type of democracy!

I am reminded of our 'innocent' student days! We used to go on strike almost every year. It would be to demand a postponement of  the 'Public' exams. The reason given was that some teachers had not completed the prescribed syllabus. The real reason was, some of the average students, suddenly realizing they had not revised the two years of lessons in time for the exams, wanted to buy more time to prepare! We also protested whenever the monthly fees were increased by five rupees or so, especially in the government run degree colleges! I do not remember a strike to sack unpopular teacher! 

Once, we were not even in college at that time, some of us  joined a strike by the older students and broke the streetlight bulbs in the areas near our high school! As the replacement of bulbs took a long time, we did inconvenience the people in the neighbourhood. However no one asked us to apologies to the public! An elderly person did lecture us, in Kannada it sounded very harsh. 

In one such strike, things went out of hand, and suddenly the student leaders called off the strike. One of the leaders, a good debater and a friend, later told me why! He said that non-students and undesirable characters had got in and were trying to take over! Glad the leadership acted Sensibly. I guess we could be called Gen S. Or may be Gen T (Timid)

We need to find solutions for lack of jobs and lack of security! 

It is indeed tough for the  Gen Z in India. We have 370 million them. It is said the population growth has come down. While it is good to know. We require solutions to problems faced by the present millions of youngsters. We do not need leaders who try to exploit the situation and point fingers at others.  It is a criss that needs to be solved as a country. There is no magic wand here! 

The problems started after India began doing well in agriculture and our health improved! All good signs. Thanks to the  team work of Manmohan Singh and  P.V. Narasimha Rao the Licence Raj ended. It was not their fault while our business men ran to China to import in huge numbers! I was told it was natural after a long period of controls. The 'pent up demand' once met, it would  stop! Meanwhile many manufacturers in India stopped producing as they could not compete with China. 'Well let them learn to be productive' it was said. Which meant labour should cooperate. No idea if they did. May be yes!

It was also the time the rich found an opportunity to open schools and colleges, to cater to the large number of students, and meet demand of the growing population. A win-win situation.

There were talks about controlling the population. It remained more as an intent than an action! We produced innumerable graduates. Interestingly none wanted a job in the farms!

To cut the story short, while India was shining, our cautious nature vanished. Hubris set in! What is known as the 'top one percent'  wanted everything  and got them. They could import  with impunity! India was not poor! 

I understand it is the middle class children, who studied, and paid school fees are the most frustrated anti-establishment group. They would now be part of CJP .  They are said to be 35-40% of the Gen Z, about 148 million. Add to this 45-50%, 185 million consisting of BPL and Low Income families. A monumental task.

Gen Z in India faces a staggering youth unemployment rate of roughly 15.7%, with highly educated graduates experiencing joblessness rates near 29% for men and a brutal 36.9% for women. This situation highlights a complex structural crisis. Despite India's booming economy, millions of young people find themselves holding formal degrees that fail to align with market requirements.

It is a problem faced by the Gen Z all over the world. The broader picture is insane! It is not just India! Let us not compare and say either we are better or worse. I quote below just to give a perspective. 

 AI gyan! A broader picture! I use Gemini!

Globally, Generation Z includes more than 2 billion people, with roughly 40% projected to hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while one in five (20%) are currently without jobs, education, or training. 

The transition from school to the workforce has created a challenging job market for this generation.  Gen Z is on track to be the most educated generation in history: 

The "Useless Degree" Sentiment: Despite high graduation rates, a shifting economy has led 51% of Gen Z to view their expensive degrees as a poor financial investment. Many are shifting focus toward skilled trades and AI entrepreneurship. 

Finding entry-level positions has become incredibly difficult for young adults due to shrinking junior roles and the rise of AI automation. 

The NEET Crisis: Globally, 20% of Gen Z fall into the category of NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). 

Regional Jobless Figures: In the United States, this accounts for over 4.3 million jobless young people. In the United Kingdom, nearly 1 million young people are classified as NEETs, alongside skyrocketing youth unemployment rates in countries like China (16.5%) and India (17%). 

The Job Hunt Reality: Surveys show that 58% of recent graduates are still searching for full-time work months after finishing school, making them three times less likely to have a secured job upon graduation than previous generations. 

The Changing Value of a Degree. For the first time since data tracking began, the historical "employment premium" of a university degree is fading for young workers.

The Non-Grad Equalizer: In specific demographics—such as males aged 22 to 27—the unemployment rate for university graduates has equalized with those who never went to college. 

Trade School Advantages: Workers holding vocational associate degrees in skilled trades (like plumbing or electrical work) have recently posted better employment outcomes than traditional four-year college graduates.

Remaking India. Plans were good. Implementation was challenging!

India Today published a special issue titled Remaking India, a compilation of  articles from 1975 to 2025. This special issue inspired me go back to the earlier period from 1947, the first year of Indian independence, until 1975. 

A very challenging period for India immediately after getting independence. 

Among the many challenges the new government faced, one of the most serious was the shortage of food grains! India under the British had already experienced a famine in Bengal in the year 1943. It was not the first! 

The new government retained the wartime controls introduced by the British, a network of fair price shops, to manage severe food deficits. 

I remember the rice offered at the ration shop was awful. Quality of wheat was a little better! Though wheat was no substitute for rice, for us the South Indians! One could buy a better quality rice in the black market. It was not an option for many! My father was against buying rice in the black market on principle! 

I also had heard that the ration shops switched the good quality rice, supplied by the government, with low quality cheap rice and made money! The system of Ration shops still exist! It is fascinating to read about it! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Distribution_System_(India)

Pandit Nehru government also sought to solve the problem through land reforms. The government gave ownership to those farmers who actually worked on the field! Hopefully the move succeeded in increasing the production of grains! 

Implementing the land reforms was a complex contentious process. It was contested in the courts by the Zamindars. It lead to an amendment of the constitution and then supreme court supported the governments action. Nehru was successful in pushing through socialism! 

In addition dams were built to irrigate lands. These efforts took time and meanwhile we became heavily dependent on food aid, particularly the US PL-480 program. It was indeed a precarious existence.

The states had the freedom to adopt the land reform laws independently to suit local conditions. When it was implemented in the Mysore state, quite a few known to us were affected. My Brother-in-law, who had inherited a few acres of fertile land asked me if I wanted to try agriculture and take care of  his land. I was not too keen! I had not even stayed in a village! 

I guess most of us understand that implementation is never fully what is intended and claimed. However, Laws are put in place.

 Frankly,  our countrymen need to come out of their feudal mentality. The resourceful landlords try and manage to control, possibly with the help of a few pliant bureaucrats and such! We, who believe in Karma, accept it!

https://time.com/archive/6886994/india-end-of-the-zammdars/

More importantly, our scientists stepped in and developed High-Yielding Variety seeds, especially for wheat and rice.

The Green revolution and the government subsidy. The intensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, lead to food self-sufficiency by the early 1970s, eliminating the threat of famine. The states of Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh did well. Remarkable recovery!

……….

However my focus as a mechanical engineer is on the Manufacturing Industry! While the broader picture is very impressive we need to study how well it was implemented!

Between 1947 and 1975, India’s manufacturing industry was defined by state-led import-substitution, industrialization and the mixed economy model. The government prioritized heavy, capital-intensive industries (like steel, machinery, and machine tools) through Public Sector Units (PSUs), while imposing strict regulatory controls on private enterprise and foreign investment.

The evolution of the sector was guided by several legislative and economic milestones.

• The Industrial Policy Resolutions (1948 & 1956)
•  a socialistic pattern of society,... industries owned by the state,... progressively state-owned, and the private sector. 
• The Industries (Development and Regulation) Act (1951): Created an elaborate "License Raj." Private companies required government permits to start production, expand capacity, or change what they manufacture!

The verdict on these policies and its  correction was much later in the year 2002. Sadly too late for me. 

It was a disaster for me personally. I still remember the day I met my boss after I returned from  a trip to USA and UK.

 I was sent to USA by my company in 1969

 to learn about the manufacture of a textile machine. My job was to get the machine made in our Poona factory. (Now Pune).

 It was a one-time project. The execution of an order received from Egypt by a sister company in Calcutta (Kolkotta now)  was getting delayed due to labor problems. It was transferred to Poona. (Glad to say it went well)

In addition, I visited another factory in USA making Earth Moving equipment. The intention was to get into a JV with them to make new it in our Poona factory. The products manufactured presently were going slow and we needed new products. 

Earth Moving equipment's addition  was highly suitable for the machinery we had in our factory! I had very encouraging discussions!

The other was a  visit to our collaborators in UK. We wanted to add products in addition to the ones we were licenced to make in India. They were open to the idea and proposed a few products. My job was to look at the process and choose the ones that would fit. We could discuss further details later. 

I was feeling good as I went meet my Boss  with the folders I had prepared to present it to him! I went in and he looked up at me! I said 'Here are the reports sir! Both companies are interested!' He replied very casually 'Just leave it here!' And added 'You haven't heard about MRTP?' I had not! 

It meant an end to my dreams as our company, considered a monopoly, would not get permission to add new products. 

I moved on looking for better challenges. It was the time for import-substitution and I was busy with this most of my career. It was okay as long as we were not importing parts. 

I remember in a company I had joined, part of an MNC, we developed a cancer treatment machine. It worked well and much cheaper to the imported ones. However the patient handling table needed improvements. It moved up and down making noise and scared the patient who was ill. We needed a ball screw which was still not made in India at that time. Our application for imports, did not move. 

I did try to meet an officer in DGTD to plead for a licence. The place was a like a fortress! I had the help of an executive employed only to deal with the 'government servants'! (Anything but that!). 

The officer spoke well and heard me out and said he would take it up in their next committee meeting. (The executive who took me to DGTD, on our way back remarked, 'kuch nahi hoga' - nothing will happen!)

In the meanwhile the separate company created by MNC* to deal with sales and marketing, which sold the imported version, killed the project. It was easier to import and the salesperson earned a better commission. (*It was separated due to some financial reasons!) 

Anyway, it was a no win situation for the factory! We did try to get licenses for more products for manufacture!  Did not succeed as the government wanted  100 percent local production and the collaborators suggested gradual reduction of imported parts!

There would be many stories, some good and some bad. Perhaps it was my luck to join companies which needed to take corrective steps, but were not allowed at that time. 

I need to end this with a 'what if"!

A few years ago I attended a special function in MEI, a factory where I had begun my career. The workers of the factory installed a statue of the founder of the company! Very Laudable! Especially as the factory was no longer run by the earlier managent.

The factory was handed over to the government many years ago! Those were the days when banks were conservative and did not extend the credit requested.

I am sure that the factory would have done much better if Govt Of Karnataka had just supported it instead taking over. N G Ayyangar  was a brilliant engineer! 

It is a unique story from the pre-Independence time when our parents grew up, especially of those who became entrepreneurs and contributed to the country. 

I shared my blog  with N K Ramdas for his views, as part of the family. Quoting a few  excerpts from his point of view. 

"Ok let me share my initial thoughts. ..... Land reforms have not been uniformly done in all the states. 

All I can say is fragmentation of lands led to very small holdings. Particularly dry land farming with no canal water, supply was affected in Karnataka as small farmers lacked resources to sustain themselves. 

Your own tryst with Industry is interesting.

As for MEI ...

R.D.Char (the entrepreneur behind IAEC Group of companies including Standard Batteries & MEI LTD ) was involved in it's establishment. 

.... we could highlight the pioneering effort  done to manufacture Electrical Switchgear in the country prior to independence. 

As you rightly pointed out NGA was the Technical brain behind MEI LTD. Reasons for it getting into financial trouble are many. After his best efforts to revive the company did not succeed NGA approached the GOK to take over the company to save the jobs of employees & to ensure that the MEI  products were available to many of  the Electricity Boards in the country for maintenance & replacement in future. 

My own feeling is that the  Company's capital was too small. GOK took over MEI LTD at the request of NGA. These are a few of my thoughts."

My earlier blogs 

3.

https://nidhiramblers.blogspot.com/2026/06/independent-india-period-1947-to-1975.html?m=1

2.

https://nidhiramblers.blogspot.com/2026/06/remaking-india-first-10-years.html?m=1

1.

https://nidhiramblers.blogspot.com/2026/06/remaking-of-india-first-ten-years-few.html?m=1

About the famine. 

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bengal-famine-of-1943

About the special function at MEI

https://nidhibengaluru.blogspot.com/2020/11/bangalore-stories-private-industries.html?m=1

Remaking of India. First ten years were tough for India and my euphoria vanished!

At the interview in the Engineering college, the chairman of the committee said 'We could have considered, but he is a Brahmin!'  

Reality struck! I was 19 years old. We knew admission to the Engineering college was hard. It was a strange  feeling that l was punished for what a rishi or rishis had done ages ago! 

The government we lovingly chose applied an arbitratary rule  in a hurry. Affirmative action for one by denying another. Luckily there were avenues for the rejected students. 

Institution of Engineers (India): The AMIE (Associate Member of the Institution of Engineers) is a highly specific qualification recognized in India as equivalent to a bachelor's degree in engineering for individuals who pass the institution's examination. 

Not entirely as Railways wouldn't hire. Anyway, I joined an institute which coached aspirants . It was known as "C R Iyengar's"  institute. It was housed in a few sheds within the factory of Mysore Electrical Industries. 

The institute admitted an aspiring student not just Brahmins.  I passed exams sections A and B, and was ready for the job market. I was twenty-two years old. A bit late, but better late than never. 

I am not sure if this reservation rule was only in the state of Mysore. Anyway the rules of  reservation of seats was somewhat amended when a few Bhramins went to court. It took  four years get a judgment. Super fast considering the pace at which courts work! It did help others!

The country faced many challenges and coped! The daunting task of resettling the refugees was the first. The exchange of people is said to be one of the largest in human history! A phenomenal challenge for the newly born India. 

A family from Sindh moved into a house near our home.  They looked fairly well off! They had read the situation well and had moved out on time! The Sindh community has generally settled well in Bangalore!

It surely was very different and difficult for those who had to leave their homes overnight. Their life both in Punjab and Bengal had suddenly changed and the victims were totally traumatized. 

Kushwant Singh's ' Train from Pakistan' a novel based on history was shocking as it was meant to do. People, affected by partition,  became brutal, callus and inhuman. It is a very cynical view of us the humans, rather homo-sapiens!

The author could also be mocking the political leaders who were largely unprepared! Anyway it was about coping and trying do their best in a very unpredictable situation.

Reading Priya Hajela's recently published novel 'Ladies Tailor'  which focused on the story of a survivor during the partition feels better! It focuses on one individual family out of the many millions who survived and struggled. In fact, Priya's family  migrated from Punjab which had become Pakistan! Inspired by the stories she had heard from her grandfather, she chose to write about it. Worth reading to learn about how people survived 

Partition was expected to be an amicable split. However, the atrocities show how the  wrong kind come out of the woodwork, and exploit the situation! It seems unavoidable. Most of the migrants did well, mainly because of their ability to cope!

It was surprising to see what AI gemini had come up with: "For decades after 1947, there was a major lack of formal memorials to commemorate the estimated 200,000 to 2 million people who died during the communal violence. However, several institutions and national observances have recently been established to break this silence.

Eventually two 'Partition Museums' were built, one in Amritsar and the other in Delhi. India now has a Remembrance Day. 

Officially observed every year on August 14th since its declaration in 2021. Known as Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas, this day institutionalizes national memory to honor those who lost their lives, families, or homes to the mindless violence and hatred.

A day of mourning 

It was a bolt from the blue! Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated soon after getting our independence. Shocking and very saddening for all.  He was a grandfatherly figure for us kids. 

Our neighbor's son Nagendra, much older to us, said he had seen Godse at the recent RSS shaka he had attended at Nagpur. He didn't say much, immersed in his own thoughts.

The country mourned while preoccupied with innumerable problems. I wish they had added a memorial for the 'victims of partition' in Raj Ghat next to the Mahatma's memorial. I am sure he would have appreciated it. 

Naming it 'Raj Ghat' I feel was inappropriate! I think Mahatma would have preferred it named as "Bapuji Memorial" or such.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raj_Ghat_and_associated_memorials.

A  Memorial for PM's and other notables in the same area could have been called 'Raj Ghat' with a separate entrance.

We now are faced with other types too. Assassins, terrorists and suicide bombers, who indiscriminately kill innocent people!

Good to know that in spite of the innumerable problems many landmark  and far reaching decisions were taken and implemented!

Birth of the Republic (1950): On January 26, Reorganization of States (1956): redrawing internal borders along linguistic and ethnic lines to prevent cultural unrest.

Remarkable that the Princely States were integrated into the Indian union mostly through negotiations. Those who predicted or expected utter chaos were proved wrong.

Very sadly a few young men lost their lives in the ongoing protests  just before the Maharaja of Mysore finally agreed to integrate fully with Indian union! 

I was part of Rastriya Selva Dal as it was very close to our house. The activities were conducted by an INA returnee. A nice person. 

As Maharaja of Mysore was not willing to merge totally, a protest march was planned. Our Dal leader wanted us to be at the grounds early in the morning.  We were a motely crowd of teenagers and us urchins. We walked towards the main road and were stopped by the police. They ordered the teenagers to get on an open lorry. We urchins were gruffly asked to go home. 

We later learnt that the police took the older chaps to the end of the town, dropped them there and drove off. While we were jealous about their lorry ride, were also relieved that we escaped the long walk back.

For those interested  can check these out:

Digital and Art Memorials:

The 1947 Partition Archive: Because geographic and political tensions make physical travel difficult between India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, The 1947 Partition Archive serves as a digital memorial. It crowd-sources and preserves thousands of video and audio oral histories from survivors worldwide. 

The Partition Memorial Project: Created by artist Pritika Chowdhry, this is a series of traveling art installations or "anti-memorials" (such as Memory Leaks and Cracking India) that specifically hold space for mourning the thousands of women and hidden victims of Partition violence.