Living Death (A political Diorama... ...an NRI's Crusade)

By M Venugopal

Are you an Indian living in India or elsewhere? Do you love your country? How much do you love? How do you measure it? Do you think holding Indian flag in the midst of several spectators in the stadiums or expressing emotions and passions in media on politics, society, culture, administration, judiciary, religion, are symbols of patriotism?
Leaving an affluent life in London, the richest, successful NRI Mr. Raghuveer, arrives into the city of Hyderabad to settle down for the rest of his life. He knew very well that the entire country is sailing with political motives, slinging in the mud with corruption, hypocrisy, nepotism, bureaucracy, perceptions , no convictions and wisdom. Story narrates on how one man surmounts day to day events, encounters with various ministers and bureaucrats, to fight for the basic needs of the common man. He becomes a symbol of true patriotism. He evokes hidden power in the common man, through his deeds, actions, convictions and brings noticeable changes in the society, his achievements are remarkable. 'LIVING DEATH' is the nightmare to the unscrupulous politicians and an eye-opener to the innocent voters.

• Language: English
• Publisher: CreatiVentures
• Release date: Sep 3, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311659972

M Venugopal

Working for an Indian co, in Lagos, Nigeria, as a Country Head for the development of business in West Africa. Have been living in Lagos, Nigeria (West Africa) for the past 20 years. Worked for various European/Fareast/Middle East/Indian companies in the past.

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Acknowledgements

My special thanks to my friend - Mr. Naresh Thadani who has referred the website of Creativentures, Pune, India, the publishers of this novel, whose motto is to encourage first time writers to express freely their imagination and creative ideas. And I also want to acknowledge the editorial support from the CreatiVentures team - Joji Valli, Radha Suresh and Dr. Anil Parkhi whose expertise has transformed the manuscript with correct pattern and more accurate usage of words.

My thanks in advance to those who have started reading this novel and I hope, I would add a bit of value to your perceptions on India and its politically motivated administrative systems.

LIVING DEATH

Many years under Mogul Kingdom!

Several years of struggle for Freedom!!

Have the leaders with no Wisdom!

Politicians, Law makers still in Nepotism!!

Countless Blisters in Bureaucracy!

Minds and Actions of leaders in Complexity!!

Our So-called Biggest Democracy!

With shades of Hypocrisy!!

Peddling in Diversity!

Lead by minds of Monarchy!!

Bharatmata, though became independent from the clutches of foreigners still remains a slave to her own sons and daughters...

In our mundane unchanged political systems prevailing in the country since independence, India has been struggling to come out of the rotten political administrative systems. We are unable to find a stable, suitable and clean platform for administration. But the systems are always inclined to political party — based bureaucratic administration rather than the management-by-objectives systems.

Do we think, we are short of leaders, intellectuals, and administrators in the country?

No! We have many of them, but we need a leader who can bring back the legacy of our great country.

We need a messiah, who can enter into the minds and hearts of the innocent voters, to give them ability to select those leaders with correct mindsets and to give correct meaning to the real progress of India.

Everyone says, India has a rich heritage...

We need a king maker like Great Chanakya...

Who can reunite the minds of various castes, creed, regions, and religions in harmony!

LIVING DEATH!!! is it our current political administration?

If so, don’t we need to find a remedy?

The story narrated is fictitious and does not resemble nor coincide any characters whether alive or dead...

*****

Chapter 1

It was 15th August, 2004.

In one of the big palaces in London, Raghuveer was sitting on a sofa, watching the Independence Day celebrations in India on TV.

Phone rang.

He picked up the phone and on the other side of the phone, an English lady’s voice asked for Mr. Raghuveer.

‘’Yes, I am Raghuveer on the line.’’

‘’Congratulations! Mr. Raghuveer, I, Ms. Loren D’souza from the honorable Ministry of state for Trade and Industry wish to inform you that you have been selected for the best Industrialist of the year award again for the year 2004.

We would send you a formal letter soon...

We wish to congratulate you.

Sir, we also wish you a very happy Independence Day…"

Thank you Loren, Have a good day! said Raghuveer.

He kept the receiver down. Raghuveer was not much excited to hear this news as he had been getting such awards for many years in UK and Europe. Something else occupied his mind. He continued watching the celebrations in New Delhi on TV, while his eyes filled with glory. His eyes did not contain the overwhelming patriotism that many Indians experience on 15th August. There was a strong determination in his eyes. It was some plan taking shape in his mind. His heart was pushing him to take a rightful decision which he had been incubating in his heart for years!

There comes his brother, down the staircase, Mr. Bharath, Good Morning Annayya (Telugu word means elder brother), who was on the line?

The call was from the office of Minister of State for Trade and Industry. They have selected me as the best Industrialist of the year award for 2004.

Congrats Annayya. You have to get it, everyone knows… There is no competition for you in U.K., this year too. From now onwards no one will get it… said Bharat.

Bharath, I am not excited by these awards in UK. We have earned a lot of money and fame in this country. We have to do something for our country. If I am useful for our common people in India, that would be the biggest award for me in my life… What do you say?

I agree with you Annayya, but the political system and bureaucracy in India is very rotten. Even if one wants to do something good, he would not be allowed to do so... as many fractions and factions in the political system would like to interfere... Take an example, last year we had given $1mn aid for the handicapped society. We do not know whether the funds have been properly utilized or not. It has been a year and the government did not even send us a report with details, on how they had used the funds. Hence, it is very difficult to handle and manage in India.

Yes, Bharath, you are right. That’s why on this Independence Day, I have taken a serious decision.

What is that…?Bharath is anxious to know.

I want to go back to India permanently and try to see whether I can add any value for the betterment of the society. I hope you are not shocked, Bharath?

No Annayya... my only worry is that you would be disappointed once you go there. I hope you will not land into the hands of the political thugs and get completely drained off …and return with frustration.

No!, no!... it won’t happen like that... You know me… How we handle the business… In the business we work for the profit… In India our mission will be a serious business not for profits, but for the welfare and progress of the people who would benefit from our work.

Meanwhile, Kavitha (wife of Bharath) shouts from bed room, Bharath, can you please come in for a minute.

Yes, I am coming. Bharath replied and got up.

While he was climbing the staircase, Raghuveer asked, Bharath, are you with me?

Bharath turned back and said, "You know Annayya I never

object your decision. You always have taken good decisions, which have reflected in the business. Yes, Annayya, I am with you, forever."

Bharath is a very simple person, who is very hardworking. He has great respect for his elder brother, who brought him up like a father. He had never seen their mother and does not remember the face of their father. He has only seen the picture of their father. All what Bharath remembers is the hardship, the responsibilities his elder brother had taken, the love and affection, his brother poured on him. He got married two years ago.

Then I would go tomorrow, get all the papers ready for power of attorney to be transferred to you.

Ok Annayya. Would do that? Bharath started climbing the staircase to his bed room.

Bharath, One more thing... in the evening, we have to go for the Independence Day function at the Embassy. Don’t forget!

Yes, Annayya.

*****

Chapter 2

Indian Embassy ground — fully felicitated with festoons and flags. Several Indians in their traditional dresses are entering the venue. Many prominent Indians and British in groups are seen conversing with one another. There was a light background of classical Indian music.

A few Indian children at far, were practicing the dances and patriotic songs. The whole atmosphere and surrounding was show casing Indianism.

The High Commissioner of India was exchanging a few words with prominent British personnel. He noticed Mr. Raghuveer with his brother and brother’s wife. He came closer to him. Raghuveer, congratulations... you have done it again.

Yes sir… thank you! Raghuveer was very polite.

Many Indians and Britishers gathered around Raghuveer to congratulate him.

Every Indian in UK recognizes Raghuveer. He is very popular for his donations to various philanthropic organizations.

He is famous for his simplicity, good behavior towards everyone, irrespective of his status. His attitudes are amicable. He is a perfect gentleman. After all, he is the pride for the Indian community in UK. He has contributed to the GDP growth of the British economy, by increasing the productivity of his engineering industries in the fields of automotive, steel, and telecom. He has introduced latest technology, did various backward integration methods to make the British originating products cheaper in the international market. He had voiced out with both Conservatives and Labour parties for the tax reforms which benefitted the Industrial growth, not only to his industries but also to his fellow industrialists. Further, he gave away the extra profits made to the British Treasury as his contribution to British aid to poor African nations.

Meanwhile, the Indian High Commissioner on the dais makes his usual Independence Day speech. While concluding the speech, he requests Raghuveer to come on to the dais to utter a few words.

Raghuveer takes the podium. There are applause followed by pin drop silence.

Everyone was very eager to listen to his speech. His words are always powerful, educative and inspiring.

My dear Indian Nationals, Colonial brothers and sisters, the respected Ambassadors and High Commissioners of various countries’ embassies.

Today is our Independence Day. It is not a religious festival, we all know, but the only national festival in our country. Further, we should be happier that we are celebrating this in the country which had ruled us. At the same time, we express our gratitude to the people of Great Britain, who are here as a part of this celebrations every year.

There were humorous smiles among a few prominent British men, while a sign of appreciation with others, for those words uttered by Raghuveer. The speech continued...

Our country was ruled by British for over 200 years. I would not say that we have gone backward by 200 years in development, we have done reasonable progress in these 56 years of independence.

At the outset, I thank my senior Indian industrialists, businessmen, technocrats in our country as well as in various countries, who have been working hard and share their knowledge with other countrymen for the development of their economy. To name a few Tatas, Birlas, Ambanies, Narayan Murthy, Nandan Nilikeni, Mittals, Hindujas etc… have made and have been making significant contributions to the economy in their respective fields in foreign countries.

India is like a coin. One side of the coin is shining, which is the urban, while the other side has a lot scratches and taints, which is the Rural India. Even though there is urbanization in India, we should not forget the Rural India, as everyone has migrated from and the Rural India is the reflection of true India. The reflection of true innocence, the symbolic projection of regions and it is always the vote bank to the various political parties.

Perhaps, our rich cultural heritage is coveted in Rural India.

Rich becoming richer, poor remaining in poverty, middle and upper middle class migrating to other countries for better jobs, better emoluments, better life standards, better savings.

What is the reason for this?

Is it poor Governance, is it poor Leadership…

No wisdom! No intentions! We need to find out what is going wrong in our systems, which are more politically motivated, than management-by-objectives.

Before, I conclude my speech, I am here to take an oath in front of our Excellency, my fellow Indians and the representatives of British Prime Minister and the Queen of England, I will be going back to India, tomorrow to dedicate rest of my life for the development of the rural India and spend rest of my life for the betterment of India... whatever best possible. In my absence, my