Harthal for Harthal

Harthal – an act of axing the branch which we sit

“The flair of political parties to make Harthal a flamboyant is absolutely flagrant. While Kerala changes to ‘land of harthals’, the scenario of development pushing away from ample growth. Now Kerala changes to the most unfriendly land to invest that keeps big players away from the so called ‘God’s own country’. This plundering of abundance of wealth intangibly should be stopped”.
Now I compelled to say, flog those who are supporting this flippant strategy.

Now the name ‘God’s own Country’ Kerlala turns to the ‘Land of Harthal’. Simply Harthal for Harthal and if it is in  Kerala things become more perfect. I was really amazed by comparing Hathals in two different states. We have discussed about ‘holiday greetings’ in Radio here in Kerala in the day of Hathal. At the same day a radio in Banglore cautioned their listeners about traffic issues in different places and the jockey suggested them to find the least traffic roads. What a paradox? The so called development in Kerala crawls us to unproductive way of agitations.

Harthal breaches all the fences and boundaries by affecting people in all walks of life in one way or another. The big questions…….. in this democratic world (largest democratic country in the world), who is our decision makers? Who decides to open the my shop? Who determines, whether I should work or not? And if political parties start to decide, should I have food or not? The right of life will breach too. The implication of Harthal is very wide and catastrophic even if it is celebrate flamboyantly.

I was wondered when I was listening our Radio, Radio MACFAST 90.4 on this Harthal day. A listener called to ‘Greetings’ (Phoning program to wish) and commented “special wishes to all Government officials who all are celebrating this Harthal” . Vow. This is because, that was a party sponsored Harthal.

Think. Each sand and soil minules know the catastrophic impact/effect of endosulfan and there is no more discussion required to get realize. Even a child and grandparent know it. So, why this Harthal? Did Anna Hassare went for a Harthal to send his message. Just by a ‘Satyagraha’ he got overwhelmed people participation that rattled the thrones of VIPs. But the ‘Upavasam’ for the name sake by our parties didn’t get any attention because that was for political gains and lead. If No, let me ask some questions. We have banned endosulfan in the state and why we are still using it? Aerial spraying is completely unscientific and why we following this practice? Lastly, this is being used by Kerala Plantation Corporation – state undertaking. That s why one presentation at Janeva opined that Endosulfan tragedy in Kerala is a state sponsored crime.

I am totally supporting the ban of Killer endosulfan and it is our need for survival and existence. But I completely opposing Harthals for anything that are breaching my fundamental rights, right to live, right to work and right to travel.

Additionally I have done a survey and came out with a finding 98.2% is not supporting Harthal and they opined that, it affects them too. The flair of political parties to make Harthal a flamboyant is absolutely flagrant. While Kerala changes to ‘land of harthals’, the scenario of development pushing away from ample growth. Now Kerala changes to the most unfriendly land to invest that keeps big players away from the so called ‘God’s own country’. This plundering of abundance of wealth intangibly should be stopped. Now I compelled to say, flog those who are supporting this flippant strategy.

Social Implications

Many of us will unanimously admit – ‘this not required’. But nothing happens, with a partial sleep we support Harthal by participating in a way or another. It comes true, “All Keralites are very hard working, not in Kerala but in abroad”-A notable quote. We celebrate, enjoy and cherishing in this day, while knowing all the facts. Obviously, it excites our laziness and forces us to keep us away from work. It is true; we are gradually adapted this planned holiday to celebrate without knowing its wide consequences and repercussions. Even our students are eager to hear a call of Harthal. All the BEVSCO’s (Beverages) are in rush, a day before Harthal, theaters are full. If we have a right towards development of our nation, we will not support this bad practice. Now, the decision makers of our nation are not the people but political parties.

A word more, Why strikes in college for political reasons. This is really a stupidity to conduct strikes for the sake of a leader who purposefully beaten by police because of his chaotic agitations in unwanted places. Why others should be the victim of their unwanted interventions, why our campus should stop work? Yes. If it is for a common cause which affects students, let’s admit and support.   We have enormous platforms to develop our political will power and thoughts. And there is no wonder if I state. Majority of our students are building their career through politics!!!!!

Oh! to get political empowerment and to get good politicians. What a folly? I think, we don’t need any strikes to get this stuff. We don’t require any fights for national integration. Clubs like NCC, NSS, Red Cross atc. are here for such purpose to raise national integration and integrity.

And it is cruel to forget, Harthal provides us a holiday to enjoy and it depends.

Economic Implications

This highly unproductive strategy is not only debauching but also debilitating our economy. The amount of loss is unpredictable. Consider this small calculation.

My father, a daily wager has daily income of Rs. 650. Also he has to pay Rs. 3800 as interest for loan. Rs. 6000 as monthly payment, Rs. 4000 as finance and Rs. 5000 for home purposes. He has lost Rs. 650 from his stringent budget.   And who will support him?

My uncle is running a shop nearby by taking a loan of Rs. 1500000. He has to pay around Rs.20,000 as loan interest and his daily income is around 25,000 – 30,000. He lost the same. And who will bare it?

One of my friends has a business. This crore business helps him to get 3-5 lakhs daily. But his loan payment per month is around 15 lakhs. H lost the same due to this chaotic Harthal. Lastly I came to know that, the price of Chicken raised by Rs.10 a day before Harthal.

We don’t have any concession for paying loan premium because of Harthal and we don’t have any tax deduction. Absolutely, this is an act to break the feed of common man. 

When a Harthal announces suddenly, it has unpredictable consequences to shop owners and event management teams. There stocked vegetables and fruits will become rotten and preparations will be in vain. There losses will remain with them and nit with the harthal announced parties. If a vehicle runs in a Harthal day, that will be broke by agitators and Harthal announced parties and no one other than the owner will bare this losses. 

In Japan, the strategy of strike is very productive. Consider an apparel company. Employees participate in strike by manufacturing one apparel. When their issues get resolved, they will produce another one with great pace. And the net result for the company is high production in a limited time. A win win situation, company as well as the employees satisfied. But things are not like here in Kerala. We are losing crores of money in a Harthal day, which pushes all kind of investors in to deep trouble that make Kerala an apparent less investor friendly state.

So, how a business’s flourish in Kerala? How it becomes investors friendly? The question remains.

It is noted that, the earning of Kerala State Beverages Corporation will be in peak a day before Harthal. We get more income by selling poisonous drink. Ohh. I consider it too as an economic implication.

Political

Politics and politicians have sufficient mileage by announcing Harthal and the purpose of most of the Harthals are purely political. I don’t like to restate, that regarding campus politics.  This is fact, politics adds strength to democracy and it is the back bone of our constitution which sustains a balance. But if it exceeds the limit, people become the victim. When ruling party announces Harthal, opposition will keep silence and vice versa because both want to conduct the same.

The way of expressing right for expression is now a jumble which locks the mouth of others to express.

Environmental impacts

Environmental impacts of Hathals are very interesting.  This is the only area which ensures positive impacts on Harthal. There is a system in China which forcefully restricts some vehicles from roads in certain days which is a part of its ‘Go Green’ Policies. It envisages to reducing carbon emission. While considering this strategy Harthal has very positive effects like no traffic, no carbon emission, no hones, no rush, and no fuel consumption. It conserves huge amount of fuel. Vow. Jai Harthal. Go Green. 

Now the ball moves to your court. You can decide, Should I support Harthal and in favor of it?