’NO’ to Ostentatious Displays and Wasteful Expenses

I am sure you can get some ``inspiration`` from the Pakistani ``democracy``.............

Lets look for inspiration from things/people which are better than us. Then only can you hope to improve.. the whole world knows which (India or Pakistan) has a more vibrant democracy. Comparisons are odious but if you still insist I think we should look at democratic traditions of Switzerland. It might be the size of one of our smaller states, but its democratic traditions are much stronger. It is a small country but definitely inspires. There are lots of things wrong in Pakistan and its establishment, but when the same establishment makes a positive move, it should be appreciated. I dont think it makes me less Indian or less patriotic if I appreciate something which is good (in my opinion), but it happens to be Pakistani in origin. Ballu yaar, you still dont get it... this is NOT about INDIA vs PAKISTAN. Why do we have to time and again start comparing the good and the bad?

``So much for debate and Indian ``democratic politics``............``

I am sure you can get some ``inspiration`` from the Pakistani ``democracy``.............

Enforced mass simplicity is worse than any individual`s or group`s ostentation. He who enforces univeral simplicity today will definitely demand blind obedience from all tomorrow.

Simplicity should arise organically from people`s beliefs. It will come when people`s worth or success is not measured by their possessions and wealth alone.

39 by jang

The court behaved in this case like a barking donkey. They should mind their own business, avoid meddling in the personal affairs of the citizens and trying to don up a mantle of a social reformer. The worst thing they have done is issuing of `Fatwas` on culture and social values by calling some of them as Hinduistic. In Punjab the burdon of marriage expences falls more on the bride`s home but in the Pathan families it is the reverse. The latter not only do not offer wedding meals to Barat but even charge a good amount of money as a price for the bride. In my own conservative family the marriage ceremonies once used to be so simple that people often remarked that it could not be differentiated some times whether it was a marriage being celebrated or mourning being performed. Today they are wont to offer more lavish meals on `Qul` and `Chaleeswan` than on waleema, etc.. The simpe fact is that cultural and social values cannot be changed by legislation or judicial decisions. In fact the judicial system in Pakistan is so corrupt and expensive the earliest it is done away with the better as it is delivering nothing but the denial of justice and at what a cost both to the tax payers and the litigants.

salil #37

i dont like such a law, and would prefer a debate in media as well as parliament. however, your disenchantment with the democracy is noted. i thought POTA has been repealed, is it not true?

regarding communities, i think Punjus take the cake in ostentatious behavior and i absolutely love it, the Sangeet and Mehendi, and the barat. everyone should do it, rather than the boring ``pure`` practice. i mean life after marriage is dull enough. if girls father cannot afford it, its too bad. he can say that he does not want to pay for it, simple! OTOH, if he out of vanity is overspending beyond his means, that is simply stupid and a social movement to correct this supidity is in order. in the mean while why stop fun of those who can afford it?

#35 by jang on December 21, 2004 1:46pm PT
.......attack against an entire community, the good panjabis ;-)``


A very interesting point made.
Infact the rich are the biggest spenders and profligates. And profligacy and extravagency infact is required if one has to have more desire for affluence>......,..those who would be poor would infact desire and aspire for ``one cold or hot drink``..............OTH those who desire to be rich would spend more.........infact ``cheap`` civil legislations do not make for good economic policies.....................

Many a times the legislature has failed in its duties and has lead to the judiciary to intervene. There need not be a law coming from the legislature everytime. Directives of the judiciary are equal to laws made by legislatures. Politicians dither from making laws which might affect their vote banks. Judiciary has no such fear and thus when there is a vacuum, the judiciary fills in. Its not just this issue; Judicial activism has been seen at its best in the area of environment. The government has failed to take congnisance of destruction of delicate ecosystems by unscrupulous elements. The judiciary has stepped in and given directives to stop such activities. These directives are today as good as laws which have saved the environment from destruction. (Silent Valley, Patancheru pollution are just couple of examples). The legislature is still sleeping on these issues.

jang ji, the article is no attack on any community in particular. All communities suffer from this extravagance syndrome and it is only worsening. As for my being in ``awe of an ORDANANCE`` is concerned, let me tell you thats not the case. We all know the quality of debate going on in the Indian Parliament these days. The way the taxpayers money is being spent by our respectable Parliamentarians would shame every Indian. God alone knows how laws are going to be passed when the Parliament gets stalled on issues like the arrest of former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti, Petroleum Minister Manishankar Aiyar’s “disrespect” of freedom fighter Veer Savarkar, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s alleged “discourteous behaviour” to an Opposition delegation, Lalu not coming to the house or the treatment being meted out to Shankaracharya. Anyway since you are opposed to ordinances and interested in bills, just log on to the parliament website and check how many bills have been passed by our parliament in the last one year after a proper debate. You wont have to go very far back: The Rs 500,000-crore Finance Bill for the year 2004-05 was passed without discussion coz the opposition boycotted the proceedings. So much for debate and Indian ``democratic politics``.

heh heh heh

’NO’ to Ostentatious Displays

Dear Mr Author,

I think this is a veiled attack against an entire community, the good panjabis ;-)

This article is pure treason, since it is in awe of an ORDANANCE. In Indian (democratic) politics, laws are formed after much debate in parliament as well as media, and people get to air their views. The author is awe of a heavy-handed ordanance, why? Is it his personal makeup or comunal makeup?

Never say No no ostentatious Displays and wasteful expenditure because you spend the money you have earned and were keeping it hoarded somewhere. When you spend even if it is on wasteful expenses or ostentatious displays, you create employment opportunities and money gets circulated. If you stop all this, where will all those lightwalas, fireworkswalas, khanabananewalas and waiters etc. etc. etc. will go and earn.

So, get up and spend and put money in circulation.

Regards to all.

=== Interact Filtered ===
view this users filtered interacts

Though the author makes a well reasoned arguement, I oppose it on grounds of principle. The state should not be in the business. of monitoring celebrations.

Oye Karya

Tu RSS (Rashtreeya Sikh Sangat) da member hai? Tu tey uthey vi Islami panga vekhda hai jithey Hindu nu vee khyal nahi aanda. Chill mar dude, and remember Saukhi gal sab taun sikhni chaidi aey. That is what even Ballu needs to understand.

=== Interact Filtered ===
view this users filtered interacts

Salil Kader,

There are many things wrong here. First, the court has usurped the function of the Legislature. The Judiciary is there to interpret the law and not make the law. The Court determining the number of guests and even the menu is deplorable. It is clearly trespassing into the privacy of the individual. It has been said often (mostly by me) that you can`t legislate your way to enlightenment or modernity. This is something that has to come from below. It can`t be imposed from the top. How does the Court propose to enforce it`s ruling? By appointing `wedding inspectors`? The term itself sounds obscene. More bureaucracy and more corruption.

Your opinions are heart-warming and intentions noble. However, as the saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. I`m reminded of a movie I watched many years ago. The husband is a suspicious man slowly slipping into psychosis. He takes to locking up his wife before going to office everyday. The wife joyfully co-operates, agreeing that it is actually in her own good.

PS:
You can take heart from the J&K Government`s initiative in this regard. The terms imposed seem to be even more stringent than those of the Pakistani court.

Aren`t Hollywood and Bollywood films with 5 Crore set extravagent especially when they are to be dismantled after the shoot?
What about the corporate dinners or the paid holidays on some private beach!
what about the election posters ? Democracies spend millions of rupees on strewing them all over the country??

So who decides what is ``extravagant`` ?

So is it a ``proof`` that the Pakistani Judiciary is proactive? OTH, it is just a cheap trick that Paki SC Judges want to get- the same guys who have given legitimacy to their dictators..............Can we imagine the food inspectors and police goons vandalizing marriage or some party in order to see whether any ``extravagancy`` has been commited or not??