The 12-hour Bharat Bandh called by opposition parties on Monday was near-total in all states except a few. The estimated loss to economy is upwards of Rs 10,000 crore. This includes loss in production, industrial output and business. In addition to this, damage to public property as seen in some parts of the country like Mumbai has to be added to arrive at the final figure.

Scores of long-distance trains and flights were cancelled across Indian cities causing huge monetary loss and great inconvenience to hapless passengers. The Bandh effect was evident in the low volumes of trading seen in the country’s stock exchanges. While trading volume came down by 52% in BSE, NSE clocked 35% less trading.

The Industry bigwigs lamented the state of affairs.  Rahul Bajaj, industrialist and former parliamentarian acknowledged the bandh call as legitimate, even while condemning the effect it has on common man and economy. He said, “It is completely legal for the Opposition to voice its protest against price rise. But, there is more than one way to protest. Any protest which inconveniences the common man should not be resorted to.” The view finds support with Adi Godrej, Chairman, Godrej group. He said, “Political parties interfering and disturbing day-to-day work is not at all appropriate. The protest is quite odd and absurd.”

While government accepts that the recent deregulation of fuel prices resulting in marginal rise of their prices would worsen the inflation situation in the country, it is termed as an inevitable step in doing away with subsidies. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee points out that this will benefit the economy in the long run by helping in scaling down fiscal deficit.

Despite all the assurances, politics took precedence resulting in colossal damage to the economy.

An increasing and disturbing trend in the agriculture sector of India has recently come to light. The ever increasing population has already lapped up a percentage of the agricultural land. The woes don’t end here though. Even as the cropland keeps shrinking, what is more bothersome is the fact that the agriculture sector is not able to hold a candle to the blossoming service sector. The farms in India have been consistently unable to attract either capital or human resource.

Even those who are studying agriculture in universities, are more interested in taking up private or government jobs instead of taking care of forms or contributing in improving agricultural methods and equipment. Farming is simply not considered an attractive profession.

The green revolution, which helped make the nation self sufficient in terms of food production, may not be able to stand against this new wave. A poll taken amongst farmers has reported that almost forty percent of Indian farmers wanted to give up farming but could not for the want of an alternative career.

The reason attributed to this shift in interest is that even though the green revolution brought in a remarkable change, little has happened in the agricultural sector after it. Meanwhile the other industries have undergone a complete transformation and offer a stable source of income.

If the government doesn’t realize that the current state of affairs has left little advantage in farming as a profession, the country would soon have to face a crises of a different kind.

As expected, Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) founder member and its general secretary Parakala Prabhakar has quit the party on Thursday and made a scathing attack on the party.

Comparing the party to that of an infected tree, Prabhakar said PRP has developed into an unwanted political force.

He was addressing a media conference after submitting his resignation.

“I am quitting the party with a lot of pain because I have failed to convince the party leaders not to go on a wrong track.”

He said the motive behind starting the party seems to be something different. The rumours doing rounds about PRP are true to a large extent, Prabhakar said adding it was his duty to tell the party workers that the party is infected with poison.

“I don’t want to accuse anyone in particular for the state of affairs in the party, but I can say that PRP is like a company and I am leaving it. I am not sure PRP is a forum that is working honestly.”

Prabhakar said he was quitting the party to clean-up his mistakes, but he was not sure whether to continue in politics.

Parakala Prabhakar Resigned Tomorrow :
Parakala Prabhakar , the official spokes person of PRP has resigned for PRP primary membership and the same latter of resignation was handed over to PRP office staff in Hyd today afternoon.

Parakala surprised every one by making serious allegation on PRP from the PRP office media center.