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India, a poor country of rich people?
| Saturday, July 16, 2011
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The Chembur Tilak Nagar Ganapati in Mumbai always makes news during Ganeshotsav,not so much for its grand façade as for its association with the gangster-murderer Chhota Rajan. He is the criminal who recently took responsibility for murdering the journalist, J Dey. In a Pune locality, the 'Chor Madhu temple' is so-called because it was apparently funded by an accomplished thief who targeted the homes of the wealthy. One break-in would result in booty worth lakhs. Legend has it that he stashed his ill-gotten wealth below this temple because that's the last place the police would want to touch. From time to time one hears of unnamed wealthy devotees making sensational offerings of gold and diamonds to their favourite deity. Such devotees often seek anonymity- is it out of humility or to escape the attention of extortionists and the Income Tax department?
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Such is the astronomical dimension of temple wealth in India that one is left wondering whether India is a poor country of rich people or a rich country of poor people. How does one explain the starvation deaths and the acute poverty of millions of people on the one hand and the billions of dollars of gold lying in the coffers of temple trusts? Can't this wealth be used to construct good quality schools, colleges, hospitals, vocational training centres and whatever else may be required to address the issues of poverty? To be fair, many prominent religious trusts, notably, the Tirumala TirupatiDevasthnams which manages the famous Sri Venkateshwara Temple at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh,do undertake a variety of charitable activities. However, what is the proportion of this spending vis-à-vis the stockpiled gold and the donations received, year after year? History suggests that the estimated Rs One lakh crore treasure discovered in the hidden vaults of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple in Kerala was deposited there by the Travancore kings, partly to hide it from the British and also to use it during famines and other calamities. Accumulating since ancient times, this treasure remained untouched out of fear of the wrath of divine powers. This is how the temple wealth has largely remained intact, although the cold fear of the deity's curse has subsided over time while generous contributions from devotees have continued to pour in. The recent allegations of financial irregularities at the Sri Satya Sai Central Trust with assets of an estimated Rs 40,000 crore are a case in point. This enormous wealth belongs to the people and is meant for their welfare. However, it remains in the tight control of a few custodians. Although the wealth of the Christian community in India is in large tracts of land with various churches, many church properties in Mumbai, Pune and elsewhere have been sold for a pittance, often with the connivance of the trustees to unscrupulous builders and politicians. Likewise is the case with the Wakf Board properties for the benefit of the muslims. Religious establishments should certainly be allowed full control over a percentage of their wealth for the maintenance of the establishment and the propogation of the religion. Beyond that however, their wealth should compulsorily be used for the welfare of society. The true spirit of religion lies in serving humanity and not in qualifying for theboast of the wealthiest temple in the neighbourhood. v_abhay@dnaindia.net
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By narahari k Sep 14, 2011 Dear Mr Abhaiy,
A point of discussion in line with your view;
1. "Distribution of wealth in our society" i,e 80% of wealth with 20 % of people.
2. Utility of funds received in the religeous trust. Fund generated are public money, 'DONATED BY INDIVIDUAL FOR THEIR FAITH FOR BETTER UTILITY, HOWEVER IN THE HANDS OF FEW, IT IS NOT REACHING THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS DONATED FOR'.
There are many law to control the religIous fund but they are enough.
I have a suggestion wherein, it should be made complusry for trust to use more than 60 % fund received in the tust for the social cause, like health education and food. Statistics show many people still have only one meals or less in a day.
The regulation of the fund is necessary,
The current scams because of the greedy for money.
Only law will not solve the problem; Every one has to learn the sharing, healping and co-operation.
The basic need of the hour is to act like HUMAN not like......?.
The funds of Hindu temples is lavishly spend on churches and mosques.how you will feel when you send your money to your family and bank distributes most of that on whomever they like.remember devotees give their hard earned money to deities.Don't call temple money as the thef't money.if you don't apologies after you see this.i curse you with bramhahathi dosha.
By kbhagavtula Jul 31, 2011 mandirs are private hindu bodies are out of the gambit of secular government.They do not need sermons from you, especially who had no exposure to the dharma in their household. Read, know and learn before you wrie about dharmic institutions.
this is simplly generalisation of human physychological fear,greed,if we look in history,,people have cheated by socalled divine inspiration of fear,greed,supernatural miracle, which canbe ingrained in people easily without any efforts, biggest treasure is govt,people and its system,nature have given bountiful to everyone,it depend upon peoples skill ,how to convert it to valuable, whole precious gold jewellary is useles,if another person donot buy,it is myth perpetuated on poor people to keep them dreamy,,actually it is one determination and hardwork with good system of reward,justice always inspire people to be fair,cooperative and generous towards havenots,power always exploited weakness of people,by scare,hyponotism,brainwashing instilling fear in their mind,,some people wealth is totally dependant upon other hardwork without any good wages,,controling demand and supply network,as we are seeing how america is doing with manipulation of his high dollars,controling finance system,where 1% are made rich just to show to world and 80% are made struggling in long race of dreamy world perpetuated by media,,rosy film and magazines,made addicted by pshycho drugs,tabacoo,iqour and made inescapable part of mute spectator of system ,some call it great topic of journalism,yallow or white,dnotmatter because majority of people have differnt eye to see differnt colour,one incident is made national disastor and million death made another data,statisitics,,shame to us,, we are stillin slumber of intoxication,,
By Satyam Pathak Jul 26, 2011 You are absolutely right. But what these damn corrupted government can't do these type of stuffs for the welfare of society. Instead of that, they will try their best to get a part over this enormous wealth of the temple.
We can't expect the welfare from that side. If we want to welfare then we have to make a step.
By Rohitkumar Jul 21, 2011 In reply to Vikas' comment below you wrote: We are making a fundamental mistake by stating that "poverty alleviation is the job of the government". It is our collective responsibility. - Haven't the people collectively elected the govt so that it would discharge, on their behalf, their collective responsibility of poverty alleviation? If so, then shouldn't they stand aside and let it do the job they have entrusted it to do? Isn't this the way the people discharge all their collective responsibilities in a democracy, i. e. through the govt they elect for the very purpose?
says:
Rohitkumar, you'll agree that just electing the government is not enough. In fact many of us don't vote so they are not doing even that much. There are many ways by which all of us can contribute our mite.
Any body can say anything and get away just because this is a democracy.what is your qualification?what you know about spirituality ?
Are you that qualified to preach what has to be done about the wealth of Lord Venkateshwara and Padmanabhaswamy ?I am not qualified i know that.everything is owned by Him.He is maintaining everyone in the universe.He is Lord of Lords.you arguments like 'Does the deity you worship or the god you worship need your money?' are atheistic and shows your shallow understanding.
By Raghavendra Jul 21, 2011 Abhay,
What has your education done? It only increased corrupt people. Do you think education (that you are thinking of) will change this country? For your information most of the corrupt who has lots of black money stashed are not illiterates. If I am giving money to temple, I will cry if my money is used to give this useless British education. Learning how to sign and do some mathematics or trying to write our own opinions as gospel truth is not education nor do we call them educated.
In our village I hardly see any farmers now because their sons are educated!! They are educated enough to neither go back to farming happily nor to get good jobs out there in the city.
Usage of money for food? - Did you ever visit Tirupati? Did you ever visit Udupi Krishna temple? Do you know how everyday prasadam is distributed there?
Coming to Travancore kings. Even if they have hidden it out of fear of British, for your information we got independence by 1947 August 15th.
How many software engineers who are earning 4+ lacs a year are paying tax religiously? How many are showing dummy rent receipts? BTW, they are cream of the country - highly educated people.
What about hospitals? In my life I pray to Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy that if I have to die let me die with heart attack or atleast at a go before I even reach any hospital. They may treat you to let you live - but they will kill you for ever looting you. BTW, they are cream of the country - highly educated people.
India might be having so much of smelly caste system, envious kings fighting with each other. But there were no beggars, there were hardly any orphans and we didn't require theresa kind of people to take care the society was already considerate. Your modern education is what is making people more and more selfish.
Go and ask for donations from people who are wasting their valuable money and time in Pubs, IPL Cricket matches (giving crores to foreigners) and use it. Not from people who are happily giving money to Lord.
One more thing - may be you don't even try to study our holy scriptures deeply (for you they are written by intelligent man to control people and not God). It is not "your money" it is "Lord's money" that they are returning back to Him to become more detached.
Go and ask the oldies who after retirement also are still taking to jobs (and we keep complaining about unemployment). In olden days people would retire by 50 remember that.
I beg you - please do not propagate information without studying anything deeply. You are basically saying crores of people who visit Tirupati for years are all blind people to reality?
Please India had most intelligent people even now, and they are not fools to give donations to temples.
Remember, as long as we were keeping Lord, Temples etc., in center somewhere from north pole (england) also people adventured so much (risking their lives) to find out where the rich India is. All these things inspite of smelly caste system, and envious k
says:
What India needs is a far greater public-private emphasis on education and health. Swami Vivekananda and Sir Jamshetji Tata would agree with Amartya Sen on this point.
By johnnyferns.blogspot,com Jul 21, 2011 A really thought provoking article. I just hope they would really do it as mentioned. Another suggestion would be to pay our country's external debt and raise the value of our currency so that we can buy a lot more for a rupee. It would also help the poor to a great extent.
Hi Abhay
First a few facts corrected to define the so called wealth that has been discovered.
There is a difference between wealth and money. The treasure that has been discovered in the Kerala temple has miniscule money. Majority of a lakh crore treasure are ancient artifacts which can be named as 'National Treasure'. May I ask you how you will realise cash from gold idols / ornaments of gods which form major part of treasure. Are you going to auction it in the market? Will it be worthy of us to melt ancient gold idols of historical value?
Even it this treasure is considered built from taxes, the argument falls flat because of the treasure's historical value. Taj Mahal , Red Fort, Qutab Minar, Parliament House all were built from loot money, so why not to sell them and raise money for people good? In fact the palacial rashtrapati bhawan 's prime land would be more than a lakh crore. Sell it, president of starving country doesn't need 300 room palace.
Poverty alleviation etc. is the job of government and technically charitable institutions are not responsible to provide education, medicine etc to underpriviliged. Just because government has failed to do its job, it doesn't make case to destroy our national treasure.
What we need is better control and monitoring of these assets, not to be put in trustees hand, but somebody like ASI, into a museum where Indians can visit and apprecite our history. Being poor or rich has nothing to do with selling your history and Gods.
says:
Dear Vikas,
You are right in the context of the Padmanabhaswamy temple. I'm talking about the gold offerings that are received year after year by the major temple trusts of India. One trust, for example, receives 3,000 kg of it every year. What for? Does the deity offer blessings in return for gold?
We are making a fundamental mistake by stating that "poverty alleviation is the job of the government". It is our collective responsibility.
By MINAL S LALKA Jul 21, 2011 i truly agree with your suggetions the common middle class man is strugling for daily needs childrens education then also is deprived of basic neccesities there is no help fpr middle class people low class have all the help from govt including free house but no one to understand the hardships of middle class people.
Hi, This biased article is anti hindu like to the christian and other minority loving government. The Christian Missionaries get every year 60000 Crores for conversion funds. Have you analyzed the money that is being spent in disgusting activities in the name of education and healthcare. A two year old's nursery rhymes has illustrations of Christmas, Valentine Day, Christian Marriages but no temple....
One visit to Putuparthi will tell you how much they are doing probably they do not have the Pope connection hence the blessing of Sonia Gandhi the supreme missionary so they are in news while the Archbishops (wtf are these)are interfering in polictics and indulging in conversion.....
says:
Honestly, Rajeev, the article has little to do with religions and more to do with blind faith. We should open our eyes to what is happening in our religious bodies and demand greater transparency.
Dear Mr. Vaidya,
I agree with your thoughts, there are many laws in India to control the accountability of the charitable trust act; but the law and effects need to be more stringent and culprits require to be punished as early as possible lets say within 1-2 years. The present system takes beyond 20 years to punish the culprits, how come the present system of will acts as deterrent to the prospecting offenders.
Another point i would like to mention, that the wealth accumulated in the charitable trust by the public funding, it should be made compulsory to utilize minimum 60 % of the wealth in the social services, mainly health, education and up bringing of human values.
Thanks for the good article,
says:
Your suggestion makes lot of sense. Till the powerful are punished for violating laws, as they do in the US and Europe, laws will continue to have no meaning in India. They will be flouted openly. That's why movements like the one by Anna Hazare spring up.
By Yashvin Patel Jul 21, 2011 Journalists have protected criminals be it be corruption or extortion. In India Mafia/politicians/officials nexus drives parallel economy with state machinery connivance.
Should some journalists try to expose the evil nexus than his life will have price tag of bullets.
India's ills boils down to simple logic, all its ills be it be pollution, deceases, environmental degradation, terrorism, poverty, poor education system etc., are all due to evil of corruption.
However India's corrupt elected are not interested to solve the problems related to ills of India because it has taken passive people of India for granted. People live in fear of STATE MACHINARY like police, army etc.
I feel only Youth of India can bring the change about as it is 60% of population, mind you most of youth are poor & aspirational, which means they will fall prey to corrupt system and mediocracy. So change in India looks impossible unless people take action with Anna Hazare or we'll have many good dedicated journalists dead along with innocent people
By Yashvin Patel Jul 21, 2011 Temples/any religious organisations have duty to do good. However devotees can't allow corrupt politicians/officials to guard or use the temple wealth for the benefit of poor.
In present case Indians have black money stashed in foreign banks, and protected by governments' elected representatives/officials. Imagine 'what will government to to temple wealth in the name of poor?'
I'm of the opinion that government can only be trusted to do things right if it removes corrupt practices by stringent inmplementation of laws(strong LOKPAL).
Alternative to that would be empty words and journalistic paap for the benefit of simple hystria.
says:
Temple wealth should be used constructively in a transparent manner. There is of course no suggestion that the politicians and bureaucrats should be given the control over temple wealth.
Its shame when you have dynasty govt ruling and no one is doing any thing.when you have a secular govt and all rules are to appease muslims and minority. when Majority is not respected and there is no law and order. InThat country only fittest of survival Jangal laws prevail. Hindus , free and educated will always live better then others as hey are intelllegent for themselves.
By Nilanjana Ghosh Jul 20, 2011 Really a great piece of writing Sir, and a very valid point taken up . Loved reading it . Nilanjana.
Can we really trust the politicians with all this wealth?? The articles in the Hindu on the history and elsewhere proves that rulers of Travancore were far better custodians of this wealth. Better idea is to display the antiquities in a museum of international standards and then use those proceedings for the temple and social causes.
Your idea is lofty... but I guess one visit to Puttaparthi would make you understand that there is a lot of public good happening there... visit the hospitals and education institutions or the villages that have benefitted from the water project and you will know that money is indeed being used for public good! Wonder why the Government hasnt been capable of doing even this in so many years? Besides, you do realise that the wealth (as you call it) found in Baba's personal chamber is what His devotees have offered Him. People give Him the money because they see the good use that it is put to... You should find out why the Charity attracts so much wealth rather than giving suggestions on how you think it could be put to use... As I said earlier, one visit to the Ashram and you will know... In name of good journalism, please verify before you decide to have an opinion, let alone write it!
says:
Dear Srividhya,
The fact that the Anantapur Police intercepted a man surreptitiously transporting Rs 35.50 lakhs in cash that was removed from the Satya Sai Central Trust at Puttaparthi, substantiates the point that there is no transparency in the management of the wealth accumulated by religious bodies from the devout. Using a small portion of that wealth to showcase charitable work is not enough. There should be absolute transparency. Also, people should not be gullible and give gold to such bodies. We should follow the example of Nandan Nilekani and Azim Premji who are directly funding school education and other valuable projects rather than give money to religious bodies.
A question.
If a donation is to be made? is there any government or IT department sources cross verify whether the donation is purely had all tax related work ??
If not it is not problem about donor and it is purely mistake by the temple authority or government who is accepting money/gold/silver/hair or what ever.
Why endowment is under government ? to look into this kind of issues or eat this amount ?
Can anybody show details of who the magic number 40,000 crore came in this article??
Aren't we seeing the reflection of kind of hospitals, educational centers and water projects being built ?
Is there any other place I can see with this kind of help in this stupid world?
Is there any rule that the donations should spend for only charity ? but actually getting done in sathya sai trust.
Tirumala tirupathi devastanam is not even able to run a single veda school and it is richest. But many unbelievable stuff happening with sathya sai trust.
If we have good mind lets encourage and participate in good activities.
Otherwise lets have unnecessary postings in internet.
says:
Dear Sri,
There is considerable ambiguity about the valuation of the Satya Sai Trust assets. The Rs 40,000 crore estimate has been quoted by various credible media organisations as a conservative one. Therefore, a valuation must be done in the public interest to set speculation at rest. Once again, we are not discussing specific and isolated examples but looking at the larger picture of the lack of accountability of money and jewellery given by the faithful to religious organisations. We should demand accountability and proper utilisation of the wealth thus generated. Not leave it to the trustees to use it or misuse it as they please.
By P Deshpande Jul 18, 2011 Vaidya Saaheb, write about anything. But please do not write about sex.
your thoughts are really noble and perhaps worthwhile to implement. It is nonetheless very easy to preach but rather difficult to practice! PLease let the country know your income and i will let you know how to use it for the same noble purpose mentioned by you and also let the world know what SELFLESS SEVA you have undertaken. Please get your facts right on the usage of funds by some of the temples/churches/mosques that you are referring to, please note there are many religious trusts that are misusing the funds too, which also you need to find and bring out in the open. I am sorry no offence meant to you, but it is bad when irresponsible and dishonest information is perpetrated by media. Let the media not have a "HOLIER THAN THOU" attitude whcih it has currently. Let the tax payers money be used properly first or else we will loose this too to our filthy politicians and businessmen.
says:
Dear Mr Raja,
You cannot be blind to what is happening around you. Can't you see how foolish it is to give gold to temples and other religious organisations? Does the deity you worship or the god you worship need your money?
By dr naveen laiker Jul 18, 2011 excellent thoughts on solid facts with solutions to improve nation.
By JAYANT RAUT Jul 18, 2011 THE DEVOTEES OFFERING IMMNSE WEALTH TO DEITIES DOES CONSTITUTE THE PART OF OUR NATIOAL WEALTH,SO IF THE SAME IS SPENT OVER THE BETTERMENT OF THE PEOPLE OF THE NATION, WHAT IS WRONG. DONOT DIVIDE MONEY INTO ACCOUNTED & NON A/CED.IT IS COLOURLESS AS LONG AS IT LEAD TO HAPPIENESS OF PEOPLE,THE NATION.
says:
No Mr Raut. If the money is unaccounted, it is more likely than not to be misused. Please do not underestimate the capacity for human greed.
By Rohitkumar Jul 18, 2011 How can any of the temple's wealth be compulsorily used for the welfare of society? Is there a law that would enable the government to do so? Wouldn't you rather expect the government to follow the laws?
I like the angle you take on this, Abhay. India is a Poor Country of rich people but the situation is not limited to this temple and possibly many others. Lets look at the offshore wealth that is being stashed in the modern day rather. As Krsna says “To the illumined man or woman, a clod of dirt, a stone, and gold are the same.”
To the poor and starving in India, a government and a corrupt system are the same.
says:
True. It's part of the same story.
By human soul Jul 17, 2011 "it will remain aching unless & untill used for constructive development"
like parks, schools, colleges, research centers,etc.
On what authority Mr. Vaidya says Travancore royalty kept the wealth with the Padmanabha swamy temple to hide it from British. The kings used to keep the wealth in the temple in the presence of people and records were kept of the same some of which are still available today. It is said a British regent had taken over all the temple wealth and made them government propety. And the Queen repurchased the assets and handed back to the temple. Yes, a part of the wealth which has no historical/ archeological value can be utilised for improving education, public health etc. But whom do we entrust the money with. Corrupt politicians? Is ther no corruption in Tirupati devastanam? Kerala will have to invent half a dozen Anna Hazares to spend the money in a proper manner. Unfortunately Kerala does not have many. kerala will have to invite Anna and his team for the purpose.
says:
Dear Mr Nair,
Some amount of research will throw up the British angle as one of the explanations for the Travancore royalty's wealth deposited with the Padmanabhaswamy temple. I agree that deeper, authoritative research is necessary to establish the facts.
By satish bhardwaj Jul 16, 2011 Religion is a private affair so is the wealth of temple, gurdwara, masjid and church. Need is to concentrate on public wealth being misused.
says:
Yes, Mr Bharadwaj, religion ought to be a private affair but the wealth of religious bodies is not somebody's private property. It is public property as it has been created out of public contributions. It should be used for public welfare in keeping with the spirit of religion.
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