Note by Sean Gabb:Will they replace some of the statues of the Queen/Empress/Goddess so intemperately removed by the heirs of Mr Gandhi? Will they rename Delhi as Fatihabad Macaulay? SIG
Dear friends
A few days ago I had sent out an email seeking initial funding for Swarna Bharat party (SBP), India’s ONLY party committed purely to your liberty. Other parties want to get power so they can rule you. SBP wants to (ultimately) be elected to power so we can demolish the idea that government has any power.
The initial start to the fund raising appeal was reasonably good. We have raised commitments worth Rs.1.26 lakhs in around 3-4 days. After that I got busy with finalising the SKC agenda (which is now with the printer. You can download the latest version here:Â http://sonekichidiya.in/Documents/SKC-totalreformagenda-draft.pdf (do share with as many people as you can).
And thereafter we’ve had a small hiccup on SBP. A key office bearer has had a serious illness in the family and the work of opening SBP’s bank account could not be initiated (we have already got a PAN number, so we are ready in all other ways). We are now making alternative arrangements and the account should hopefully be opened next week.
In the meanwhile, I would like to request you to commit your contribution (if you’ve not already done so), by completing the form:Â https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1dtQHym98k-VB6VxHr5znZaX15-QfXOkzMeVLfOMi0Yk/viewform
Current commitments (from 17 persons) are available here:Â https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vOCCfWOlEZcugfRu5rMpMOleRiPNG4AfCRJjs6N8H_8/edit#gid=0.
The target is Rs.3 lakhs to kickstart the party. Details regarding use of these funds are available here:Â http://swarnabharat.in/fund-raising-appeal-rs-3-lakhs-to-set-up-systems-and-office-for-swarna-bharat-party-please-commit-funds/
Please also share this email widely with everyone you know. Let it be known that India’s first GENUINELY liberal party is now being activated.Â
The party can’t grow only with money. It needs outstanding leaders (and people with administrative talent who can work as volunteers in the Delhi office and state offices). We have a very small team at the moment (all start-ups necessarily start small), but it is now time to get involved. At least five years of solid grassroots work will be needed. Be prepared for at least five, if not ten years of solid work in order to achieve real results.
People can express interest in joining SBP here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1miqXng6lYOmrKQL_ZmauCrIA14cOQb8dLBZ6MfIO9pg/viewform. Formal membership process will be initiated in the coming months.Â
If you are ready to be a leader, I’d like to speak with you directly over the phone. Write to me.
Regards
Sanjeev
British rule in India was far from perfect, but sadly independence from Britain meant higher (not lower) taxes and government spending, and vastly more regulations – the “permit Raj” replaced the British Raj.
Just about the only economic policy improvement was that of getting rid of the tax on salt – a suggestion that Philip Francis made in the 1700s, but which Warren Hastings vetoed.
In recent years there has been some real deregulation in India (some roll back of the “permit Raj) – and this has brought real gains for the people of India.
However, “SBP” (I confess I have never heard of them before) are quite correct – vastly more deregulation is needed.
Also a new danger has emerged.
The last Congress Party government (voted out of office at the last Indian election) promised “free” (taxpayer paid for) education, healthcare, and income support for hundreds of millions of people (starting with a few, but building up – as is often the case).
If something is not done to roll back these wild (and growing) schemes, India will be heading for same economic and social bankruptcy as much of Europe and the United States.