DMS News #5: Exploitation & Artificial Scarcity

From: "Girish Deva"
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: DMS News #5: Exploitation + Artificial Scarcity
Date: Sun, 06 Feb 2011 14:33:10 +0530

Baba


            == DMS NEWS #5: EXPLOITATION + ARTIFICIAL SCARCITY ==

Note: This letter is related with the prior posting, Ananda Marga Gatherings: Two Models.


http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2011/02/ananda-marga-gatherings-two-models.html

Namaskar,
First and foremost, our Marga is a family; all are the sons and daughters of our Divine Father, Baba. Perhaps more than any other point, Baba has emphasized this again and again: We are all brothers and sisters of the same universal family. That is one of the specialties and most beautiful aspects of Ananda Marga.

Unfortunately, one of the ongoing dealings at our DMS functions at Ananda Nagar undermines this family feeling. Specifically, at our DMS functions, rooms in the Prout  Bhavan, Gurukul and Farm House rent for 1200 rupees.

Now you may ask, what does this have to do with our family feeling. Well, frankly speaking, this is an amount that most of our brothers and sisters simply cannot afford to pay.

Many go to AN for various reasons as it is an essential element of our AM way of life. Tragically the greater percentage of margiis cannot afford rooms at Ananda Nagar. The rooms are priced too high, far more than hotels in India of a similar standard. That is the first problem.

Secondly, the margiis who do pay that amount feel that the organisation is "doing business with me." Because the RS 1200 fee is far more than what the room is actually worth, i.e. what it costs to operate the room (electricity, water etc) during the DMS. So the whole ordeal is like getting a room in a hotel; those who pay that amount understand it is a business transaction.

Finally, there are some who wish to get a room but they cannot find an empty space due to the high demand for rooms in the Prout Bhavan. To learn more about this situation, be sure to read note 3 at the bottom of this email.


                              THEY HAVE THEIR OWN JUSTIFICATION

Of course, those charging that exorbitant fee for the Prout Bhavan rooms have their own logic. Their justification is that:  "People are not coming here on a regular basis - they only come for DMS - and I have to maintain this room the whole year. That is why I am charging more."

But the reply is that in order to maintain Ananda Nagar, they are already collecting donations year-round from margiis all around the world. Teams of acaryas collect money from around the globe in order to support Ananda Nagar.

The overall effect of charging RS 1200 during DMS is that our family feeling becomes affected.

The funny thing about this is that certain organisational leaders feel they are making a good profit by renting the rooms at that high price - i.e. above market value. But what they do not understand is that if the rooms were rented at a very nominal fee - just enough to cover costs - or even better if is was done on a donation basis, then margiis would feel sentimentally and personally linked. They would feel that "this is the property of my organisation and this property belongs to all margiis." They would feel emotionally attached.


                                      WHAT OTHER MOVEMENTS DO

Numerous organisations and movements in India take this very same approach. They offer room, lodging, or seminars at no cost to their members. That way a large population of people can attend their gatherings. And instead of charging a fixed rate fee, it is all based on donation. In that case those who donate do so generously with their heart; and those who cannot afford to pay have no complex or ill will. So it is a win-win situation. And that is the feeling which builds a strong society - not petty profits or a business relation. Our DMS programs should started modeling this approach as well.


                                  CULTIVATING A SENSE OF CLOSENESS

For instance, if rooms were offered at a nominal fee affordable to all or on a donation basis, margiis would certainly give their all if any problem arises or if the rooms need maintenance. They would feel that, "Those rooms belong to my Marga and they are my responsibility." That is the mind-set that develops when people feel sentimentally linked.

So if any problem comes, margiis would give plenty of money, time, and support in order to protect what they feel is rightfully theirs. That is the way it works. And that is best for everyone.

And indeed those organisations that understand this fact operate in this way. For instance the Jains have guest houses all over India for their followers. And the rate they charge is very, very minimal - just enough to cover expenses. And by this way they generate a family feeling that is far stronger than any profit margin. But not only that, those Jains who are wealthy generously donate large sums to support those guesthouses.

So in this dharmsala system, there is a very, very low nightly fee; the rooms are affordable to all. The result is that it generates a very sentimental and familial link. And because of this, followers donate generously to the dharmsala system.

There is no reason why this same method cannot be applied to our DMS gatherings.


                                                       SOLUTION

Here is the way to solve the problem: We should follow donation based system and offer accommodation to all at no charge, or there should be a very nominal fee. In addition, all should help out and work for the upkeep of the rooms and retreat sites if they are physically fit. That brings a sense of closeness. it develops collective spirit.

Please see all further news below on notes 2 & 3.

Namaskar,
Girish


Note 1:                           ONE OTHER POINT: EQUAL SEATING

As we all know, in Caryacarya part 1, Baba says that at dharmacakra in our jagrtis, all should sit on equal seats, irrespective of their social or economic status. This gives the idea that money is not a measure of one's respect. Islam follows a similar notion; the Indian seminar system also adheres to this standard. But, sorrowfully, in our own DMS gatherings, we are not following this guideline.

Note 2:          MORE NEWS ABOUT HOUSING AT THE JAN 2011 DMS

(This below report was submitted to me by one senior margii who also attended the DMS.)

- A margii brother paid Rs1200 for 3 days for a 20' x 18' room (with an attached bathroom and toilet) in the Prout Bhavan during the January 2011 DMS. The Prout bhavan offers private rooms on three separate floors. At this DMS all rooms were taken far ahead of time.

- Those who stayed in the common hall and veranda of the Prout Bhavan paid a variable rate based on their personal circumstances. These residents had to use the common bathroom and toilet.

- Another margii paid Rs1200 for 3 days for a comparatively smaller room in the Farm House.

- The Farm House is more run down (decrepit) than the Prout Bhavan as the electrical wiring & water tap in the Farm House look quite old.

- The Farm has two stories and most of the rooms in the Farm remained vacant.

- In the years since two separate DMS's (i.e. H and B) began at Ananda Nagar, the margiis who have been staying in the Prout Bhavan keep their same rooms year after year. As soon as they leave DMS on 2nd January they reserve the rooms for next time; and if for some reason they cannot attend then they authorise their close family friends to stay in those rooms. There is no scope for other general margiis to gain access to those rooms during DMS. A new margii has no chance of renting a room in the Prout Bhavan. In contrast, those margiis who stay in the common hallway of the Prout Bhavan and in the veranda, that population varies from year to year.

- The rooms in the Gurukul are also rented in the aforementioned manner.

- Sometimes margiis who do not regularly attend the January DMS wish to go. Because they know there is a scarcity of rooms, they contact influential margiis close to the avadhutas who run the Prout Bhavan and Gurukul. This is one technique employed to get a room. If on the off chance they get a room, they keep quiet about how much they had to pay.

- Two building managed by the Kolkata faction - The Farm and Upper Hostel - usually have plenty of space, i.e. empty rooms, during the Ranchi DMS. There is not much demand for those rooms. Also, those margiis who stay in the Children's Home pay a variable rate.

- In the AMURT building and the Farm House, there are some margiis stay in the rooms which they themselves constructed prior to 1990. If those margiis do not attend they will arrange for family members or friends to stay in those rooms. If still those rooms remain empty, then avadhutas will rent out those rooms. It is not known who keeps the rent money.


Note 3:       MISUTILISATION OF HOUSING & ARTIFICIAL SCARCITY

Here is one other critical component to this housing issue at DMS.

On the one side the Prout Bhavan - controlled by Ranchi side - is crowded people cannot get any rooms there as it is totally full and the on the other side the Farm House and Upper Hostel - controlled by B group - have so many empty rooms during DMS.

Why is this happening? Because one group (Ranchi) does not want or allow margiis to stay in buildings controlled by the other group (Kolkata). They (Ranchi) want their DMS attendees to remain under their supervision and not visit the other faction. Because if innocent margiis take shelter in a building controlled by a competing group (Kolkata), then those margiis may become sympathetic to that faction. And no one from Ranchi wants to lose supporters to B group. So this is another drama going on.

Because of all this, in cold weather people stay in open air verandas without proper covering while other good rooms are vacant at the Farm and Upper Hostel. And the Ranchi team is able to raise the rates of the Prout Bhavan as there is an artificial scarcity of rooms. Because it is frowned upon to stay in B group buildings, then that obviously creates a room shortage. Ranchi can then charge a high rate for their rooms.

This is all nothing but a terrible misutilisation of property; this runs contrary to both Prout and neo-humanism. This entire ploy smacks of artificial scarcity.

Here are a few things that Baba has to say about artificial scarcity:

Baba says, "In order to increase the size of their bank balances, the vaeshyas create an artificial scarcity of such items as food, clothing and other essential commodities, and then earn a profit by black marketeering." (Human Society Part 2)

Baba says, "Capitalists hoard essential commodities and create artificial scarcity to extract the maximum profit. As a result consumers pay inflated prices for essential commodities, and sometimes they even find that such goods are not available at all." (Prout in a Nutshell Part 14)


                           PRABHAT SAMGIITA

"Esecho, tumi esecho, bhuvan bhariya' esecho..." (PS 3289)

Purport:

Baba, by Your divine grace, You have come. You have come, with Your
effulgent presence this world has been filled with bliss. By Your arrival
everyone's pains, agonies and tortures have vanished. You have brought
effulgence along with You. Now, by Your causeless grace, no one will remain
in the dark any longer. You are expressing Yourself through the action,
knowledge, dhyana, and sadhana. You are the ocean of love & compassion.
Baba You are ever-gracious, blessing one and all. Everyone is dancing in
ecstasy. It is Your divine grace. Baba, You have come. The whole world is
getting transformed-- all are floating in Your bliss...

In Case You Did Not Read This

From: mybeloved baba
Date: Tue, Nov 2, 2010 at 3:04 PM
Subject: Fwd: Ananda Sambodhi land resold- more WTs involved in land sale
To: deveshkumar1963@gmail.com

Namaskar,
Ananda sambodhi land sale has created huge waves in entire world. Ananda Marga world is shocked. Only a few WTs are not shocked. We are going to reveal a few more names who are involved in this land sale. You will be shocked to learn those WT names. One senior WT dada went to court and obtained entire copies of most infamous land sale. Anybody can obtain these copies under RTI (Right to Information) Act of Indian law.

This land sale conspiracy was hatched under the intelligent guidance of Ac Nigamananda Avt. But you will be shocked to learn that nowhere his name appears in the land sale deed and court papers. He is so intelligent that he pulls the trigger on the shoulder of others.

Details of Power of Attorney:

Dated 6th Feb 2010-

Power of attorney was prepared in “District Register office” Ranchi. General Power of attorney Token no is 341. Power of attorney no is 2124/ 280/ 2010.

G.S Ac Dhruvananda Avt has signed the Power of attorney in the name of R.S. Kolkata Ac Navarunananda Avt.

Prepared by Ac Citsvarupananda Avt, Central Office Secretary

Witnessed by Ac Shubhadrananda Avt, Head Quarter Ranchi

Witnessed by Ac Nirmeghananda Avt, S.G (P.U) and member of Purodha Board.

Drafted by Advocate Mr. Sunil Kumar Ranchi

Details of land and buyer:

Total Area of Land is 5 Acres and 51 decimel. This land was sold to Mr. Mritunjay Roy son of Jagbandhu Roy, Palashdiha, P.O- Asansol (north). Land was registered at sub-divisional and additional sub registry office at Asansol, Dist Burdhwan. Quarry no is 5091/ 2010. Registered market value is 528864. (Sold at cost of 5 Crores)

Part of land resold to Sumit Agarwal: Mr Mritunjay Roy sold one Acre and 5 decimal land to Mr Sumit Agarwal Son of Sajjan Kumar Agarwal, 181, Arihant Apartment, 2nd Floor,34, Dak hind Hari Road, Calcutta – 48.

Office address of Sumit Agarwal- Omkara PolyPlast Pvt Ltd, 9th Floor, Pamec Street, Calcutta- 700017.

Questions:

1.    Why land was sold?
2.    Where money has been deposited or spent?
3.    Whether “G.S. Authority” is being misused due to ailing G.S Ac Dhruvananda. GS may not be knowing all these developments.
4.    Whether so called  P.P. is being blackmailed?
5.    Why and how so called P.P. agreed about this land sale?
6.    What Central Committee is doing? Whether Central committee is formed only for eye wash?
7.    Who is working on behalf of Purodha Board and Central committee?
8.    What action has been taken by S.G. VSS on the security of Ananda marga properties.

There are many eyebrows raised than questions. Who will reply above questions?

At His Feet,

Kanchan

Your Jagrti is in Queue to be Sold: Part 2

Date: 19 Oct 2010 21:29:11 -0000
From: "G Bhaskaran Reddy"
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Your Jagrti is in Queue to be Sold: Part 2

Baba

== YOUR JAGRTI IS IN QUEUE TO BE SOLD: PART 2 ==

~ ANANDA MARGA JAGRTI SELLERS ARE MAHAPATAKIIS ~

Note: This letter is part of an ongoing investigative series about the
selling of AM land. Be sure to read all parts of this report. Links to
prior letters in this series are appended below.

Namaskar,
Retaining our Ananda Marga land is a key aspect of our growth and
prosperity. Baba warns us that no organisation can survive if they sell
off all their assets. That is why in various Procedural Orders, Baba has
declared that AM land holdings must not be sold. That is His direct
guideline.

GROUPIST JARGON

MARGIIS MUST BE ALERT

These days some of the groups not in power are telling how if they were
in power then all the land holdings would be safe and secure. Their
mantra is: "We will not sell AM land." However, by their actions it is
very clear that all such groups support the principle & strategy of land
selling.

Today third front / EC and Kolkata factions are just making noise and
speaking out how Ranchi is selling AM land. But this is just their ploy
to befool margiis. Such EC and Kolkata group members talk as if they are
the great protectors of AM land and that they will safeguard our
properties. But the fact is that they themselves are supporters of the
anti-organizational idea of selling organizational land. They did so in
the past and they will do so in future. When in power, i.e. when given
the opportunity, they will do the same.

So margiis should not think that any leader of any group will save the
property of our Marga. Every margii and wt should be conscious, alert,
come forward and make a concerted effort to save the property of our Marga.

SELLING OF DIDI'S MASTER UNIT

As you may know, Ranchi administration recently sold our very old,
beautiful, and well-established Didi master unit, A'nanda Sambodhi, in
Asansole, West Bengal, India for 50 million rupees. There are a number
of reasons why they sold it. Many say that their great plan was to get
enough money to evict their rival party from Tiljala. And ultimately
they will sell Tiljala as well. That is the plan. Thereafter, the
mahasamadhi will be transferred to Ananda Nagar. That way the tiirtha
(i.e. mahasamadhi) will be transferred to Ranchi group territory -
either Ananda Nagar or Jamalpur.

Now Ranchi is also planning on selling more lands and jagrtis that are
presently under the control of other groups. As soon as they get buyers
they will sell, sell, sell. They will use such monies for their groupist
war chest.

So everyone should be alert. We should not let our AM property holdings
to become of the victim of the present group battle.

SOLD LAND & SHATTERED MARGIIS' DREAMS

We must remember that Ranchi & Co. have already sold one very costly
land in Pune, Maharastra, India. This sale occurred 2 years ago. Yet
this land was purchased with donations from margiis with the sole
purpose of constructing a VSS office. But now that land is gone and
margiis' dreams have been shattered.

OTHER LANDS THEY ARE SELLING

It has already been decided by Central Committee of Ranchi
administration to sell more land which is under their control. In
addition they plan to sell most of our vacant Ananda Marga land that
does not have any constructed buildings.

Nigama'nanda and Rudra'nanda have already sent their agent to deal with
prospective buyers. Some of these land parcels are:

(a) Brother Joshiijii of Rajasthan donated 21 acres of land near Panch
Dam in Nagpur, Maharashtra. This land is now for sale.

Plus all these lands are on the selling blocks:

(b) 2 acres of land in Gaya, Bihar near police line shooting range.

(c) 2 Bighas of land in Sasung, Latehar Dit of Jharkhanda.

(d) More than 5 acres of Master Unit property and 5 Kattha' of costly
land in town of Chandava block, Latehar dit of Jharkhanda.

(e) Training Center MU in Nasirpur Varanasi which is just 1/2 kilometre
from Ba'ba' Quarter Varanasii. Rudra'nanda is personally interested to
sell this MU, but at present Nigamananda Dada is objecting. Nigamananda
has emotional attachment to this place. Unfortunately his attachment
does not expand to other lands as well. The reason being that when the
mind is low and small it is hard to fathom that all lands in AM should
be protected, not just one parcel that "I am personally attached with."
Dadaji lacks the requisite dharmic feeling; that is why Nigamananda
cannot be trusted to protect other lands.

(f) Centre has not posted any worker to the the ja'grti in Sangroor of
Ludhiana diocese for a long time. All along the ulterior motive is to
sell that ja'grti and now they are actively trying for it.

(g) There is very costly land on Delhi Dehradoon national highway on
which Nigama'nanda has cast his greedy eyes.

(h) There is vacant land in Sivan and Gopalganj dit of Bihar, that is
also on the list of sale.

(i) Nigama'nanda's and Rudra'nanda's sword is hanging on many Didi
properties in south India.

This list is just a fraction of the land they want to sale.

DO NOT FALL PREY TO GROUPIST TALL TALKS

So, we margiis should not believe in any groupist leaders. We should be
united without taking the shelter of any group. By Baba's grace we are
to raise ideological issues, be alert and conscious, and fight against
the idea of selling land of the organisation. It is our sacred duty to
save our Marga's property from the greedy eyes and bloody claws of
groupist leaders of all factions.

We must know that when our organisation sells land then we will never
get money to buy land. No one will donate to the cause of AM land.
Because people will think that any land donated today or bought today
will one day be sold by the organisation. So the inspiration to donate
or buy land will be burnt forever. That is the very real and scary
outcome. No one will trust us to oversee our landholdings in a proper
and responsible manner. That is the "after-shock" effect of selling AM land.

Indeed in this way development of our organisation will come to a halt.
That situation is that grave.So this selling of AM land is not a simple
issue, but has far-reaching consequences. This will create a dangerous &
recurring effect for our Marga.

We have to remember that it is wholly against Baba's explicit guideline
to sell Ananda Marga property. We must pay heed to His call.

Let us also remember that Ba'ba' always regarded our land as dharmasthan
and this is our dharmic duty to protect our Marga's property.

BABA'S ORDER

By Baba's grace He gives the order in "A Guide to Human Conduct" that if
someone tries to capture our land then they can be violently attacked.

Ks'etrada'ra'paha'rii ca shastradha'rii dhana'paha'h
Agnidagaradashcaeva s'adete hya'tata'yinah

Baba says, "“Anyone who, by the use of brute force, wants to take
possession of your property, ks'etra-land, abducts your wife, comes with
a weapon to murder you, wants to snatch away your wealth, sets fire to
your house or wants to take life by administering poison, is called an
a'tata'yii.” If any person or a nation wants to occupy all or part of
another country, the use of physical force against such invading forces
is not against the principle of ahim'sa'. Rather, by a wrong
interpretation of the term ahim'sa' or by interpreting him'sa' and brute
force as identical, common people will have to suffer from loss of
wealth, happiness, or other hardships." (Guide to Human Conduct)

By their wicked ways and cheating tactics some are selling AM lands to
gain money to use at their own disposal. They are taking possession of
AM property and using it for their selfish ends. Per Baba's above
teaching, we are to understand that those culprits involved in selling
our organizational property are also to be treated as enemies of the Marga.

AM LAND SELLERS ARE MAHA'PA'TAKIIS

Here below Baba tells how those who set a negative example that has a
recurring effect are terrible sinners. Read the following and reflect
how this also applies to those Dadas involved in selling AM lands.

Baba says, "To kidnap Sita was an act of maha'pa'taka. But he didn't
kidnap Sita as a thief or as a robber. He went in disguise. He went in
the form of a sa'dhu. That is, he [Ravana] created a very bad precedent,
and henceforward no kulabadhu, no lady, will pay credence to what a
sannya'sii says. They may think: ‘He may be like Ravana; he may also be
a thief – like Ravana.’ So he has set a very, very bad example, and it
will have a recurring effect on each and every lady of society. So
Ravana is a maha'pa'takii, his action is of recurring effect." (Ananda
Vacanamrtam, Part 31)

Just as Ravana's misdeeds set a bad and lasting precedent for the
society, and is hence considered a deliberate sinner, similarly those
who sell AM lands fall in the same category. Their sin has a recurring
effect.

Firstly, it will give the idea to other groupists in need of funds that
selling AM land is a viable option. Secondly, good people will lose all
faith and trust that those at the helm of AM will be able to properly
watch over their land. Hence no one in future will donate land to the
Marga.

Thus there are two recurring negative consequences. Hence, there is no
question that - per Baba's above declaration - such lands sellers are
grave and terrible sinners, i.e. maha'pa'takiis.

BABA'S BLESSING

By His grace He has blessed us with the opportunity to safeguard His
teachings and AM lands. Unitedly we can fix the problem, prevent future
land sales, and reverse the damage that has been done.

Baba says, "Who else is to come and shoulder the responsibility? It is
you – you are to do everything. You are the torch-bearers of human
civilization. You are the pioneers of human march, and you are the
vanguard of a new civilization." (AV-14)

Namaskar,
Bhaskaran

Note: OTHER LETTERS IN THIS SERIES

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2010/10/your-jagrti-is-in-queue-to-be-sold-part.html

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2010/09/history-of-land-sale-who-is-real.html