ISSUES AND CONCERNS

President-elect Obama & The World at Large "Rosa Parks sat (she occupied the white only bus seats in a show of defiance, which instantly propelled her into a folk heroin), so Martin Luther King Jr. could walk ( America’s most famous civil rights activist, who had famously observed " I have a dream", addressing Afro-Americans). Martin walked so Barrack Obama could run. And Obama ran so that our children could fly". This is understandably a popular verse in the U.S. Incredible , unbelievable, even as early as 2 years ago, it was unthinkable, yet it happened. Yes, Barrack Hussain Obama, a non- white, skinny guy with a funny name became the newest President of the United States of America. Obama is non- white but not black as the media and whole lot of people, white, browns and even blacks referred to Obama, as black. Its indeed the generosity of the man, who made history as the first coloured man to occupy the White House, that he never disputed or argued about his...

Friends, Although it happened on 26th Nov. night, by its very seriousness it precedes all other issues. Deccan Mujahideen, or whatever that goes by that name has declared a war against India. Yes, IT’S A WAR AGAINST OUR MOTHERLAND, whether the authorities in Mumbai or Delhi acknowledges it or not. On all earlier occasions, when terrorists used to strike against planned targets, they used to be shrouded in hoods or some kind of a cover, but the last one at Hotel Taj and other places it was without any concealment of their facial identity. They went around shooting indiscriminately letting everybody know who they are. This was the most audacious attempt at challenging the very basis of Indian nationhood. This has to be met head on. This is no moment for theatrical or politically correct rhetoric but cold and calculated action without trying to find alibys. Hope the govt. in New Delhi and Mumbai act-without procrastination. But how would Manmohan Singh think they would oblige him, when he...

ARE MUSLIMS MARGINALISED IN INDIA? Commenting on challenges of SIMI’s hate politics, the Hindu, had written in its editorial of April, 1, 2008, that "when in 2001, Safdar Nagori proclaimed in an interview that he was ‘very bitter about being Indian,’ he was voicing and exploiting the rage of a generation. Embittered at being denied social and economic equity and justice by a rising tide of communal prejudice and angered by a brutal succession of riots, massacres and pogroms that scarred the 1980s and 1990s, thousands of young people saw in Nagori’s calls for jihad the promise of justice - or at least a kind of retribution." There are millions of Indians, in tribal hamlets, in rural India, in the slums of cities and towns, who are living a hand to mouth existence. They earn a $ or less a day. They are deprived of all those state benefits which are meant for them but siphoned off by well heeled civil society. They are desperate but are resigned to their fate. Programmes of self...

Friends, ‘After I am gone who will take up my work’ asked the setting sun. Seeing the world responseless, a small earthen lamp mustered enough courage to say "Lord I will exert myself to my utmost". Keeping its word to the readers, Issues & Concerns have traversed EIGHT meaningful years marching TOWARDS A PURPOSEFUL REGIMEN. Looking back over the shoulder, its been extremely satisfying that despite problems, we have continued with the same vigour and commitment. So also a bit of disappointment. Its true it has increased its circulation from national to international but that has not helped it improve much of its cost over-runs. Patrons are aware that this is a socially relevant effort and hence need your continuous support, however miniscule, to sustain and grow. As one of our ardent supporter has fervently hoped that ‘journal is kept going by something more than the gusto and the civilisational commitments of its editor.’ Haven’t we heard this famous Hindi film song, ...

Global problem need not always be India’s domestic problem. It is eminently possible to address our issues according to our own ground conditions. Thus it is within our means to reduce the impact of uncontrolled crude prices according to our own socio- economic compulsions. But the government response is always according to its political compulsion. Thus problem in pricing method is very much there. The government in power should address this issue for the larger good. As usual lot of our issues and therefore problems are interlinked. But the basis or the causes of all our problems and therefore issues, whether global or local are all due to one of the greatest of human failings. ‘THE GREED’. But how does environment & fuel crisis are related to this human dimension called greed? Long ago Mahatma Gandhi, father of our nation, had observed, "there’s enough for everybody’s need, not for everybody’s greed." This is an all time universal truth, beyond time and place. The mark...