EDITORIAL

Friends,
As you would see the cover, you would have noticed a mini milestone that this periodical has touched. This issue is numbered Volume 8 No: 100. Yes, we have hit a century. Its indeed a land mark, especially since journey has been pretty bumpy. But the experience of having travelled this long is very satisfying with the active help and participation, of our patrons and friends. We need your continued patronage and support.
Yes, the incumbent government at the center has completed four years of its rule. Congratulation to Mr.Man Mohan Singh for the feat, under the circumstances. Looking back how it has fared, is there for all to see. At best it has been mixed. Coalition partners have exploited it to the hilt. The relation with opposition NDA has been rather very low. Left and DMK used its clout for the support it gave. Since last two years, ever since the N-deal with USA has hit the headlines, the government at the center has been spending lot of time managing the intransigency of the Left. Thus leaving no time for the meaningful management of the economy. Although oil prices have been increasing without any let up, there was no plan of action in place to take the inflationary spiral head on. Despite there being the trimuterate of PM/FM and D.C of Planning Commission from the famed Oxford and Harward Universities, the approach to tackle the rising crude oil prices and the resultant inflation has been rather common place. All opted for a softer and short term approach of increasing petrol prices and apply dear money policy. No long term policy has been put in place. N-deal is hanging and Left is in no mood to support the government. If UPA had taken a more meaningful stand on happenings in Nandigram, they could have partly forced Left to realize its responsibility at the center. But that has not happened, despite Pranab Mukharjee factor between the two. DMK has been exploiting the support to the maximum with Ambumani Ramadoss and TR Balu playing truant in accordance to their personal agenda. With the impression that no minister in the Union cabinet taking the Prime Minister seriously with UPA chairperson playing more decisive role, the stock of the government at the centre is going down hill. Besides, on many occasions Man Mohan Singh appeared more a UPA Prime Minister rather than India’s Prime Minister. Thus, the coming days are expected to be dicey for the UPA at centre, election being only a year away. Or is it going to be earlier? With new attempts through dinner diplomacy, newer alliances are being tried indicating unease. However, it is to the credit of UPA government that it could successfully put to the statute book, the Right to Information Act (RTI) so also it has launched the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), Although it has its problems of leakages and other loopholes, there is no denying the fact that NREGS was bold attempt at some social justice to the rural poor. Besides, when all is said and done personally Mr.Manmohan Singh should be a happy man. He can have the satisfaction that without having to contest the Lok Sabha, he was the leader of the worlds largest democracy for 4 long years.
The open spat between Ahluwalia, the powerful D.C of Planning Commission and the Civil Aviation Minister Patel is another dimension of the personal politics at the centre. To settle a personal affront at the airport, for not being taken seriously, his VVIP status, Ahluwalia picks up quarrel with Patel regarding the general problem of upgrading the airports at New Delhi and Mumbai, is not merely childish, it smacks of huge ego trip. While there could be ground for planning commission to take up the delay in airport projects at appropriate levels and for the civil aviation to explain its position equally at formal meeting, this ‘tu tu mein mein’ spat left a completely avoidable scene, in the full glare of media, for the opposition to buttress its claim, that UPA functionaries work at cross purposes.
The news report that Pranab Mukherjee, as External Affairs Minister, remained silent, on Syed Yusuf Gilani, the Pakistani counterpart, raking up the 1948 UN resolution for plebiscite in Kashmir, in the formal talk in Islamabad, made uncomfortable reading. While NDA may have its role as opposition, to take up the issue, the matter deserves serious thinking. What was that, which made our Foreign Minister go quite, when such a controversial issue was raised by our traditional adversary? It does cause disquiet. And as NDA spokesman claims, the minister did not refer to the January 2004, agreement between Vajpayee and Musharaf regarding confidence building measures to contain terrorism. Why is it difficult to carry on the earlier regimes sensible initiatives by the incumbent functionaries? is a sad question, especially in the context of Congress. Political decency does pay dividends both in short term and long term. However what is sad is, there is a kind of competition to run down the opposition or to ignore its positive contribution. Look at Shivraj Patil, for instance. First he stated Jaipur blast is state government’s responsibility since terrorism is a state subject. And then he compares Sarabjit Singh’s clemency to that of Afzal Guru’s death sentence. While one is an innocent victim in the hands of Pakistanis, the other is a criminal, convicted by the Supreme Court of India in the sensational Parliament attack case. Whether Afzal is to be granted clemency is a diametrically different issue and there is simply no comparison to the Sarabjit Singh’s case. Its becoming abundantly clear, either Shivraj Patil is not fit to be a Home Minister of India or he is unabashedly playing a vote bank politics. These are the very tricks used by the Congress over the years, that has caused its down fall and sadly its leadership is bereft of this knowledge.
N- Deal 123 is hanging fire as usual. The stage is set for a showdown. What can happen, shall be the future of the UPA government. It may continue for the full term or it may fall, and election may be forced. But what’s the hurry? What is at stake that a good part of Indians are against it, and another equally good part are not sure of the benefits or otherwise and there is a third part who are all out to go for it? The last group also include American inspired salesmen, some from Bush administration and some from lobbying paid agents. The question is why are these Bush Administration and their paid agents are so much in love with India? As the adage goes, there’s no permanent friend or permanent enemy there’s only permanent interest. Like NRI Lord Swaraj Paul says, only people who shall be hurt in the short run are the nuclear reactor suppliers, if deal is not thru. So what’s the truth? Somebody somewhere is not coming clean on the whole deal. What’s it and who’s it? are the questions making its round. Of course there are scientists and men of stature like APJ Abdul Kalaam who have said ‘Yes’ to the deal. The opposition NDA has raised the issue of Hyde Act, which shall cripple our freedom and independence, they claim. So are Left parties with similar views, of sell out to the U.S. besides it’s pro-China mind set. However, transparency appears to be what is missing in the whole imbroglio.
Yes, the dynastic rule in India is slowly becoming a norm rather than an abberation. In the days of the yore, only Nehru/Gandhi clan was accused of trying to perpetuate dynastic rule. However there have been steady increase in the number of politicians promoting their families to the detriment of others. There’s Karunanidhi & sons in Tamil Nadu. There’s Karunakaran with son & daughter combine in Kerala; There’s Gowda & Sons in Karnataka; There’s Pawar & Co in Maharashtra with Thackray’s joining the fray. There’s Scindia family from Madhya Pradesh & Rajasthan promoting themselves and family. Malayam & Sons in U.P, Lalu Yadav Clan in Bihar, Farookh Abdulla & son, Mufti Mohd & family in Kashmir. There are many others too trying their luck in the muddied water of dynastic politics. The latest to enter is Sangmas of Meghalaya. Eastern states remained generally more democratic. However the latest entry of Agatha Kongkal Sangma into the portals of Parliament has signaled the dynastic arrival of Purno Agitok Sangma, the NCP leader and the former speaker of Loksabha. Agatha is the daughter of Purno Sangma. Earlier in the year Sangma had promoted his two sons Conrad & James. While Conrad is the cabinet minister incharge of Finance and Power, James is the parliamentary secretary for Home. Thus, it appears an accepted principle to promote ‘me and mine’ culture. God save poor India and poorer Indians.
Yes,Barack Obama has made it to the U.S presidential election. He made history, which hitherto was only in the realm of imagination. The book by Irving Wallace ‘The MAN’, imagined the possibility of throwing up an American African into the presidency due to a probability of sudden multiple vacancies. But this one is for real. Whether he is elected to the White House or not, is not the point, at this point of time. What is really significant and therefore epochal, that American democrats, for the very first time, decided to throw their lot with a person who is still a bit of an enigma, but who is not white. Its indeed a defining moment in the history of United States of America. When it all started, Americans did not even give Obama an outside chance of cocking-a-snook at the White House, supposedly the most powerful address in the world, but that he proved a fighter against the formidable Hillary Clinton is a story of incredible dimension. At 46, he is like a political tourist who stayed on. Average American has conclusively proved that he is no more a victim of racial and colour prejudices. Accepting the nomination, "Tonight we make the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another-a journey that will bring a new and better days to America" said a jubilant Obama, marking the end of the marathon race that pitted two historic candidates- a woman and an Afro American man- against each other. Should he make it to the White House, history will be re written irreversibly.
Did we say Pakistan is a failed state? The question unfortunately cannot be wished away. Whether Pakistanis like it or not, the fact remains that the on going and long drawn controversies have always kept alive the issue of stability of this troubled democracy. Without having to go back to the pages of history of this nation, which is only 60 years old, the current impasse among the major players in the politics of Pakistan is enough to surmise that stability and therefore peace and progress look a distant reality. The latest in the on going drama of power politics, PPP, the dominant partner in the current coalition, has reportedly ticked off President Musharaf and Musharaf in turn has asked his supporters to break their relationship with Zardari’s Party. Now come the news that Nawaz Sheriff, the tragic hero of the earlier drama, has been stopped in the tracks. According to Pakistan’s Supreme Court, Nawaz Sheriff cannot contest the ensuing election. It can snowball. Thus at the helm of the national politics is the personal stake of these three ‘gentlemen’, Musharaf the President, Zardaari, the powerful Co-Chairman of PPP and of course the ebullient Sheriff. All these gentlemen have only their personal agenda, and there ordinary average Pakistani do not figure. And that is the tragedy. There is no system in Pakistan that can rein in these prodigals. Thus the question of being a failed state is still blinking at Pakistan and Pakistanis. That’s the ground reality.
If at one end there’s an Afro American creating history by becoming the democratically elected candidate of a major political party of the most powerful nation on the earth, the U.S, to contest to the most powerful position in the world, that of the U.S. President, at the other end of the spectrum there’s another African, who can be truly called ‘Black’ has succeeded in subverting the democratic electoral process by forcing the opponent out of the race.
Robert Mugabe, of Zimbabwe may be declared ‘elected’ for the 3rd consecutive term as President of his country. Mugabe is notoriously the most uncompromising black. Under his rule, the African nation has suffered greatly with rising poverty and unchecked hyper inflation. Reeling under international sanctions for large scale human rights violation, Zimbabwe, has been reduced into an impoverished society. However an attempt by opposition sponsored candidate Tsvangirai to get elected, came to a naught. After losing the first round, in a fairly contested election, Robert Mugabe insisted on a repoll, and forced the opposition candidate out of race, by resorting to large scale violence and intimidation of supporters of Tsvangirai. Its indeed a shame. No wonder, British queen stripped Mugabe’s Kinghthood granted in 1994, informed British Foreign office.
Contrast the two men from similar social stock, one from largely white influenced America and the other black dominated Africa. It has its own unique lessons for the world to come to terms with.
Yes, after all dilly dallying, the petrol & diesel prices have been increased by close to 10%. Everybody from political parties to the general public, protested. Government is doing the easy way out and protest is the only weapon with people. People cannot force issues but surely they can show their anger only at election time. And election is still a year away. With the crude price being U.S.$:135 per barrel, the end price of petrol had to be increased. However, the end price includes close to 50% state and central levies. If rationalized, the prices can be reduced. But in its wisdom the UPA government increased the price of petrol, diesel and cooking gas, and inflation kept galloping.
While, it has to be accepted, that the crude price increase is a global phenomena, alternative to hydro carbon is, without choice, a necessity. Although most governments the world over are mulling over the issue, not much is being done in that direction, especially in India. U.S. Australia and some European nations have been directing some food supplies, especially corn, into the making of ethanol, a fuel additive to reduce the dependence on oil. But efforts in India is more at discussion level. And look at the ad. the Union Government released on 5th June, the world environment day, it says "MAKE IT A HABIT ! BUS, BICYCLE, WALK. FEWER CARS ON THE ROAD, LESSER CARBON DIOXIDE IN THE AIR". This is for public consumption, not for politicians and babus to follow. While energy discipline is the need of the hour, as a nation aren’t we the most indisciplined, beginning from our leaders themselves?
Oh really! was the response of many when Apex Court observed that Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 was responsible for the growing number of divorce. But then how could a mere piece of legislation precipitate your living to-gether? Its you and you alone- husband and wife- who are responsible for the make or break situation. While it may be true that ever since the law was enacted, couples wanting to be separated have increased. But then the law came in, only to help the society come to terms with the ground reality. If a couple, despite best efforts, have decided not to live to-gether there is no point continuing the ‘saath saath rahte huye paas paas rah gaye hain’- syndrome that is ‘from being living to-gether we remained only next to each other’, arrangement. Law has only facilitated the separation of living under duress. Yes the concept of ‘Bharatheeya Naari’ is quietly buried in this globalised liberalised world. Women earlier were more dependent on their spouses, now they are far more independent with better education and financial strength. This change is the single most important reason of women not wanting to put up with a marriage which they feel cannot continue and probably rightly so. Therefore could there be more scope for better and objective counseling? After all there is greater purpose in living to-gether which can be achieved if both partners are fair and understanding in their individual roles as well as collective roles.
There’s this news about Muslim girls taking up Karate and Yoga in Ahmedabad, for fitness and safety. This is indeed a good news for average Muslim. Women folks indeed deserve greater safety anywhere in India for varieties of reasons, more so for Muslim women. However most of these girls are wearing burqua and practicing martial art. While, its likely some discomfort shall be there, progressive men among Muslim feel comfortable with the thought of their female folks taking up self defence preparedness,but they do feel that they should not carry burqua too far and quite rightly so. As human rights activist J.S.Bandukwala thinks " it does come as a hindrance in religious and social integration". And Sarfaraz Sheikh, the trainer, echoes similar feelings "one day the girls might come to my gym without the burqua".
For quite sometime burqua and hijab have been a subject of attack in the western media, rightly or wrongly. While the freedom to wear burqua is entirely up to the individual, it is true that family and social pressure has been one of the reason why women folks especially the young ones are pressured to wear it. However its an issue community itself has to address and redress. Outside world has no role to play. Ofcourse when the dress code is an issue, burqua could be a subject of debate. Close on the heels of burqua controversy, the turban of Sikh community too became an object of attack in recent times. While here again it is a matter between the individual and the community leaders, there is some commonality between wearing of burqua and turban. What needs to be appreciated is, that there is a huge section among Muslims who do not wear burqua despite pressure, saying it’s a relic of the past. Similarly there are Sikh men who do not sport turban, and are clean shaven. These rebels are very much within the faith and life has gone on. However, if debate is the essence of modern spirit, it needs to be recognized that burqua and turban were thought of, as essential, at a particular point of time, hundreds of years ago, by the then religious system. Seen purely from a physiological stand point, both burqua and turban are fairly uncomfortable. So, do you still want to endure for the sake of a religious edict? It’s a question only faithfuls should take and answer. But there’s scope for introspection among the faithfuls. Both communities should allow debate among its members who are open to talk. After all you cannot get along if you cannot go along. We need to make a beginning.
Environment and fossil fuel are always related when it comes to atmospheric pollution. With the crude price going through the roof and need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel, the issue has come under sharp focus. We have taken up the subject under Focus. Do get back with your inputs. Rest of the issues are as usual.