MONTH-IN-PERSPECTIVE
EDITOR'S COLUMN
Friends
Yes, we are into the new financial year 2012/13. With the month of April, also start All Fools Day. So when Union finance Minister presented his budget for 2012/13, there were expectation of myriad kinds from different sections of society. Has he lived up to their multiple expectations or let them down, depends upon – how do you look at it!
Reactions as usual are mixed. Some called it damp squib while others complimented ‘best of the bad situation’. The Railway budget presented 2 days earlier led to a completely avoidable drama with the party politics of a petty kind hogging the media glare. Yes it takes all sorts to make the public life, from sublime to ridiculous.
Looking in perspective over the month that passed by, as usual, India is alive and kicking, of course in some cases, in wrong places. Media generally had a field day hyping some and ignoring some others, depending on its own perceptions. In M-In-P we have taken up some of them for its larger relevance.
International Women’s Day came and passed by. Speeches, processions, and talks were organised to bring home the message on the state of women the world over with emphasis on India. Of course, as in most cases, there have been progress in women’s empowerment, but still a great deal needs to be done. A fact, all recognise but not all do, what could be done. Of course job for the media is cut out. But media do not do enough to keep the issue in public domain to keep it alive, to be made more aware of what needs to be done. We have tried to present it differently by publishing images more than writing. Hope, readers will find it worth their time. Do revert with your response.
TAMIL NADU: Month began with the "CBI filing cases against NGO’s" in Tamil Nadu, over their alleged role in the anti-Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project. Earlier Union Ministry for Home Affairs had referred the issue of ‘inspired agitation’ in and around the project site, where the Nuclear Power Plant is almost ready to go critical. While it is true that the ruling combine at the Centre is very keen to get the plant started so is the Tamil Nadu partner, the DMK, in the UPA combine, even the government in Chennai has been politicking by keeping quite at the agitationists, although never opposed the plant to support the agitating groups. And comes the news ‘Jayalalitha shows green flag for KKNPP’. Thus despite all three, UPA at centre and its partner in Chennai, besides the AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu supporting the KKNPP, the opposition by locals allegedly funded by some NGOs getting foreign funding were the real trouble makers.
All news savvy Indians are aware that TN government and its people agitated for the continuation of Mullaperiyar dam, despite the fear expressed by Kerala government and its people around the dam about the possible seismological unsafety of the dam. Similarly these Tamil Nadu agitating crowd need to be told that despite the alleged unsafety the KKNPP, which all concerned scientists have assured it to be nil or very minimal, the project is of national importance and of immense use to all. If this realisation comes, then hopefully every where opposition to development is likely to fade away. Hope it happens.
KARNATAKA: Was it free for all! The war of words culminating on to warpath and then degenerating into mayhem. Was it the curiosity that killed the cat for journos? Yes, former minister, mining scam tainted mine lord Janardhan Reddy, is a 'big news' wherever he goes. This time he was at City Civil Court complex in Bangalore, at the behest of CBI, and the battery of journos had descended there to have a first hand shot at the BREAKING NEWS, instead what followed was "ALL HELL BROKE", right inside the court complex. A heated argument between lawyers and journos following denial of entry of media into the court premises, by the police, led to physical fight between lawyers and media men, with lawyers hitting journalists with big sized stone which caused completely avoidable injuries. At this point police were, reportedly inactive, but condoned off the place. But a big sized stone missile hurled from within the court premises, late in the afternoon hit a policeman who collapsed, had to be rushed to the hospital. The police, hither to sitting, charged into the court premises and went berserk.
The so-called 'three estates of democracy' were at war with each other, trying to prove, one-up. But sadly all of them proved to be of poor mental make up to stop a hugely avoidable mishap. But this is Yeh Mera India!
The squashing of the FIR against BS Yeddyurappa by the Karnataka High Court is one of those judicial interventions, Karnataka could have lived without. The observation by the KHC that "He (BSY) was condemned without being heard" is certainly debatable, especially when a retired Supreme Court Justice was the author of the report which indicted BSY. By hindsight, same accusation can be hurled back at KHC, since they didn’t ask Justice Santosh Hegde (JSH), former Lokayukta who signed the report, whether JSH can justify his action in not calling BSY to explain himself.
Subsequent development led to series of unpleasant political developments which again is not in the interest of better and cleaner politics. There was noises in public domain expressing unhappiness at the judgement. In fact one went even bit ballistic, calling the judgement "bad in law".
But what the people in general are yet to come to terms with the facts of the case that the trust owned by BSY family received some Rs. 20+30 crores as donations and undeserved compensation for the land which prima facie could be linked to BSY’s decisions to favour the giver of the donation. When wrong committed is still in the open, can the accused be given the benefit unilaterally, for being ‘condemned unheard’? is a question begging for answer.
Mr. Vijay Mallya, scion of Vithal Mallya empire, King of Good Times, is having rather not so good time these days. For quite some time, Mallya’s dream child King Fisher Airlines was intermittently getting into air pockets. This time round, it was particularly bad weather. His international pilots couldn’t save him – and by extension his air lines – without jettisoning a part of the baggage he had uneconomically acquired and retained. He just announced a massive cut in its operations to remain afloat.
The U.B., group, where U.B., which is the acronym for United Breweries, is the flagship company, is into many unrelated activities. The primary activity of UB group, as the name suggests, is making and selling brews – wine, beer, whisky etc –. And they have been doing well there. But the restless playboy that Vijay Mallya is, he wanted to play with the excess money breweries were making. So decides to own flying machines for self and commerce.
Principle of any business is your own in-house strength in managing its nitti gritties. Look at the way Capt. Gopinath, of Air Deccan sold his entire enterprise to Vijay Mallya for Rs. 400 crores and laughed his way to Bank. Capt. Gopinath is a pilot and knew his strength and weaknesses. May be he realised early to get off the passenger airline segment and made his deft move. Inexperienced Mallya got caught. Under the circumstances, it is best that Mallya sells the Kingfisher to those who can manage it well. Surely, if his ego allows him, he will find some buyers. After all he is the only one who faces maximum problem for his KFA. Hope he learns to come terms with ground realities for the sake of his huge staff and those banks who have funded him.
WEST BENGAL: Dinesh Trivedi the Union Railway Minister presented his maiden Railway budget for 2012/13, and he gets his sack order from his political boss, from far away Kolkatta. Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, also the Chief of Trinamool Congress, faxed her instruction to the Prime Minister to ‘sack Dinesh Trivedi’. The reason, he increased railway fares without her sanction, or that of any of her party leaders. While asking for the removal of Railway Minister, she also demanded the reversal of increase in railway fares. How this Trinamool Congress Party should work is entirely a business of the party. But to instruct a Union Cabinet Minister-just because he is your party member-to what to do and what not to do and react publicly to an alleged wrong doing smacks of dictatorial attitude of the leader. It has clearly exposed her political immaturity. Mamata is an honest person but likes the trappings of power. She asks power for people, but she herself is undemocratic and dictatorial. Her complaint is, raising rail fare is hurting common man. But railways have not increased fare for the last 10 years. Cost escalation and expenditure on better infrastructure is an ongoing and continuous process, hence fare raise is an essential concomitant and has got to happen. Opposing for the sake of opposing is to take the populism to ridiculous levels. And the tweet by the Quiz Master Derek O’Brien that "effecting raise in fare in upper class fare OK but all? Sorry cannot agree" shows, that neither he nor his boss understand sensible economics. May be he should go back to his quiz shows and ask this question on arithmetic. As for Mamata, she may be slowly losing her goodwill by her acerbic and eccentric behaviour. It will not be surprising if she goes the way Mayawati has gone. Of course the saving grace is, unlike Maya-Mamata Banerjee is not corrupt. Here she needs to understand that UPA government may be driven to go to SP for support, in case UPA is tired of her tantrums. Certainly TMC is a better choice than the SP with its rogue elements. But if Mamata continues to behave the way she is behaving, for survival UPA has to go to SP or BSP or both. Besides, it is reliably understood that most party men and opinion makers in the party fold are increasingly feeling upset with the temparamental tantrums of Mamata. Reportedly Amit Mitra, the high profile former FICCI chief and Mamata’s Finance Minister is frustrated and contemplating shifting back to Delhi. These could be writings on the wall, which Mamata should read or else it could be repetition of another Maya.
KERALA: There was this Kozhikode datelined report "Pressure mounting on Israeli author to leave country". Susan Nathan, probably a PIO (Person of Indian Origin), with an Israeli passport, reportedly in alleged ‘house arrest’ prior to being deported for overstaying in India. Her visa reportedly expired on 16/09/2010 and she has made application for extension and has requested Union Home Ministry (MHA) to convert the visa as ‘Medical Visa’. MHA in turn has apparently recommended extension of visa as per medical advice. However, the lawyer representing Ms. Nathan has alleged that his client is in dark about this MHA recommendation, thereby casting aspersion on the police, which is-by extension-a part of MHA.
There appears to be certain misunderstanding over the Malayalam translation of Ms. Nathan’s book "Other side of Israel", which is currently in circulation in Kerala.
The report, as usual, is incomplete. It suggests harassment by Police in Kerala but ‘why?’, the report is silent. Has the book caused any avoidable disquiet in the community around Kozhikode? The report is silent. Who are the people, ostensibly pressuring police to force Ms. Nathan to leave? What are the antecedents and other nationality details of Ms. Nathan? The report is silent. Why media is leaving too many crucial Qs unanswered in their eagerness to make a story? Of course we have E. Ahmed of Kerala Muslim League in the MEA, who was-long ago-involved in getting Arabs into Kerala without visa.
MAHARASHTRA: There was this Thane date lined news item "Tribals help CPI win 29 seats across six districts". It was indeed heart warming to know that people's movement doesn’t die, at least in the present socio-economic scenario. Despite big and dirty money playing its inevitable role in the socio-economic destabilsation of the society, it is indeed very creditable that CPI (Communist Party of India) has managed to win 29 seats in different parts of western Maharashtra, like Thane, Dahanu, Nashik and others. These wins were mainly in tribal areas where CPI(M) is very active in people centred socio/political activity. These victories are not new, but it has been so, for over 15 years. In fact it was in 1962 that CPI (M) won its first Panchayat Samiti election in this area. So it is indeed possible to influence and win elections without this dirty money, by service and reach out alone. Long live people's movement.
Rise and Rise and Rise and then a sudden fall with a thud, is the story of a class IV employee of government of Maharashtra becoming the president of Mumbai City Congress Committee, and making hundreds of crores in the process. The news that Mumbai High Court has directed the city police to file an FIR against Kripashankar Singh who is also an MLA, besides the city Congress Party boss, need not surprise those who are alive to the happening around them. Politicians with power, making money, left-right and centre, is a well known fact. But the authorities, who need to be alive to this blatant misuse of position to enrich themselves, at the cost of public and the nation, are cousins of legendary Kumbhakarna, suffering from long spell of sleeping. Only when judiciary raps them on their knuckles they, kind of, get ruffled out of their slumber.
It was one Sanjay Tiwari, who filed a PIL in the High Court against Kripashankar and his son. The court in turn asked the police to act.
A Mumbai datelined report informed "Ex-Mumbai Top Cop Hassan Gafoor dies". There is nothing special in the news. All have to die some day. Of course, poor fellow died rather early at 61. But then it need not be unusual, some die late some die early, and surely humans do not have much role in its timing – Good health or no good health.
But the report, while detailing about some of his controversial decisions and actions, concluded, "In a deviation from tradition, he neither got a customary farewell dinner nor parade".
If the report says so, in the main stream print media, it must be true. But, was it right? NO, in capital letters. It exposed the unprofessional attitude and pettiness of the police top brass in Mumbai. There could be any number of controversies, but a farewell dinner and parade to a very senior policeman, when he retires is an absolute must. All controversies have two sides or may be even three sides, as some cynics say, when both could be wrong. And such denials become major talking points especially in India, who officially swears by secularism and yet practice its own kind of discrete apartheid. This has happened in a state ruled by the ‘champions of secularism’, the Congress and NCP. What if Mumbai had a saffron government, media would have gone-hammer and tong-vilifying the SS/BJP combine. As usual in India’s political life honesty is always at a discount. Yeh Mera India.
UTTAR PRADESH: Like Mayawathi’s solo performance 5 years ago, it was Akhilesh Yadav all the way. In an unprecedented come back Samajwadi Party of Mulayam Singh romped home with 224 seats in the house of 403 seats. It was even better than 206 of BSP in 2007. This victory is incredibly fantastic. While all predicted a better showing by SP, nobody wagered a battering for BSP. It was a free fall from 206 to 79. Mayawathi with her maiden absolute majority in 2007 had a golden opportunity to build the party, if she had shown even 50% of her rhetoric into sincere actions on the ground, she would have repeated her last performance 5 years ago. She comprehensively messed it up with her megalomaniac approach to politics and development. In the event, people emerging as the real power centre, gave Mayawathi a deafening marching order, that BSP will never stage a comeback if Akhilesh Yadav does read the writings on the wall for all politicians across the country. The message of the UP election is simple and very striking. Perform or perish. Yes the electorates in UP, has given unforgettable lessons to all. Nobody should take them for granted. People, the electorates, have options. So Mr Akhilesh Yadav, the Engineer turned politician, you better be careful. The people of UP has given you unprecedented opportunity for you, and mind you, not your father, so not only you should perform, you must also keep your promise of cleansing the socio/political scene of UP of its rogue elements.
But your very first move of appointing 6 older politicians as ministers, who have serious criminal charges have sent unmistakably wrong signal. It could be compulsions of party politics, but you must ensure that these elements play the ball by the rule. Or else Mayawathi can still stage a comeback next time round, since despite the huge difference of 145 seats-that is 65%-when the difference in vote share is only 2.5%. So truly speaking, you are on notice as you begin. So watch your every move, you are being watched, doesn't matter the Mulla/Mulayam combine.
The report that there was a minor riot in Basti jail near Lucknow just before your swearing in, which left 1 prisoner dead and 12 injured, is a bad beginning.
RAJASTHAN: The news from Sanchor in Jalore district of Rajasthan is that Narmada river from far away Chhattisgarh has reached the barren districts of Thar Desert in Rajasthan, is certainly music to all those who like to see a developed India. And come to think of it, that Rajasthan is not even a riparian state, unlike Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat, with over 3/4th of the river falling in M.P. Traversing around 460 kms from the Sardar Sarovar dam site, the facility of irrigation and drinking water was extended in a spirit of co-operative co-existence. The 56km canal from the border of Gujarat that was commissioned in 2008, has dramatically changed the whole topography of these 233 villages, which are irrigated and 1336 villages getting drinking water. The report informs that the price of farm land in Jalore has soared from Rs.5000/- to Rs. 2.5 lakh per bhiga, that’s an increase of 50 fold. Surely all along where Narmada has flowed and canalised, such development has taken place. In a place where people used to walk for 8 kms to get water, are now growing in their backyard, cumin, castor seeds, wheat, pearl millets, isabgol and even pomegranates, informs the report. It is a huge development story.
Looking back over the saga of Narmada dam construction of over a decade costing thousands of crores, the present report is indeed heartening. It was worth it after all.
GUJARAT: The writings on the 10th anniversary of Gujarat carnage of 2002 have again came back to haunt the psyche of average Guajarati so also Indians at large. There have been pointed articles in the print media, especially, when writers tried to dwell on the issue, to tell the readers, how all perpetrators have still not been made accountable. While only some were punished, how the state leadership has largely remained unscathed. Of course there is no denial of the truth that there has been large scale violence, and may be state government failed in its duty and a section of people suffered immensely. There can be no justicification for the hugeness of the reaction to what happened earlier at Godhra. If Godhra was bad, Ahmadabad was worst. Every action has to have its reaction, not necessarily equal. In this case it was very badly unequal. As homosapiens, we are all privy to the human history, that man has been cruel, and different people suffered differently at different places and at different times. If all incidents and accidents are to be remembered in every detail to keep a terrible event live, then, there will never be any human interaction or human co-operation for a co-operative co-existence anywhere in the world. Human pettiness have always caused the rupture, but the largeness of humanity has always overcome the pain of the wound to live another day, more meaningful and purposeful for the betterment of a larger society. Surely we shall all overcome likes of Gujarat, someday, despite the consistent failure of all governments and redressal agencies everywhere to give justice to those who suffered. Hence, attempts to keep the divide alive and widening has to be consciously avoided.
DELHI: The report from New Delhi on the Wikileak exposure of Dow Chemicals spying on Bhopal activists should surprise no one. Of course, this exposure only reinstate and reiterate the oft repeated charge that the culpability of Union Carbide, in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy is still alive and kicking. A fact that can never be brushed aside. Of course those 20,000+ who died cannot be brought back and half million or so, who suffered and continue to suffer the horrendous aftermath of the world’s greatest industrial tragedy, their pain cannot be mitigated. But there are ways to address the redressal, however incomparable to the tragedy, is to reach out in whatever form that is humanely possible. One such is an adequate compensation which all those responsible for the redressal have failed so far. Beginning from Indian authorities, to Indian courts to all the U.S. agencies and of course the Union Carbide (UC), and by extention the current brand owners of UC, the Dow Chemicals, every body evaded their responsibility one way or the other, and suffering by those effected and living in Bhopal continues. The question is, will the cancellation of Dow sponsorship of London Olympics help? Of course PM David Cameron will never agree and so shall the IOC. After all it is only a matter of some additional payment. So the way out is eminently possible, if there is a will. The only problem is, white man must accept that the value of life and suffering of a browni or a blackman is same like the whiteman. That's all. It is this refusal to accept as equal is at the core of this impasse. Nothing else.
The proposed bill to enhance fines many folds for traffic offences is a long overdue measure. Sooner it comes, the better for police. Indian road users, the motorists, are the most indisciplined lot. We have the highest rate of traffic accidents in the world. The loss of life and property seen and read in the media has not helped the scene to improve. Because, Indians generally are poor learners. Hasn’t the emergency of 1970’s proved it. We only like batons, to be bullied into submission. Hence this law, where fines for traffic violation can be as high as 5 times, is a welcome sign. Only when you financially bleed these traffic offenders, they will learn. This can also increase the revenue of police. If in 2011, Mumbai police have collected over Rs. 3 crores it can now be over Rs. 15 crores after this bill becomes operational. Hopefully Indian road users will become more law abiding.
As a nation, we have always barked up the wrong tree. The cartoon "Compared to 2G, the fodder scam looks like traffic violation" says it all. For all these years Lalu Prasad Yadav, the ebullient former CM of Bihar and former Rail Minister, who was accused of embezzlement of Rs. 55 lakhs in the infamous Chaara Ghotala, suffered the ignominy of being corrupt. Of course, a thief is a thief, whether he steals an egg or an elephant. But look at the mind boggling stories of sleaze across India, what Lalu is accused of, is petty peanut. Unlike Bofors where court closed the case for alleged spending Rs. 250 crores against a case of Rs. 64 crores of bribery, this case against Lalu must have cost the exchequer/ CBI more than Rs. 55 lakhs and hence it should be closed. In Bofors case, the government had bluffed when the cost of litigation was just Rs. 5 crores, as disclosed under RTI and not Rs. 250/- crores as submitted by the government/CBI. Of course, court too, in its haste, did not question the veracity of CBI’s claim. But then, this is how we work.
That Jayaram Ramesh, the Rural Development Minister (RDM) of the centre, is a better minister, both intellectually and organisationally, besides being a good human being, is never in doubt. As soon as he became the RDM, he made some right noises regarding the naxalite problems. From Prime Minister down to the village patwari, all seem to think that threat of violence is the most serious when it comes to Maoists or Naxals, as they are also known as. Hence, if there has not been significant measurable success in the handling of naxal menace, there has got to be some sound reasons. At present the Integrated Action Plan of the Prime Minister is being handled and implemented by RDM, and Jayaram Ramesh, the RDM, has proposed that it should be handled by Ministry of Panchayati Raj for better impact and for achieving the objective of weakening the hold of the CPI (M) in naxal infested areas. There are not many ministers who are interested in giving up their hold in any development project, for both power and money involved in it. But here is Jayaram Ramesh who thinks jobs need to be done better and effectively without cost overruns, does not matter if his own role is reduced. So we do need people like Ramesh. In fact he could be a better man at the helm in Yojana Bhawan. Some years ago, he was the Deputy Chairman of Karnataka Planning Board. He is not a stranger to planning, besides his IIT background can be better utilised.
WORLD: The romance between communist China and the theocratic Pakistan shall continue to have its-ins and outs-on regular basis. Violence in the past against Chinese nationals in Pakistan, Beijing had taken it very seriously and Pakistan playing the obedient second fiddle, without demur. Unlike, when dealing with India, Pakistan cannot afford to take Chinese anger lightly. China can be very hard on Pakistan and Islamabad is fully aware of it. But these partners in bed shall continue to find bed infested with thorns rather than roses. It is basically a sleeping to-gether of convenience, just to spite, to irritate India.
The recent killing of a Chinese woman in Peshawar has once again brought to the fore the question of safety of Chinese men and women in Pakistan, either students or those who are in business and industry. Pakistan as usual bent backwards to convince China that it is doing everything to nab the culprits. Besides China is also accusing Pak outfits for the restlessness in its western Chinese Muslim majority province. The report that ‘violence in Xinjiang kills 20’, is largely blamed on separatists helped by Pak trained terror groups.
Thus, sooner than later, those who live with sword shall be forced to die with sword. It is a time tested dictum, whether Pakistan likes it or not.
"Executed in cold blood despite being child" was the ultimate nail into the human rights violation coffin of Sri Lanka. The report by Callum Macral, the British journalist described the killing of 12 year old son of LTTE supremo in chilling details in his documentary. "A 12 year old boy lies on the ground. He is stripped to the waist and has five neat bullet holes in his chest", he wrote in ‘The Independent’ "Beside him lie the bodies of five men believed to be his body guards. There are indications showing they were tied and blind folded before being shot. Evidences suggest that the Sri Lankan government had a systematic policy of executing surrendered and captured LTTE-fighters and leading figures, even if they were children", the reported had continued.
In the wake of the resolution moved by U.S., France and Norway against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, there have been clamour among Indian parliamentarians to join the issue, and rightly so.
Reports of human rights violations in Sri Lanka against Tamil separatist elements has been known for quite some time. The govt. in Colombo even terrorized Sri Lanka’s Sinhalese, for speaking against state violence on Tamils. It is true that Prabhakaran and his cadre could have been more circumspect in the larger interest of both Tamils and Sri Lankans but he was a terrorist himself and conducted the affairs of LTTE with impunity. Sri Lankan government was hell bent to teach him a lesson. And they succeeded in their design. However, a victor can always be gracious in his victory, which Rajpaksa and his brother failed to rise up to. Future lies in the acceptance by the Tamil that they are in Sri Lanka and therefore should earn Sinhalese goodwill and Sri Lankans cannot antagonize Tamils who gave their best to Sri Lanka. Both need to understand their duties in the larger Sinhala/Tamil context. Indian government should play a positive role to make Tamils know and understand their role towards the country of their adoption and surely Sri Lankan’s would respond positively in an atmosphere of genuine reconciliation of leaving the baggage of history behind and move ahead. Sri Lanka has the necessary wherewithal to emerge as a prominent member of the sub-continent and the world at large.
Arab spring, did bring spring time to some countries. Aspirations of ordinary people wanting to breath free is a global phenomena. In some places it happens fast, as it happened in Tunisia and some other places, it is happening with difficulties in places like Egypt. But in some places it never seem to happen. Of course, China is economically most powerful country in the world to-day, by the sheer strength of balance of payment in its favour. Time and again, China has ruthlessly crushed any such aspiration by its people. Following China, is Syria. In its brutality may be Syria is worse than China. At least China has an ideology, right or wrong. But Assad is a dictator, worse than his father. He has to give up in the larger interest of Syrian people. But it is very unfortunate that both China and Russia, for its own political compulsions are ready to sacrifice the lives of ordinary Syrians. How can authoritarian states like China and Russia hold the international community for ransom in vetoing the UN resolution to take action on Syria? UN too must be subjected to democratic norms, lest China hijack international institutions.
J.Shriyan
Yes, we are into the new financial year 2012/13. With the month of April, also start All Fools Day. So when Union finance Minister presented his budget for 2012/13, there were expectation of myriad kinds from different sections of society. Has he lived up to their multiple expectations or let them down, depends upon – how do you look at it!
Reactions as usual are mixed. Some called it damp squib while others complimented ‘best of the bad situation’. The Railway budget presented 2 days earlier led to a completely avoidable drama with the party politics of a petty kind hogging the media glare. Yes it takes all sorts to make the public life, from sublime to ridiculous.
Looking in perspective over the month that passed by, as usual, India is alive and kicking, of course in some cases, in wrong places. Media generally had a field day hyping some and ignoring some others, depending on its own perceptions. In M-In-P we have taken up some of them for its larger relevance.
International Women’s Day came and passed by. Speeches, processions, and talks were organised to bring home the message on the state of women the world over with emphasis on India. Of course, as in most cases, there have been progress in women’s empowerment, but still a great deal needs to be done. A fact, all recognise but not all do, what could be done. Of course job for the media is cut out. But media do not do enough to keep the issue in public domain to keep it alive, to be made more aware of what needs to be done. We have tried to present it differently by publishing images more than writing. Hope, readers will find it worth their time. Do revert with your response.
TAMIL NADU: Month began with the "CBI filing cases against NGO’s" in Tamil Nadu, over their alleged role in the anti-Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project. Earlier Union Ministry for Home Affairs had referred the issue of ‘inspired agitation’ in and around the project site, where the Nuclear Power Plant is almost ready to go critical. While it is true that the ruling combine at the Centre is very keen to get the plant started so is the Tamil Nadu partner, the DMK, in the UPA combine, even the government in Chennai has been politicking by keeping quite at the agitationists, although never opposed the plant to support the agitating groups. And comes the news ‘Jayalalitha shows green flag for KKNPP’. Thus despite all three, UPA at centre and its partner in Chennai, besides the AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu supporting the KKNPP, the opposition by locals allegedly funded by some NGOs getting foreign funding were the real trouble makers.
All news savvy Indians are aware that TN government and its people agitated for the continuation of Mullaperiyar dam, despite the fear expressed by Kerala government and its people around the dam about the possible seismological unsafety of the dam. Similarly these Tamil Nadu agitating crowd need to be told that despite the alleged unsafety the KKNPP, which all concerned scientists have assured it to be nil or very minimal, the project is of national importance and of immense use to all. If this realisation comes, then hopefully every where opposition to development is likely to fade away. Hope it happens.
KARNATAKA: Was it free for all! The war of words culminating on to warpath and then degenerating into mayhem. Was it the curiosity that killed the cat for journos? Yes, former minister, mining scam tainted mine lord Janardhan Reddy, is a 'big news' wherever he goes. This time he was at City Civil Court complex in Bangalore, at the behest of CBI, and the battery of journos had descended there to have a first hand shot at the BREAKING NEWS, instead what followed was "ALL HELL BROKE", right inside the court complex. A heated argument between lawyers and journos following denial of entry of media into the court premises, by the police, led to physical fight between lawyers and media men, with lawyers hitting journalists with big sized stone which caused completely avoidable injuries. At this point police were, reportedly inactive, but condoned off the place. But a big sized stone missile hurled from within the court premises, late in the afternoon hit a policeman who collapsed, had to be rushed to the hospital. The police, hither to sitting, charged into the court premises and went berserk.
The so-called 'three estates of democracy' were at war with each other, trying to prove, one-up. But sadly all of them proved to be of poor mental make up to stop a hugely avoidable mishap. But this is Yeh Mera India!
The squashing of the FIR against BS Yeddyurappa by the Karnataka High Court is one of those judicial interventions, Karnataka could have lived without. The observation by the KHC that "He (BSY) was condemned without being heard" is certainly debatable, especially when a retired Supreme Court Justice was the author of the report which indicted BSY. By hindsight, same accusation can be hurled back at KHC, since they didn’t ask Justice Santosh Hegde (JSH), former Lokayukta who signed the report, whether JSH can justify his action in not calling BSY to explain himself.
Subsequent development led to series of unpleasant political developments which again is not in the interest of better and cleaner politics. There was noises in public domain expressing unhappiness at the judgement. In fact one went even bit ballistic, calling the judgement "bad in law".
But what the people in general are yet to come to terms with the facts of the case that the trust owned by BSY family received some Rs. 20+30 crores as donations and undeserved compensation for the land which prima facie could be linked to BSY’s decisions to favour the giver of the donation. When wrong committed is still in the open, can the accused be given the benefit unilaterally, for being ‘condemned unheard’? is a question begging for answer.
Mr. Vijay Mallya, scion of Vithal Mallya empire, King of Good Times, is having rather not so good time these days. For quite some time, Mallya’s dream child King Fisher Airlines was intermittently getting into air pockets. This time round, it was particularly bad weather. His international pilots couldn’t save him – and by extension his air lines – without jettisoning a part of the baggage he had uneconomically acquired and retained. He just announced a massive cut in its operations to remain afloat.
The U.B., group, where U.B., which is the acronym for United Breweries, is the flagship company, is into many unrelated activities. The primary activity of UB group, as the name suggests, is making and selling brews – wine, beer, whisky etc –. And they have been doing well there. But the restless playboy that Vijay Mallya is, he wanted to play with the excess money breweries were making. So decides to own flying machines for self and commerce.
Principle of any business is your own in-house strength in managing its nitti gritties. Look at the way Capt. Gopinath, of Air Deccan sold his entire enterprise to Vijay Mallya for Rs. 400 crores and laughed his way to Bank. Capt. Gopinath is a pilot and knew his strength and weaknesses. May be he realised early to get off the passenger airline segment and made his deft move. Inexperienced Mallya got caught. Under the circumstances, it is best that Mallya sells the Kingfisher to those who can manage it well. Surely, if his ego allows him, he will find some buyers. After all he is the only one who faces maximum problem for his KFA. Hope he learns to come terms with ground realities for the sake of his huge staff and those banks who have funded him.
WEST BENGAL: Dinesh Trivedi the Union Railway Minister presented his maiden Railway budget for 2012/13, and he gets his sack order from his political boss, from far away Kolkatta. Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, also the Chief of Trinamool Congress, faxed her instruction to the Prime Minister to ‘sack Dinesh Trivedi’. The reason, he increased railway fares without her sanction, or that of any of her party leaders. While asking for the removal of Railway Minister, she also demanded the reversal of increase in railway fares. How this Trinamool Congress Party should work is entirely a business of the party. But to instruct a Union Cabinet Minister-just because he is your party member-to what to do and what not to do and react publicly to an alleged wrong doing smacks of dictatorial attitude of the leader. It has clearly exposed her political immaturity. Mamata is an honest person but likes the trappings of power. She asks power for people, but she herself is undemocratic and dictatorial. Her complaint is, raising rail fare is hurting common man. But railways have not increased fare for the last 10 years. Cost escalation and expenditure on better infrastructure is an ongoing and continuous process, hence fare raise is an essential concomitant and has got to happen. Opposing for the sake of opposing is to take the populism to ridiculous levels. And the tweet by the Quiz Master Derek O’Brien that "effecting raise in fare in upper class fare OK but all? Sorry cannot agree" shows, that neither he nor his boss understand sensible economics. May be he should go back to his quiz shows and ask this question on arithmetic. As for Mamata, she may be slowly losing her goodwill by her acerbic and eccentric behaviour. It will not be surprising if she goes the way Mayawati has gone. Of course the saving grace is, unlike Maya-Mamata Banerjee is not corrupt. Here she needs to understand that UPA government may be driven to go to SP for support, in case UPA is tired of her tantrums. Certainly TMC is a better choice than the SP with its rogue elements. But if Mamata continues to behave the way she is behaving, for survival UPA has to go to SP or BSP or both. Besides, it is reliably understood that most party men and opinion makers in the party fold are increasingly feeling upset with the temparamental tantrums of Mamata. Reportedly Amit Mitra, the high profile former FICCI chief and Mamata’s Finance Minister is frustrated and contemplating shifting back to Delhi. These could be writings on the wall, which Mamata should read or else it could be repetition of another Maya.
KERALA: There was this Kozhikode datelined report "Pressure mounting on Israeli author to leave country". Susan Nathan, probably a PIO (Person of Indian Origin), with an Israeli passport, reportedly in alleged ‘house arrest’ prior to being deported for overstaying in India. Her visa reportedly expired on 16/09/2010 and she has made application for extension and has requested Union Home Ministry (MHA) to convert the visa as ‘Medical Visa’. MHA in turn has apparently recommended extension of visa as per medical advice. However, the lawyer representing Ms. Nathan has alleged that his client is in dark about this MHA recommendation, thereby casting aspersion on the police, which is-by extension-a part of MHA.
There appears to be certain misunderstanding over the Malayalam translation of Ms. Nathan’s book "Other side of Israel", which is currently in circulation in Kerala.
The report, as usual, is incomplete. It suggests harassment by Police in Kerala but ‘why?’, the report is silent. Has the book caused any avoidable disquiet in the community around Kozhikode? The report is silent. Who are the people, ostensibly pressuring police to force Ms. Nathan to leave? What are the antecedents and other nationality details of Ms. Nathan? The report is silent. Why media is leaving too many crucial Qs unanswered in their eagerness to make a story? Of course we have E. Ahmed of Kerala Muslim League in the MEA, who was-long ago-involved in getting Arabs into Kerala without visa.
MAHARASHTRA: There was this Thane date lined news item "Tribals help CPI win 29 seats across six districts". It was indeed heart warming to know that people's movement doesn’t die, at least in the present socio-economic scenario. Despite big and dirty money playing its inevitable role in the socio-economic destabilsation of the society, it is indeed very creditable that CPI (Communist Party of India) has managed to win 29 seats in different parts of western Maharashtra, like Thane, Dahanu, Nashik and others. These wins were mainly in tribal areas where CPI(M) is very active in people centred socio/political activity. These victories are not new, but it has been so, for over 15 years. In fact it was in 1962 that CPI (M) won its first Panchayat Samiti election in this area. So it is indeed possible to influence and win elections without this dirty money, by service and reach out alone. Long live people's movement.
Rise and Rise and Rise and then a sudden fall with a thud, is the story of a class IV employee of government of Maharashtra becoming the president of Mumbai City Congress Committee, and making hundreds of crores in the process. The news that Mumbai High Court has directed the city police to file an FIR against Kripashankar Singh who is also an MLA, besides the city Congress Party boss, need not surprise those who are alive to the happening around them. Politicians with power, making money, left-right and centre, is a well known fact. But the authorities, who need to be alive to this blatant misuse of position to enrich themselves, at the cost of public and the nation, are cousins of legendary Kumbhakarna, suffering from long spell of sleeping. Only when judiciary raps them on their knuckles they, kind of, get ruffled out of their slumber.
It was one Sanjay Tiwari, who filed a PIL in the High Court against Kripashankar and his son. The court in turn asked the police to act.
A Mumbai datelined report informed "Ex-Mumbai Top Cop Hassan Gafoor dies". There is nothing special in the news. All have to die some day. Of course, poor fellow died rather early at 61. But then it need not be unusual, some die late some die early, and surely humans do not have much role in its timing – Good health or no good health.
But the report, while detailing about some of his controversial decisions and actions, concluded, "In a deviation from tradition, he neither got a customary farewell dinner nor parade".
If the report says so, in the main stream print media, it must be true. But, was it right? NO, in capital letters. It exposed the unprofessional attitude and pettiness of the police top brass in Mumbai. There could be any number of controversies, but a farewell dinner and parade to a very senior policeman, when he retires is an absolute must. All controversies have two sides or may be even three sides, as some cynics say, when both could be wrong. And such denials become major talking points especially in India, who officially swears by secularism and yet practice its own kind of discrete apartheid. This has happened in a state ruled by the ‘champions of secularism’, the Congress and NCP. What if Mumbai had a saffron government, media would have gone-hammer and tong-vilifying the SS/BJP combine. As usual in India’s political life honesty is always at a discount. Yeh Mera India.
UTTAR PRADESH: Like Mayawathi’s solo performance 5 years ago, it was Akhilesh Yadav all the way. In an unprecedented come back Samajwadi Party of Mulayam Singh romped home with 224 seats in the house of 403 seats. It was even better than 206 of BSP in 2007. This victory is incredibly fantastic. While all predicted a better showing by SP, nobody wagered a battering for BSP. It was a free fall from 206 to 79. Mayawathi with her maiden absolute majority in 2007 had a golden opportunity to build the party, if she had shown even 50% of her rhetoric into sincere actions on the ground, she would have repeated her last performance 5 years ago. She comprehensively messed it up with her megalomaniac approach to politics and development. In the event, people emerging as the real power centre, gave Mayawathi a deafening marching order, that BSP will never stage a comeback if Akhilesh Yadav does read the writings on the wall for all politicians across the country. The message of the UP election is simple and very striking. Perform or perish. Yes the electorates in UP, has given unforgettable lessons to all. Nobody should take them for granted. People, the electorates, have options. So Mr Akhilesh Yadav, the Engineer turned politician, you better be careful. The people of UP has given you unprecedented opportunity for you, and mind you, not your father, so not only you should perform, you must also keep your promise of cleansing the socio/political scene of UP of its rogue elements.
But your very first move of appointing 6 older politicians as ministers, who have serious criminal charges have sent unmistakably wrong signal. It could be compulsions of party politics, but you must ensure that these elements play the ball by the rule. Or else Mayawathi can still stage a comeback next time round, since despite the huge difference of 145 seats-that is 65%-when the difference in vote share is only 2.5%. So truly speaking, you are on notice as you begin. So watch your every move, you are being watched, doesn't matter the Mulla/Mulayam combine.
The report that there was a minor riot in Basti jail near Lucknow just before your swearing in, which left 1 prisoner dead and 12 injured, is a bad beginning.
RAJASTHAN: The news from Sanchor in Jalore district of Rajasthan is that Narmada river from far away Chhattisgarh has reached the barren districts of Thar Desert in Rajasthan, is certainly music to all those who like to see a developed India. And come to think of it, that Rajasthan is not even a riparian state, unlike Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat, with over 3/4th of the river falling in M.P. Traversing around 460 kms from the Sardar Sarovar dam site, the facility of irrigation and drinking water was extended in a spirit of co-operative co-existence. The 56km canal from the border of Gujarat that was commissioned in 2008, has dramatically changed the whole topography of these 233 villages, which are irrigated and 1336 villages getting drinking water. The report informs that the price of farm land in Jalore has soared from Rs.5000/- to Rs. 2.5 lakh per bhiga, that’s an increase of 50 fold. Surely all along where Narmada has flowed and canalised, such development has taken place. In a place where people used to walk for 8 kms to get water, are now growing in their backyard, cumin, castor seeds, wheat, pearl millets, isabgol and even pomegranates, informs the report. It is a huge development story.
Looking back over the saga of Narmada dam construction of over a decade costing thousands of crores, the present report is indeed heartening. It was worth it after all.
GUJARAT: The writings on the 10th anniversary of Gujarat carnage of 2002 have again came back to haunt the psyche of average Guajarati so also Indians at large. There have been pointed articles in the print media, especially, when writers tried to dwell on the issue, to tell the readers, how all perpetrators have still not been made accountable. While only some were punished, how the state leadership has largely remained unscathed. Of course there is no denial of the truth that there has been large scale violence, and may be state government failed in its duty and a section of people suffered immensely. There can be no justicification for the hugeness of the reaction to what happened earlier at Godhra. If Godhra was bad, Ahmadabad was worst. Every action has to have its reaction, not necessarily equal. In this case it was very badly unequal. As homosapiens, we are all privy to the human history, that man has been cruel, and different people suffered differently at different places and at different times. If all incidents and accidents are to be remembered in every detail to keep a terrible event live, then, there will never be any human interaction or human co-operation for a co-operative co-existence anywhere in the world. Human pettiness have always caused the rupture, but the largeness of humanity has always overcome the pain of the wound to live another day, more meaningful and purposeful for the betterment of a larger society. Surely we shall all overcome likes of Gujarat, someday, despite the consistent failure of all governments and redressal agencies everywhere to give justice to those who suffered. Hence, attempts to keep the divide alive and widening has to be consciously avoided.
DELHI: The report from New Delhi on the Wikileak exposure of Dow Chemicals spying on Bhopal activists should surprise no one. Of course, this exposure only reinstate and reiterate the oft repeated charge that the culpability of Union Carbide, in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy is still alive and kicking. A fact that can never be brushed aside. Of course those 20,000+ who died cannot be brought back and half million or so, who suffered and continue to suffer the horrendous aftermath of the world’s greatest industrial tragedy, their pain cannot be mitigated. But there are ways to address the redressal, however incomparable to the tragedy, is to reach out in whatever form that is humanely possible. One such is an adequate compensation which all those responsible for the redressal have failed so far. Beginning from Indian authorities, to Indian courts to all the U.S. agencies and of course the Union Carbide (UC), and by extention the current brand owners of UC, the Dow Chemicals, every body evaded their responsibility one way or the other, and suffering by those effected and living in Bhopal continues. The question is, will the cancellation of Dow sponsorship of London Olympics help? Of course PM David Cameron will never agree and so shall the IOC. After all it is only a matter of some additional payment. So the way out is eminently possible, if there is a will. The only problem is, white man must accept that the value of life and suffering of a browni or a blackman is same like the whiteman. That's all. It is this refusal to accept as equal is at the core of this impasse. Nothing else.
The proposed bill to enhance fines many folds for traffic offences is a long overdue measure. Sooner it comes, the better for police. Indian road users, the motorists, are the most indisciplined lot. We have the highest rate of traffic accidents in the world. The loss of life and property seen and read in the media has not helped the scene to improve. Because, Indians generally are poor learners. Hasn’t the emergency of 1970’s proved it. We only like batons, to be bullied into submission. Hence this law, where fines for traffic violation can be as high as 5 times, is a welcome sign. Only when you financially bleed these traffic offenders, they will learn. This can also increase the revenue of police. If in 2011, Mumbai police have collected over Rs. 3 crores it can now be over Rs. 15 crores after this bill becomes operational. Hopefully Indian road users will become more law abiding.
As a nation, we have always barked up the wrong tree. The cartoon "Compared to 2G, the fodder scam looks like traffic violation" says it all. For all these years Lalu Prasad Yadav, the ebullient former CM of Bihar and former Rail Minister, who was accused of embezzlement of Rs. 55 lakhs in the infamous Chaara Ghotala, suffered the ignominy of being corrupt. Of course, a thief is a thief, whether he steals an egg or an elephant. But look at the mind boggling stories of sleaze across India, what Lalu is accused of, is petty peanut. Unlike Bofors where court closed the case for alleged spending Rs. 250 crores against a case of Rs. 64 crores of bribery, this case against Lalu must have cost the exchequer/ CBI more than Rs. 55 lakhs and hence it should be closed. In Bofors case, the government had bluffed when the cost of litigation was just Rs. 5 crores, as disclosed under RTI and not Rs. 250/- crores as submitted by the government/CBI. Of course, court too, in its haste, did not question the veracity of CBI’s claim. But then, this is how we work.
That Jayaram Ramesh, the Rural Development Minister (RDM) of the centre, is a better minister, both intellectually and organisationally, besides being a good human being, is never in doubt. As soon as he became the RDM, he made some right noises regarding the naxalite problems. From Prime Minister down to the village patwari, all seem to think that threat of violence is the most serious when it comes to Maoists or Naxals, as they are also known as. Hence, if there has not been significant measurable success in the handling of naxal menace, there has got to be some sound reasons. At present the Integrated Action Plan of the Prime Minister is being handled and implemented by RDM, and Jayaram Ramesh, the RDM, has proposed that it should be handled by Ministry of Panchayati Raj for better impact and for achieving the objective of weakening the hold of the CPI (M) in naxal infested areas. There are not many ministers who are interested in giving up their hold in any development project, for both power and money involved in it. But here is Jayaram Ramesh who thinks jobs need to be done better and effectively without cost overruns, does not matter if his own role is reduced. So we do need people like Ramesh. In fact he could be a better man at the helm in Yojana Bhawan. Some years ago, he was the Deputy Chairman of Karnataka Planning Board. He is not a stranger to planning, besides his IIT background can be better utilised.
WORLD: The romance between communist China and the theocratic Pakistan shall continue to have its-ins and outs-on regular basis. Violence in the past against Chinese nationals in Pakistan, Beijing had taken it very seriously and Pakistan playing the obedient second fiddle, without demur. Unlike, when dealing with India, Pakistan cannot afford to take Chinese anger lightly. China can be very hard on Pakistan and Islamabad is fully aware of it. But these partners in bed shall continue to find bed infested with thorns rather than roses. It is basically a sleeping to-gether of convenience, just to spite, to irritate India.
The recent killing of a Chinese woman in Peshawar has once again brought to the fore the question of safety of Chinese men and women in Pakistan, either students or those who are in business and industry. Pakistan as usual bent backwards to convince China that it is doing everything to nab the culprits. Besides China is also accusing Pak outfits for the restlessness in its western Chinese Muslim majority province. The report that ‘violence in Xinjiang kills 20’, is largely blamed on separatists helped by Pak trained terror groups.
Thus, sooner than later, those who live with sword shall be forced to die with sword. It is a time tested dictum, whether Pakistan likes it or not.
"Executed in cold blood despite being child" was the ultimate nail into the human rights violation coffin of Sri Lanka. The report by Callum Macral, the British journalist described the killing of 12 year old son of LTTE supremo in chilling details in his documentary. "A 12 year old boy lies on the ground. He is stripped to the waist and has five neat bullet holes in his chest", he wrote in ‘The Independent’ "Beside him lie the bodies of five men believed to be his body guards. There are indications showing they were tied and blind folded before being shot. Evidences suggest that the Sri Lankan government had a systematic policy of executing surrendered and captured LTTE-fighters and leading figures, even if they were children", the reported had continued.
In the wake of the resolution moved by U.S., France and Norway against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, there have been clamour among Indian parliamentarians to join the issue, and rightly so.
Reports of human rights violations in Sri Lanka against Tamil separatist elements has been known for quite some time. The govt. in Colombo even terrorized Sri Lanka’s Sinhalese, for speaking against state violence on Tamils. It is true that Prabhakaran and his cadre could have been more circumspect in the larger interest of both Tamils and Sri Lankans but he was a terrorist himself and conducted the affairs of LTTE with impunity. Sri Lankan government was hell bent to teach him a lesson. And they succeeded in their design. However, a victor can always be gracious in his victory, which Rajpaksa and his brother failed to rise up to. Future lies in the acceptance by the Tamil that they are in Sri Lanka and therefore should earn Sinhalese goodwill and Sri Lankans cannot antagonize Tamils who gave their best to Sri Lanka. Both need to understand their duties in the larger Sinhala/Tamil context. Indian government should play a positive role to make Tamils know and understand their role towards the country of their adoption and surely Sri Lankan’s would respond positively in an atmosphere of genuine reconciliation of leaving the baggage of history behind and move ahead. Sri Lanka has the necessary wherewithal to emerge as a prominent member of the sub-continent and the world at large.
Arab spring, did bring spring time to some countries. Aspirations of ordinary people wanting to breath free is a global phenomena. In some places it happens fast, as it happened in Tunisia and some other places, it is happening with difficulties in places like Egypt. But in some places it never seem to happen. Of course, China is economically most powerful country in the world to-day, by the sheer strength of balance of payment in its favour. Time and again, China has ruthlessly crushed any such aspiration by its people. Following China, is Syria. In its brutality may be Syria is worse than China. At least China has an ideology, right or wrong. But Assad is a dictator, worse than his father. He has to give up in the larger interest of Syrian people. But it is very unfortunate that both China and Russia, for its own political compulsions are ready to sacrifice the lives of ordinary Syrians. How can authoritarian states like China and Russia hold the international community for ransom in vetoing the UN resolution to take action on Syria? UN too must be subjected to democratic norms, lest China hijack international institutions.
J.Shriyan
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