hello India

BRING THE LAWYERS TO LAW

2010-08-05T00:48:00.000-07:00

Who will bring the lawyers to law?

The unprecedented acts of hooliganism and vandalism done by the lawyers of the Madras High court has raised the issue that as Policing the Police is becoming gradually difficult, similarly bringing lawyers to the law is becoming an arduous task.

The lawyers were protesting against an attempt by the police to arrest some accused in connection with a complaint lodged by Subramanyam Swami. The lawyers turned violent and started attacking the police. They set ablaze some vehicles parked in the campus. Subsequently the Police also resorted to lathi charge and beat lawyers mercilessly.

The lawyers went on strike and demanded action against what they call the brutal action of the police. The repeated request by the Supreme Court to the lawyers to call off their strike went unheeded.

The apex court appointed one man panel to probe into this episode headed by retired SC Judge B.N.Srikrishna. The panel submitted its 22 page report to the court and was read out in the court by some senior advocates.

The report has deplored the incident which took place on 19^th February in the court premises of Madras HC. Srikrishna has termed the action and behaviour of the advocates as ‘hooligans and miscreants’

It is shame on our judicial system. Lawyers are the part and parcel of the entire criminal justice system and the courts cannot function without the participation of the advocates.

In recent times, a section of lawyers have formed an idea that they can take law in their hands and will go unscathed because they are under illusion that they are running the courts and the courts will not take action or allow any action to be taken against them. The report has rightly indicted the acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court because his infirm and indecisive attitude allowed the situation to go from bad to worse.

Few days ago, similar incident, though of smaller magnitude and intensity took place inside the court room at Patna High Court. The Judge Mr. D.D. Jha was force to withdraw his order of making arrest of a lawyer for his act of contempt of the court. The said advocate shouted at the highest pitch and called all his companion lawyers. They started slogans inside the court room before the Judge and the Judge could not nothing accept left the chair helplessly and withdrew his order. Only few days before this incident, a section of lawyers and lawyer’s clerk raised slogans against the Chief Justice because the Chief Justice had issued one direction which necessitated the lawyers or the lawyers clerks to verify the stamps, they are furnishing with. This order was made in view of detection of a racket which had been using fake stamps inside the court itself. In this scam, the police said that the involvement of some advocates was allegedly possible. Any way the entire stalemate could only be resolved when this order was withdrawn.

Such types of infirm and indecisive attitudes of the court have emboldened the lawyers who have started taking law in their hands.

The report of Justice Shri Krishna has rightly sought the intervention of the apex court. The panel has also suggested framing of certain guide lines for the bar. In fact there is no rule whatsoever in this matter and it is the bar council which regulates the activities of the advocates in India. Of course there is one advocates Act, 1971, which gives certain broader guide lines for the lawyers, but it is becoming ineffective.

The Parliament should, now come up to take up and tackle this dangerous trends which is spreading like a pandemic contagion in Indian Judiciary. The time has come to frame a strict, elaborate and comprehensive law in order to ensure that such ailment is cured, and cured forever.

BIHAR LAND POLICY ON ANVIL

2010-05-29T07:07:00.000-07:00

BIHAR WATER POLICY ON ANVIL

Bihar is a land of paradoxes. The northern part of the state is flooded with both under and surface water whereas; the southern and central part of the province not so lucky and richly endowed with this resources. But at the same time the north Bihar bears almost invariably every year the brunt of rivers like Kosi, Adhwara groups, Bagmati, Kamal balan etc. the districts falling under this region experience wrath of the virulent and furious rivers every year leaving hundreds dead and extensive damages. This year also, the state is marked by this dichotomy and paradox. The 26 districts of central and north Bihar have been declared drought hit whereas about 6-7 districts have been facing wraths of flood fury. The people of Bihar have accepted this state of affairs as nature’s injustice to them, but government, this time, seems determined to fight to finish this natural calamity once for all.

It is therefore and under this backdrop, the Government of Bihar is coming out with a comprehensive water policy very soon. A draft has already been prepared by the Water Resource Department (WRD) and put to website for inviting suggestion from across the board and people at large. In fact, during the last year’s unprecedented flood in North Bihar caused by Kosi River, which devastated the socio-economic fabric of almost entire northern region of the state, necessitated the government to evolve such policy with respect to water management and flood control. The extensive damage caused by this flood, which according to many was nothing short of a catastrophe, had evoked public debate in the media and in government circles also. Many experts suggested that merely doing some anti-erosion and embankment strengthening would not work. A plethora of suggestions in forms of articles, columns and seminars were put into public domain regarding flood control and disaster management. It was during this period the details of steps suggested by the engineers and civil servants during British government also came up for discussion. Only few months ago, Rajendra Singh and Sandip Pandey, both Magsaysay award winner came to Bihar and delivered speech. They suggested ways to conserve and manage water resources. They were particularly averse to the idea of taming rivers by way of construction of dams and embankments. The duo was in favour of allowing the rivers to flow their natural courses.

The ‘Saharsa Gazetteer’ a valuable document, which entails details about the flood control, safety of embankment of rivers etc, also drew government’s attention. Many engineers and experts are of the opinion that the government’s apathy and neglect towards these old but precious documents, which according to them are as valuable as anything and adoption of strategies on adhoc basis has allowed the situation to go from bad to worse.

Taking cue from all such documents and suggestions, the govt has decided to formulate a comprehensive water policy of the state so that strategies to tackle the problems related to rivers are evolved. The objectives of this proposed policy are

· Irrigation and flood management so that flood devastation is mitigated

· To evolve water drainage system in the affected areas

· Development of river basin system and transfer of river basin from excessive water availability area to scanty water availability area. The idea is to transfer water from north to south region of the state

· Strengthening river embankment to tame the fury of river

· Interlinking river on lines of river linking mega project of national government.

· Deepening of river and de-siltation of rivers

· To treat north and south Bihar rivers on different footing and evolve different strategies for these rivers.

· Recycling of underground water and evolve and formulate rain water harvesting rules and laws. The excessive exploitation of underground water especially by commercial enterprise are sought to be regulated and the government is determined to enact law related to it also.

· Evolve multi-sectoral approach etc

Officials connected with the WRD say that the CM is committed to give final shape to this policy very soon and like to announce it on republic day celebration on 26^th January, 2009.

Indian Space programme got another further in its cap following successfully launch of seven satellites by rocket, the PSLV on Wednesday from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. Out of the seven satellites launched, six belonged to foreign countries, meaning thereby that India’s share in multi-billion dollar international space market has been on increase. This is the first space venture by India after failure of Chandrayan- I, a setback which many called a fiasco. This success is being viewed as a major breakthrough and confidence building event because the failure of Chandrayan-I had stigmatised Indian space programme in eyes of cynical elements.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is a seven storeys and 230 tonne rocket and this launch was the 16^th mission by PSLV for India. The credibility of this satellite Launch vehicle has immensely increased because now more and foreign countries are showing confidence in this vehicle for launch of their satellites.

The 21^st century is era of space and satellites, and commercial launch vehicle can earn huge revenues in space market. Therefore India should augment its space programme and can further improve upon PSLV so that we can earn huge resources to finance our future space and defence programme.

WATER ON MOON; CHANDRAYAN I PIONEERED THE WORLD

Chandrayan I, the maiden lunar mission of India had detected the existence of water on the surface of Moon much before its demise just previous month. The instrument of NASA called Moon Mineralogy Mapper i.e. MMM or M3 onboard Chandrayan-I has sent data and images which confirm existence of water on Moon ending four decades of speculation. Speculation had been rife and ideas had been vacillating ever since Apollo astronauts brought some sample rocks from the Moon in a box which got contaminated because the box leaked. The scientists therefore could not draw any inference on the basis of these contaminated rocks.

What is MMM or M3- Moon Mineralogy Mapper or triple M, popularly known as M3 is one of the two instruments which NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) had fitted on Chandrayan-I to collect images and gather data from the Moon. Chandrayan was fitted with 10 more other equipments apart from this M3. This instrument is led by Principal investigator Carle Pieters of Brown University and was managed by Jet Propulsion Laboratory of NASA. This instrument is manufactured and designed to the state of the art imagining spectrometer which can provide high resolution spatial and spectral map of the surface of Moon. M3 is a discovery Program, a series of low cost instruments which focuses on scientific space missions. M3 is one such instrument which was installed into Chandrayan-I and sent some information. The instrument picked up electromagnetic radiations from the rocks of the lunar surface.

BASIS OF CLAIM- Scientists have drawn preliminary inference that water could have been formed due to interaction of Oxygen and Hydrogen. The Oxygen might have been present in the rocks and soil present on the lunar surface and Hydrogen might have come due to nuclear fusion taking place in the sun. In fact, due to ongoing nuclear fusion in the sun, the photons are emitted which contain hydrogen. The interaction of Oxygen and Hydrogen (O+H2= H20) forms water and this calculation is the basis on which it is being said that lunar surface has water.

M3 instrument analysed that how the sun light reflected from the surface of moon and mapped electromagnetically the presence of water on the surface. The wavelengths of received from M3 could be easily analysed because each matter gas or liquid has a different wavelength of electromagnetic image.

FINDING OF CENTURY- it is a being termed as the finding of century which brought to an end the four decades of speculation. Although the available water is not in abundant or in pool and is in form of moistures in rocks and soils, it is a big leap in scientific exploration. The NASA has also confirmed this findings with a sense of gratitude towards ISRO and Chandrayan-I.

CLAMOUR FOR CLAIM- the findings has now been confirmed by NASA and subsequently it has been put to online edition of Science journal. With the completion of these formalities, the exploration is confirmed and the scientific communities have accepted the findings of M3. Although NASA has thanked ISRO for making this discovery possible, quarrel is likely to begin as to who is the real taker of credit, NASA or ISRO. The world and especially west would not like to accept this claim very easily due to inherent societal and scientific temperament whereas the Indian scientist community will leave no stone unturned to stake the claim in its accounts. Director of NASA Jim Green said ‘water ice on the moon has been something of a holy grail for lunar scientists for a very long time’. Commending the discovery, Carle Pieters, Principal Investigator said ‘for silicate bodes, such features are typically attributed to water and hydroxyl-bearing materials’. Downplaying excessive euphoria, she said that evidence of water on the Moon does not mean that it is in lakes and oceans or even puddles, it is in molecules and embedded in rocks.

There is no doubt about the fact that it is a big leap and discovery is made by an instrument which was built and installed by NASA, the association of Chandrayan-I with it can never be ruled out and name of India and ISRO have permanently been associated with this historic scientific event which will pass into the pages of history.

IPS resigned to robe uniform again?

2009-12-05T05:26:00.000-08:00

I.P.S. OFFICER TO ROBE UNIFORM AFTER QUITTING?

The bureaucratic circle in the Bihar Government is facing a peculiar type of administrative procedural wrangle and web. Gupteshwar Pandey, an IPS of 1987 batch Bihar cadre officer took voluntary retirement (VR) on the eve of last Parliamentary election in the hope of getting ticket of a National Party. His VR application was processed and accepted after completing all necessary formalities well before beginning of the last parliamentary elections which took place in May 2009. In fact the notification to this effect was also issued after President of India’s approval as required under Article 311 of Indian Constitution. Pandey was ducked by the party and he could not get the ticket.

Now after a gap of nearly 6 months, Mr Pandey has filed a petition before the government praying therein to allow his VR application to be withdrawn. Pandey has reported to have quoted ‘personal reasons’ for this prayer. In other words he has requested the government to re-instate him to the post he resigned. This is a peculiar situation and perhaps the first of this kind. The state government has never faced such a typical constitutional and legal issue.

Leaving aside the political nature of this issue, this matter has raised some vital legal and constitutional issues which needed to be settled before taking any final decision.

1) Article 311 and 312 of Indian Constitution are relevant with respect to government servant including All India Services to which Mr Pandey belonged. The former Article suggests that a government servant cannot be removed except in the manner and procedure laid down under the law enacted and rules framed. But this Article is silent as to what will happen if the officer has resigned voluntarily and subsequently seeks his re-instatement after the acceptance of his VR application.

2) Article 312 provides for creation of All India Service and under this Article, the IAS, IPS and host of All India Services have been created and rules framed to regulate them.

3) In order to regulate, control and provide professionalism to these services, several Rules have been framed in this connection. The All India Services (conduct) Rules 1968 and The All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules 1969 are of special relevance in this case.

PROVISIONS WHICH GOES AGAINST THIS RE-INSTATEMENT- Rule 5 of The All India Services (conduct) Rules, 1968 says that no member of the Service shall be a member of, or be otherwise associated with, any political party or any organization which takes part in politics, nor shall he take part in, or subscribe in aid of, or assist in any other manner, any political movement or political subscribing in aid of or assisting in any other manner, activity.

The Sub Rule-2 further clarifies that It shall be the duty of every member of the Service to endeavour to prevent any member of his family from taking part in or any movement of, activity which is, or tends directly or indirectly to be subversive of the Government as by law established, and where a member of the Service is unable to prevent member of his family from taking part in or subscribing in aid of, or assisting in any other manner, any such movement of activity, he shall make a report to that effect to the Government.

In the case of Mr Pandey, his political affiliation has been established as he wanted to fight election on the ticket of a National Political Party (needless to mention name of party). Thus his partisan approach, which is the essence of this service, has been tattered and on principle he can never be supposed to act in a non discriminatory manner or impartial way.

To check such practises and tendencies and also prevent politicisation of bureaucracy, the State government had issued a circular bearing no-5/m/5048/85 pers-10578 on dated 28 August 1985 stating therein that if any government servant resigns for fighting election and subsequently files petition seeking withdrawal of resignation, such applications should be out-rightly rejected. This circular further instructs that if any government servant fights or participates in elections without tendering resignation; his or her services should be terminated. Message is clear; the government employees must remain non-political. But in this case, Pandey’s intensions have been more than clear therefore legally speaking his application ought to be rejected.

OPTIONS BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT- If the government decides to allow Pandey to withdraw his resignation and pave way for his re-inclusion into the service, it has to withdraw this circular first and then issue a fresh instruction as required under article 309 and 162 of Indian Constitution. It has to recommend to the MHA also because Pandey happened to be a member of All India Service and President of India is the appointing authority under Article 312 of the Constitution. Ministry of Personnel, Public grievance and Pension will have to either repeal All India Services (conduct) Rules, 1968 and All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969 or amend them accordingly because the provisions under these Rules are against such re-instatement in letter and spirit. Moreover, the aforesaid Articles would have also to be put to review.

If Pandey is re-instated into the service, it will have a far reaching ramification in the administrative and bureaucratic history of this country, because it will unleash a trend in which more and more government servants would flex their muscles in the political fields and will seek re-instatement after losing the battle. Now everyone here is sitting fingers crossed waiting for the government to take a final decision in this regard.

Nepal's cabinet meet at highest altitude

2009-12-03T22:58:00.000-08:00

SAVE IT TO BE SAVED

Government of Nepal today held a meeting of its cabinet at an altitude of 5,250 meters on a place called Kalapathar, i.e. black rock in order to draw global attention of world community on the gravity of climatic change. Similar cabinet meeting was held by Maldivian Government in the month of October, 2009, when the entire cabinet of Mohammad Nasheed held meeting under the ocean. It was first such attempt and exercise to draw international attention.

Madhav Kumar Nepal, the PM of Nepal, the Himalayan tiny nascent democracy, along with all the 21 members of his cabinet assembled at Kalapathar, a flat area at 5250 meters altitude next to Mt Everest, and signed a document aimed at drawing global attention on climate change just a couple of days ahead of Copenhagen Summit . All the ministers were equipped with necessary things like thick jackets, wind proof gears and woolen hats. They were first taken to Lukla, a place some 2800 meters above the sea level to acclimatize them to higher altitude by helicopter.

Many people called it as a gimmick and wastage of public money. The ongoing media hype owing to ensuing Copenhagen summit has come as business opportunity for many and arranging such trips by private agencies are being seen as a publicity stunts and nothing more than that. Nonetheless, the media hype and environmentalists repeated warnings on climate change and global warming have helped awareness towards climate change permeate into the minds and heats of common people also, who hitherto were least informed and less concerned about all such problems.

State Ganga river basin authority in Bihar; a welcome move

2009-12-01T21:18:00.000-08:00

SAVE THE FAITH AND RIVER AS WELL

On lines of Union government’s National Ganga river basin authority GRBA), the State government of Bihar has also decided to set up a State Ganga River Basin Authority (SGRBA) to control water pollution, waste management and discharge of sewerage into this holy River. Decision to this effect has been taken in cabinet and notification is likely to be issued in a day or two.

This Authority would be headed by the Chief Minister himself and ministers and secretaries of Urban Development, Housing, Water Resources, Public health and engineering, forest and environment and finance would be the ex officio members of this authority. Executive committee of this body would be headed by the chief secretary. The Managing Directors (MDs) of the state pollution control board and urban infrastructure development authority and Patna water board will be the special invitee members in this authority.

The civil society has welcomed this decision but has sounded some apprehensions also. The people of the state has reminded the government about the utter failure of Bihar State Water and Sewerage (BISWAS) board in which millions of rupees had been wasted and the scheme was left in lurch. The Supreme Court had also monitored this ambitious scheme which was under taken under Ganga Action Plan and was aimed at cleaning Ganga River and preventing it from being further polluted. Large numbers of sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs) and electric crematoriums were constructed but within few years, most of them rendered useless due to one reason or the other. The government vows to bring these constructions to use again by repairing or replacing them altogether. If this effort is successful, it would be a great service to Holy River Ganga which is getting polluted day by day and now at many places it has gone beyond repair.

RTI Rules amended in Bihar

2009-11-26T02:01:00.001-08:00

Ignoring the repeated appeals by civil society and right to information activists, the State government amended some provisions of the Bihar Right to Information Rule, 2006 framed by the state government under section 28 of RTI Act. Notification to this effect has been issued a couple of days ago amending rule – 5 schedule- I of the Rule. The amendment has made the application under RTI Act, 2005 costlier, because now the applicants will have to pay Rs/- 10 for each of the application and only one information would be made available in the one application.

Previously the information seekers could seek more than one information in one application for which he had to pay only rupees 10. Now after this amendment, the Public Information Officer would have the discretion to treat contents of the application as more than one information and consequently the applicants would be asked to pay extra money for that.

The provision related to supply of information free of cost to the applicants living below poverty line (BPL) has also been amended and according to new arrangement such applicants cannot be supplied more than 10 pages of information free of cost. The PIOs as well as SIC have been complaining to the government that the applications under RTI have been draining huge resources both in terms of money and manpower, therefore they argued that such amendments be brought in. The RTI activists on the other hand dubbed this change as anti-people. They argue that now on wards obtaining information from government would become more difficult and costly.

First anniversary of 26/11

2009-11-25T21:22:00.000-08:00

First anniversary of Mumbai attacks

Today is 26/11 i.e. first anniversary of the infamous Mumbai attacks. The families of 163 people who reportedly lost their lives in this dastardly act of terrorism sponsored by Pakistan, the epicenter of International terrorism, are still fighting to recover from the trauma. The brave city has limped back to normalcy very soon and life resumed but the scares are conspicuous on the faces of Mumbaites and walls of streets in Mumbai. The slain heroes like Unnikrishan, Karkare, Salasker, Apte etc remind us how unsafe our country is becoming. The families of many of them are still fighting to get the reward as promised both by the civil society and government. Stories of many unsung heroes are coming to fore thanks to TV and Print media.

The political and police establishments claim to have made improvements in all related spheres and fields. Force 1 and all terrain vehicles have been inducted into the Mumbai Police force. Coastal policing has begun. Intelligence networks have been strengthened and intelligence sharing has been made more effective and fruitful.

In this backdrop also, every Indian is again asking that whether Mumbai or India as a whole has become safer? Are we better prepared to take on terrorists? Have the loopholes plugged?

The New York Times has published a report on the eve of this anniversary, apprehending therein some more similar attacks on Indian soil. The News Paper has deplored the Indian attitude towards terrorism. Lamenting on the Mumbai attacks aftermath, the report says that most of the politicians and police officials who were out after unprecedented public outrage have either been promoted or have been reinstated to their original positions.

After 9/11, The USA established a bipartisan commission to look into the attacks, the report of which was made public and become the bestseller in America, but what happened to the reports of the body which was constituted to look into the Mumbai tragedy is known to a very few in this country. We are still to create a homeland security department like institution. The NIA which was created by a Parliamentary legislation is still in infancy and lacks secretarial and logistic infrastructure.

One year has passed and we have just been able to file charge-sheet against Amir Ajmal Kasab and others. The perpetrators of attacks on our Parliament are still to be hanged. Such apathies and lackadaisical approach towards terrorism have cost us so dearly that we cannot afford this attitude any longer. Our image of soft state must be shed and we must stand erect and tall to ensure that no one dares to raise eyes and brows on us. The standoff with Pakistan can not be made to spill over in the name of inadvertent nuclear war. India is passing through a period of unprecedented security threat situation. The dragon and Moon together have started nefarious game afresh against us. Without adopting an indolent attitude, India must show that it cares and can fight back.

India Road Congress in Patna; Changing face of Bihar

2009-11-14T23:18:00.000-08:00

HOPE FOR REPAIR

At the invitation of the Government of Bihar, the 70^th Annual Session of the Indian Road Congress (IRC) is being held in Patna at the historical Gandhi Maidan during 14^th to 17^th November, 2009. This Session of Indian Road Congress is being held in Bihar after a gap of 17. Prior to this, Bihar had the glory of holding three such sessions, which had been held respectively in January 1961, December 1981 and Nov-December 1992.

Formally inaugurating the session of the Congress, CM Nitish Kumar requested the delegates and other attending engineers, experts and architects to design roads which may be suitable to rural areas in terms of cost efficiency. He also urged the engineers to develop design and suggest measures to repair the Mahatma Gandhi Setu which is in shambles. This is the only road bridge which connects north Bihar to the rest of the state including Patna. This longest man made bridge had been inaugurated in May 1982 which cost 65 crores only. The 5.575 Kilometer long bridge has now developed several cracks leading to serious structural problems. The engineers in the state government have been desperately trying to repair it for several years but in vain. They do not simply have the expertise and technical know how to deal such huge technical problems.

Expressing his helplessness, the chief minister said that in spite of his best efforts in terms of man and money, he has not been so far able to repair this bridge up to what he called his own satisfaction. He therefore requested the eminent scientists and engineers who have assembled here to participate in this congress to suggest methods and measures to rectify the problems.

This congress, among other things, is scheduled to discuss among other things, to promote and encourage the science and practice of building and maintenance of roads, provide channel for expression of collective opinions with regard to road construction, evolve ways and promote use of standard specifications and latest structural designs, to suggest and share experiences and achievements regarding education, experiment and research in field of construction and maintenance of roads, to hold meetings and seminars at regular intervals to deliberate upon technical questions, to suggest to the government laws related to development, improvement and protection of roads and to suggest improved methods of administration, planning design, construction, operation, use and maintenance of roads.

The IRC is also expected to discuss to establish, furnish and maintain libraries and museums for enriching the science of road construction and publish proceedings, journals, periodicals and other literature to promote Society in helping keep the roads in good condition.

Nitish Kumar has been desperately trying to improve the road conditions in the state which is considered to be one of the major banes to development. He also enhanced the plan allocation for roads from Rs 1,899 crore in 2008-09 to Rs 2,565 crore which is 16% of the total plan outlay. The holding of this IRC is being projected as a major initiative by the state government to remove the stereotype image of Bihar in areas of infrastructure especially roads.

Hamid Karzai elected President; No runoff

2009-11-02T22:33:00.000-08:00

Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan has been declared elected in the presidential election, which was held on 20^th August, this year. The Independent Election Commission’s Chairman Azizullah Ludin declared Karzai elected without going for the run off election, which was scheduled on 7^th November. The election held on 20^th August, was marred by large scale rigging and bungling in which involvement of UN officials was also established, making it dismal. Hamid Karzai even then could not achieve 50 percent of the votes as required under Constitution of Afghanistan to be declared elected.

This situation necessitated runoff election between Hamid Karzai and Dr Abdullah Abdullah. Dr Abdullah had been leveling serious charges of fraud and rigging in election by Hamid Karzai and his supporters. He also demanded dismissal of Chief of Independent Election Commission, because he alleged that he has been working in connivance with Hamid Karzai to confer undue favour on him. Dr Abdullah had given some suggestions to the President and UN with regard to conduction of a peaceful and fair runoff election and if these suggestions are not incorporated there is no point in participating him in the runoff fray, he added. As the dead line set by Abdullah expired, he decided to refrain and withdraw from the runoff election.

Now Independent Election Commission was left with two options. It may have gone for run off election even when there is no second candidate in the fray, because Article 61 of Constitution of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan provides for runoff in case none of the candidates secure 50% of votes casted. Now this was a peculiar situation under which none of the candidates could secure 50% of votes but only one candidate was left in the fray. The Commission had been deliberating upon to conduct runoff but the USA and many European Nato countries and off course, the UN itself was not in favour of going for runoff as it could have risked lives of personnel. There was another risk of exposing country for fresh spell of attacks, which is already war ravaged. There was a serious apprehension of violence because Taliban has given call for boycott of the election.

It was under this situation and under tremendous pressure of international community, the IEC decided to declare Hamid Karzai elected for the presidential election without a runoff.

Now there is no doubt that Karzai is going for the second tenure but his moral authority is at stake. He could not secure 50% of votes in the elections which itself has lost its credibility in the eyes of both international community and Afghani people. The USA on the other hand is desperately trying to win over Dr Abdullah to join the government under Karzai. It is noteworthy that Dr Abdullah has already served under Karzai as Foreign Minister.

Obama is facing tough time in Afghanistan. He is yet to decide on the issue of sending more 40,000 US troops to Afghanistan as demanded by Mc Crystal. The security situation in this country is fast deteriorating and writs of Afghan government do not run in majority of the provinces. The top Taliban and Al-Qaeda leaders including Osama and Mullah Md Omar are still on the run. Pakistan is also under siege; its war against TTP is not yielding desired results. Hide and Seek game between Pakistan army and TTP is on. News of NUKE technology leak by Dr Abdul Quadir Khan has increased apprehensions of possible slip of N-tech to terrorists.

Under the prevailing situation, the South Asian region may witness some more troublesome years. It remains to be seen that whether grotesque legacy of Bush in the region could be shed or carried forward by Barrack Obama and Hamid Karzai. But one thing can be said for sure, that election in Afghanistan became a missed opportunity.

RIC meeting in Bangalore; hope for future

2009-10-27T21:46:00.003-07:00

Bangalore hosted trilateral meeting of RIC (Russia, India, and China) foreign ministers on Tuesday, the 27^th November. This is the first important meeting of international importance after SAARC, which was held in 1986, some 23 years ago. S.M.Krishna, Yang Jeichi and Sergei Lavrov, foreign ministers of India, China and Russia respectively, held discussions on wide ranging issues including international terrorism, climate change, international financial order, Afghanistan, trade and commerce and IMF and World Bank etc.

This meeting had assumed immense significance in view of recent standoff between India and China on Arunachal Pradesh. PM Dr. Man Mohan Singh’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh was opposed by China. Dr Singh met Wen Jiabao, premier of China in Thailand and tried to diffuse the tension. It has been conveyed to the Chinese that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and Chinese stand on this issue is not acceptable to it. On Dalai Lama Indian premiere has categorically stated that he is an honored guest of India.

The declaration singed after this meeting, demanded among other things, reforms in IMF and World Bank. The three leaders said that India, China and Russia are major players in world economy and therefore should be given at least 5% voting rights in these international financial institutions. Commending the role of international community in fighting terrorism in Afghanistan, the leaders expressed hope that the effort would continue till the normalcy is restored.

Decision was also taken that next meeting of RIC would be held in China. On issues like climatic change, they resolved to take concerted effort and stand on Copenhagen. It is worth mentioning that India and China have signed a bilateral agreement on climate change and have resolved to work together in the field of climate change. These three nations put together constitute 20 % land mass and 39 % world population, and in this backdrop this meeting and decisions taken therein assume great significance.

They also discussed issues related to trade and commerce and reiterated that more steps would be taken to ensure that trade volume between these countries increases.

If RIC work together in international forums like G-20, WTO and SCO etc can yield very good results. Although issues of Arunachal and Dalai Lama were also raised by Chinese counterpart, but SM Krishna downplayed it intelligently and this meeting remained confined to cooperation rather than confrontation.

JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS; SILENT DISEASE, KILLING PEOPLE IN BIHAR

2009-10-27T05:07:00.000-07:00

SILENT KILLER; CAUSING EXODUS IN BIHAR

Following more than two dozen deaths in Gaya district of the state of Bihar in a couple of weeks, the government has given a wake up call to the health officials in the state headquarters and asked them to launch a special anti-encephalitis vaccination drive on 12^th the November 2009 in affected areas in Gaya district.

In a couple of weeks, more than 100 patients have reached to Anugraha Naryan Medical College and Hospital (ANMCH) Gaya who showed signs of Japanese encephalitis. Although government denies, many NGOs working in the areas say that more than 25 patients mostly children of poor family have lost their lives due this silent killer disease.

Japanese encephalitis has been taking heavy tolls in some areas in Bihar and Eastern UP. According to BBC, from 1974 to 2005 about 8000 people including many children have died due to this disease. Gazipur, Kusinagar, Mirzapur, Gorakhpur in UP are badly affected by this disease and hundreds of people, mostly children die due to this it.

In Vashali and Muzaffarpur districts in Bihar, 39 people died in the month of August- September, 2009 itself which caused much furore in the government circle, but after some time again everything went as usual.

Similarly in Kharagpur sub-division of Munger district, more than 100 tribal died due this encephalitis and Union government had to send a medical team in the affected area to collect blood sample for making laboratory test in Delhi. What happened thereafter, hardly known to the people suffering from this epidemic.

Japanese encephalitis is caused because Culex tritaeniorhynchus, mosquito carries Japanese encephalitis virus into human being from wild pigs and birds. These mosquitoes grow in dark and damp places especially near hilly and plateau areas therefore most of the victims are tribal or poor people who live in dark and damp conditions.

Unfortunately, since the victims are mostly neglected and marginalized sections of society, media also pay little or no attention on it. Death of one patient due to H1N1 caused hue and cry across the nation with electronic channels giving running commentary on it, death of thousands of poor people went almost unnoticed and unlamented in the country. This paradox has to come to an end.

Hopefully the vaccination drive would help mitigate the woes of the suffering people and would give some respite to the people living in the affected areas.

NREGA GETS e-Shakti

2009-10-24T23:00:00.001-07:00

NREGA; THE CHANGING LIFE OF POOR

Nitish Kumar, the CM of Bihar today started an e-shakti scheme in NREGS for all the districts of Bihar. It is a unique scheme in which the eligible job seekers ( registered labors having job cards) who have already been supplied with job cards under National Rural Employment Guarantee Schemes can ask for job under the scheme on telephone. Toll free Numbers are being installed in the headquarters for this scheme.

The CM was very critical of the department of rural development because the overall performance of the NREGS is not satisfactory and the state could come only on the second last ladder of the performance on national basis.

The poor administrative infrastructure, ill trained personnel, rampant corruption at panchayat level and apathy amongst the departmental officials are the root causes of dismal performance of this flagship scheme, which had been started by the UPA government with much fanfare. In order to improve upon this scheme both in terms of financial and physical target achievement, the government took a decision only a couple of days ago that NREGS would be implemented though departments other than the rural development also. Departments like Water Resources, Welfare, Road construction, Building construction, REO and Minor Irrigation etc have also been asked to prepare plan to provided jobs to he labors registered under NREGS.

The rules with respect to the NREGA is such that any state which fails to utilize allocated funds under this scheme would get the next year’s allocation reduced by that proportion. Thus every year Bihar gets lesser amount in this flagship programme which is the most ambitious rural employment programme.

The e-shakti scheme is yet to start at full pace as in the inaugural event itself phone lines did not work properly and the questions asked on the phone could not be responded properly by the concerned authority. The CM has reprimanded the officials and asked them to complete the target before this fiscal and set the house in order. It is noteworthy that he has transferred as many as 32 Deputy Development Commissioners (DDC) out of 37 total districts. This huge transfer is being seen in this backdrop also. Comparatively young officers have been posted so that performance is enhanced because the government is left with less than a year only for the completion of its term.

CHHAT FESTIVAL GETS GLOBAL

2009-10-24T22:56:00.000-07:00

WORSHIPING SETTING SUN ALSO

Chhath festival, a festival to worship God Sun has been globalised now. Initially, this festival was parochial and localized and it was celebrated in eastern parts of India especially in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh only, but thanks to media, especially electronic media, this festival got wide coverage and now has transformed into an all India affair. News of the celebration of Chhath also comes from abroad like UK and USA and host of African, South Asian and European countries.

As far as story of its origin is concerned, according to Hindu Mythology, this festival was started during Mahabharata by Draupadi, the wife of Pandavas during the period in exile. It is said that when Kauravas hatched conspiracy to kill Pandavas in the house of lac, Pandavas somehow survived. They had to escape into jungles to save their lives. They had to undergo unprecedented hardships in jungles. During the period, Arjun, the great archer, won Draupadi in a swayamvar. Draupadi wanted to mitigate woes of her family therefore she performed worship to god sun. it is said that this is how this festival marked the beginning.

There is another popular belief that Chhath worship was started by the great warrior Karna, the son of Lord Surya, the sun and Kunti.

Initially this festival was localized and in anthropological terms it is known as parochial form or PAROCHIALIZATION. Gradually especially with the advent of private electronic news channels, this festival proliferated horizontally across the country. Now metro cities like Mumbai and Delhi also celebrate this festival with unprecedented fervors and gaiety. The occasion is also marked by political blending also and political persons and parties organize and provide facilities in order to attract people in their political fold. The reports coming out in the press suggest that now this festival is being celebrated throughout the length and breadth of the country baring some exceptions. In anthropology, this expansion is called UNIVERSALIZATION. Some people celebrate this festival in England and in other parts of Europe also. In south Asian and south-eastern countries, the celebration of this festival is very common.

Chhath literally means 6(six). It is perhaps therefore it is celebrated six days after the Diwali, the festival of lights. Some people related to religious denominations say that this is the only festival in India in which setting sun is worshiped. Cleanliness is very important in this festival and in fact the whole city witness unfrequented cleanliness drive organized by community. The environment gets surcharged with religious fervor in such a way that even police admits that crime graph during chhath festival goes surprisingly down. The devotees who are generally female, observe fasting of 36 hours and during this period she along with other members of families perform ARYA, offering, to GOD SUN both when it is rising and setting. Milk, water of holy river Ganges and fruits etc are offered during the rituals.

It is a community festival and therefore many other people unknown and unconnected to family are also allowed to participate and offer to the sun god in this ritual.

With passage of time, the festival has also got blended with market forces. The readymade items for this festival are flooded in the market and huge hoardings and other advertisement materials are conspicuously displayed. The country made earthen hearth and pots, hand made SUPS, a bamboo made flattened item used for keeping fruits etc during offering to the sun etc have been replaced by factory made items. But even then, what is not replaced is the zeal and religious fervor in this festival.

NOBEL TO OBAMA; FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE OR FOR WHAT HE IS TO DO

2009-10-10T23:12:00.000-07:00

ACHIEVING EVERYTHING TOO EARLY

The conferment of Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 on Barack Hussein Obama, the US President has triggered a debate across the world that whether it is a premature decision or it is a wrong decision altogether. Many news channels and newspapers have started online voting on this issue. Prior to Obama, three US Presidents, one after retirement and two in the office have also been awarded this prestigious and perhaps the most coveted and recognised award, they are Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 and Woodrow Wilson in 1919 and Jimmy Carter in 2002. But in none of the case did controversy and public interests arise to such a magnitude.

The decision was so unexpected and surprising that even Obama himself, who was in sound asleep in White House was made to awake to break this news on him, was astonished on the decision. Although diplomatically, he reciprocated with words like ‘Humbled and Honoured’, it was not easily palatable to him also; it was like a pleasant dream for him.

The decision of Norwegian Nobel Committee, which was established in 1901 by Alfred Nobel, the ‘Inventor of Dynamite’, the explosive, presently comprising of five eminent people from Europe and headed by Thorbjorn Jagland, the former PM of Norway, to award Obama was not an easy task because a all time record 205 nominations were on the board, including persons like Morgan Tsvangirai of Zimbabwe and Chinese dissident Hu Jia, Martti Ahtisaari etc.

WHAT OBAMA HAS SO FAR DONE FOR PEACE- Many people including some think tanks and world leaders are asking that what Obama has so far accomplished? Walesa, the former President of Poland and himself Nobel Peace Prize winner also openly criticized this decision by saying that Obama has so far accomplished nothing.

People say that Obama has opened many fronts in international diplomacy of course, but results or logical conclusions of these ‘back or front door diplomacies’ have not yet come. He has been desperately trying to solve vexed and seemingly unending ‘West Asia problem’ and has appointed ‘George Mitchell’ as special envoy to initiate dialogue with warring factions including Hamas on the one hand and Israeli government on the other. The victory of Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel has made Obama’s task only difficult as former has openly but diplomatically not accepted Obama’s ‘two Nation and Stop Settlement theory’. The famous ‘Cairo Speech’ of Obama which stirred hornest nest in the Muslim world and was termed as Obama’s bold and farsighted effort to avert the imminent ‘Clash of Civilisations’ as propounded by Samuel Huntington. Obama wanted to end or at least mitigate this hatred in the Muslim world for Americans in particular and European in general, a grotesque legacy which both senior and junior George Bush had left for him. Although, a lot more is required to be done both by the international community and Obama in this regard, a humble beginning was definitely made by Obama, for which he rightly deserves appreciation. At least, he could muster courage and showed political sagacity and diplomatic audacity to accept that America has done some wrongs, for which time has arrived to mend ways and rectify and nullify the wrongs done.

On Afghanistan, Obama’s policy is yet to take definite shape and yield results. By appointing Richard Holbrook as special envoy for Afghanistan, he sent signal to the world community, especially the Muslim world, that he is all set to change the old stereotypes and colonial mindset towards South-Asia. Although by the time Obama could arrive at White House, huge collateral damage had been done both in terms of man and money. Many American politicians and many security experts also including Stanley A. McChrystal, the chief of NATO forces in Afghanistan say openly now that America and West is fighting a lost war in Afghanistan. McChrystal in a 66 pages report has demanded 40,000 more troops in Afghanistan; otherwise, he said, US will lose the war. This report has shaken confidence security and defence establishments including Pentagon. Joe Biden in not in favour of sending more troops and Obama is not yet made up his mind, which way he will go. It is not possible for him either to eschew or to end the war abruptly and abjure attacks on Taliban and Al-Qaeda.

The USA is to decide and choose between devil and the deep sea. Eight precious years and loss of billions of dollars has brought for America only causalities, defame and injuries. Obama has to overcome from this; a huge and stupendous task of finding an amicable but lasting solutions. The hope generated during Afghanistan election also is going to be a fiasco. But so far Obama has been able to play very cautiously and intelligently and he requires consistency as well as continuity in this regard and this award is definitely a prize and a go ahead signal for him.

As far as Nuclear disarmament and arms race are concerned, Obama has taken bold and decisive steps. Although, it is premature to give him a certificate of victory or accomplishment, a beginning is made, the process has been incited, which had been in hibernation for a long time. The controversial ‘Europe Missile Defence plan’ has been abandoned by Obama, a decision which was very difficult to take under the prevailing politico-strategic global environment. By doing so, Obama has tried to lessen the tension with Russia, the arch rival even after losing its superpower status.

Even during Georgian crisis, which led to establishment of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent nations, Obama maintained ‘outstanding restraint’, a posture which was unheard of during recent times by White House.

In UN General Assembly session, Obama’s initiative brought CTBT and NPT again on international agenda. In recent times, both these treaties had been put into ‘mode of pause’. The Nobel Committee must have taken into consideration these aspects also before taking a final decision on this issue. The US’ posture of ‘ready to take on those who dare to challenge’ has been bid good-bye by Obama. He repeatedly utters ‘conciliation and not confrontation’ and advocates for ‘peaceful co-existence’ rather than dominance. These are some of the steps taken by Obama, which has definitely ushered in a new era of difference, for which Obama must be encouraged.

The experience of ‘policy of economic and military sanction’ has been proved disastrous and has done more harm than good. This perhaps due to this mindset, Obama did not act the manner his predecessors would have acted with North Korea and Iran on their defiance of international opinion by test firing N-Missiles etc. He is trying to end economic sanctions of Myanmar also, but not unilaterally but by taking into confidence Suu Kyi also.

Last but definitely not the least is the decision of release of hundreds of detainees in Guantanamo bay. Though it was criticised by many including his compatriots, Obama did not hesitate and took a historic decision to show that he really cares for all what he says. The results in terms of prevail of good will in the Muslim world is still a distant dream, but Obama has tried to undo many wrongs which has been done by his predecessors including George Bush, the junior.

Thus there is no denying the fact that Obama’s actions have yet to be translated into achievements, his efforts are inculcated with sincerity and honesty for which he must be praised and suitably rewarded. And Nobel Prize for peace was definitely the best available option for the Nobel Committee.

However this award will ever be remembered for making a departure in the sense that all previous Nobel Prizes had been conferred for ‘What has been done’ but this year’s award perhaps for the first time has been given for ‘What is to be done’. Perhaps due to this departure, even chairman of the committee Thorbjorn Jagland also said ‘If you look at the history of the Peace Prize, we have on many occasions given it to try to enhance what many personalities were trying to do’ he added ‘It was because we would like to support he is trying to achieve’. The message clear; Obama has been awarded for what he is to do and not what he has done.

Vulgar salaries; Innovation versus Regulation

2009-10-08T05:38:00.000-07:00

TO WHAT EXTENT WILL YOU GET FATTER?

The fattening and getting monster in size the salaries of hundreds of CEOs across India has invited both national an international media attention. The growing number of persons in the list annually published by Forbes Magazine has also invited attention of both common man and politicians in this country. The statement of Salman Khurshid, the minister for corporate affairs has ignited the debate across the nation as to whether there should be any regulation vis-à-vis vulgar salaries of CEOs in India or not. Only few moths back, Prime Minister Dr. Man Mohan Singh had also advised corporate world to rethink over ever increasing salaries and perks of the CEOs which, he lamented, widens the gulf between rich and poor and haves and have nots. PM was also disapproving the vulgar and gargantuan salaries in social and ethical perspective and said that this heightens the social tensions in the society because when people see this huge gap and wants to imitate the ostentatious life styles of ‘rich and famous’ over TV screens often get frustrated and tend to resort to violent and unlawful means.

HUGE GAP- the list appearing in public domain through media regarding top 10 highest paid salaries CEOs, suggests that the number has increased both in size and numbers. Persons like Mukesh Ambani who tops the list gets more than 44 crore( 440 million) as annual salary, whereas as Pawan Kant Munjal of hero Honda gets more than Rs/-150 million per annum. The list is being added by new debuts every year meaning thereby that more and more people of fat and vulgar salaries are being born in India. Many people may argue that what is wrong in it? Apparently nothing unethical and lamentable appears in this new corporate culture. China, the third largest and fasted growing economy in the globe which has celebrated its 60^th anniversary of its birth of communism with huge pomp and prowess, has also witnessed incredible increase in numbers of HNIs and the number of millionaires  here has gone up to unbelievable  8, 25,000. The Chinese economy grew by 67 times since 1979, the year when Deng Xiaoping took over the rein of this Asian dragon. But this does not justify situation in our countries which is far from satisfaction. Our economy has also grown over a decade or so but at the same time and we too have occasions to celebrate, but we have created more deserts than oasis. More than 80% Indians do not spend even Rs/- 20 on them. Our country has still the stigma of having largest number of under nourished and mal nourished children. The health indicators and socio-economic indicators do not speak eulogy for us. The Human Development Index (HDI) launched by UNDP in 1990 has published its 2009 reports in which India slipped at 134^th position.  According to World Health Organization, about 49% of the World’s under weight children and 34% of the World’s stunted children and 46% of World’s wasted children live in India. On contrary to this, about 83, 000 Indians have liquid assets more than 1 Million dollars. There are millions of people who own more than 5 palatial buildings whereas there are hundreds of thousands of people who sleep under sky.
We have still hundreds of villages and towns which are not electrified and connected with good roads. We use mineral waters in cities whereas; people in many rural areas do not have access to safe drinking water. There are millions of homeless people and Indira Awas Yojna, a flagship scheme for providing homes to BPL families is still to provide even the minimum space required homes to all eligible BPL families. On the other hand there are people who spend 700 crore on one building to live in. what a dichotomy and contrast indeed! Under this backdrop how can India afford such vulgar salaries to some of the CEOs?

INNOVATION versus REGULATION- Minister’s public utterance against the vulgar salaries of CEO’s has triggered a public debate and the society is vertically divided on this issue.   The people having views of no regulation on the salaries of CEOs suggests that any regulation from outside may be from government, would jeopardize the process of innovation in India. There shall be a brain drain if the salaries are put under a fixed ceiling, they warn. Some of the High Net worth Individuals (HNI) passes sarcastic remarks and say ‘you can keep monkey by paying grams’. But experiences in the past reveal another story. In India for example, all innovations and inventions have come from government aided or owned laboratories or from public sectors. Privates sectors do not simply bother to invest in Research and Development (R&D). The inspiration of opening of economy and pursuing policies of Liberalization, privatization and globalization came from government side. The stimulus of innovations has been coming from regulations and not from de-regulation. In fact the de-regulation and excessive leverage in the financial system has given us worst ever global financial crisis and it is the regulation which is providing stimulus to turn it round. Even in USA, ‘efficient market hypothesis’ of Eugene Fama which later became of less regulation in the financial market of the world did not belong to any commercial or investment bank, rather Fama belonged to academia. Therefore the logic of this kind is rubbish and need not deserve hearing.
The government must come up with a comprehensive legislation with respect to providing a ceiling on the ever growing size of salaries of the CEOs otherwise it will further the dissent in our society and widen the gap between rich and poor. No society and economy can thrive and grow under such dichotomy and contradictions.  Amartya Sen has rightly said that growth without democratic distribution brings no prosperity in the country.

GANGA DOLPHIN DECLARED NATIONAL AQUATIC ANIMAL

2009-10-06T02:30:00.000-07:00

SAVE ME I WILL HELP SAVE YOU
Ganga Dolphin, locally known as ‘Sauns’ has been declared as ‘National Aquatic Animal’. Decision to this effect has been taken by Forest and Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on the eve of maiden meeting of Ganga River Basin Authority (GRBA) chaired by PM in New Delhi yesterday on the suggestion of Nitish Kumar, CM of Bihar.

Ganga Dolphin an endemic and endangered species are found in the holy river Ganga mostly between Patna to Bhagalpur. Environmentalists have been agitating for long time to protect this aquatic animal, the number of which is said to be around 2000 only in the world. About 2 to 2.5 meter long saus, the dolphin came into prominence in 1991 when the state government declared it ‘endangered species’ and declared 60 kilometre Ganga strip near Bhagalpur as ‘Ganges dolphin sanctuary’. This is the single zone in which about 160-200 Ganga dolphins have been counted. The fishing of this endangered species has been banned years ago but still then fisher men do not hesitate killing this animal largely due to ignorance. The feature of this endemic animal is such that it looks like ferocious one but on the contrary these saus are very harmless and human friendly. Surprisingly no such attention has so far been given internationally to this animal. Environmentalists are particularly very excited and happy on this decision and say that this declaration would now help in big way to protect and preserve this species.

Naxalites kill 16 in Bihar

2009-10-03T04:18:00.000-07:00

GUNS ROARED AGAIN IN BIHAR AFTER A LONG TIME

Left ultras have killed 16 People in Khagaria district of Bihar on 2^nd October night. The scheduled castes supported by naxalites attacked people who were asleep in the village Ichwara in Khagaria district, some 200 Kilometers away from state capital Patna. The suspected maoists who were said to be 20 in numbers segregated the old and young and tied their hands and legs and then fired on them with firearms killing 16 of them on the spot. One man who saved his life by pretending to be dead narrated the whole gruesome story to the police. The dead bodies were lying for autopsy to be done and the situation on the spot is pathetic. The helpless women and children are weeping bitterly making the environment very emotional. Among the dead bodies, there are some 10-12 years children also. Nobody understands why did they kill these children?

The villagers were so angry that they did not allow deputy chief minister shushil modi to stay and talk to the villagers. He was hackled and forced to leave the village instantly. The chief minister Nitish kumar has announced ex-gratia payment of one lakh and fifty thousand rupess to the next of the kin killed in this dastardly act of mayhem. The police says that land dispute is the reason for this attack. The 200-300 bighas of gairmazarua, the government land is said to be under the possession of the people belonging to keori and kurmi caste. The Mushars, a scheduled caste who are called mahadalits now wanted to take possession of these lands, they said that these lands belonged to their ancestors and farmers have fraudulently and forcefully grabbed this when they were innocent and helpless. There were some scuffles also few months back which was reported to the police, but they alleged that police in connivance of these farmers did not take any action. Therefore the Mushars decided to kill them in order to teach them a lesson, some people say on condition of anonymity. They contacted the left ultras, the police says, and with the help of them, they perpetrated this violence.

Bihar had been not witnessing such type of massacres for quite some time and people were taking sigh of relief that perhaps the massacres are the incidents of past. But this incident has again exposed that smoulder of hatred and violence still exist in the society. In recent years, Nitish Kumar had earned reputation of being a good administrator who has set the house in order. Media houses has been flooded with reports of improvement in law and order situation. This incident has again raised eyebrows of doubts and the government witll have to leave no stone unturned to improve the state police machinery and deal with therse elements with iron hands.

Land reforms has taken back seat over a decade or more. No political party, for risk of loosing vote banks dare to touch this contentious issue on one pretext or the other. Nitish Kumar, just after coming to power some three and half years ago, set up one ‘Land Reform Commission’ under a retired IAS officer of West Bengal cadre, D. Bandhopadhyay, who had earned reputation in West Bengal for implementing some excellent measures in that state. This Commission has submited its recommendations also some six months ago. The report has been made public also. But due to setbacks received by NDA( alliance of JD(U) and BJP) in the recently concluded bye elections, Nitish Kumar is not daring to implement the recommendations. The political observers say that recommendations like giving statutory rights to the share-croppers, which government said would be implemented very soon has infuriated the farmers, mostly upper and other backward castes. These groups opposed this move and voted against the NDA, the alliacnce of which Nitish Kumar is the chief minister. Thus this opportunity of implementation of land reforms has also been lost. It is being said that now onwards no political party will even like these issues to be raised and discussed on public forums.

Markel to be chancellor for second term

2009-09-28T05:58:00.000-07:00

IRON LADY; FIRST AFTER MARGRET THATCHER

Angela Markel is all set to become the Chancellor of Germany for the second term as election held on Sunday gave her fractured mandate to rule the nation for second time in row. Markel’s party Christian Democrats (CDU) and ruling coalition partner Social Democrats (SPD) fought election on separate manifesto but SPD performed badly and won only 23%of the votes. On the other hand, a pro-business party Free Democrats (FDP) secured 14% of the votes. The Markel’s CDU/CSU won 33%. Markel is not set to end the grand coalition with Social Democrats and forge alliance with FDP.

Markel, who become first woman Chancellor of Germany in 2005, by overshadowing the towering personality like Helmut Kohl, has proved herself by spectacular performance in so many difficult times for Germany. Silencing the critics who call Markel as unimpressive and under-performer leader, she sometimes outsmarted leaders like Gordon Brown and Obama also on a number of occasions at international platforms.

TOUGH JOBS AHEAD- Speculation was rife in international media ever since recession took second toll in Japan after USA when 55 years of rule of LDP and 8 years of rule of Republicans came to an end after elections which were held after recession has begun in Japan and USA respectively, that Markel would not be able to hold the key. Nevertheless, the jobs ahead her are not easy. The largest economy of Europe and biggest partner in EU, Germany too is facing rough times due to recession. The unemployment is all time high and economic recovery is sluggish. Although, Germany is not as shopaholic as many other European countries, the recession has taken heavy too here also. The export is low and deficit is high. The public debt is also not very comfortable. In this situation, the task is tough and mandate is thin. The performance of Free Democrats (FDP) has aroused expectations of the business community all time high. She had to fine tune her economic and financial policies so that the workers and owners both are satisfied. The vote percentage of left parties has registered a growth of 3.2% and they have secured 11.9%, therefore the job of Markel vis-a-vis reforms and austerity would not be so easy.

The erstwhile partner Socialist Democrats’ leader Westerwelle has said that he would act as a vigilant but responsible opposition. Markel, sensing the mood of the people and vote percentage she got, has said that her job would be for ‘all Germans’.

MARKEL; AN IRON LADY- Born in 1954, Markel’s rise in Germany’s politics is somewhat meteoric. She joined CDU in 1990, when the entire World, especially Europe was in turmoil. The collapse and dismemberment of the USSR and subsequent end of communist world put tremendous socio-economic stress on many European countries including Germany. The Unification of East and West Germany had stymied the economic progress of Germany for quite some time. It was a phase of transition when Markel joined the party. Within four years of joining politics, she became environment minister and her interaction with political figures like Helmut Kohl made her political more mature and administratively more acumen. In 2000, she was elected leader of CDU and in the election held after in 2005 she was elected to lead this nation. She became the first Chancellor of Germany a country historically in turmoil for years. She embarked on the journey and led successfully her nation to the present situation where even USA and UK has to think twice before refusing Germany’s words on international politics. Germany’s ascendancy to this position could be made possible by many others including Markel. That is why she rightly deserves to be called as Iron Lady, but only after Margret Thatcher.

G-20 Summit at Pittsburgh, will it be second Bretton Wood?

2009-09-27T05:12:00.000-07:00

ACCOMMODATE MORE OR QUIT THE PLACE

The G-20 summit at Pittsburgh, once the epicentre of America’s heavy industries has aroused many hopes and placed the World at new horizons. The world leaders of both developing and developed countries met together to explore ways to tide over the ongoing recession and evolve system to protect world economy from similar global financial crisis in future. The World has changed ever since the Lehman brothers fell and failed; the too big to fail is now too big to survive, a conceptual change that has penetrated into the hearts, minds and system of the people in Europe and in USA as well. What a change indeed! The collapse of WTC on 9/11 changed the American psyche and so did the collapse of Wall Street on 9/15. Although many people, especially American, would not like this similarity to be drawn, the history once written cannot be rewritten.

The first Economic Crisis, the Great Depression in 1930s led to assemblage of world leaders at Bretton Wood in England in 1944 and this led to subsequent emergence of new world economic order, an order which till 9/15 remained unshakeable. Now the world is changed place to live and think. The G-20 summit at Pittsburgh where leaders of both developed and developing countries were rubbing shoulders in one conglomeration is testimony and witness to this change. The change has arrived, now it is up to the leaders of the developed nations to accept graciously or not, is to be seen.

AGENDA AND EXPECTATIONS FROM G-20- the G-20 is now gradually assuming the role of navigator of the ship of world economy. The association which was formed in 1999 to undo the after-effects of Asian crisis has now grown bigger and stronger. The official members of G-20 now are Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi-Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, UK and USA. Thus, gradually this organisation is grown both in size and strength and world is likely to take the rein of leadership from G-8 and hand it over to G-20. In fact this would be the biggest success of this organisation, a success for which probably founders had also not thought and longed for.

Underpinning the significance of this Summit and understanding the indispensability of this group, the developed countries like USA and developed continent, the Western Europe have agreed to rub shoulders with the east and north. The north-south divide is being blurred; the abhorrence towards east by west is now bygone. Even Obama had to admit in UN general assembly that distinction of north and south no longer exits.

The macro agenda of the summit was to strengthen, revamp, reorganise and reorient global financial architecture. The focus is to remove aberrations which have developed in the financial systems over decades since the Bretton- Wood. The aberrations are too obvious and conspicuous to be discussed. The voting right in IMF has to be rescheduled. China has a double the size of French economy, but even then France has more voting right than China. In fact, Europe as a whole has as big as 40% of voting rights in IMF even when it is only 25% of the world economy, whereas USA has only 17% voting rights with 25% share in world economy. Thus USA is also singing in chorus with Asian countries. In this summit the demand again was raised that Europe should give up at least 7-8% of its voting rights for countries like china and India, a demand Europe is unlikely to accept. Thus perhaps for the first time in the economic-political history in the modern times, USA is seen standing on the side of developing nations on such important international platform. It was perhaps due to mounting pressure, the summit agreed to give 5% voting rights to countries like India and China.

MAJOR DECISIONS TAKEN- The decisions taken at Pittsburgh has been published in a book titled ‘G-20 leaders statement’ which entails 32 major points on which either consensus is arrived or decision is taken. Important among them are constitution of one Financial Stability Board (FSB) which would take care of the financial systems across the globe. India has also been made member to it which signifies the emerging importance India vis-a-vis fiscal and financial system. In fact, world community is very much impressed to learn how smartly Indian banking and other financial systems survived the shock. The statutory provisions with regard to keep minimum reserve to be kept by banks found place in the G-20 deliberations and the world leaders agreed that this model should be made applicable to all the banks across the world. The FSB shall monitor and regulate whimsical and unfettered functioning of financial institutions which the most important factor was contributing to the GFC. On the issue of revamping world financial institutions like IMF, the summit committed to reschedule the ‘Quota Formula’ of governance and give weightage to the emerging economies like Indian and China vis-a-vis their share in the world economy. They pledged that this review would be complete by 2011, which means that performance of the economies of these two ‘Asian Giants’ would remain under watch for a couple of years.

Apart from above decisions on economic fronts, the summit also took some very important and valuable decision in areas of climatic change, international terrorism, narco-drug smuggling, trade and commerce and stimulus packages etcetera.

To sum up the whole discussion one can have reservations to say that this Summit was a huge success, but there is no denying the fact that the G-20 has now occupied the driving seat and the engine of the world economic and financial vehicle can no longer be driven by the small group of nations comprised of USA, UK, Germany, France and Italy etc. G-20 has assumed the role of global leadership and would write the history of years to come, it is however premature to say that India has been given her due and desired share on the board.

ESIC to gift one medical college to Bihar

2009-09-26T06:14:00.001-07:00

CM NITISH KUMAR; get going

Union government has gifted Bihar a model medical college cum hospital. The Ministry of labour and employment, government of India, has decided to setup a medical college in Bihar. Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), a corporation under Union Ministry of Labour and employment, working for the benefit and welfare of the state employees, has planned to open a 500 beds medical college cum hospital at Bihata, a place some 50 KMs away from state capital Patna. Foundation stone of this proposed Medical College cum Hospital was laid by Meira Kumar, the speaker of Lok Sabah, who hails from Bihar.

This project would incur Rs/-523 crore and would be completed within a couple of years. The 500 bed hospital will be come up in 25 acres of land which has been made available by the state government. Speaking on the occasion, Malikarjun Kharge, the union minister for labour, said that this hospital will be the first of its kind and the labour ministry will provide additional funds also if need arises.

CM Nitish Kumar requested the minister to ask his officials to start the construction work as soon as possible. He also requested Mera Kumar to direct union ministry of health and family welfare to complete the AIIMS project at Patna. The proposed hospital’s foundation stone was laid by Bhairon singh shekhawat, the then Vice President some 8 years ago, but nothing tangible has so far been done. CM was particularly referring to the delay and requested both speaker and Minister to ensure that this project is completed within stipulated time.

If the ESIC project is completed in time, the session can begin from 2011-12 itself. Minister elaborated upon the scheme and said that out of total seats for medicos, 40% each will go to all India test and state government and out of remaining 20% seats will go to the children and wards of the employees of ESIC and wards of insured employees. The process to take nod of MCI is underway, the minister added. At present there are 19 dispensaries and one model hospital in Bihar which are catering to the needs of employees. If this project gets completed in time, it will be a great boon for state as well as employees of the state. At present, the State has only 6 government medical colleges and two private medical colleges catering to the needs of about 8.5 crores population. The need to open new medical colleges and hospital both in government sector as well as in private sector is urgently felt. The CM, nitish kumar is desperately trying to improve healthcare infrastructure by way of creating more administrative and building infrastructure. He has already planned to open as many as 6 new medical colleges but due to procedural and legal wrangle, none of them could be started. The Medical Council of India (MCI), a regulatory body to oversee medical education created under an Act, has declined to give its nod to start the session in these proposed medical colleges.

In this backdrop, this step is a big leap for the CM who is leaving no stone unturned to improve the ailing state.

WATER ON MOON; CHANDRAYAN I PIONEERED THE WORLD

2009-09-24T22:04:00.000-07:00

WATER ON MOON; WHAT ABOUT ON EARTH

BIHAR WATER POLICY ON ANVIL

2009-09-23T03:32:00.000-07:00

TAP IT AS FLOWS INTO OCEAN

· Irrigation and flood management so that flood devastation is mitigated

· To evolve water drainage system in the affected areas

· Strengthening river embankment to tame the fury of river

· Interlinking river on lines of river linking mega project of national government.

· Deepening of river and de-siltation of rivers

· To treat north and south Bihar rivers on different footing and evolve different strategies for these rivers.

· Evolve multi-sectoral approach etc

Officials connected with the WRD say that the CM is committed to give final shape to this policy very soon and like to announce it on republic day celebration on 26^th January, 2009.

INDIA LAUNCHES 7 SATELLITES

2009-09-23T03:28:00.000-07:00

MORE FEATHERS IN CAP

Global Mental Health Summit held in Athens

2009-09-11T03:33:00.000-07:00

POISED TO TAKE ON LEADERSHIP

The first ever summit on Mental Health was convened in Athens, the capital of Greece on 2-6^th September, 2009. This Global Mental Health Summit (GMH) was hosted as a part of world federation for mental health biennial congress. It was the first global initiative in this regard to focus attention on the growing problem of metal disorders and mental depressions. This summit was supported by global organisations like Lancet, The welcome trust and World’s initiative on psychiatry etc. The theme of this conglomeration was ‘working together for Mental Health’. The theme itself signifies the importance of this congress which is the first global concerted and serious effort in this regard. The participants deliberated upon among other things issues like scaling up mental health in low income countries, human rights and metal disorders (how human right violations take place of the mentally disordered patients, chaining, whipping etc are frequently reported in media in India and other countries also.) and strategies for future.

With the changing pace of time in terms of economic, social, political and ethical metamorphosis, the stress on mind, cutting across the social stratum, is now a global phenomenon. Its impact is devastating both in terms of mental agony and social disorder. The impact may not be as perceptible and discernible as any other pandemics like H1N1 etc, but its long term impact on social and psychological tapestry is more deleterious than any other disease. It is perhaps due to this fact, the mental health disorder or mental depressions are termed as silent and mute pandemic.

According to one rough estimate, because there is no census on this issue in India, there are roughly 40 million people suffer from mental depressions. Number of mental illness, which is an advance stage of mental disorder, is about 30 to 35 lakhs in India. According to National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), by 2010 this disease will be largest and shall overtake cardiovascular disease in this country. The global figure of metal depression persons is around 120 million, and this number is increasing by leaps and bounds. Many psychiatrics are of the opinion that the ongoing Global Financial Crisis (GFC) has only added to the agony. The uncertain future, job cuts, rising inflation and soaring unemployment have inflamed the situation. There is however no such survey or specific scientific study conducted on this issue, the recession has inflated depression and there is no doubt about it.

Under the prevailing circumstances, this summit is being attached immense significance both in India and abroad. In India the availability of psychiatrics and psychiatric nurse is dismal. There is only 0.05 Psychiatric per one lakh patients in India whereas the trained nurses for this job are 0.16 per one lakh only.

Hopefully this World Summit would spread awareness and will make people acquainted with the horrifying scenario of this silent but deadly pandemic. Although we have enacted legislation in 1987 itself, which is known as Mental Health Act, 1987, this law requires amendment because either most of the provisions have become obsolete or they are not in commensurate with the changing pace of problem. A comprehensive bill with respect to this disease or disorder, whatever one calls it, is lying pending; it therefore be discussed and with necessary changes be passed as soon as possible.

Genes for Alzheimer discovered

2009-09-07T04:16:00.000-07:00

IN HOPE OF DISCOVERY AND RECOVERY

Team of British and French scientists have discovered three more genes which are associated with a disease called Alzheimer. As it is known that Alzheimer is disease related to brain in which there is loss of memory in human beings, according to web dictionary it is ‘A progressive form of pre-senile dementia that is similar to senile dementia except that it usually starts in the 40s or 50s; first symptoms are impaired memory which is followed by impaired thought and speech and finally complete helplessness’.

At present the only gene known to the scientists which is linked with Alzheimer disease is APOE4, which according to them causes only 10% of the case (Alzheimer). APOE4, discovered in 1993, was the only focus of scientific research and perhaps due to this fact, no big headway could be made over the last decade and half. The prestigious science journal ‘nature genetics’ has also published a detailed report of discoveries made by different teams comprised of scientists like Prof Kelvin Morgan from University of Nottingham, Julie Williams of Cardiff University in Wales, Philippe Amouyel of University of Lille in France, Allan Rose of Duke university etc. According to reports, British scientists discovered two genes and named them CLU (Clusterin) and PICALM. Clusterin gene is protective in nature and protects the brain from Amyloid proteins which causes inflammations in brains. The scientists are of the opinion that these genes after mutation become annihilative and cause inflammation in the brain which later develop into Alzheimer. Prof Julie Williams who led the research team in Britain said that it is the path breaking discovery and will led to development of treatment of Alzheimer, the disease so far almost incurable.

French scientists team also experimented on 14000 DNA samples on the basis of the data shared with them by the British scientists who discovered the two other genes as described and found another gene called CR1. Thus as on now, there are four genes discovered which cause Alzheimer disease. It is said that these discoveries will enable scientists to work in a more specific direction in the field of invention of drug for the treatment of Alzheimer disease which is increasing at an alarming pace. According to one estimate there are about 26 millions Alzheimer patients in the world and it would quadruple over the next four decades. In India alone, there are approximately 2, 50,000 Alzheimer’s patients and the number are increasing day by day. The saddest part of the disease is that the man develops this symptom in the later phase of life when he is in dire need of social security cover. This state of dementia leaves the patient in such a situation when he forgets everything and life becomes horrible. In the developing and developed economy which has created a society where no one including own children have the patience and time to take care of their parents or grandparents, this disease is proving a curse for them. So many famous persons and celebrities have become victims of this disease and important among them are Ronal Reagan, Atal Bihari Bajpai, George Fernandes etc. Hopefully these discoveries would bring for them a hope of blessings. Truly said, science is both a blessing and curse depends how you utilise it.

CHANDRAYAN I MISSION IS OVER

2009-08-29T21:29:00.000-07:00

BYE-BYE CHANDRAYAN-I

The Chandrayan I mission is over, said ISRO. Annadurai, the project director of Chandryan I, said that ISRO has not been able to establish link with the spacecraft and it will not be established in future also. The ‘mission is over’, he lamented. The unmanned Chandrayan, the spacecraft, launched by ISRO on 22^nd October, 2008 from Satish Dhavan centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh was the first such scientific and space mission of India. This spacecraft was launched with PSLV-C-11, the indigenously developed launch vehicle. The proposal to send this moon mission, prepared by ISRO, was approved by government in November, 2003 and about 386 Crore rupees were spent on this mission.

DESIGN LIFE AND MISSION LIFE- the design life of this space craft was two years, meaning thereby that this space craft was expected to remain in the orbit at least up to October, 2010. The spacecraft developed some technical snag within few months of its launch. The star sensor of the craft had gone out of order owing to which the photographs sent by the Chandrayan were not as clear as they should have been. Some scientists had casted a shadow of doubt that time itself that this spacecraft would not survive its full life. Due to some other snag, the craft suddenly went overheated, but it was rectified soon.

As far as mission life is concerned, many scientists believe that this spacecraft has been successful and has sent about 95% of the data expected. The solar plate fitted (700 watt) spacecraft fixed national flag on surface of the moon and sent very useful pictorial and digital data which are of immense scientific experiment under Research and Developed programme (R&D). Among other scientific experiments and discoveries, the space craft was inserted into the Moon’s orbit to discover the history of origin of Moon, its geographical structure and terrain, collection of some meteorological data and install some scientific instruments on moon. Chandrayan-I accomplished most of them, the scientists said. The majority scientists are of the opinion that the conditions around the moon’s orbit are very hostile under which the spacecraft has to survive, it is therefore the life tenure of these spacecrafts sometimes gets shorter, they add.

FATE OF CHANDRAYAN-I -The spacecraft’s technical life has come to an end within 10 months of its launch, but this does not mean that the spacecraft would fell down into the earth immediately. This craft would continue to rotate in the 200 km orbit, which is very stable orbit, around the moon for many years as ‘Space Debris’. The scientist communities say that after revolving and rotating for many years, the space craft would dash to the moon and would be destroyed. There are so many spacecrafts which still remain in space as space debris.

SIGNIFICANCE OF CHADRAYAN-I – the mission helped India become member of elite club of nations which include countries like Germany, USA, U.K., Japan and China. Although Chandrayan-I could not survive its full life tenure, it holds a significant scientific place in the success story of Indian space programme. India is expected to launch Chandrayan-II, the improved version of Chandrayan-I, sometimes in 2012. The shortcomings in this mission could be utilised in the phase-II of chandrayan by the scientists, on which we have great faith. Hopefully Chandrayan II would be able to complete the unfinished tasks of the Chandrayan I and India would embark on many more such scientific voyages.

WOMEN RESERVATION BILL FOR PRIS ON ANVIL

2009-08-28T04:13:00.000-07:00

WOMEN RESERVATION IN PRIs; WHEN IN PARLIAMENT

The union government has decided to provide 50% reservations to the women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). A proposal to give effect to this provision has been taken by the Cabinet, which met in New Delhi yesterday. The Bill, the government said, would be tabled in the coming session of Parliament. This would necessitate a constitutional amendment; therefore the proposed bill will be in a Constructional Amendment Bill form and would amend Article 243(D) of the constitution of India. This article provides for reservation of one third of seats in PRIs for the women.

It is being interpreted as a major step in the area of empowerment of women in the country. The 73^rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which conferred constitutional status on the PRIs, brought in by Rajiv Gandhi was a land mark in the field of devolution of power at grass root level, and was regarded as the first serious attempt to visualize the dream of Gandhi. Although the framers of constitution had enshrined in the constitution, the directives principles of state policy, the devolution could not be made till the 73^rd constitutional amendedment was brought in.

Bihar, under Nitish Kumar, became the first state to provide reservation up to half the total number of seats to the women by enacting a law called Bihar ‘Panchayati Raj Act’ in the year 2005 i.e. just after coming to power in the state. This legislation was hailed through out the length and breadth of the country by people across party lines and from different walks of life. Subsequently, two years after the huge success of this provision in terms of wider participation of women especially from Scheduled Castes (SCs,) Most Backward Castes (MBCs) and Other Back ward castes (OBCs) in the elections held, the Bihar government enacted similar legislations for providing reservation to women in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) also. The Bihar model of reservation to the women in ULBs and PRIs paved way for many states to legislate on similar patterns. States like MP and UP have also made similar provisions.

Now with the proposed constitutional amendment, it would be mandatory on the part of all the federating units and UTs to legislate provisions for Women up to 50% in near future. This constitutional amendment will again bring to the fore, the Women’s reservation Bill, which has now gone in to oblivion. The civil society must rise above and exert pressure on the government to pass the legislation and cherish the goal of women empowerment. Bihar has played the role model now it is the turn of union to do the same.

Patna police to go hi-tech

2009-08-26T06:12:00.000-07:00

GO AND CATCH THE THIEF;NOT INNOCENT

With spurt in crime, the city police in Patna, the state capital of Bihar, is all set to go hi-tech, thanks to initiative taken by police head quarters in this regard. Police Patrol cars will now carry GPS on them. Only a few weeks ago, the entire police officers right from IG to Dy.S.P and many SHOs of the state capital were reshuffled after a bizarre incident in which one girl was stripped in full public view on a busy exhibition road round . It earned lots of criticism for the police and national media, both electronic and print, got flooded with news related to police apathy and non-competence.

The young IPS Manu Maharaj was made City SP and crackdown has been unleashed on the criminals bring the morale of criminals down to a considerable level. Now herculean task with the top cop of the city is to keep constant watch on the movement of patrol cars, which is said to be 100 odd in number, so that the police personnel performs up to the expectations. IG PN Roy, who is also an expert in disaster management and has undergone trainings in countries like USA has chalked out plans to install Global Positioning System (GPS) on all the patrolling cars of the city in first phase.

It has been seen in recent times that Police patrol cars remained conspicuously absent from the site of crime and could only be located when the criminals left the place of occurrence (PO). The arrangement had has already been done that at least one police patrol should touch one particular place within 10-15 minutes. But due to absence of any device, the police parties on the patrol cars could easily lie about their locations at the time of commitment of crimes. Now with the installation of GPS, this problem can be checked and no police patrol can lie about its location. The SP or any other senior police official can locate the particular police parties.

If this experiment goes successfully implemented will certainly enhance the mobility of the police patrol parties and also help, in a better way, to keep watch on the movement of police patrol cars. At present the City police use primitive method of wireless as the sole method of communication which is far from satisfaction. There are several electronic devices easily available in the market which can intercept and leak the messages. Naxalites are using this methodology on large scale and thus they easily track the movement of police force. The leakage of wireless messages are said to be major cause of attacks on police by Naxalites.

The use of GPS will certainly improve the efficiency and communication network of the police, provided it is implemented religiously. While Nitish Kumar, the CM, has been relentlessly trying to improve the police force to bring the house in order, there are large numbers of elements in the police department itself who leave no stone unturned to thwart the reform process. The official website of the police department still carries the name of DN Gautam as DGP, whereas he has retired few weeks ago. Such is the apathy and irresponsibility of the senior police officers. Hopefully this innovation would go un-sabotaged and is implemented in letter and spirit. If it happens so will improve efficiency of the city police and help improve law and order, bring down crime rate and un-choke the traffic of the city.

Yahoo-Microsoft have to wait; Google goes unchalleged

2009-08-25T22:08:00.001-07:00

JUST WAIT AND WATCH TILL NOD IS GIVEN

The deal which was struck between Yahoo and Microsoft last month in order to pose a united challenge to Google, the world’s largest search engine, may face some bumpy hurdles before getting it operationalised. The duo (Yahoo-Microsoft) had to pass the test of regulators in the USA which looks after the ‘Anti-trust provisions’ in matters of (acquisitions and mergers) A&M, tender offers and other such deals between two companies. This deal made headlines in media across the world because, for the first time, Google is likely to face serious business challenges since its inception.

But before Operationalisation of this huge deal, this has to be approved by Federal Trade commission and Attorney General of Anti-trust division of Justice Department in US administration. All these provisions have been made under a US law, the Hart-Scott-Rodino Anti-trust Improvements Act, 1976, popularly known as HSR Act. This law was drafted by Senators P.A.Hart and H.D. Scott and Representative Peter. W. Rodino to prevent violations of TRUSTS in business transactions like merger and tender offers etc.

Under the provision of the said Law, the concerned companies have to file detailed reports in prescribed manner with the federal regulators within 30 days of such transactions. Yahoo-Microsoft complied with this provision and filed information with the same. The law require filing details of all cash transactions in such deals within 15 days only. In nut shell, this law ensures that no secrecy is maintained which bolsters unhealthy competitions and in which trust is broken. The US’s justice department is empowered under this ACT to seek any further information which it deems necessary with respect to the deal, transactions, operations, partnerships etc and it is only after the approval of the Justice department, the deal can be operationalised. Title III of this HSR Act confers powers on the US justice department to sue any Inc which violates the ‘Trust’ of either the parties or any other stakeholders. The concerned companies can be sued on behalf on any American citizen also by the Justice department, if it feels that Trust of American has been broken.

In the case of this Microsoft-Yahoo deal, the Federal Trade Commission has sought certain more information which has been provided by the duo. The Federal Trade commission is processing the information and seeing to it that terms of agreements between Yahoo and Microsoft would not encourage unhealthy competition or break trust of any stakeholder. They have been kept on ‘stand by’ and are waiting for the results. The waiting period is likely to go up to September, this year and the deal can be made operational only when it is approved and ratified till then the Google will go unchallenged un-chased. The Microsoft-Yahoo thus is left with no option but to wait and watch and of course pray that US Justice department dispense justice with them and gives its nod to go ahead with their plans.

LIVER SWAP TRANSPLANTATION; FIRST IN INDIA

2009-08-24T04:35:00.001-07:00

LIVER THE WORSHOP OF MAN

Science and Love can hardly be confined to geographical boundaries. Interestingly hatred also spill over lines of countries. Now it is up to the mankind as to what does he want to spread.

Love and Hate, Science and Nature do not recognize geographical boundaries. Our history and civilisation are stuffed with such examples in which love transcended the border but at the same time hate in form of terrorism has become pan civilization crossing all boundaries in the world. It is now the turn of science. A new chapter of sacrifice, pain sharing and love making has been written with the indelible ink of Medical science on 18^th August in Sir Ganga Ram hospital in New Delhi, the national capital of India.

Indian doctors successfully conducted first ever liver swap transplantation in Sir Ganga Ram hospital and made confluence of the liver, the workshop of human body, of one Nigerian and Indian. This operation has added one new chapter in the success story of Indian Medical Science.

It so happened that Dike, the 18 months boy from Nigeria and 44 years old Priya of India became India’s first patients who successfully underwent Swap liver transplantation’ in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital at Delhi. Dike was suffering from Bellary Astresia, a disease in which is the common bile duct between the liver and the small intestine is blocked or absent. It is a very rare condition and if not diagnosed and treated in time would lead to Liver failure.

Priya on the other hand was suffering from Hepatitis C infection and it was in advance stage. She was later diagnosed with tuberculosis. Blood group of Dike’s mother Chinwe was A+, which matched with that of Priya. On the other hand, Haresh, the husband of Priya had blood group B+, which was the same as Dike’s. Chinwe gave 50% of her right liver to Priya while 20% of Haresh’s left liver was transplanted into Dike. Thus both ailing patients got a fresh leash of life. It was a prestigious moment for all of us because this was one of the rarest surgical operations because doctors had to conduct four operations at the same time. At team of 35 doctors worked for 16 hours led by chief Liver transplant surgeon Dr. A.S. Soin. Three cheers for all of them.

NEW FEATHERS IN CAP- Medical Sciences in India is making huge success both in the fields of surgery and medicine. In July last Year one Supratim Dutta met an accident in Delhi, in which his vehicle rammed into Delhi Metro Construction site and an iron bar pierced into his chest through the bonnet of the car. The Iron rod pierced his liver, stomach and lung and his conditional was very critical obviously. When he was brought to the trauma centre of AIIMS at Delhi he was in pool of blood. Dr. Biplab Misra and his team of 8 doctors, attending on Dutta, did the operation and saved dutta’s life which was nothing short of a miracle.

In an another miraculous surgery, Doctors in Sparsh Hospital at Bangalore successfully operated Laxmi, a two years old girl from Bihar, who had eight limbs. In a complicated surgery which lasted for 40 hour and conducted by a team of as many as 36 doctors including 30 neurosurgeons and 16 super specialists, Laxmi was successfully separated from her ‘Parasitic Conjoined Twin’. This operation made big news in the world of medical sciences and our doctors earned worldwide appreciation.

Similarly Asian Heart Instituted Bandra came in limelight when Dr Panda conducted on the rarest of the rare cardiac surgery on a 70 years old lady from Ludhiana who suffered two massive heart attacks in 24 hours.

It has proved beyond doubt that country is stuffed with brilliant doctors and scientist. But unfortunately still rural India lacks even the basic healthcare facilities. The miracles of metros need therefore to reach out in the countryside also.

INDIA BECOMING POORER?

2009-08-21T22:40:00.000-07:00

STILL IN HOPE OF BETTEMENT

S.D.Tendulkar, the former chairman of Prime Minister’s economic advisory council has prepared a report, according to which India has 38 % population below poverty line (BPL). At present Planning commission of India’s 2006 figure is only 28.5%. of the population is under BPL.

If Tendulkar’s report is accepted officially by the Govt and the Planning commission, there shall be an addition of about 11 crore populations in the exiting number of people living BPL. In India, since 1972, Poverty is being calculated in terms of calories. 2100 calories for Urban and 2400 calories for rural areas are the yardsticks to measure poverty in India.

Tendulkar has used different methodology for this survey and took education, health, sanitation, nutrition and household income etc into account while calculating Poverty, the definition of which has always been a point of difference amongst economists and experts. Many experts, economists and rights activists believe, and they give some convincing arguments also to support their views, that poverty measurement formula in India is not satisfactory, there are actually more people below BPL, they argue.

Efforts has had been made earlier also by the government in order to find a broader consensus on the definition of poverty. One N.C.Saxena committee was formed by government in June this year which suggested that 50% people are under BPL. In 2007, Arjun Sengupta, associated with National commission for enterprises in unorganised sector, said that 77% of Indians are in BPL.

Only a couple of years ago, NSSO, the national sampling govt organisation, has thrown a figure in the public domain that about 70% of populations in India don’t even spend 20Rs/- a day on them. Whereas in this country itself, there are people who gifts 700 crores plane to his wife on birthday. The number of HNI in India is increasing with galloping speed and it has crossed one lakh figure till date. What a contrast and irony in deed!

Nitish Kr, CM of Bihar, only a couple of years ago, organised one ‘Global Seminar’ at Patna for evolving a unanimous definition on poverty. It was attended by a plethora of luminaries from across different fields ranging from economy to science and from NGO to government functionaries. The seminar deliberated upon ‘Poverty’ and consensus was arrived at that the definition of poverty should be made ‘broad based’. Kumar had called on the union government to reconsider the determinants to define the poverty. The report of Tendular has vindicated the stand of Nitish kumar.

FALL OUT ON PROPOSED NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY ACT- the union government is to come out with a historic bill on food security in the next session of parliament. The proposed legislation is historic in the sense that it would guarantee availability of at least 25 Kg of grains to one BPL families per month @ 3 Rs/-. The proposed legislation would incur an additional 9500 crore rupees on the subsidy of the grains. At present government is incurring 37,010 crore rupees on the subsidy of the food meant for BPL families.

Chanda Kochar makes debut in Forbes

2009-08-20T02:49:00.000-07:00

DESIRE TO FLY AT MORE HIGHER ALTITUDE

Chanda Kochar, Chief Executive of ICICI, made debut in the list prepared by Forbes Magazine, of world’s powerful women for the year 2009. Sonia Gandhi continued to occupy 13^th Position in the list prepared by this Magazine. Besides this, among newcomers in the list, prominent are Michelle Obama, the wife of American President, Barrack Obama and Sheikh Hasina Wajed, Prime minister of Bangladesh came on number 40 and 78 respectively.

Angela Markel, the chancellor of Germany, continues to be on the top of the list for successive years. She has emerged more powerful due to her strong political clout and unmatched diplomatic manoeuvring. Some people believe that sometimes she outsmarts her counterparts in UK and USA also. Under the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), Markel managed her country’s economy in much better way and kept contagion somewhat less virulent.

Indira Nooyi, the Chief Executive of Pepsi Co, an Indian American ranked 3^rd in the list. She has become CEO of an American company despite being an Indian in origin. This perhaps brought for her lots of praise and admiration.

Forbes is a reputed Magazine and publishes list of, among other things, most powerful women of the world every year. They look at hundreds of women who are on the top in fields like business, politics, and non-profit organisations like social services etc. Melinda Gates, for instance, the wife of Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, could find a place at 34^th position due to her contribution in Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This organisation works globally for eradication of diseases like AIDS, Kalazar etc from the world.

This is the sixth year in a row that such list has been published. Over years, the publication of this list has become a very popular event which many people ecstatically watch. People across the world wait the publication very curiously as appearance of names in this list add additional feathers in their cap.

Sonia Gandhi continues to maintain her position because she has been arduously keeping the pivot of power around her. The 10 Janpath, the official residence of Sonia, the congress president and chairperson of UPA, the alliance in power at centre, has become symbol of power in India and perhaps it is due this reason she is stealing the show. Her name is revered because she voluntarily and willingly refused the post of Prime Minister of Indian, unheard in politics. She was equated with Gandhi by many in the rank and file of congress because no one except Gandhi has made so huge sacrifice, many among them feel.

The list of some names for 2009 is as below-

1	Angela Markel	Germany	Chancellor
2	Sheila Blair	USA	Chairman federal deposit insurance corporation
3	Indira Nooyi	USA	Chief executive pepsi
4	Cynthian carroll	UK	Chief Executive, Anglo American
5	Ho ching	Singapore	Chief Executive Temasek
6	Irene Rosenfeld	USA	Chief Executive krafts food
13	Sonia Gandhi	India	President INC
20	Chanda Kochar	India	Chief Executive ICICI

STUDENTS TORCHED TRAINS; WHY TRAINS?

2009-08-19T03:18:00.000-07:00

AFTER ALL WHOES PROPERTY IS THIS?

Running trains through Bihar is becoming dangerous day by day. Four compartments of two more trains were torched by the so called students at Bihta railway station, some 35 km away from state capital Patna on 18^th August. Sramjeevi express and Samghmitra Express trains become targets of the student’s and anti-social element’s wrath. Reports reaching out to the police headquarters at Patna suggest that some students entered into AC compartments of the ill fated trains at Arrah station without a proper ticket. They were reportedly carrying monthly season passes (MSP) which are meant for general bogeys of the trains and not for reserved or A/C compartments. When they were asked to get down from the AC compartments, they infuriated and a scuffle took place between them and RPF and GRP. Some police men beaten up the students leaving one of them injured.

Since they were in less numbers, they could do nothing but they informed some fellow men at Bihta and when the train arrived at Bihta station, large number of students mixed with anti-social elements gheraoed the train and started searching the constable responsible for the incident. In the meantime the crowd gathered in huge number and after asking the occupying passengers to leave the compartments, they set four A/C compartments ablaze leaving at least four bogeys completely burnt. Railway officials however said that no RPF was involved in the ticket search operation and scuffle took place with GRP only. An estimated 3.20 Crore worth property has been damaged.

On the other hand, some eye witnesses said on condition of anonymity that GRP were indulged in extortion and when they were asked to stop this, the policemen got infuriated and beaten up the student leaving him seriously injured.

In a separate incident, an unruly mob torched railway station of Lakshisarai in Munger division. They were angry over the death of a railway employee allegedly murdered by some criminals. In recent times, railway stations and trains have become soft targets of agitations and anti-social elements have made railway property an easy prey. Even on trivial issues unconnected with railways, criminals and anti-social elements resort to arson and looting of railway properties. The translucent division of rights and duties between RPF and GRP is said to be the main reason for police not to take firm actions. RPF is a railway’s own police force and is expected to perform only under RPF Act, whereas; GRP is state government police. Law and order being the state subject as per Article 246 of Indian Constitution, such incidents are to be prevented and prosecuted by GRP, but like previous incidents this time also the blame game has started. The new DGP has taken serious note of it and has asked for video footage on the basis of which, he said criminals would be indentified and speedy trial would be launched against them.

Election in Afghanistan; hope for world

2009-08-18T21:29:00.001-07:00

The war ravaged and terror infested country Afghanistan will go to polls on 20^th August, 2009 to elect its President and members of Provincial Assemblies. According to Constitution of Afghanistan which was enacted and adopted on 4^th January, 2004, only an afghan, born out of an afghan parent can participate and become President of this country.

The future of this country and prestige of NATO, especially the USA and the UK is involved in this election, which is going to be a major challenge for them in view of threats of disruption and violence given by Taliban.

The poll will be held on 20^th August, 2009 between 7:00 hrs to 16:00 hrs of the local time and results would be declared on 17^th September, 2009 if the winning candidate secures at least 50% of the votes polled which is mandatory as per Article 61 of the Constitution.

There are 17 million out of an estimated 30 million Afghans registered to vote in 7000 polling stations spread across the country in all 34 provinces.

41 candidates are fighting for the presidency, whereas as many as 3000 candidates are in fray for 420 seats in 34 provinces.

1. Security situation and elections- the security situation in the war ravaged country is far from satisfactory. NATO headquarter was stormed on the eve of elections leaving some soldiers and civilian dead. Presidential Palace has also been hit by rockets. Out of 34 provinces, Karzai’s government has control over only a very few. Some independent sources suggest that the writs of the govt do not run outside the Kabul. Provinces like Kandahar, Nimruz, Daykundi, Herat, Nurestan, Gor, Ghazni Orunzgan Panjshir etc are virtually not under the control of the government and the writs of Taliban is the final decree. The Taliban has issued warnings on loudspeakers openly in public places and mosques that any body found with indelible ink on his/her thumb, their hands would be chopped off. Such warnings cannot be ignored in Afghanistan and nobody will like his hands chopped off. This does not mean however that nobody will come out and cast vote, after all how could so many candidates including some women dared to file nominations despite Taliban’s opposition.

2. Prospects of peaceful, free and fair election- Article 156 of Constitution of Afghanistan provides for establishment of an Independent Election Commission to conduct election. In pursuance of it, Election Commission has also been constituted, but to what extent a free, fair and peaceful election it would be able to conduct, is yet to be seen. Azizollah Ludin, the head of Election Commission, has complained about calibre of some candidates. He has alleged that his recommendations with respect to change in certain election rules have not been enacted by Parliament and the government has not taken note of it. The main contesting candidates in the presidential fray are the sitting President Hamid Karzai, Abdullah Abdullah, and former finance minister Asraf Ghani. There are about 350 women candidates in the fray for Provincial council polls. Women candidates are also in the fray for presidential seat. Frozen Fana and Shahla Atta are most important among them.

As far as peaceful elections are concerned, the chances are bleak. The rocket attack on Presidential palace and suicidal attacks on defence and police establishments, well in the heart of Kabul, the fortified city, suggest that all is not well in this country. In the mean time some rights groups like Human Rights watch (HRW) have expressed apprehension on elections in Afghanistan. The return of ex -war lord Abdul Rashid Dostum just on the eve of elections have raised eyebrows of many who believe that Karzai might use his clout in his favour.

In the meantime reports are coming in that large numbers of voter’s ID cards are being sold for money and therefore rigging and bogus voting may take place. This matter has been brought to the notice of the Election commission and the officials connected to it has assured of taking some remedial measures for this also. It remains to be seen that in what manner elections are conducted in remote rural areas of the country where communication and other administrative infrastructure are far from satisfaction.

3. Observers and Media- as many as 67 observers from 25 different countries are expected to be present in different parts of Afghanistan to oversee election. International media, despite all hazardous, has made its huge presence felt. This election is under watch and USA and UK will leave no stone unturned to see that it is held in a peaceful manner at least. In the meantime there is a huge conglomeration of media to cover this event which has been talk not of the town but of the world today.

4. Significance for India- Although India is formally not included in US’ ‘much talked but little done’ war against terror, it has been playing major role in Afghanistan. Afghanistan for US and other NATO courtiers may be a laboratory; India has not used or using this country in this way. India’s billion rupees have been so far spent on infrastructure projects like road construction, hospital building, school building etc. Except Taliban, most of the Afghani people have great faith and respect for Indians. Hamid Karzai’s ties with India is deep rooted and so is the cultural and historical relations of common Afghanis; therefore peace and normalcy blended with democratic taste is a well come step in this country of rich cultural heritage and old civilizational importance. The success of this election and subsequent formation of a popular government at Kabul would usher in a new era of hope, peace and prosperity, for which common Afghanis are thirsty of. The restoration of normalcy and return of NATO led foreign troops, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), from Afghanistan will improve the situation in the region.

If a heavy turnout is made in this election, it will be the victory of Afghanis and hopefully Taliban will also understand the futility of this endless war. It is however a utopian and hypothetical situation but if you don’t see dreams and that too big dreams, how you can achieve it. Formation of a popular government in Afghanistan is of immense strategic and diplomatic importance. If in Afghanistan a popular government takes oath, it will not allow its territory to be used by terrorist in the manner they are using today.

5. Terrorism in India and Afghanistan- Afghanistan today is known for two things in the world. Firstly it has turned into a heaven for terrorist around the world and secondly wholesale supplier of opium. Terrorist organisations like Laskar-e-Toiba, JeM, Jammat, etc receives parental care from Al-Qaeda and Taliban. Osama’s hatred for India is well known. The supply of arms, ammunition and training to terrorists in the camps operating from Pakistan is too obvious to be discussed. The nexus of ISI and Terrorism in Pakistan has become chronic for India. We can hit this nexus with the help of a popular democratically elected govt at Kabul and that is why this election is of utmost importance for India. The Pakistan’s nefarious design can then be thwarted with active support of Afghanistan.

The Al-Qaida and Taliban under Osama and Mullah Muhammad Omar respectively have become source of strength and inspiration of almost all terrorist organisations across the world. This umbilical cord needs to be cut so that terrorism can be prevented from expansion and infection in remaining part of globe.

In this backdrop the successful completion of this election as well as victory of common people’s aspiration over fundamentalists and terrorists is a precondition so that a better world is created to live in peace and harmony.

There are 17 million out of an estimated 30 million Afghans registered to vote in 7000 polling stations spread across the country in all 34 provinces.

41 candidates are fighting for the presidency, whereas as many as 3000 candidates are in fray for 420 seats in 34 provinces.

Why Shahrukh then did not return?

2009-08-16T04:10:00.000-07:00

UNROBED BUT EVEN THEN DID NOT RETURN

The frisking of Shahrukh Khan at Newark airport in USA and humiliating treatment meted out to him by immigration authorities has triggered a debate in India as to why US authorities do such condemnable acts against Indians and many others non Americans and non Europeans. It is not the first instance and perhaps not the last one also. Many Politicians including Former President A.P.J Kalam and the veteran socialist leader and former Defence Minister George Fernandese and many others have so far been subjected to such humiliations in the past.

The question is not that why the Americans do all such things, the more perturbing question is that why then we, the Indians, give them preferential treatment to the Americans when they come to India. Our leaders, officials and stars go all the way to the apron to receive them on red carpet at airports. Remember, when Bill Clinton came to India, as President of USA, we created media hype to such a magnitude that every newspaper and TV channel was flooded with news unconnected with his official programs. We relish reading things like what Bill robe and eating, where and in which room he retires etc. the madness was such that some TV channels and Newspapers published photographs of rooms in which he stayed and the bed on which the couple slept even after his departure from India. The height of sycophancy is such that we start praising Americans on the issues we do understand. We start holding debates on their dress, food, etiquettes etc without understanding their American background.

Security checking at airports for security reasons under prevailing condition is good and should be cooperated with, but doing in a disproportionate magnitude is deplorable and condemnable. If USA and other western countries resort to such practices, why do we not adopt uniform and standard operating procedure (SOP) for such visits?

It, in a way, betrays our inferiority complex and colonial vestiges. After all why Shahrukh Khan did not return back instantly in protest against, what he called, humiliating treatment meted to him? He should have told the organizers after that, it is due this, what he called, unprofessional and inhuman attitude and behavior of the American officials at airport, he decided to return back and did not do performance before the audience. He did not do it and perhaps he would go again to US if heavy amount is paid for any program. After all, why are so many hue and cries among us? It is high time to ponder in a more professional and non emotional way. We can adopt similar professional approach towards them. It however does not mean that we also humiliate them and feel them hurt, but we can make them understand that look here is this country which can not tolerate humiliation of its citizens. It seems that our disrespect and utter neglect to our ideals and our heritage has allowed the situation to take such ugly shape, after all what explains that ‘Raj Ghat’ the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, our Bapu, was allowed to be inspected by American dogs to make it sanitized for the US President to pay homage.

We must learn to respect ourselves before seeking respect from others. Mind it there is difference between hospitality and flattery.

WHEN SUU KYI WILL COME OUT?

2009-08-16T02:38:00.000-07:00

YETTAW IS RELEASED; WAITING FOR HER TURN

John Yettaw 53, the American who swam across the lake and reached into the house of Aang San Suu Kyi, wherein she was undergoing house arrest, leading to prosecution of latter and subsequent award of 18 months imprisonment, is to be released. John Yettaw along with suu kyi was prosecuted and was charged with three offences namely violation of immigration law, swimming into non-swim area and meeting a person in Jail. He was awarded 7 years rigorous imprisonment.

Yettaw’s release could be made possible by American senator Jim Webb who is on a private visit to Burma. Webb met Than Shwe, the supreme leader of Military Junta and held talks with him for more that 45 minutes. He also met Suu kyi, who has been languishing in Jail (house arrest) for 14 out of the last 20 years. Burma is under military rule since 1962 and elections held in 1990 were thwarted by this junta by putting Suu Kyi, the leader of NLD, the party which won in the election, in Jail. Jim Webb could secure release of his compatriot but couldn’t do the same with Suu Kyi. It is ironical that the person due to whom the 62 years old lady, who has become icon of freedom and democracy, was jailed and punished, is being released but not she.

Although every sensible human being would hail this release but will ponder also that why international community is not strong enough to secure release of a lady whose only offence is that she loves her country and believes in ideals of democracy?

Although Jim Webb was on private trip, he had enjoyed the support of Barrack Obama. This diplomatic victory of America, though through backdoor diplomacy, has made many experts of foreign policy think that perhaps this diplomatic gesture marks the change in US policy towards Burma. There is a strong sense of opinion prevailing in US and also in some Western European countries that economic embargo and political seclusion of military ruled Burma will not work because the Military Junta hardly bothers about the plight of its countrymen caused due to ongoing economic blockade.

Mizzima, the news agency formed in India by Burmese in exile, has cautiously welcomed the decision of release of Yettaw but has expressed apprehension that Burmese military leaders might use this gesture as a tool to propagate that they respect international community and international law. They deplore and condemn the treatment being meted out to Suu Kyi and expressed dismay on the kind of actions and steps being taken to secure her release by international community.

It is also not out of context to mention here when Ban Ki Moon, the Secretary General of UNO, was denied meeting with Suu Kyi, why a simple senator was allowed to do the same? Is it due to the fact that Military Junta was apprehensive of any wrath of USA, because Yettaw was an American and if America can send its charmer former President, Bill Clinton to North Korea to secure release to journalists, it can resort to some other punitive actions against Burma also. If it is so, the world community must think in terms of some tougher measures also against military Junta, after all how can a modern and democratic world afford such discriminations and injustice?

Pakistan to repeal colonial draconian law

2009-08-15T23:49:00.001-07:00

WHY IN DIFFERENT COLOUR?

People in federally administered tribal area (FATA) may get rid of 100 years old colonial law known as federal crime regulation (FCR) which goes against even the basic human rights. This FCR was enacted by British in 1901 when Pakistan was under the colonial regime of UK. This regulation is still in vogue in FATA and is regarded as the most draconian law ever existed in Pakistan. It empowers the authorities to arrest and detain people without even formal charges framed against him or her. It also authorizes police and other so-called law enforcing agencies to exercise unlimited and unbridled powers with regard to awarding punishments to the subjects. It is, in a way, a medieval law which no modern society can afford to keep in vogue.

Tribal areas were considered problematic spots for the British government, the colonizers; therefore by enacting this draconian law, they sought to tame the tribes who were very violent, aggressive, tradition ridden and untamable. Thus this is a remnant and vestige of the erstwhile British Empire which the present day government is carrying forward till date.

FATA is a centrally administered area which has come into being under Article 247 of Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and is administered by Federal government. It is like Union Territories in India which is governed through Lt. Governors, who are agents of President of the country.

President Asif Ali Zardari while addressing the Nation on the eve of Pakistan’s 63^rd Independence Day on 14^th August announced that FCR would be done away with and common law of land would be invoked in FATA. It is worth mentioning here that due to special status of FATA, neither the Supreme Court nor the High court has any jurisdiction in this area and the judiciary is still based on old religious and tribal traditional institutions.

Many people feel that due to such situation and vestigial institutions present in Pakistan, the Jehadi elements, Islamic fundamentalists and Taliban have grown. The death of Baitullah Mehsud and subsequent internecine warfare in the FATA and especially in South Waziristan has given Pakistan congenial environment and right opportunity to prevail in the area and take some corrective measures. The announcement to repeal FCR is being seen in this context also. What ever may be reason, it is a belated welcome step in right direction. Pakistan must create and build modern democratic institutions so that the fertility of Pakistani soils for growth of Terrorism and fundamentalism is diminished if not totally destroyed.

Bihar to declare 26 disticts as drought affected

2009-08-09T22:21:00.000-07:00

NATURE'S TEST TO BIHAR'S PATIENCE CONTINUES

All party meeting convened by Nitish Kumar, CM of Bihar was attended by almost all political parties in Patna on Sunday. Keeping in view the unprecedented drought like situation in at least 26 of 38 districts in the state, all political parties unanimously resolved to provide support to the state govt in its fight against the woes of farmer. The Chief Secretary made a power point and documentary presentation before the leaders about the rainfall and subsequent sowing of paddy in all the districts. The Meteorological department has also informed that Bihar has received at least 70-80% less rain fall than the average.

Briefing the media after meeting, Nitish Kumar said that a formal decision to declare 26 districts as ‘drought affected districts’ would be taken on Tuesday, the 11^{th August}. He further elaborated and informed the press that the state government has prepared a blue print to fight drought and mitigate the agony of the poor and farmers. 2-5 Crore families would be provided relief by giving them 1 quintal of food grains and 250 Rs/family/month. He stressed the need to enhance the minimum wage to 200 days from existing 100 days under NREGS.

The DMs of all the drought affected districts are assembling on Monday to discuss the modalities and modes of implementation of programmes and measures to fight the drought. The CM is also likely to address the district officials. It has also been decided that the state government would place demand before the Union Government for grant and aid from Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) so that succour could be provided to the affected population. Apart from monetary help, the state government is also likely to demand 22.5 lakh tons of food grain from Union government.

Sources say that the situation in state is grim and only 12 districts have more than 70% sown areas of paddy. These districts are East and West Champaran, Sheohar, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Samastipur, Saharsa, Supaul, Purnea, Araria, and Khagaria. Thus except these districts, all 26 remaining districts are to be put up under drought affected districts. Bihar is, at present, facing twin natural calamities simultaneously. One the one hand districts in North Bihar like Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Supaul etc are flood affected, south Bihar is witnessing scanty or no rain fall. This is the third consecutive year in a row that Bihar is subjected to natural calamities at such a huge scale.

SWINE FLU VERSU KALA-ZAR

2009-08-08T08:45:00.000-07:00

NO HUE AND CRY FOR POOR MAN'S DISEASE

The first death due to swine flu in pune in which one girl Rida Sheikh died has created an unprecedented panic across nation with all newspapers and news channels are flooded with pictures, reports and articles. It seems that this disease is going to kill all in one stroke and no one will be alive. It reminds the sconce which was created when plague broke out in Surat city of Gujarat.

It is the first official death and till date there are 558 cases of H1N1 infections in India. Pune, the hub of educational activities is perhaps the worst affected because so far Maharashtra state has reported 147 cases of H1N1 cases across the state.

As far as the global scenario is concerned, according to WHO 1154 deaths due to this pandemic has so far been reported from 168 countries. Altogether 162,380 cases of infections have been reported across the world. The WHO states and to which majority of doctors also agrees that the death rate in swine flu is only 0.01%.

It appears that the whole nation is put on maximum alert and there is an unprecedented panic. The people in Pune have queued up for tests in the hospitals.

The cost of one such test goes some where near 10,000 Rs and a Swine Kit costs roughly 3000 to 4000 Rs per kit.

Oseltamivir or Zanamivir drug is administered in confirmed case of Swine flu.

Now the hysteria is in full throttle, the medicine companies which make drug and kit are in boom. It is a god sent opportunity for them. The sale of Kit has gone up several times the normal condition and many Medicine companies are all set to manufacture generic version of the drugs. In nut shell this disease hysteria and fear psychosis has come as a blessing in disguise. Does it not appear that there is some rat smells in this media hype? Is it not possible that perhaps market is being prepared and sell is being boomed by creating such panic across the world?

KALA-ZAR AND MALRIA; THE POOR MAN’S DISEASE- kala-zar is known as silent killer disease. It is also known as Black fever or dumdum fever. Kalazar was diagnosed in 1822 in Purnea district of Bihar for the first time. Till then more than it has spread into as many as dozens of districts in the state. About 2.5 Million cases are detected globally annually for Kalazar. In India alone, bo

Baittulah is dead; who is next

2009-08-07T05:03:00.001-07:00

END OF A CHAPTER IN HISTORY OF TERRORISM

Baitullah Mehsud was killed in a CIA missile attack on Wednesday, the 5^th July itself in drone attack in which his second wife was reported to have been killed. This news was deliberately not leaked into the media for simple reason, because Mehsud’s aide wanted to bury him and not let his body be handed over to Pakistani or US authorities.

Kafayut- Ullah, a close aide to Mehsud reported to have had told some foreign media that Mehsud has been killed in Wednesday’s missile attacks in south Waziristan and has been buried in Nargosai village in Zanghara area of south Waziristan. According to some reports, Mehsud was suffering from kidney ailment and was lying sick with intravenous medical equipment in a farmhouse of his father in law, where he was hit by a hellfire missile fired by drone, a pilotless plane notorious for such attacks.

Mehsud, the most dreaded and notorious commander of Taliban came in lime light when Benazir Bhutto was assassinated allegedly by him, an allegation he never accepted. Baitullah got his title mehsud because he belonged to the tribe mehsud who hails from South Waziristan. Since 9/11 he gained in strength and grown in stature. He is said to have organized and set up one Tahrike- Taliban of Pakistan (TTP) in 2007 and raised some 20,000 hardcore militants who are ready to do any thing for the sake of his master’s voice. Mehsud took shelter and made South Waziristan as his hideout because areas like Ladha, Sararogha, Angoor adda, Shakai, Wana. Jandola etc in South Waziristan are safe heavens for militants and the writs of the Pakistani government do not run in these areas.

Mehsud came to world wide media and government attention when red mosque of Islamabad was besieged by his militants. Fierce fighting took place leaving hundreds of civilian and security forces dead. In recent times his notoriety had gained such proportions that US special envoy Richard Holbrook had treated him as the most dreaded militant of the region. Some people believed that he had become more powerful than Osama-bi-Laden and Mullah Muhammad Omar themselves.

The reports coming from Pakistan suggest that TTP militants have cordoned off surrounding Makeen area and group’s top leaders are meeting to elect successor of Baitullah Mehsud. Reports also suggest that one Hakimullah Mehsud, a hardcore and trusted commander of Baitullah, is likely to be elected as the new chief of TTP. Hakimullah is also from mehsud tribe and hails from Orakzai tribal region in South Waziristan.

With this chapter coming to an end, now Pakistan must prepare itself for much more vigorous retaliation because these Terrorists are not going to allow, what they call ‘kurbani’ or sacrifice of their leader Mehusd, in vain.

The matter that is not coming out in media is that drone reapers or predators hit targets on the basis of some concrete information. There are apprehensions that some militant leaders had become jealous of Baitullah Mehsud due to his ascendency in the ‘terror ladder’. 5 million USD bounties on his head is the testimony that USA regarded him most dreaded. His unprecedented and meteoric rise in the world of terror had made several enemies in the Islamic Jehadi world also; therefore possibilities of leakage of some information to USA leading to US drone attack cannot be ruled out. If this theory has some facts, there may be some more specific drone attacks and some more killings of Taliban commanders.

RIGHT TO EDUCATION ACT; TOWARDS A SILENT SOCIAL REVOLUTION

2009-08-06T08:01:00.001-07:00

GIVE A CHANCE ; HE CAN DO WONDERS TOO

The Parliament passed the historic Bill called The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, 2008. The Bill (no- LXV of 2008) which was originally introduced in upper House on December 15, 2008 and was sent to the standing committee on Human Resource development headed by Janardan Dwidi. The committee submitted its reports and recommendations within three month and the Upper House passed this Bill on 20^th July, 2009 and subsequently it was sent to Lok Sabha for passage of the same.

This Bill is fragmented into 37 sections which are categorized into seven chapters and one schedule.

The 86th Constitution Amendment Act, 2000 passed by the Parliament which amended Article 21A of the Constitution had necessitated enactment of such law because the said amendment had made obligatory on the part of the government to provide free and compulsory elementary education to children.

The Bill is likely to get President’s assent within a couple of weeks from now and will become a law. It is a historic legislation because the objectives and duties of the state as enshrined in the Directives of State Policy in the Constitution are going to be fulfilled through this law.

This law seeks to provide free and compulsory elementary education to children from 6 to 14 years of age by the government. No child shall be expelled and required to pass board examination until the elementary education level.

The objectives and preamble of the law as stated in the Bill is that ‘crucial role of universal elementary education for strengthening the social fabric of democracy through provision of equal opportunities to all has been accepted since inception of our republic.’

Tasks Ahead- merely passing of the law is not going to fulfill the desired goal. Now huge responsibility has been bestowed upon the central as well state government to create infrastructure and open new schools in large numbers especially in rural areas to meet the demand because the number of elementary schools in rural areas are hopelessly very less. The law has bestowed responsibilities on the local authorities for establishment of elementary schools in every neighborhood so that every child gets admitted in the school near by. This Act however has not provided any penalty for either the state government or central government or for that matter, local authority, if they fail to admit the child as required under the law.

It has however; made provisions for the private and aided schools to take at least 25% admissions of the poor children but again no penal provision has been made if this provision is violated by these private schools. Keeping in view the tract record of private schools in India, this philanthropy is not expected to be fulfilled if their screws are not tightened. It is hoped that amendments shall be brought in future based on experience in due course of time. There is not denying the fact that if this law is translated into reality with letters and spirit, will bring about a silent but big revolution in socio-politico tapestry of the Nation

BIHAR LAND TRIBUNAL

2009-07-30T05:23:00.000-07:00

Bihar government is determined to ensure speedy disposal of land related disputes. To secure this objective, Bihar Land Tribunal would be set up. Bill to this effect was passed by Bihar Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, the 29th 2009. At present all cases related to land disputes ultimately reach to civil and High court. The land reforms legislations itself are immune to constitutional review because such legislations have been put under Schedule IX of Indian Constitution. This immunity however does not prevent High Court to try cases under the Land Reforms Laws. Over a period of time, such cases have piled up in High Court. At present 458 cases of Land Ceiling Act 1961 are pending in Patna High Court and 16 in Supreme Court. Similarly cases related to Bihar Land Reforms Act, 1950, Bihar Tenancy Act, 1885, Bihar Prevention of Fragmentation of Land Act, 1956, Bihar Bhoodan Act, 1954, Bihar Privileged Persons Homestead Tenancy Act, 1947 etc are pending in Supreme court also. Needless to say that like all other cases, these matters are also lying pending in High Court and Supreme Court for many years defeating the purpose of the Land reforms it self. The demand for setting up this Tribunal has been made on and often but due to one reason or the other this demand was not met. COSNTITUTION OF TRIBUNAL- there shall be one chairman and four members in this Tribunal. Chairman will either be the serving or retired High court Judge whereas; the members would be of the rank of district judge. One administrative member will be a retired IAS of Principal or secretary rank. All cases related to land disputes shall be transferred to it within specified period of time. It is being hoped in legal and administrative echelons that setting up of this tribunal would accelerate the pace of disposal of such cases, the pendency of which is bane to the land reforms measures.

YAHOO AND MICROSOFT TO FIGHT GOOGLE UNITEDLY

2009-07-29T08:03:00.001-07:00

UNITED WE SUCCEED DIVIDED WE FAIL

Google is likely to face stiffer competition ahead as Microsoft and Yahoo have struck a deal on Wednesday, the 29^th July, 2009. Last year, Microsoft made an abortive attempt to purchase Yahoo out rightly at a cost of 47.5 billion USD. After this failure, the two companies tirelessly worked a fresh to come together to break unchallenged monopoly of Google and this pact is the result of this effort. On Wednesday they announced partnership in internet searching and advertising. Hitherto Google virtually enjoys lion’s share in this field and none of the companies could pose a serious challenge single handedly to this IT giant. This deal is an attempt to pose challenge to Google in this area. At present Microsoft and Yahoo constitute only 28 % share in search engine area and rest 72% goes in Google’s account.

According to this deal, this pact (Microsoft-Yahoo pact) stipulates division of duties instead of merger of these two Companies, which was the main reason of last year’s fiasco. This fiasco led to change in management of Yahoo. The co-founder of Yahoo Company Jerry Yang was replaced by Carol Bartz. Mr. Bartz is now the CEO of Yahoo.

According to information available, Microsoft would provide search technology to Yahoo Websites whereas; Yahoo would now concentrate on producing web media sites ranging from sports and entertainment to finance.

The terms of agreement will be for 10 years and it calls for Microsoft to license some search technologies of Yahoo, in turn Yahoo would be getting a lion share of 88% of revenue generated from search by Yahoo.

The advertising field would be divided and Yahoo will now be the exclusive advertisement force. Microsoft CEO, Steven A. Ballmer said on this occasion that this is a land mark in the history of A&M in IT field and will create new sky soaring heights in field of innovations in search and advertising which is now, he said, is dominated almost monopolistically by one company, he meant by it Google.

This agreement marked the end of one of the longest and most tumultuous technology deal in the field of IT industries of world. This deal is culmination of the process which Ballmer had started as wooing Yahoo in 2006 it self, the time Terry Semel was CEO of Microsoft. It was thus a happy moment for Ballmer because now he is the CEO of Microsoft, what a destiny indeed!

Hopefully this pact would open new vistas in the field of computers which is witnessing new inventions and new experiments in this century. One can hope that coming years will be quite different from what we see and watch today. It is said that change is a painful process, but this change is perhaps not going to be painful but exciting.

IS TALIBAN IN NIGERIA?

2009-07-29T05:13:00.000-07:00

GOING PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN WAY?

Another African country, Nigeria, came under Islamic terrorism with spurt in violence killing at least 150 people in northern part of the country. Boko Haram, an Islamic group which is opposed to western education and culture, has perpetrated this violence in which police stations and churches were burnt. This organization which claim that it is linked to Al-Qaeda and Taliban was formed in 2004 it self to counter spread of western education and culture in Nigeria. It is opposed to spread of Christianity also in this poverty stricken African country.

This attack is supposed to have come as retaliation after clashes in the Muslim dominate state of Bauchi and Yobe in Nigeria in which some Muslims were reported killed.

Although Boko Haram’s link to Taliban in Afghanistan or Al-Qaeda of Osama-bi-laden has not clearly been established but neither of the two world’s most dreaded terrorist organizations have denied this connection also. Muhammad Ysusuf, the supreme leader of Bako Haram, in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, unequivocally stated that his organization is linked to Taliban and is working for imposition of Shaiat law in Nigeria because, what he reportedly says, western education has corrupted the Nigerian society and government to core.

President of Nigeria, Umaru Yar’Adua has ordered national security agencies to take strict actions against perpetrators of violence and ensure safety and security of civilians. Massive hunt is launched to nab the culprits.

The spurt in violence on religious lines is very dangerous, especially in view of Nigeria’s geographical and strategic location. The total population of Nigeria according to 2007 census is 148,000,000 which are divided into 250 ethnic groups. It is home of variety of religions and main among them are Islam and Christianity. There are indigenous religions like Igbo Odinani and Ifa. Among Muslim, 95% are Sunnis and rest is Shia minority. The problems is that if this violence engulf other parts of Nigeria and spreads to other African country, it will provide grazing grounds to the Islamic terrorist organizations. The communal violence between Muslim Uighur and Hans in Urumqi of Xingjiang province of China is bound to have its repercussions in other central Asian countries as well as African countries. If this fire spreads to other parts of Africa and Central Asia, it will aggravate the situation, which has already attained Global dimensions.

The international community therefore, must act and do needful in this regard because it seems that the terrorists are trying to form a crescent in south Asia, Central Asia, Africa and Middle East.

INS ARIHANT ENTERS; ENEMY DETERS

2009-07-28T20:23:00.000-07:00

INS ARIHANT; WIL IT TRIGGER ARMS RACE?

INS Ahirant enters into water yesterday, the 26^th July, 2009 after formal naming of this vessel done by PM’s wife Gurusharan Kaur by breaking coconut at the dry port in vishakhapattanam. According to naval tradition such rituals are performed only by a woman. Thus

India

formally joined the club of existing 5 countries which have indigenously developed Nuclear Sub-marines; this date was selected because country is celebrating 10 anniversary of Kargil War as Vijay diwas.

INS Ahirant code named as ‘Advanced Technology vessel’ is 5,000 tons vessel and fitted with a mini Nuclear reactor developed by BARC which can generate 80 MWe to run the vessel and fire missile.

Till date only USA, UK, Russia, China and

France

have such N- Submarines in their naval fleets. Indigenously developed by BARC and DRDO with the help of Russia, INS Ahirant will substantially enhance our defense capability because this vessel can operate remaining in water for longer periods due to inbuilt N-reactors. Non N-Submarines (general submarines) have to come out to the water surface either for re-fuelling or oxygen necessary for combustion of fuel, thus the vessel is exposed to enemy’s threat. The N-Submarines are not required to come out to the water surface in the sea because the N-Reactor continues to supply the vessel required energy for movement and operation.

Ahirant, which means destroyer of enemy, will undoubtedly bestow upon our Navy upper hand vis-à-vis our enemies at sea. This submarine would be fitted with K-15 ‘Sagarika’ missiles which is a nuclear capable submarine launched ballistic missile of 750 km range. This missile is likely to be ready for use by 2010 and is being developed by DRDO missile complex of Hyderabad. It is 18.5 meter long, 17 tons heavy with 500 kg payload missile and is capable of very effective strike at enemy’s establishment.

Thus the long waited ambitious program of having N-Submarine with intermediate range ballistic missile is going to be achieved. It is a red letter day for all Indians especially our defense. The fast changing politico-strategic balance of power in South-Asia and Central, South-east and Middle East Asia, this development is of immense significance. Such enhancement of striking power of naval forces will deter terrorist also who are now frequently using sea routes to strike and inflict on Indian territories.

OBAMA'S COMMENT SPARKS OFF RACIAL DEBATE

2009-07-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

BEWARE OF ENEMIES WITHIN USA

A small incident in USA snowballed into a major controversy pulling President in the centre of eyeball has once again exposed that racial issue in USA is still a reality. It so happened that a black Professor of Harvard University, Prof Henry Louis Gates Jr, when returned to his home in Cambridge found his doors stuck. Prior to this, his neighbor called the police saying that some youths were trying to break Professor’s house open. Police responded and came to Professor’s residence. By this time Professor Gates was already home. Sgt James Crowley, the Police officer mistook Professor Gates as house breaker and wanted him to come out and speak to him. Sgt James Crowley, a white police man was rebuffed by Professor Gates saying ‘I will talk your mama’. Sgt Crowley warned Professor Gates of being ‘disorderly’, but Professor Gates went on behaving the same way. Sgt Crowley stated that he had to arrest Professor not because he did not come out because he (Sgt) knew by that time that Professor Gates was inside his own home. Professor Gates was handcuffed by Crowley and taken to police state on charge of professor being disorderly, a charge later dropped.

The controversy arose when President Obama termed Sgt Crowley’s action as ‘stupidly’ a term which was vehemently opposed by many whites. The Cambridge Superior Police officers Association condemned President’s remarks and demanded an apology from him. Several other organizations too came in Sgt Crowley’s support, a situation Obama himself would have never expected. Sensing the popular mood Obamas said becasue this has been ratcheting up, and I helped to contribute to the racheting up in my choice of words, I unfortunately gave the impression that I was maligning sereant Crowley specifically' Obama quickly mended his mistake by inviting both to White House for sharing beer.

ISSUES RAISED- this episode will settle down within few days but it has raised the issue and question again that has racial elements in American society not yet withered out? Is the election of Obama, the first African-American to White House resurrecting this dormant issue? Is American society so intolerant that one statement snowballs into controversy to national and international magnitude?

One may agree and disagree on the above mentioned issues, but one thing is clear that racial elements do exist in American society. We have to think that whether this controversy was blown out of proportion to defame Barrack Obama because he is a non-white President? George.W.Bush has been very harsh in his tone with respect to such issues. His arrogance and bad etiquettes had gained notoriety during his two terms of office but even then controversy of this proportion and magnitude did not arise. One should not forget that the kind of magnanimity shown by Obama is unheard in recent years by any American President.

INDIAN MENTALITY AND US PERSPECTIVE- One may disagree to the observation made above by comparing it with Indian psyche and reject the propounded theory, but one should not forget that human psychology and human prejudices and biases are by and large the same across the world and society. The American society needs introspection following this controversy and tries to rise above trivial issues. Expression of racialism in any form is rabid and should be abhorred. Especially when it is practiced by developed society and educated class.

Bill Gates to visit Bihar soon

2009-07-24T22:43:00.000-07:00

COME AND DO SOMETHING WITHOUT FUSS

Bill Gates is likely to visit Bihar soon, this was disclosed when yesterday, Bihar CM and Bill Gates, former head of Microsoft and founder of Bill Gates-Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), held a discussion through videoconferencing and discussed many other issues including health related programs. Bill Gates, who is now in New Delhi, accepted the invitation of CM Nitish Kumar and wished to come to Bihar during his next visit in India.

Bill Gates, IT giant and founder of Microsoft turned philanthropist, has set up BMGF and help eradicate disease like Polio, Kala-zar( visceral leishmaniasis) and AIDS. The foundation is organized into three main program areas namely Global Development, Global Health and United Sates Program.

Nitish Kumar said that he spoke to a Philanthropist and not an IT giant. Gates reportedly appreciated Nitish’s initiatives vis-à-vis healthcare programs. He particularly appreciated government’s effort of increasing the percentage of immunization in children. Gates has assured help to Bihar in its efforts to eradicate disease like Polio- Kala-zar, AIDS etc.

Bihar is lagging behind in many health indicators. Cases of number of polio are on rise despite repeated pulse polio drives. The situation in Kala-zar is particularly very bad. The districts like Muzaffarpur, Madhepura, Hazipur, Sitamarhi etc are prone to this disease. Maximum number of cases of Kala-zar is reported in Musahars, scheduled caste communities who are very poor and live in damp and unhygienic conditions which are suitable for growth of carrier of this disease. Dr C.P. Thakur an eminent doctor of Patna, expert in this field and M.P. was made head of State’s Kala-Zar Task force team, but he too resigned.

At present there are about 1, 00,000 patients of Kala-zar in Bihar, mostly poor people. Thousands of them have already died and many are on the verge of death. Many such deaths are not counted as deaths due to kala-zar go unnoticed. It is perhaps due to this nature, death due to Kala-zar is also said as Slow and Silent death.

The Amphotericine-B is the only effective drug for treatment of this disease but it is in short supply and it is very costly also. It is perhaps due to this fact the poor patients are unable to buy it from market. If Gates could help mitigate this problem, by supplying this medicine in adequate numbers, it would be a great help to this state which is desperately trying to come out of this stigma.

UNIQUE ID cards; will it be the last one?

2009-07-23T23:43:00.000-07:00

REAL TEST OF SKILL

The government of India came out with a very innovative and bold decision of establishing an authority namely National Authority for Unique identity (ID) headed by Nandan Nilkeni, one of the best ITbrains in the country, to issue unique ID cards to Indian citizens.

Nikeni, the Infosys boss did a right and commendable job of quitting the corporate world and under take this huge challenge of utmost national interest.

120 crore has been allocated in the budget for this job also and stage is all set for this work to formally begin. Nilkeni himself has said that first batch of such cards will be made available for distribution sometimes in the last month of this year. Secretarial infrastructure for this enormous task is being set up and personnel necessary for secretarial back up is being provided. One R.S.Sharma IAS of jharkahnd cadre has been made second man in this authority. In nutshell we can hope that things are likely to move with great pace.

Nilkeni has hinted that each citizen will be allotted a unique number on the card and shall be tampered proof. Preparation of such cards for Indian Nationals has been on cards for many years and in fact on many forums, by many organizations and by many experts demand and suggestions has been being made for preparation of such ID cards. Thus it is a belated step in right direction because existence of such citizen cards has become very necessary in view of growing problem of illegal immigration especially from courtiers like Bangladesh and Nepal and terrorism.

Task of such huge magnitude and sensitive nature cannot go without ruckus especially when vote banks politics is the harsh reality in this nation. Nilkeni will have to encounter this problem hitherto not experienced in corporate world.

WILL IT BE MASTER CARD OF ALL CARDS- Coming to the technicalities of this card, he said that issuance of this Unique ID will not replace existing ID cards or numbers which Indians have been issued in documents like Passport, Ration cards, PAN cards etc. This means that these cards shall remain in existence and in vogue in addition to the proposed Unique ID. Nilkeni clarified that the Unique ID numbers may be used in other numbers or cards issued by various authorities for specific purposes. Nilkeni’s clarification has cleared doubts from minds of billions of common people who thought that this proposed Unique ID shall relieve them of carrying and preserving dozens of other cards in their shelves or lockers.

CARDS, CARDS AND CARDS- In our countries it is difficult to even count that how many documents one citizen is required to keep for getting their day to day problems solved or keeping problems away. For people living below poverty line (BPL) poor are issued ‘job cards’ for getting employment under NREGS. Government is committed to provide them with essential commodities like rice, wheat, K.Oil etc either at subsidized rate or free of cost, therefore BPL families are issue cards like WHITE CARDS, RED CARDS, YELLOW CARDS, etc. the color of these cards go on changing with changing in government or sometimes change of collectors also. People living above poverty line (APL) are also entitled to food grains from Public distribution system (PDS) shops, therefore they have also been provided with some colorful cards.

Apart from these social security cards, almost every department issue cards or number to the citizens for specific purpose. For instance IT department issue PAN cards, Sales tax department of provincial governments issue various numbers to the businessman to carry out their business. Apart from this a common citizen has to furnish host of other ID proofs when one has to open a Bank account or prepare driving license. In nutshell a law abiding citizen has been asked to keep innumerable documents with him.

WILL IT BE THE LAST CARD- When T.N. Seshan became Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of election commission of India (ECI), he came out with an idea of providing Voting ID cards to check bogus voting and cleanse electoral system. That point of time, it was conceived that this ID cards will be of multiple purpose and will replace all other cards which are being used for identification and establishing citizenship claims. Initially this idea was widely appreciated and people thought that perhaps preparation of these cards would put to an end all the hardships that they face in this regard. The campaign began with huge fanfare and enthusiasm. Some states did magnificently well with regards to percentage of ID cards preparation. Unfortunately, even after elapse of two decades, the process in not complete and it is going in and unending direction. Needless to say that large scale irregularities regarding enrollment of illegal and bogus voters, mistakes in entries like names, date of birth, father’s or husbands name etc have been a common place in these cards.

We however need not be pessimist about this programme and hope that all would go well but Nilkeni also will have to depend on those data which are not perfect. Now only time will tell what modus operandi Nilkeni would resort and adopt in order to make this Unique ID free of all errors, so that it puts end to all future problems in this regard. Everyone’s mind is boggling with the question that will it be the last such exercise? Hopefully yes.

GIRL STRIPPED; SOCIETY LAUGHED; SHAME ON US

2009-07-23T23:35:00.001-07:00

WHO CARES FOR THIS HELPLESS GIRL?

In a bizarre incident on exhibition road, Patna’s one of the busiest road, one girl was stripped in full public view on Thursday evening. This shameful incidence was witnessed by large number of people including some traffic policemen on the duty. One drunken youth allegedly boy friend of that girl in name of searching the girl for his mobile phone, which he reportedly said the girl had stolen, striped the girl and the crowd watched laughing at this dastardly act. Some went up to taking snaps with mobile phones. Everyone except the humanity was laughing.

When one local electronic media aired this news along with some footage, the government swung into action, but by this time some people in the crowd mustered courage when the drunken boy wanted to outrage her modesty in full public view after almost striping her, beat the boy and took him to the local police station, which was hardly 200 yards away from the place of occurrence.

Taking strong view of the incident, CM has ordered DGP of probing into the entire incident and doing the needful. The police after initial inquiry however said that the girl is a call girl and a scuffle took place between her and the boy who is her pimp, who later did all above mentioned shameful acts.

The state women commission’s chairperson has also condemned the incident and asked a report from the police. This incident has tarnished the image of the government which claims that law and order has improved and police has now more free hands to work. Surprisingly only one ASI has been put under suspension, whereas; the residences of SSP, RSP and host of senior police officers are hardly few yards away from the place of occurrence. The crime graph in state capital has risen sharply and police has been reportedly helpless in many of such crimes. Quite recently one employee of formerly CM Rabri devi was severely beaten up by some criminals but nothing could be done and no arrest was made.

IS IT THE DUTY OF POLICE ONLY? - We have developed a habit of passing bugs on others and do not like to share the responsibility of what is going on in the society. When it come to demanding something from the society, we raise voices of concerns and make protests, sometime violent also in order to claim rights and privileges in the name of being a member of civil society, but when it comes to rescue the society from such lumpen elements, we prefer to be a silent spectator. This has what exactly happened in Patna. We cannot be absolved of the responsibility of being a culprit of this condemnable incident. How can hundreds of people watch one helpless girl being stripped? Some may take plea that the girl in question was a call girl and therefore deserved that treatment. But even when the girl was a call girl, does it mean that she is not entitled to basic Human Rights? Such pricking questions will continue to hit minds and hearts of a sensible citizen so long such incidents go un-protested.

Tarengana; from Aryabhata to left Extremism and NASA

2009-07-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

witness to passage of history

A dusty sub-divisional village called Tarengana, some 30 Km south east of state capital Patna today witnessed its tryst with 21^st Century’s most spectacular and this century’s last celestial event from 5:29 hrs to 7:30 hrs today. Astrophysicists say that similar event would occur in 2132 AD, the time when none of us of today’s generation would be alive to watch.

This century’s longest total solar eclipse (TSE) was witnessed by tens of thousands of people including the CM of Bihar Nitish Kumar and hundreds of astronomers, some of them from NASA itself. I was fortunately one among the crowd who could capture this spectacular event in their minds and hearts. The overcast sky also could not deter and dampen enthusiasm and curiosity of overenthusiastic ‘eclipsomaniacs’ who had swamped in this hamlet to see this event across the globe. This place lacks adequate infrastructure and the scientists and government officials virtually kept sleep away whole night to watch the memorable event inside a govt referral hospital here in Tarengana. Such was the enthusiasm and such was the zeal.

TARENGANA AND ARYABHATA- Tarengana which means ‘counting of stars’ is believed to the birth place of Aryabhata, the most renowned Indian astronomer who some 1400 years ago discovered that earth is not static and it revolves and moves. Aryabhata, it is said, used to count stars and study celestial bodies from his laboratory, the remains of which still exists here in ruins. This is why this place is named as Taregana, counting of stars.

The history of Tarengana can be summarised in one sentence. It is like this ‘from Aryabhata to left extremism (Maoism) and from Maoism to conglomeration of Astro-Tourists and Astro-Scientists. What a contrast indeed!

TARENGNA AND LEFT EXTREMISM- Tarengana is locally known as Masaurhi and is said to the birth place of left extremism in Bihar. The place gained notoriety when one People’s war group (PWG) was formed and caused many massacres in Masaurhi and adjoining districts of Gaya, Aurangabad and Jehanabad like Belchi, Kaila, Kargha, Pipra, parashbigha, Maini Bigha etc in which thousands of people were killed in dastardly act of violence. Later with the merger of PWG and Maoist Communist Centre (MCC), the left extremism in Bihar entered into one of the most notorious and deadly phase in the history of left extremism. Hundreds of massacres have occurred over two decades and the state is trying hard to shed its stereotype image under the new government under Nitish Kumar. Maoists had given a call of ‘Tarengana Bandh’ today also in order to draw attention of national and international media which had conglomerated here to capture this event. Fortunately they could not create any problems largely due to huge enthusiasm of common people and partly due to unprecedented ‘Police Bandobast’.

Thus the history in Bihar entered into a new phase, a phase of hope, resilience and resurgence. Hopefully this celestial event many harbinger prosperity and development in this poor state. It may be a coincidence that just before this TSE, monsoon rained heavily in many parts of the state, which people were desperately waiting for. The cloud may have despaired some to watch this spectacular event, but it has certainly filled joys in the eyes of millions of farmers who were looking at sky for rains.

BIHAR TO HAVE MORE CBI COURTS;CJI

2009-07-12T07:18:00.000-07:00

CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME

CJI K.G.Balakrishan today hinted that Bihar may have 3 to 4 more CBI special courts. He was speaking on centenary celebration of Patna Law College in Patna yesterday,the 11th July. The occasion was conspicuous by presence of Governor of Bihar Devender Konawar, CM Nitish kumar and ACJ of Patna High court B.K.Singh. While laying down foundation stone of Auditorium cum seminar hall, Nitish kumar reiterated his commitment to fight corruption in Bihar. He enlisted his government's initiatives vis-à-vis corruption. He also highlighted his government’s much talked ‘speedy trial experiment’ which has earned nation wide appreciation in legal luminaries.

Highlighting the problem of huge pendency of Cases, the CJI said that the PM has positively responded to his letter in which he has requested to set up more courts. Sharing his experience, he said in Delhi alone, about 350 murder cases are filed per annum out of which only 250 could be disposed off, leaving a pending of 100 cases, thus over a period of time this results in huge pending.

The governor said that economic disparities among poor and rich have to be abridged otherwise the violence and Naxalism would go unabated and would not be checked merely by courts and police.

Hopefully setting of new CBI courts, which is only two at present in the state, the pace of disposal of cases related to especially corruption, would increase.

Interestingly reforms in Judiciary have taken a front seat in the UPA-II and many Bills are on anvil to weed out corruption in Judiciary and overhaul this premiere institution. The Judiciary has also sensed the mood of govt and public and has responded reluctantly positively about this move. The recent cases of corruption in higher judiciary have taken a heavy toll in terms of image of judiciary. Recent judgments in Courts sound critical to judicial system itself and rebuff judges against whom serious charges of corruption have been leveled.The CJI also hinted to go tougher on cases of corruption in judiciary also.

G-8 PLEDGES TO INVEST 20 BILLION DOLLARS TO INCREASE FOOD PRODUCTION AND FIGHT HUNGER

2009-07-11T07:05:00.000-07:00

WORRIED FOR AFRICA OR FOR THEMSELVES?

Leaders of world’s most developed nations, grouped as G-8 have pledged 20 billion dollars to boost agricultural production in Africa so that fear of hunger which is looming large, could be fought. This declaration was made in G-8 summit which has just concluded in Italian city of L‘Aquila.

It is estimated that owing to seemingly unending global financial crisis (GFC), World is likely to face unprecedented hunger situation and Africa naturally will be the hardest suffer. At present, it is estimated, that about 1 Billion people, mostly in African countries, are hungry and this figure would be further enhanced at least by another 100 Million by the end of this year. The world is going to face unprecedented humanitarian crisis amidst examples of lofty success.

In this back drop, the world’s most developed nations deliberated upon and focused on hunger with ‘utmost sincerity’. Climatic change and GFC were of course the major areas of concern, but world leaders vowed that we cannot have a sustained growth and prosperity amidst abject and rampant poverty.

INVESTMENT AND NOT SUBSIDY- the leaders committed that this 20 Billions USD (12.4 Billion £) money would be invested in African countries in Agriculture to boost food grain production over three years. Meaning thereby, this money, African countries are not going to get as farm subsidy or outright humanitarian help.

Many African leaders however casted a doubt on this pledge and said that such pledges have been made by world leaders in past also but their commitments and promises have not been kept.

There are another group of people who actually doubt on the entire gesture of G-8 leaders itself. They opine that this pledge in not blended with ‘philanthropy’ but actually ‘orchestrated’ with economic game plan. With the GFC still ensconced into the American and Western economy, they are looking for another area of investment and consequent returns of their investments. These activists fear that Trans-National Companies (TNCs) and MNCs from these develop countries would invest in agriculture sector of African and Asian countries and convert the very nature of farming. The use of GENETICALLY ENGINEERED SEEDS, INORGANIC FERTILISERS, big machines and high yielding variety seeds into these countries would change the very nature of farming and will make agriculture somewhat unsustainable throwing farmers in an economic quagmire.

They have a valid point when they quote instances of farmer’s suicide in India especially cotton growing farmers in Vidharba and A.P etc. Actually, they say, that use of B-2 cotton seeds and other high yielding variety seeds, most of them are genetically engineered, have made agriculture unsustainable because the cost of production has gone alarmingly high. Moreover the most defective and disastrous part of use of these seeds is that such seeds cannot be re-used. In traditional methods, farmers can use part of the harvested grains as seeds also. Thus once the farmers switch over to these genetically engineered seeds, will have to depend on MNCs and TMCs for uninterrupted supply of these seeds forever.

If this is the game plan of the G-countries, it is afraid that in the coming years, African farmers will meet the same fate as of ours.

BIHAR TO STOP LAND GRABBING

2009-07-09T20:25:00.000-07:00

LAND IS STILL FOR THOSE WHO CAN HOLD IT

The govt of Bihar is planning to come out with a legislation in the current session of Legislative assembly to stop illegal and forceful dispossession of lawful owner from his land.

At present there is no specific law with respect to prevention of forceful and illegal dispossession of lawful owner of land. Such cases are tried in civil courts and take many years to get the matter adjudicated. In fact the aggrieved persons have to go to Civil Courts to prove his ‘Title’ over the land in question and naturally burden of proof lie on the petitioners. Thus the aggrieved person has to prove first that the land in question belong to him, only them the court will order for restoration for which the aggrieved person has to bring a fresh suit after winning title. The process obviously is complicated and biased against the law abiding and weak citizen and slated favourably towards land grabbers and land mafia.

Nitish Kumar’s much published and praised experiment of holding Janata ke Darbar me Mukhya Mantri or ‘Chief Minister in the court of public’ programme has been flooded with complaints related to land disputes. Most of the cases which came before the CM are related to forceful dispossession of land by land mafia or criminals. Since no such powers of restoration of such illegal and forceful dispossessions are vested with executive branch of government, the CM found himself helpless on this issue. He use to send the petitioners either to police or to district collectors for redressal, but of no use, because neither collectors or police has the power to restore back the dispossessed land to the lawful owner. In fact CM’s secretariat got stuffed with such problems and become an issue of much discomfort to the CM.

Taking cue from this problem, CM constituted a committee which suggested enactment of a legislation to this effect. The draft of the proposed legislation is ready and likely to get cabinet’s nod within a couple of days. The legislation titled ‘Bihar Land Dispute Redressal Act’ is likely to be put up before the Legislative assembly after approval by the Cabinet. Once this law is passed, Bihar will perhaps become second to Andhra Pradesh only to legislate such law.

It is going to be a land mark because land grabbing and illegal dispossession have become a chronic problem across the country. Lands especially in urban and metros, are becoming costlier day by day and absence of any specific law gives Police and other muscle men to earn fortune due to this problem.

It would require Union government’s consent also because powers under this proposed law would be conferred on executive branch of government hitherto enjoyed by Civil courts, meaning thereby that some provisions of Civil Procedure Code (CPC), which is a central code, would be amended.

Hopefully this law would pave way for other states also to ponder on this vital issue and frame law on similar lines.

OBAMA PRESSES RESET BUTTONS WITH RUSSIA

2009-07-07T06:14:00.000-07:00

HAVE TO GO A LONG WAY

OBAMA PRESSES RESET BUTTONS WITH RUSSIA

Obama and Medvedev agrees to cut down Nuclear war heads by one third and pave way for new nuclear disarmament treaty

In a significant development regarding reductions of ‘Nuclear Armament’, USA and Russia agreed to cut down their nuclear warheads by 1/3^rd of the existing stockpiles. Pact to this effect was signed by Dmitry Medvedev and Barrack Obama in Kremlin on Monday. Obama’s maiden visit to Russia, the once staunch enemy of USA, is viewed as corollary of US administration’s vow to end hostilities and undo grotesque legacy of George W. Bush. Both leaders signed an agreement which would pave way for reduction of nuclear warheads by one third of existing stockpiles. This agreement would culminate in signing of a Treaty, said Obama and Medvedev, which will be formally prepared by the end of this year. This Treaty will replace START, 1991 (strategic arms reduction treaty) which is scheduled to expire in December 2009.

This Summit marked the pressing of ‘Reset Buttons’, a significant change in American foreign policy of which Joe Biden had elaborated upon in Berlin conference early this year. Obama emphatically said ‘we resolve to reset US-Russian relations so that we can cooperate more effectively in areas of common interest’. It is a ‘reversal of drift’, the drift which had started during Bush regime. This détente will help create congenial atmosphere in the region, they claimed.

Sources say that USA currently has 2,200 operational nuclear war heads whereas Russia has 2,790 such warheads. It is pertinent to mention here that US-Russia combine constitute 90% of global nuclear arsenals. Therefore one third reductions is a substantial one and ‘Operationalisation’ of this treaty would mean huge reduction in this stockpile. This would probably pave way for similar gestures by other nuclear powers across world.

This Summit is also important for this region because relation between these two powers had sunk all time low in post cold war era on Georgian issue. The Georgian invasion on Ossetia and Abkhazia was supported by USA and other NATO countries were viewed by Russia as an invasion on itself. Russian military built-up in Black sea followed by NATO’s open support to Mikhail Saakashvilli, the Georgian president, has made US Russia confrontation somewhat imminent, thanks to good sense prevailing that the situation was saved from going to all out war. This Summit of Obama and Medvedev would certainly instill confidence in the region and help return normalcy restored.

However only signing of this agreement does not guarantee success of this resolution. In 2002 also Bush and Putin had singed such agreement which was sacrificed at the altar of mistrust and clash of interests. This Summit was different from that of George Bush and Putin in the sense that it meant business only and lacked jokes and personality clash. Obama and Medvedev were straight forward and meeting ran for 5 hours only. Obama oratory skill is widely acknowledged especially after his Cairo speech. He is not hector in his speech, a departure for Bush’s style.

Obama choose to meet Putin also, because like many others, Obama too share the view that it is Putin who runs the country, a gesture though seems apparently related to courtesy and etiquettes, blended with hardcore diplomacy and reality. Obama ecstatically said that this pact would lead them to hold a ‘Global Summit on Nuclear Arms reduction’ next year.

Apart from international media hype on this Pact, both leaders failed to reach to an agreement on ‘Missile Defense System’ of Eastern Europe. They remained at loggerheads on this, an issue on which USA has been rigorously pursuing and Russia persistently opposing.

Obama’s hidden Agenda- This summit was not given the kind of coverage in State (Russia) controlled media, which generally such meetings get. TV channel one, the state controlled electronic media, did not show Obama’s visit in headlines. It is naïve to believe that the channel might have skipped it. This may be a calculated and calibrated telecast. Russia deliberately wanted to keep this visit at low pitch. Obama’s visit, according to Russia, might be aimed at killing two birds with one single stone. Obama knows it well that American success in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Israel and Palestine largely depends on Russia’s stand on these issues. Bygone are days when US had the ability to dictate terms. Now there is ‘no room on the chess board’ and US can no longer ‘play with the pawns’ as Paul Bracken has put it in his book ‘Fire in the East’. Obama has to undo Bush’s legacy which was characterized by ‘with us or against us’. America can no longer afford hostilities all around the world. US Billion dollar national debts largely due to its whimsical war against terror have thrown this country in quagmire, of which USA is desperately trying to get out.

Iran’s obstinacy, belligerence and ‘ready to fight attitude’, North Korea’s defiance, Israel’s reluctance to come to terms of much talked ‘two nation solution’ and seemingly unending war in Afpak region have shattered Obama in particular and Americans in general.

Obama wants at least one success in this journey so that he can use it as sojourn in his long march to boondocks. Putin, a staunch nationalist and hardcore realist, is unwilling to give this leverage to Obama. Russia itself is recuperating from its economic shambles and desperately trying to regain a place in the world order, it has lost after eclipse of USSR. The post cold war era has so far not been a happy experience for Russians; they have lost the coveted status of ‘SUPER POWER’ and economic hegemony is a bygone chapter.

Russia wants to show that it matters again and USA cannot take it for guaranteed. Gazprom crisis was deliberately created by Russia to make its presence felt in the international arena. Acceptance of MISSILE DEFENCE SYSTEM as proposed and conceived by Bush cannot be acceptable to Russia in the above backdrop. For many experts ‘Missile defense system’ is an obsession of Bush same as STAR WARS or SDI (strategic defense initiative) was for Ronal Reagan. Hopefully obsessions and personality clashes did not figure in this summit. Well begin is half done, Obama and Dmitry Medvedev have miles to walk on bumpy roads in boondocks before they reach a resort of happiness and détente.