In my post Remixes and Ripoffs, Anyone I had wondered if the song dhan te nan from Kaminey was a ripoff. I have since learnt that the song was from a serial that was directed by Vishal Bharadwaj himself. Hence I don't think it is :)
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Disclosure
Pakistan is in a mood for confession? Some time back the President Asif Ali Zardari admitted that Pakistan has used proxy war against India as a state instrument. Now Musharraf has admitted that US aid has been diverted to be used against India? I think AQ Khan has also admitted that Pakistan has helped Iran in its nuclear ambitions.
Are these confessions aimed at hitting back at someone, are they aimed at projecting a changing face of Pakistan, or are they genuine confessions? I am confused
Are these confessions aimed at hitting back at someone, are they aimed at projecting a changing face of Pakistan, or are they genuine confessions? I am confused
Yet Another Racist Attack
In another attack that smacks of racism 3 Indians have been attacked in Australia and this time by a mob of 80 people, including women. These attacks have happened in spite of the assurances given to the External Affairs Minister, SM Krishna when he visited Australia after the last spate of attacks. What credibility has the Australian government left?
India has been protesting against these attacks. But there does not seem to be much changing on the ground if the latest attacks are any indication. The latest attack cannot be wished away as a random attack where Indians happened to be incidental victims, as some previous arson cases have been. This is a clear cut case of racism as the mob was actually asking the 3 to "go back to India".
Unless I am mistaken some of the first Westerners to live in Australia were English convicts. The country has come a long way from those days. But now it seems to be intent on reclaiming the 'heritage' of its ancestors! Imagine what would happen if we pelted Englishmen with stones asking them to go back for what they have done to our country. It would seem stupid, would it not? What has happened to the 'enlightened' Western mind? Is globalisation good only as far as they Westerners the benefits? Don't they understand that this is a world of give-and-take, and not simply take-and-take?
The reaction of the Indian government needs to be examined this time. It would be nice if India actually takes some strong action this time. Issuing demarches to the Australian High Commissioner is okay, but this time probably recalling the Indian High Commissioner from Australia would put a little more pressure on the Australians?
India has been protesting against these attacks. But there does not seem to be much changing on the ground if the latest attacks are any indication. The latest attack cannot be wished away as a random attack where Indians happened to be incidental victims, as some previous arson cases have been. This is a clear cut case of racism as the mob was actually asking the 3 to "go back to India".
Unless I am mistaken some of the first Westerners to live in Australia were English convicts. The country has come a long way from those days. But now it seems to be intent on reclaiming the 'heritage' of its ancestors! Imagine what would happen if we pelted Englishmen with stones asking them to go back for what they have done to our country. It would seem stupid, would it not? What has happened to the 'enlightened' Western mind? Is globalisation good only as far as they Westerners the benefits? Don't they understand that this is a world of give-and-take, and not simply take-and-take?
The reaction of the Indian government needs to be examined this time. It would be nice if India actually takes some strong action this time. Issuing demarches to the Australian High Commissioner is okay, but this time probably recalling the Indian High Commissioner from Australia would put a little more pressure on the Australians?
Monday, 14 September 2009
A Few Thoughts on Black Money and The Commonwealth Games
The amount of money that Indians has allegedly stashed away in secret Swiss bank accounts was an important issue during the general elections. Advani had talked about this. Manmohan Singh has promised to bring back this money within hundred days if he was given a chance to form a government again.
For good or bad, the people of this country have brought back the UPA to power. Apart from occasional noises on this issue there does not seem to have been any concrete action on this issue. Does the Prime Minister accept the fact that he has been unable to deliver upon his promise? Was that simply a poll gimmick?
Now the Swiss banks have said that no data exists on Indian black money in Switzerland. In fact the country does not provide country level breakup of holdings in its banks. It has said that the article on which the entire debate was based was actually a fabrication and never was released officially. Is this the danger of trusting today's media blindly? So is there or is there not Indian black money stashed away in Switzerland? Will we ever know?
On a sidenote, probably based on media reports of unpreparedness the Chief of the Commonwealth Games Federation has written a letter asking for an audience with the PM. Mr Suresh Kalmadi is supposed to facilitate this meeting. I myself have seen a few sites for the games where no activity seems to be taking place. An added complication could be the occasional hiccups being faced by the Delhi Metro. This Mr Kalmadi has been in charge of our Olympics Association (and now the Commonwealth Games) for quite some time now. What has this guy been doing? I think it would be nice if we had a kind of performance appraisal for this chap!
Mr Manmohan Singh, get back all the black money immediately and spend it on the Commonwealth Games. We shall see how they will not start on time :P
By the way, the italicization of the word 'allegedly' in the first line is a take on the ToI's habit. This glorified tabloid which calls itself a newspaper has this habit of inserting this word in its articles. Very frankly I find this practice very irritating. This is a tribute to the paper and its editors.
For good or bad, the people of this country have brought back the UPA to power. Apart from occasional noises on this issue there does not seem to have been any concrete action on this issue. Does the Prime Minister accept the fact that he has been unable to deliver upon his promise? Was that simply a poll gimmick?
Now the Swiss banks have said that no data exists on Indian black money in Switzerland. In fact the country does not provide country level breakup of holdings in its banks. It has said that the article on which the entire debate was based was actually a fabrication and never was released officially. Is this the danger of trusting today's media blindly? So is there or is there not Indian black money stashed away in Switzerland? Will we ever know?
On a sidenote, probably based on media reports of unpreparedness the Chief of the Commonwealth Games Federation has written a letter asking for an audience with the PM. Mr Suresh Kalmadi is supposed to facilitate this meeting. I myself have seen a few sites for the games where no activity seems to be taking place. An added complication could be the occasional hiccups being faced by the Delhi Metro. This Mr Kalmadi has been in charge of our Olympics Association (and now the Commonwealth Games) for quite some time now. What has this guy been doing? I think it would be nice if we had a kind of performance appraisal for this chap!
Mr Manmohan Singh, get back all the black money immediately and spend it on the Commonwealth Games. We shall see how they will not start on time :P
By the way, the italicization of the word 'allegedly' in the first line is a take on the ToI's habit. This glorified tabloid which calls itself a newspaper has this habit of inserting this word in its articles. Very frankly I find this practice very irritating. This is a tribute to the paper and its editors.
Friday, 11 September 2009
Beware the Chinese Dragon
I read an NDTV article where it is mentioned that China has plans to 'dominate' India. India was the country which negotiated the Panchsheel agreement with China only to be backstabbed by it shortly. We have a general policy of maintaining friendly relations with all countries. Some countries unfortunately do not seem to believe in the principle of peaceful coexistence.
China has been working with India at quite a few levels. Recently a Chinese company CNPC offered India's GAIL a stake in a gas pipeline that it is building from Myanmar. India and China have agreed to work together at international forums like the one on climate change so that their common interests are served. There has also been an interest expressed in settling the long-standing border dispute.
At the same there are worrying issues. China is arming and training militants in the nort-east, especially in Manipur and Nagaland, I think. China has been a supporter of Pakistan in various ways. The Chinese have been making incursions along the border with India. There is also China's interpretation of the Tawang area in Arunachal Pradesh as part of China.
Today India and China are emerging Asian economies and thus are also competitors for the world's natural resources. China has already made enormous strides in Africa in its efforts to secure raw materials. Probably because of the government structure and the pragmatism of its leaders China has stolen a significant march over India. It is time for us to awaken to this situation. China seems to be a country which will cooperate with India as long as it is to China's advantage and then fully intimidate/explot the country. This is a factor that has to be taken into account in any kind of negotiations/dealings where China is involved.
Thursday, 10 September 2009
A Dysfunctional Government
The government in Andhra Pradesh is literally at a standtill. Ministers, loyal to the erstwhile CM YSR and his son Jagan are refusing to work under the current CM Rosiah. Meetings called to discuss the flu situation and rising prices saw either muted or no participation from the ministers. The ministers' primary responsibility is towards the citizens of the state. Then come the loyalties to politicians. Sadly this is a forgotten issue. The Congress is notorious for its sycophancy. While this has been generally observed in favour of the Gandhi family this time it is being observed at the state level.
The Congress high command is a worried lot and has asked the chief supporter of the Jagan-for-CM campaign KVP Ramachandra Rao to stay put in Delhi. The fact of the matter is that quite a few of the ministers were chosen by YSR and hence their support for Jagan is a matter of survival as much as or more than their loyalty to YSR. However as usual the victim in this entire drama is the common man. Article 356 can be imposed if there is breakdown of Constitutional machinery in the state. I believe the current situation is a prime example for this, and for an internal emergency. But which party in power will use this power against its own government.
Also I think it is within the CM's power to recommend the removal of the non-functioning ministers to the Governor. But then again, who has the guts to do this? I don't think Rosiah can dare to do anything without the Congress high command's approval, for though he is a CM, he is but a member of a national party, where the major power is vested at the central level.
On a sidenote a recently released McKinsey report says that even if India maintains an expected 7.5% growth rate over the next two decades, it will still be among the most energy efficient economies of the world. On one side we have this kind of India just waiting to take its position among the great powers of the globe and on the other we have our politicians doing their every bit to further their self interests with no regard for the consequences of their practices.
Till when will this drama in Andhra continue? In a bigger sense till when will India be held hostage by politicians?
The Congress high command is a worried lot and has asked the chief supporter of the Jagan-for-CM campaign KVP Ramachandra Rao to stay put in Delhi. The fact of the matter is that quite a few of the ministers were chosen by YSR and hence their support for Jagan is a matter of survival as much as or more than their loyalty to YSR. However as usual the victim in this entire drama is the common man. Article 356 can be imposed if there is breakdown of Constitutional machinery in the state. I believe the current situation is a prime example for this, and for an internal emergency. But which party in power will use this power against its own government.
Also I think it is within the CM's power to recommend the removal of the non-functioning ministers to the Governor. But then again, who has the guts to do this? I don't think Rosiah can dare to do anything without the Congress high command's approval, for though he is a CM, he is but a member of a national party, where the major power is vested at the central level.
On a sidenote a recently released McKinsey report says that even if India maintains an expected 7.5% growth rate over the next two decades, it will still be among the most energy efficient economies of the world. On one side we have this kind of India just waiting to take its position among the great powers of the globe and on the other we have our politicians doing their every bit to further their self interests with no regard for the consequences of their practices.
Till when will this drama in Andhra continue? In a bigger sense till when will India be held hostage by politicians?
Thursday, 3 September 2009
It is a Tragedy but...
Andhra Pradesh is in mourning after having lost its Chief Minister in a helicopter crash. Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh will be attendees at the funeral. All of this is ok, but I was thinking of something.
YSR was a CM. P V Narasimha Rao was a Prime Minister. When he died a few years ago, I am sure there were no Congress heavyweights at his funeral. In fact he was not given a Delhi funeral and his body was brought to Hyderabad. Today there is probably one road in Hyderabad somewhere that is named after him. On the other hand everything else is named after either Rajiv Gandhi or Indira Gandhi - health missions, airport, housing schemes and what not.
So what are we to understand? Only a person who is close to the Gandhi family gets the affection and respect of the Congress? I am not trying to belittle YSR. PVNR was a scholar who knew 14 languages. He was the person who gave India its first stable government after Rajiv Gandhi died and was the person responsible for bringing Manmohan Singh onto the political arena. There was a huge controversy after photos of his incompletely cremated body were published in Eenadu the day after his funeral.
So my question stands, respect and affection for only those who are followers of Madam and her family?
YSR was a CM. P V Narasimha Rao was a Prime Minister. When he died a few years ago, I am sure there were no Congress heavyweights at his funeral. In fact he was not given a Delhi funeral and his body was brought to Hyderabad. Today there is probably one road in Hyderabad somewhere that is named after him. On the other hand everything else is named after either Rajiv Gandhi or Indira Gandhi - health missions, airport, housing schemes and what not.
So what are we to understand? Only a person who is close to the Gandhi family gets the affection and respect of the Congress? I am not trying to belittle YSR. PVNR was a scholar who knew 14 languages. He was the person who gave India its first stable government after Rajiv Gandhi died and was the person responsible for bringing Manmohan Singh onto the political arena. There was a huge controversy after photos of his incompletely cremated body were published in Eenadu the day after his funeral.
So my question stands, respect and affection for only those who are followers of Madam and her family?
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