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Archive of the Columns of the Week

Volume 1

Columns of the Week.

December 31, 2007, Monday

Volume 1, No. 17

Congratulations Mr. Modi, Mr. Advani, and Mr. Rajnath Singh

In Gujarat, Mr. Narendra Modi did not disappoint BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leaders in New Delhi. Now he will sworn in as Chief Minister of Gujarat third time in succession. Mr. Modi defied the predictions of political analysts and won 117 seats out of total 182 seats in Gujarat Assembly. Despite rebellion by senior leaders like Keshubhai Patel and cool response from RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) Mr. Modi managed to bag clear majority in Assembly. Share or credit also goes to Mr. Lal Krishna Advani and Mr. Rajnath Singh as both these leader heavily campaigned for Mr. Modi. Our hearty congratulations to Mr. Modi, Mr. Advani, and Mr. Rajnath Singh. Now it is responsibility of Mr. Modi to make Gujarat more prosperous and ensure harmony among all sections of society.

Seats won by various parties are tabulated below:

BJP 117

INC 059

NCP 003

Others 003

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Total 168

Fiji in Economic Turmoil

Fiji is a group of islands close to Australia. In December 2006, military officer Commodore Josaia Voreqe “Frank” Bainimarama ousted Prime Minister of Fiji Laisenia Qarase from power and assumed power for himself. This military take over has angered Fiji’s two big brothers Australia and New Zealand. Big brothers are now determined to teach lesson to naughty younger brother. They have imposed economic sanctions on Fiji. Tourism is one of the main industries in Fiji. But given the troublesome situation in Fiji, tourists are now coming to Fiji in less numbers. Big brothers have also imposed travel sanctions on top government officials of Fiji. Now these top government officials cannot travel overseas. For overseas travel, people in Fiji are badly dependent on big brothers. To summarize Fiji is now in economic turmoil. Good number of Indians are settled in Fiji; hence this is a bad news for India that everything is not well with Fiji. Dr. Manmohan Singh, are you listening?

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Columns of the Week

December 24, 2007, Monday

Volume 1, No. 16

Global Warming and Naughty US

Of late, people all over the world have accepted that global warming may lead to dire consequences. Most of the countries in the world are now seriously thinking on cutting down the GHG (Green House Gas) emissions. But unfortunately, US is yet to make up her mind on this issue. In a recently (3-14 Dec, 2007) held UNFCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) conference in Bali, Indonesia, US refused to accept mandatory cuts in the emissions of GHG. It is interesting to note that US is largest emitter of GHG in the world. This naughty-boy-like-attitude of US is turning out to be a serious obstacle in bringing down the global warming.

Lee Myung-bak Romps Home

In South Korea, Lee Myung-bak won the presidential election with heavy margin on 19 December. He will assume office of President on 25 February. Soon after the election he sent a strong signal to North Korea in connection with latter’s nuclear weapons program. Following Lee’s victory, Mr. George Bush is now more than happy, as former is trusted friend of US. Mr. Lee has declared that he wants good relations with major powers in the neighborhood. It remains to be seen whether he succeeds in his mission.

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Columns of the Week

December 17, 2007, Monday

Volume 1, No. 15

Dmitry Medvedev: Russia’s New President

On December 10, Putin declared that First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev will be his nominee in ensuing presidential election. Given Putin’s huge popularity, it is only a matter of time that Mr. Medvedev will be President of Russia. Putin has enjoyed two terms of office of President. During his tenure Russian economy was put back in right track. For decades, Soviet economy was second largest economy in the world, but because of imprudent management of economic affairs, Gorbachev and Yeltsin spoiled Soviet economy. Both Gorbachev and Yeltsin implemented a single point program during their tenure with sincerity and this program was nothing but to bring down the statutes of Lenin and other Communist leaders. Instead they should have paid some attention to economic affairs of the country. Today, Russia has third largest currency reserves in the world, thanks to prudent management of economic affairs by Putin.

USSR and then Russia was very close friend of India. No more, now. Cash rich Putin has sent signals to India to that effect. Putin belongs to Soviet-era clan of politicians who have some regard for India. But Medvedev belongs to post Soviet-era clan of politicians. He is just 42 years old. With Medvedev assuming the office of President, India-Russia friendship will be a part of history.

Feast of Land

The ULCRA (Urban Land Ceiling and Regulation Act) was repealed by Maharashtra Legislature on 29 November. About 17,000 acres of land is now available to builders in Mumbai. This law was enacted in 1976 with the intention of providing housing plots at affordable rated to middle class people. Law put a ceiling of 500 square meters of land in cities like Mumbai. Excess land was to be returned to government at government rates. But government never acquired the excess land. Now in Mumbai this 17,000 acres of land (that should have been acquired by government and distributed among cooperative housing societies) will be grabbed by vultures called builders. Middle class person living in Mumbai has now no hope of having his own home in Mumbai.

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Columns of the Week

December 10, 2007, Monday

Volume 1, No. 14

Changing Moods of India

India and Russia are good, old friends. Particularly, Indian defense department is traditionally dependent on the arms supplied by Russia. However, in past few years India’s proximity to US has irked Russia and now India-Russia are not as cordial as before. This is a painful fact to accept for the senior Indians who have always treated the terms “Russia” and “friendship” as synonyms. The “US-India Defense Framework Agreement of 2005” is more responsible for the soured India-Russia relations than anything else.

Annoyed Russia has now demanded more money for Admiral Gorshkov – the aircraft carrier. Deal was signed for US$ 1.5 billions. But now Russia is demanding US$ 1 billion more because of escalation of costs. Russia has also demanded 18 % (but secured 5%) higher price for the batch of 40 Sukhoi fighter planes.

Recently India purchased from Israel the accessories needed for Russian made MiG-21 planes. That gave Israel opportunity to closely inspect the MiG-21 planes. Joint India-US military exercises also gave US opportunity to closely inspect the Sukhoi planes. Now India wants to sell the BrahMos missile (produced with the help of Russia) to South East Asian countries. All these things are not conforming to standard practices in international relations and have created a tension in Kremlin.

Just two years back, India was largest buyer of Russian arms. Now it is China. Still India is second largest buyer of Russian arms; hence, Russia just cannot afford to ignore India. On October 18 defense ministers of India and Russia signed a deal to jointly produce and develop the fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

In the name of pragmatism, India’s foreign policy makers have committed many sins. When Saddam Hussain – India’s closest and trusted friend - was assassinated, many countries condemned it. But India’s foreign policy makers did not bother to condemn that heinous act. On the issue of NPT (Non Proliferation Treaty) Saddam Hussain supported India in unequivocal terms, unmindful of consequences. But India’s foreign policy makers took no efforts to save his life; worse, they did not even offer lip service (read condemnation) after his assassination.

Had there been a Nobel Prize for pragmatism, India’s foreign policy makers would have definitely bagged it. Now this is a high time that India’s foreign policy makers should learn the concept of “trustworthiness.” It is a bit more important and a bit more useful than pragmatism.

And George Bush Fell Flat On His Face

On December 3, NIE (National Intelligence Estimate) submitted a report regarding Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Program. The report states that Iran halted its Nuclear Weapons Program in 2003. It is worthwhile to note that NIE represents the views of all 16 US intelligence agencies. After the arrival of report, Mr. George Bush simply fell flat on his face. Now it seems to be very difficult for him to launch a military attack on Iran. Russia’s ambassador to UN Mr. Vitaly Churkin has expressed his satisfaction on the report. Officials of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) have also expressed their satisfaction on the report.

Columns of the Week

December 3, 2007, Monday

Volume 1, No. 13

Nandigram’s Return to Normalcy

Reportedly, Nandigram – a town in West Bengal’s Medinipur district – is returning to normalcy. Let us take a brief review of the chain of events that took place at Nandigram.

- On January 3, 2007, Haldia Dvelopment Authority sends a notice to BDO (Block Development Officer) in Nandigram indicating the former’s intention to set up a chemical hub in the locality. In the notice, BDO is requested to help the acquisition of land for the proposed chemical hub.
- Notice evokes violent reaction from people in the locality. State Government promptly gives verbal assurance that land acquisition would be done with the consent of land owners.
- BUPC (Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee means Land Eviction Resistance Committee) is formed, probably at the instance of Trinamool Congress. BUPC takes control of almost half of the area of Nandgram block, makes the transport in that area impossible without their consent.
- Noticing the gravity of situation, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee – Chief Minister of West Bengal – announces in February, in unequivocal terms that State Government has done away with the plan of setting up a chemical hub at Nandigram. Despite this assurance, BUPC refuses to backtrack.
- On March 14, State Government sends police force to restore the transportation in the troubled area. Clash that follows with people leaves 14 people dead and 75 injured. Firing was absolutely not required, transportaion could have been restored using tear gas, water guns, and plastic shell bullets, but police resorted to stupid method of firing leaving 14 innocent people dead.
- State Government is rewarded with brickbats from every corner and then it (State Government) decides to withdraw the police force. It was the stupid decision of police firing that made the confusion worse confounded. Control of Nandigram now became a prestige issue, thanks to police firing. After removal of police force, Nandigram faces problem of lawlessness. About 3000 people – who are supporters of CPI (M) – are evicted from their houses. These people take the shelter in relief camp set up by CPI (M).
- People in relief camp attacks BUPC on 7 November. Fighting – that continues upto to 10 November - between the CPI (M) workers and BUPC supporters leaves four dead. There are complaints that some women are raped by CPI (M) workers.
- BUPC loses control on Nandigram. People in relief camp start returning back to Nandigram.

On November 16, High Court at Kolkata, delivers a judgement that “police firing in Nandigram on 14 March was totally unconstitutional.” Court also instructed CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) to continue its enquiry and submit its report within a month. Court also ordered the compensation package for the victims of police firing and rape by criminals as follows: Rs. 5 lakh to each of the families of the 14 killed, Rs. 2 lakh to each of the rape victim, Rs. 1 lakh to each injured person.

Thankfully, now situation is returning to normalcy. Now the question remains: Who are the guilty? The guilty number 1 is State Government of West Bengal as it handled the whole situation in very stupid manner. The guilty number 2 is BUPC and Trinamool Congress, as it consistently refused the peace talks with State Government.

Musharraf in Trouble

A storm is in full swing in Pakistan. It remains to be seen whether this storm takes toll of Musharraf or latter survives this storm. The list of persons causing trouble to Musharraf is growing endlessly. Prominent among them are: Iftikar Muhammed Chaudhary, former Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Pakistan, sacked and house arrested; Atizaz Ahsan, lawyer jailed in Rawalpindi; Munir Malik, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association; Ali Ahmed Kurd, Baloch lawyer arrested by military; Tariq Mehmood, jailed judge and former President of the Supreme Court Bar Association; Asma Jahangir, Chairperson of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan; Javed Hashmi, President of Pakistan Muslim League (N); and Imran Khan, former cricketer and politician.

Ever since Musharraf imposed emergency rule in Pakistan on 3 November, situation is further deteriorated. Now he has resigned as military chief, sworn in as Civil President, and hoping that Pakistan would return to normalcy shortly. Given his expertise in thriving on chaos, it seems, he will survive this challenge and continue to rule the Pakistan for few more years.

Columns of the Week

November 26, 2007, Monday

Volume 1, No. 12

Credibility of Mr. Deve Gowda

“Credibility of Mr. Deve Gowda” is no more a matter of research. Even a child will tell you that no such thing exists. Being very fortunate, in past, he even enjoyed the position of Prime Minister for few months. However, he lost that position because of his sheer arrogance. While being Prime Minister on the support of INC (Indian National Congress) he never lost a single opportunity to insult the INC. When the whole situation became intolerable for INC, it withdrew the support to Deve Gowda’s government, rightly of course. In Karanataka, Deve Gowda supported INC government for couple of years, but then withdrew the support and formed a government with BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) for the want of Chief Minister’s chair for his son H. D. Kumaraswamy. When it was BJP’s turn for the position of Chief Minister, Deve Gowda, as usual, somersaulted, that resulted in fiasco for BJP. In the ensuing election in Karanataka, there will be a straight fight between INC and BJP; JD(S) – Janata Dal Secular, Deve Gowda’s party – will not figure anywhere in that election.

Complaint Against Grey Hounds

There is a complaint agains the Grey Hounds – Anti Naxal Task Force of Andhra Pradesh – that they have raped 11 tribal women, on 20 August, at Vaakapalli. According to victims, men in the village were out for the work and members of Grey Hounds unit – consisting around 20 men – raided the village and raped the women. Initially police were reluctant to register the complaint, but BSP MLA, Lake Raja Rao, forced the police to register the FIR. Medical examination of victims was delayed – perhaps deliberately – by the concerned authorities. According to Deputy Superintendant of Police Akun Sabharwal, the complaint is fake and Maoist organizations are behind this false complaint. Well, it cannot be denied that complaint can be false, but it is duty of the government to prove it conclusively that complaint is false.

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Columns of the Week

November 19, 2007, Monday

Volume 1, No. 11

Hats Off to Them

What oxygen is to living beings, media is to democracy. Anywhere in the world, media people deserve security and proper working conditions. Unfortunately, media people in North Eastern India are working in unsafe environment. Extemist groups have been threatening the media people. Some media people are shot dead by extremists. If you don’t follow the instructions of an extremist group then your life is under threat. Sometimes, an extremist group asks you to do a particular thing; and a rival extremist group asks you not to do that particular thing. Either way, your life is under threat. If this is not enough, government is harassing the media people, and many media people are frequently jailed on petty charges. Despite all these odds, media people in North East India are discharging their duty like duty-bound soldiers. Our hats off to them.

Death of S. P. Tamilselvan

Death of Suppiah Paramu Tamilselvan – political division head of LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) – is a psychological blow for LTTE. He was severely injured on 2 November, in an attack on LTTE base at Kilinochchi – the administrative headquarters of LTTE – by SLAF (Shri Lankan Air Force). Because of his pleasant personality, infectious smile, and oratorical skill he was favorite in whole Tamil community. M. Karunanidhi – Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu – was so much excited that he actually penned down a poem as a tribute to Tamilselvan. He is survived by a wife and two children. Mr. Balasingham Mahendran will be now new political division head of the LTTE.

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Columns of the Week

November 12, 2007, Monday

Volume 1, No. 10

Ban Participatory Notes

PNs (Participatory Notes) are financial instruments hold by anonymous parties. Generally, PNs are hold by hedge funds. It is interesting to note that hedge funds are officially barred to enter Indian markets, but they have entered the Indian markets under the cloak of PNs and are now virtually ruling the Indian money market and stock market. RBI (Reserve Bank of India) and SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) are just helplessly watching the on going drama. What is this hedge fund? Well, it is an offshore investment fund that engages in speculation using credit or borrowed capital. Like vultures, these hedge funds are always in the search of prey. They move large amount of money across the golbe in the search of an arbitrage. Arbitrage means simultaneous buying and selling of assets in different markets or in derivative forms, taking advantage of the differing prices. Both RBI and SEBI are in favor of banning the PNs, because they find it difficult to control the anonymous holders of PNs. But Finance Ministry loves foreign money, and every thing is fair in love and war.

Modus operandi of FIIs (Foreign Institutional Investors) is simple. They buy India based securities and issue PNs to foreign investors. In the past sixteen years, FIIs have invested about 3 lakh crore rupees in Indian equity markets and now this investment is worth 7 lakh crore rupees. On October 16, SEBI made a desperate attempt to stop the fresh issuance of PNs but it proved futile. On this memorable day (October 16), after market hours, SEBI proposed that FIIs and their sub-accounts should stop issuing PNs with immediate effect and they should unwind their current positions within 18 months. On October 17, market started trading with panic, chaos, uproar, and hubbub. Sensex dropped by whopping 1700 points. Trading came to halt. Amidst the chaos, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram surfaced - akin to trouble shooter James Bond - and made a heroic statement that government is not in favor of banning the PNs, it (government) has simply placed a cap on the proportion of money coming through PNs. Following this heroic statement, market rapidly recovered 1000 points. Then SEBI clarified that there will not be bar on PNs being renewed provided they were done within 18 months. And then market once again started its journey in upward direction. Sensex was 19,000 on October 15 and it became whopping 20,000 on October 29.

All this discussion shows how difficult it is to control and regulate the FIIs. But if we want to save our economy from disaster we must ban the PNs. Sooner the better.

Blue Lady at Alang

Finally, Supreme Court of India has given green signal to dismantling of Blue Lady - a 76,000 tonnne luxury liner - at Alang. This 45 year old luxury liner is full of contaminated material including asbestos and radioactive element Americium 241. The cancer causing Americium, once entered, remains in human body for decades. As per Basel Convention, this ship should have been decontaminated in Germany, but this is costly affair, hence owners of ship circumvented Basel Convention and sent the ship to India. It is interesting to note that even small country like Bangla Desh also refused entry to Blue Lady in their waters. Finally, it will be dismatled in India, at Alang. Well. Precautions must be taken by Priya Blue Industries Pvt Ltd (current owner of the ship), Government, and NGOs to prevent the damage to our environment, as best as possible.

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Columns of the Week

November 5, 2007, Monday

Volume 1, No. 9

Vacation for Dravid

Rahul Dravid – the wall – is dropped from our national cricket team. This decision by Dilip Vengasarkar – chairman of Selection Committee – has provided meaty stuff for media. On the one hand, performance of Rahul Dravid in recent ODIs against Australia was certainly not good. He scored 31, 0, 13, 0, and 7. On the other hand his overall track record is really excellent. To make the confusion worse confounded, he is replaced by Virender Sehwag whose form is already doubtful. Dilip Vengasarkar is also criticized by media for tearing a Mumbai Under-22 team-sheet just because he wanted to include his nephew in the team. Given this situation, let us pray for Dravid’s early comeback in our National team.

Dr. Y. V. Reddy in a Vicious Circle

Recently Dr. Y. V. Reddy – Governer of RBI (Reserve Bank of India) – increased the CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio) by 0.5%. This is fourth time in this year that he has increased the CRR. As a consequence of this decision (of increasing the CRR by 0.5%) the cool sum of Rs. 20,000 crore will be transferred from commercial banks to RBI. Now CRR stands at 7.5% (i.e., if you deposit Rs. 100 in your bank then your bank in turn should deposit Rs. 7.5 in the RBI). By adjusting the CRR, RBI keeps check on the liquidity of commercial banks. If RBI finds that large amount of money is lying in the coffers of commercial banks and there are no takers for this money, then RBI increases the CRR and grabs the portion of this money apprehending that this unused money may result in inflation. Direct consequence of increase in the CRR is the increase in the rate of interest of commercial banks. Billions of dollars are now flowing to India. Unfortunately this money is not coming for industrial development. It is coming for earning quick profits in money market and stock market. It is this foreign money that is generating large unused money in the coffers of commercial banks. Looking at this large, unused money lying the coffers of commercial banks, Mr. Reddy is increasing the CRR, as a consequence, interest-rates of commercial banks are also increasing, and these increased interest-rates are attracting foreign money with fresh impetus, which in turn results in generation of more unused money in the coffers of commercial banks, thus making the vicious circle complete. Increased interest-rates are adversely affecting the rate of industrial growth. It is this foreign money which is responsible for tumor like, uncontrollable growth BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange). Ideally, Mr. Reddy should lower the CRR to 6% in a step by step manner, which in turn will result in lower interest-rates and that will ensure healthy growth rate on industrial front. At the same time, strict laws (and strict enforcement too) can prevent the entry of foreign money in stock markets.

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Columns of the Week

October 29, 2007, Monday

Volume 1, No. 8

Elephant Menace

In Assam, Meghalaya, and Konkan (coastal part of Maharashtra) elephants are causing destruction of properties and human lives. Two reasons are attributed for this menace: (a) reduction in natural habitat of elephants, and (b) growing population of elephants. In Assam and Meghalaya, number of elephants is around 7000. In the past decade, forest barbers have closely shaved the forest area of about 300, 000 hectares. Konkan was never natural habitat of elephants, but reduction in natural habitat in adjoining Karanataka resulted in migration of elephants from Karnataka to Konkan. In Assam and Meghalaya, about 600 people have lost their lives in elephant attacks in past few years. In Konkan, few farmers have lost their lives in this elephant menace, in past few years. Something needs to be done in order to protect the people from elephant-attacks. While short term remedies are being implemented, the only long term remedy is to restore the natural habitat of elephants.

Protecting Tajmahal

Tajmahal is one of the seven wonders in the world. Government’s negligence in protecting the Tajmahal from erosion is perhaps the eighth wonder in the world. We can certainly protect Tajmahal from erosion, but a strong political will is required to do so. Mathura Refinery – a Public Sector Undertaking – has done more harm to Tajmahal than anyone else. The sulphur dioxide gas emitted by refinery combines with water in atmosphere to form sulphuric acid which in turn results in acid rains that damage Tajmahal. Officials of Mathura Refinery claim that emissions of sulphur dioxide are well within the prescribed limit of 450 kg per hour. This prescribed limit is good elsewhere but not in Agra. In Agra, sulphur dioxide emission must be zero. Hundreds of coal-based foundries and about 400,000 vehicles in Agra are also contributing to damage of Tajmahal. Thankfully, some of the foundries have already changed their mode of operation from coal-based to gas-based. In order to protect the Tajmahal from erosion, we must strive for: (a) zero emission of sulphur dioxide, (b) shutting down the coal-based foundries, and (c) converting petrol/diesel powered vehicles to battery powered vehicles.

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Columns of the Week

October 22, 2007, Monday

Volume 1, No. 7

Unrest in Myanmar

Unrest in Myanmar is not a new phenomenon. But since monks have joined the people in their fight against tyrannical military rule, this unrest has assumed a new dimension. Back in 1988, military rule killed thousands of agitators ruthlessly. But now military rule has no courage to repeat such mass killing. Perhaps, military rule fears an action from United Nations Security Council, because on October 5, Security Council seriously discussed on the topic of unrest in Myanmar. India shares boundary with Myanmar and India has been sympathetic to pro democratic forces in Myanmar. This is a right time, India should aggressively support the pro democratic forces and should also remind the military rule in Myanmar that India had to intervene in the then East Pakistan in 1971, as India cannot tolerate oppression of democratic and human rights in a neighboring country.

Aggressive Israel

On the fatal day of 6 September, Israel conducted air raids in Syrian airspace. No explanation was offered by Israel for this air raid. Both Israel and USA left it to media to speculate about this incidence. Israel used Turkish air space to conduct this air raid. Turkey is good friend of Syria and Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan described this incident as unacceptable. Few countries (including China and Russia) also condemned this air raid. Western media then released the reports that Syria has joined hands with North Korea to produce nuclear arms, and these raids were to warn Syria to keep away from such misadventure. Needless to say, these reports are vague and ridiculous. It seems that these air raids are part of Bush administration's plan to isolate Iran from Syria.

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Columns of the Week

October 15, 2007, Monday

Volume 1, No. 6

Disappointing Bill

The Unorganized Sector Workers' Social Security Bill presented In Rajya Sabha, on 10 September, by Mr. Oscar Fernandis, Union Labor Minister, turned out to be disappointing for workers in India. Instead of two separate bills for agricultural and non-agricultural workers, Mr. Fernandis presented only one bill. Also, bill is loaded with wishful thinking but silent about financial provision to convert the wishful thinking in to a reality. Instead of wishful thinking, some concrete steps are required to raise the standard of living of workers in India.

Beginning of Arms Race

In September, Russia successfully tested the thermobaric bomb. Four years back, USA also tested thermobaric bomb which was nicknamed Mother of All Bombs. Now Russia's thermobaric bomb is nicknamed Father of All Bombs. USA is worried by this news, because Father of All Bombs was more devastative and less weighted than Mother of All Bombs. Thermobaric bomb belongs to category of conventional weapons, but it is as devastative as nuclear bomb. In thermobaric bomb, a liquid fuel is sprayed in the atmosphere, when a huge cloud of fuel forms, it is detonated. Inventions of Mother & Father of All Bombs is a bad news as far as world peace is concerned as it indicates the beginning of arms race.

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Columns of the Week

October 8, 2007, Monday

Volume 1, No. 5

Tamil Nadu Bandh on 1st October

Despite warning from Supreme Court, DMK observed bandh all over Tamil Nadu on 1st of October. Fearing action from Supreme Court, DMK offered justification that it was not bandh but hartal, and people observed it voluntarily. Call it bandh or hartal, its purpose is same. DMK is a ruling party. When ruling party supports a bandh then it is a serious matter. After all calling a bandh is a previlige of opposition parties. If ruling parties make encroachment on the previliges reserved for opposition parties then it is a serious matter. Supporters of democracy must condemn such attempts.

Bad News for Pressure Stove Users in India

The eleventh meeting of ME 26 committee of Bureau of Indian Standards, that took place in Chennai on 11th May 2007, turned out to be disappointing for pressure stove users in India. BIS refused to make the safety gadget (invented to make the pressure stove safer) mandatory for ISI marked pressure stoves. Statistical data supplied by Rajasthan government states that 16% pressure stove accidents take place because of valve failure and safety gadget avoids the accidents due to valve-failure with 100% safety. It should be noted that this safety gadget has passed the rigorous tests of Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehardun, with flying colors. Few months back an NGO reported that some soft drinks are not safe for human consumption. But soft drink manufacturers were succeded in proving that there soft drinks are safe for human consumption. It seems, in India, manafacturers can prove anything. Now pressure stove manufacturers have proved that pressure stoves devoid of safety gadget is safe for users. Let us hope that god will protect the Indian consumers.

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Columns of the Week

October 1, 2007, Monday

Volume 1, No. 4

Controversy over Imported Wheat

Central government has decided to import wheat from foreign countries. Opposition parties are opposing the import of this wheat because it is over priced, and, more imortantly, it is not good for human consumption. However, government maintains that import of wheat cannot be cancelled at this stage. We offer a workable solution on this controversy. Let us use this wheat for the manufacture of cattle feed. We hope, this solution will be accepted by both parties – government and opposition.

Improving the Information System in India

We are making a fortune with the help of IT industry. Despite this success, we have to admit that there is lot of scope to improve the information system in India. Particularly, our public library system is in bad shape. Here, we offer a solution that will certainly help in improving the public library system in India. Over the years university libraries in India have accumulated a good stock of books. Let us convert university libraries in to public libraries. This step will be beneficial for both universities and people. People will have access to good books and universities will have a source of income in the form of library fees.

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Columns of the Week

September 24, 2007, Monday

Volume 1, No. 3

Controversy over Ramsetu

Dr. Manmohan Singh has once again proved that he has no match in the art of somersaulting. Earlier, his government declared that Ramayan is an imaginary story. However, soon after that, his government again declared that Ramayan is not an imaginary story. Ms. Ambika Soni is in charge of the concerned ministry. Indians have always shown a great respect for Lord Rama. But Dr. Manmohan Singh’s government is totally indifferent to sentiments of a common man. There is an old proverb which says “Explanation is more irritating than misdeed itself.” Therefore, instead of offering any clever explanation, Dr. Manmohan Singh should ask Ms. Ambika Soni to resign from the ministry.

Use Indian Shields

A winner in a competition is presented with a shield. We inherited this tradition from British. Have you ever noticed the shape of this shield? It is approximately triangular shaped. Such triangular shaped shields were used by Europeans in the battles. But our forefathers have hardly used such triangular shaped shields. Our forefathers mostly used the circular shaped shields in the battles. Let us not forget the blood shed by our forefathers in the battles. Let us use only circular shaped shields while awarding the winners in competitions. Some Indian universities also use these triangular shaped shields in their emblems and on their certificates. Let us use circular shaped shields in the university emblems and on the university certificates.

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Columns of the Week

September 17, 2007, Monday

Volume 1, No. 2

Law and Order in Andhra Pradesh

Law and order situation in Andhra Pradesh is really problematic. Thanks to INC (Indian National Congress) party in Andhra Pradesh. On September 7, former chief minister Mr. N. Janardhana Reddy and his wife narrowly escaped a landmine blast at Chitwedu village in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh. Just few days ago, bomb blasts by terrorists took away number of lives. This is the price a common man in Andhra Pradesh is paying for the politics of vote bank by INC. Terrorists cannot be targeted as it may hurt the vote bank of minorities. About three years ago INC and Naxalites had a common program: to defeat Chandrababu Naidu in elections. The marriage of convenience worked. But a marriage of convenience is always short lived. Common men in Andhra Pradesh have no choice before them except to blame their fate.

Malabar-2007. Getting Closer to USA

By participating Malabar-2007 India has shown that she is determined to become a close friend of USA. In Malabar-2007 operation, navies of the United States, Japan, Australia, Singapore, and India participated in the naval exercises. These naval exercises were conducted in the Bay of Bengal from September 4 to September 9. This is, however, not a first naval exercise India conducted with USA in the Bay of Bengal. India and USA had conducted about a dozen joint naval exercises in the Bay of Bengal in past few years. But Malabar-2007 was the largest ever joint naval exercise participated by India. This exercise must have annoyed our long time friend Russia. But who cares? In past, we wanted the Indian Ocean to be a peace zone. Now in order to please USA, Mr. Manmohan Singh has sacrificed our pro-peace policies and embraced pro-USA policies.

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Columns of the Week

September 10, 2007, Monday

Volume 1, No. 1

Good News for Indian SwimmersThere’s a good news for Indian swimmers. Now they don’t need a foreign coach in order to learn the somersaulting. They can take the lessons in somersaulting from Mr. Manmohan Singh. The spectacular somersault he has taken in his approach to nuke deal is worthy of praise. "We will stick by the deal, come what may," was his earlier triumphant statement. Now he has agreed to appoint a Joint Political Committee that would consists of representatives from UPA. However, one thing is sure. Unless he appoints a Joint Parliamentary Committee, opposition parties will not allow him to relax.

Listen to Kapil Dev

Formation of ICL (Indian Cricket League) has irked BCCI President Mr. Sharad Pawar. That also resulted in removal of Mr. Kapil Dev from the position of NCA’s (National Cricket Academy) coach. Cricket is a billion dollar business and BCCI fears that ICL may take away a chunk of the cream. Top sportspersons in India have always complained that their opinion is never sought while framing the policies for sports. Kapil Dev is a sportsperson with a foresight. Just before the beginning of battel for World Cup 2007 he correctly predicted a fiasco for Indian team. In World Cup 2003 also he correctly predicted that nobody except Kangaroo can stop India. Instead of criticizing Mr. Kapil Dev, we should listen to him. He can certainly do something good for Indian cricket. After all he is the only captain India ever produced who bagged World Cup for India.

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