Onions are known to activate the lachrymal glands while being cut and chopped. Yet, it is the very absence of this humble vegetable from the housewives shopping basket that has brought the Nation to tears. As with all commodities the price of onion has sky rocketed beyond the means of the middle class family leave alone those living on the fringes of poverty. The time is not far when people reminisce of the good old days, where the use of onion in cooking was not a status symbol and even the common man could afford to eat it everyday.
The Indian Government instead of running from Washington to St. Petersburg in search of the elusive non-voting seat in the UNSC should focus its energies and efforts in getting “make the household budget last the full month” a competitive event in the Olympics. This will give twin and tangible benefits, firstly India will be assured of a sure shot gold in the Olympics and in other sporting events where this is made a competitive sport. And secondly our Ministers can claim to promoting sports and doing their mite to ensure an Olympic gold for India, when ever the issue of price rise comes up.
The Indian housewives balancing of the household budget is nothing short of a miracle. How else could one explain the infinite stretching of the household budget to meet the ever increasing price rise. No economic theory can explain how a limited salary can continuously expand to meet the relentless demands made on it month after month, year after year. Whether it is the 40-50% hikes in school fees, the frequent rise in petrol and diesel prices, the hike in auto and cab fares, the barrage of increase in food prices, dal one day, milk the other, and vegetables another day, the budget of the Indian house wife has been taking these blows square on the chin even as it prepares itself for the next one to land.
In lass than a decade, we seem to have fallen from a nation shining to a nation crying. Yesterday it was the cost of pulses we were raving about and today it is the onion. The price of onions has been propelled into the stratosphere and is selling in the range of Rs.70 to Rs.100 a kilo. It remains to be seen how the Indian housewife will weather this latest attack on her household budget. The humble onion has been her ally in making ends meet. She has banked on it to balance meals and feed a family of four with vegetables that could barely fill the belly of two, by adding it for bulk and quantity. And today her ally has fallen to the combined assault of hoarders greed and the Government’s apathy, leaving her to face the fight alone. Left with no choice the house wife may now look at a liberal seasoning food with salt and chilies to make ends meet. The only fallout one foresees is the increase in arguments and fights at the dining table. Which is not so bad, Spice as they say is what makes life interesting!!!
By Neera Kishore
Courtesy: Hindi Milap, Hyderabad
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Let’s be vary of Uncle Sam’s iron hand
The proverbial velvet glove of the American Administration seems to be slowly slipping away to reveal the iron hand underneath. In the last decade the US of A has deteriorated to a Nation of paranoid administrators, and conspiracy theorists who see a terrorist lurking behind every skirt and under every head gear. Mohamed Atta had his team have destroyed much more than the twin towers of the world trade center on that fateful day, they seem to have ripped apart the very fabric of American society. No where is this more apparent than the aggressive “us” vs. “them” ideology of the American Administration.
The change in American policy and outlook can be summarized in two words “pre emptive annihilation”. It was started by George Bush Jr leading his country in the first crusade against terror in Afghanistan, followed by the misadventure in Iraq, and has culminated into body searches and pat downs that have not spared even diplomats and visiting foreign dignitaries.
The concretization of this mindset can be seen in the US of A’s response to Wikileaks, a band of computer whiz kids and journalists. The American politburo, cutting across party lines has been baying for the blood of Julian Assange, editor in chief Wikileaks, Republican leader Sarah Palin has likened Assange to an al-Qaida operative, Newt Gingrich has dubbed him an information terrorist and Mike Huckabee has called for his execution. The Democrats are not far behind, they want him charged under the U.S. espionage act, and are calling for the law to be changed to allow a prosecution of WikiLeaks. Leaders, army officials, and other public figures threaten dire consequences and even call for Assange's assassination.
The US has launched a multi fronted financial, political, diplomatic and plain old threats and coercion, attack on Wikileaks. Julian Assange is fighting extradition to Sweden. Paypal, Visa and Mastercard have stopped processing donations to the website, allegedly after Congressional staffers and leaders in Government called up these companies and threatened them.
US has arm twisted several nations and world policing organizations to fall in line chiefly France, Switzerland, and Sweden. Sweden has been pressurized into filing a criminal case and issuing an international arrest warrant on the basis of an obscure law drawing on an alleged incident of 'condom breaking during intercourse' against Assange, and Interpol has been prevailed upon to issue a 'Red Corner' notice for the same 'crime!!! Under pressure from the US, French industry minister Eric Besson has allegedly written to internet companies warning them of “consequences” for dealing with WikiLeaks.
But what is worrying for the world community is the American “us” vs. “them” policy that views all countries toeing the American line no matter what their track record example Pakistan favorably while coercing other free thinking Nations like India to fall in with the American thinking. The design of the American Administration to control and manipulate the world bodies is out in the open, diplomats including envoys to the UN and are spied upon and installations vital to US interests monitored.
More ominous is the fact that the US today does not shy away from openly threatening countries like India to toe the US line. US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia and Central Asia Robert O Blake has publicly suggested that India's voting pattern at the United Nations Security Council during its forthcoming two-year term commencing January would have a bearing on India's prospects of realizing its bid to become a permanent member. He pointed out that records show that India voted only 10 percent of the time alongside the US on important issues at the world body. He then added, 'Over time that is going to change. That is going to change not because of pressure of the United States, but because of India's own desire to take up greater global responsibilities. That would surely be reflected in its voting record.'
Robert Blake’s statement is the bugle cry for India to be ever vigilant in its dealings with the US and be wary of falling into the honey trap of a permanent non voting seat in the UNSC laid down by President Obama. In the last half century India has attained a stature far beyond any emerging Nation can hope to aspire to as a Non aligned state. No amount of military support, nuclear technology transfer or the aspired to permanent seat in the Security Council is worth the price of pledging India’s sovereignty.
by Neera Kishore
courtesy: Hindi Milap, Hyderabad
The change in American policy and outlook can be summarized in two words “pre emptive annihilation”. It was started by George Bush Jr leading his country in the first crusade against terror in Afghanistan, followed by the misadventure in Iraq, and has culminated into body searches and pat downs that have not spared even diplomats and visiting foreign dignitaries.
The concretization of this mindset can be seen in the US of A’s response to Wikileaks, a band of computer whiz kids and journalists. The American politburo, cutting across party lines has been baying for the blood of Julian Assange, editor in chief Wikileaks, Republican leader Sarah Palin has likened Assange to an al-Qaida operative, Newt Gingrich has dubbed him an information terrorist and Mike Huckabee has called for his execution. The Democrats are not far behind, they want him charged under the U.S. espionage act, and are calling for the law to be changed to allow a prosecution of WikiLeaks. Leaders, army officials, and other public figures threaten dire consequences and even call for Assange's assassination.
The US has launched a multi fronted financial, political, diplomatic and plain old threats and coercion, attack on Wikileaks. Julian Assange is fighting extradition to Sweden. Paypal, Visa and Mastercard have stopped processing donations to the website, allegedly after Congressional staffers and leaders in Government called up these companies and threatened them.
US has arm twisted several nations and world policing organizations to fall in line chiefly France, Switzerland, and Sweden. Sweden has been pressurized into filing a criminal case and issuing an international arrest warrant on the basis of an obscure law drawing on an alleged incident of 'condom breaking during intercourse' against Assange, and Interpol has been prevailed upon to issue a 'Red Corner' notice for the same 'crime!!! Under pressure from the US, French industry minister Eric Besson has allegedly written to internet companies warning them of “consequences” for dealing with WikiLeaks.
But what is worrying for the world community is the American “us” vs. “them” policy that views all countries toeing the American line no matter what their track record example Pakistan favorably while coercing other free thinking Nations like India to fall in with the American thinking. The design of the American Administration to control and manipulate the world bodies is out in the open, diplomats including envoys to the UN and are spied upon and installations vital to US interests monitored.
More ominous is the fact that the US today does not shy away from openly threatening countries like India to toe the US line. US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia and Central Asia Robert O Blake has publicly suggested that India's voting pattern at the United Nations Security Council during its forthcoming two-year term commencing January would have a bearing on India's prospects of realizing its bid to become a permanent member. He pointed out that records show that India voted only 10 percent of the time alongside the US on important issues at the world body. He then added, 'Over time that is going to change. That is going to change not because of pressure of the United States, but because of India's own desire to take up greater global responsibilities. That would surely be reflected in its voting record.'
Robert Blake’s statement is the bugle cry for India to be ever vigilant in its dealings with the US and be wary of falling into the honey trap of a permanent non voting seat in the UNSC laid down by President Obama. In the last half century India has attained a stature far beyond any emerging Nation can hope to aspire to as a Non aligned state. No amount of military support, nuclear technology transfer or the aspired to permanent seat in the Security Council is worth the price of pledging India’s sovereignty.
by Neera Kishore
courtesy: Hindi Milap, Hyderabad
Monday, December 20, 2010
Is Dr. Singh guilty, you decide
For the last few days, we have been deluged with details of the 2G spectrum scam. Every channel worth its salt has aired innumerable talk shows and discussions on this mother of all scams. On the one hand Subramanyam Swamy is accusing Dr. Manmohan Singh of refusing to act on his petition to prosecute Andimuthu Raja, and on the other we have the congress spokespersons eulogizing the Government’s morality sacking in Raja. All this reminds of a Vikramaditya and the vetal story I read years ago.
Once there lived an old and pious man, renowned for his honesty. One day his neighbor, a rich merchant comes to him with a request. The merchant was leaving on a voyage and wants the old man to safeguard his wealth, until his return. The old man agrees and with God as witness promises to protect and safeguard the merchant’s wealth.
The old man then entrusts the safe keep of the merchant’s wealth to his son, from whom he takes an oath of propriety and honesty. Slowly the son starts dipping into the merchants wealth, people notice this and warn the old man of the son’s misdeeds. The old man calls his son asks him to explain, he also reminds him of his oath on following the right path. The son rubbishes the accusations as rumors and the idle gossip of jealous people, who could bear to see his prosperity. The old man accepts the son’s explanation and things go on as before.
The merchant returns and demands his wealth. The old man calls his son, who hands over a quarter of the merchant’s wealth saying that is all there was. The merchant realizing that he has been cheated approaches the King. The King listens to the merchant’s complaint and summons the old man. The old man comes to the court with his son and handing him over to the King says “your majesty, the merchant is right. My son has confessed to the crime. Please punish him.”
The king has the son flogged and imprisoned. He then praises the old mans honesty and dismisses the case. But the merchant demands punishment for the old man saying, “I have still not received justice. I had entrusted my wealth to the old man which he swore by God to safeguard. The old man’s integrity is intact, but what of me, I have been robbed of my life’s savings, and made a pauper. It was the old man’s decision to entrust my wealth the son for safe keeping. As far as I am concerned the old man is the culprit, and should be punished.
The king is astounded by this demand. The old man, was neither a party to the theft nor did he benefit from it. In fact, he had sent his son to jail. Yet, the merchant was asking for the old man’s punishment.
The vetal asks Vikramaditya, “What should be the Kings decision.”
Vikramaditya’s replies, “Though the old man is innocent of the actual theft, he is guilty of dereliction of duty. The son’s crime was a straight forward one, the old man’s was a graver crime. He did nothing to protect the merchant’s wealth. Far from being vigilant he failed to take action even when he was warned of his son’s misdeeds. Because of his laxity the merchant is condemned to a life of penury. He should be punished.”
India 2010, Dr. Manmohan Singh, esteemed economist, former Governor of RBI, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, former Finance Minister, a man whose personal ethics and integrity are unblemished, takes oath to protect and safeguard the Nation and its assets. He appoints Raja, as his Cabinet Minister for IT & Telecom.
Raja the Telecom Minister has with him keys to the 2G spectrum a finite and precious National asset. Raja flouts all rules of propriety and transparency in Government, and in violation of his oath of office, sells the spectrum a throw away price of Rs.1651 crore.
1. DoT with Raja at its helm issues an astounding 120 UAS licenses in a single day, January 10, 2008. A feat unsurpassed in the history of Government anywhere in the world. Suspiciously 85 of these licenses are issued to companies which suppressed facts, disclosed incomplete information and submitted fictitious documents.
2. In issuing these licenses neither the High Powered Telecom Commission, which was expressly set up for this nor the Finance Ministry or the Ministry of Law and Justice are consulted. Vital decisions are taken without being deliberated and discussed at inter ministerial forums.
3. In sharp deviation of business practice, the cut off date for receiving applications gets advanced from Oct 1, 2007 to Sept 25, 2007, violating all canons of fair play and ethics.
4. Real estate companies which till date of application had no interest in Telecom are allotted Licenses and spectrum ahead of genuine applicants. These then go on to reap windfalls from foreign players by selling equity.
Unlike the story, this heist of a precious national asset is carried out in full view of Dr. Manmohan Singh and his cabinet colleagues. Newspapers across the country cry out at this outrage in front page headlines.
The Indian Constitution grants the Prime Minister absolute power in running the country. He is the head of the Government and the Union Cabinet functions at his pleasure. As per the Transaction of Business Rules the Prime Minister has the unrestricted right to demand and get any file, any record from any Ministry. Dr. Man Mohan Singh could have at any time stopped this heist of a National asset, yet he chose to remain silent. The Minister’s failure to exercise his constitutional rights has caused irreparable loss to the Nation.
Dr. Singh did not profit personally from Raja’s shenigans, but his failure to act, to honor the oath of office, to protect and safeguard the nation and its wealth is unforgivable. Like the old man, he has sacked Raja from his ministerial berth, but does his culpability end there.
The people of India had entrusted their faith and the future of the Nation in Dr. Manmohan Singh, believing him to be a man of integrity and honesty, and not to Raja. Does dismissing Raja absolve Dr. Singh or like the old man is he guilty of dereliction of duty and failure to safeguard the Nation and its citizens. Does he deserve punishment?
It is for the Indian citizen to decide, whether of not Dr. Singh is guilty.
courtesy: Hindi Milap, Hyderabad
Once there lived an old and pious man, renowned for his honesty. One day his neighbor, a rich merchant comes to him with a request. The merchant was leaving on a voyage and wants the old man to safeguard his wealth, until his return. The old man agrees and with God as witness promises to protect and safeguard the merchant’s wealth.
The old man then entrusts the safe keep of the merchant’s wealth to his son, from whom he takes an oath of propriety and honesty. Slowly the son starts dipping into the merchants wealth, people notice this and warn the old man of the son’s misdeeds. The old man calls his son asks him to explain, he also reminds him of his oath on following the right path. The son rubbishes the accusations as rumors and the idle gossip of jealous people, who could bear to see his prosperity. The old man accepts the son’s explanation and things go on as before.
The merchant returns and demands his wealth. The old man calls his son, who hands over a quarter of the merchant’s wealth saying that is all there was. The merchant realizing that he has been cheated approaches the King. The King listens to the merchant’s complaint and summons the old man. The old man comes to the court with his son and handing him over to the King says “your majesty, the merchant is right. My son has confessed to the crime. Please punish him.”
The king has the son flogged and imprisoned. He then praises the old mans honesty and dismisses the case. But the merchant demands punishment for the old man saying, “I have still not received justice. I had entrusted my wealth to the old man which he swore by God to safeguard. The old man’s integrity is intact, but what of me, I have been robbed of my life’s savings, and made a pauper. It was the old man’s decision to entrust my wealth the son for safe keeping. As far as I am concerned the old man is the culprit, and should be punished.
The king is astounded by this demand. The old man, was neither a party to the theft nor did he benefit from it. In fact, he had sent his son to jail. Yet, the merchant was asking for the old man’s punishment.
The vetal asks Vikramaditya, “What should be the Kings decision.”
Vikramaditya’s replies, “Though the old man is innocent of the actual theft, he is guilty of dereliction of duty. The son’s crime was a straight forward one, the old man’s was a graver crime. He did nothing to protect the merchant’s wealth. Far from being vigilant he failed to take action even when he was warned of his son’s misdeeds. Because of his laxity the merchant is condemned to a life of penury. He should be punished.”
India 2010, Dr. Manmohan Singh, esteemed economist, former Governor of RBI, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, former Finance Minister, a man whose personal ethics and integrity are unblemished, takes oath to protect and safeguard the Nation and its assets. He appoints Raja, as his Cabinet Minister for IT & Telecom.
Raja the Telecom Minister has with him keys to the 2G spectrum a finite and precious National asset. Raja flouts all rules of propriety and transparency in Government, and in violation of his oath of office, sells the spectrum a throw away price of Rs.1651 crore.
1. DoT with Raja at its helm issues an astounding 120 UAS licenses in a single day, January 10, 2008. A feat unsurpassed in the history of Government anywhere in the world. Suspiciously 85 of these licenses are issued to companies which suppressed facts, disclosed incomplete information and submitted fictitious documents.
2. In issuing these licenses neither the High Powered Telecom Commission, which was expressly set up for this nor the Finance Ministry or the Ministry of Law and Justice are consulted. Vital decisions are taken without being deliberated and discussed at inter ministerial forums.
3. In sharp deviation of business practice, the cut off date for receiving applications gets advanced from Oct 1, 2007 to Sept 25, 2007, violating all canons of fair play and ethics.
4. Real estate companies which till date of application had no interest in Telecom are allotted Licenses and spectrum ahead of genuine applicants. These then go on to reap windfalls from foreign players by selling equity.
Unlike the story, this heist of a precious national asset is carried out in full view of Dr. Manmohan Singh and his cabinet colleagues. Newspapers across the country cry out at this outrage in front page headlines.
The Indian Constitution grants the Prime Minister absolute power in running the country. He is the head of the Government and the Union Cabinet functions at his pleasure. As per the Transaction of Business Rules the Prime Minister has the unrestricted right to demand and get any file, any record from any Ministry. Dr. Man Mohan Singh could have at any time stopped this heist of a National asset, yet he chose to remain silent. The Minister’s failure to exercise his constitutional rights has caused irreparable loss to the Nation.
Dr. Singh did not profit personally from Raja’s shenigans, but his failure to act, to honor the oath of office, to protect and safeguard the nation and its wealth is unforgivable. Like the old man, he has sacked Raja from his ministerial berth, but does his culpability end there.
The people of India had entrusted their faith and the future of the Nation in Dr. Manmohan Singh, believing him to be a man of integrity and honesty, and not to Raja. Does dismissing Raja absolve Dr. Singh or like the old man is he guilty of dereliction of duty and failure to safeguard the Nation and its citizens. Does he deserve punishment?
It is for the Indian citizen to decide, whether of not Dr. Singh is guilty.
courtesy: Hindi Milap, Hyderabad
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)