 |
Friday,
January 24, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
|
Parliament’s
role in focus Judicial
bouncer
The great
Indian paradoxes |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A tonga
at midnight
The
world is unsafe under American leadership
Well-being
has something to do with Supreme Being
|
Parliament’s role in focus The three-day international conference which began in New Delhi on Wednesday to mark the Golden Jubilee of Parliament provided yet another opportunity for national leaders to condemn terrorism in the strongest possible terms. No country needs to lecture India about terrorism as it itself has been a victim of the scourge for over two decades, aided and abetted by Pakistan. President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s call to combat terrorism tooth and nail should be viewed in this context. As terrorism is spreading its tentacles far and wide, it has become necessary for the international community to join together and evolve suitable strategies to fight the menace unitedly. Dr Kalam has rightly said that cross-border terrorism and insurgency are no longer confined to one country or region, but have emerged as a “global threat to peace and harmony of humankind”. This makes out a case for concerted efforts by the world community to combat terrorism. Linked to global terrorism are the wider issues of poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. Despite great efforts, the world has not succeeded in resolving these problems. Consider India’s case. It may have made gigantic strides in science and technology, agriculture and education in the past five decades. But its record in combating poverty or providing jobs to millions of people is not impressive. Parliament represents the collective will of the nation and reflects the aims and aspirations of the people. Therefore, it has a vital role to play in the programmes of national reconstruction. It has to address the manifold problems from a positive angle and evolve solutions. Unfortunately, even though it is a moment of pride for India’s Parliament for having celebrated its golden jubilee, its image seems to have been eroded over the years. Apparently, most of our parliamentarians do not recognise its rich legacy and valued contributions made by their distinguished predecessors. Thin attendance even when important issues are discussed, falling standards in the debates and the lack of discipline during the proceedings have all marred the reputation of Parliament. How many of our parliamentarians do regular homework and come prepared for the sessions? How many of them make the best use of the Parliament library and reference section? And how many of them participate in the discussions and help enrich the quality of debate? These questions are important because Parliament now functions more through its committees rather than its sessions. Sadly, reports suggest that the members do not attend even the meetings of the standing committees or consultative committees attached to the various ministries regularly. As a result, there is a gnawing dichotomy between Parliament’s image and performance. True, the members are expected to tour their constituencies regularly and keep in touch with the people. But this in no way gives them the right to shun Parliament work. There is need to sensitise our members on their responsibilities and the crucial role they are required to play. Clearly, Parliament cannot be treated as a mere debating society. It is a symbol of the nation’s honour and progress. In fact, most of the country’s problems can be pursued to their logical conclusion if our members realised their duties in the true sense of the term and acted accordingly. |
|
Judicial bouncer The Delhi High Court judgment on the cricket contract controversy has given a new twist to the current stand-off between the International Cricket Council and the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The BCCI has forwarded the altered contracts signed by Indian players to the
ICC. Technically, the Indian team already stands debarred from participating in the World Cup beginning in South Africa from February 9. And if the Delhi High Court order is enforced, the World Cup will end rather abruptly without a single ball being bowled, not because of bad weather but because of the unexpected drying up of funds for the smooth conduct of the tournament. Anyone who is not even familiar with the intricacies of the law would be shocked at the blatantly unfair terms of participation offered to the players by the ICC — that in its greed for making money forgot that its primary duty is to protect the interests of players and not that of the commercial sponsors of the tournament. The deadline for returning the contracts in their original form expired sometime in December. The Indian players have at least returned the contract papers by removing from them conditions that harm their commercial interests. The Sri Lankan team hasn’t done that either. The Sri Lankan board has sought more time because of a pay dispute with players. However, the fact of the matter is that given the high profile nature of the World Cup, the sponsors cannot afford to debar India or Sri Lanka from the tournament without suffering heavy financial losses. Particularly India, that has emerged as the commercial hub of international cricket after 1987 when it took Pakistan as a junior partner for ending the monopoly of England over the right to hold the World Cup tournament. The subject of the PIL filed by Kapil Dev and others was the financial commitment of the Indian sponsors to the World Cup organisers and the ICC that sought to directly harm the individual commercial interests of the players. A spokesman of the sponsors proposes to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the Delhi High Court order. To say that 80 per cent of the money for the World Cup is going to come from financial deals with Indian sponsors is to state the obvious. The verdict is clear. It has nothing to do with the contractual rights of the
ICC, BCCI, the sponsors and the players. There are good contracts and there are bad contracts. The terms of contract the ICC signed with the World Cup sponsors and also of the one drawn up for the players are patently absurd and grossly unfair. The fact of the matter is that no contract that directly or indirectly harms the interests of the parties because of whom the contracting parties stand to make a huge profits can stand the scrutiny of law either in India or at any international disputes settlement tribunal. The ICC has bitten more than it can chew. And it knows it. That is the reason why it has indicated its willing to soften its stand. There are strong indications that the Indian team will be allowed to participate in the tournament on terms that have been accepted by the players. In other words, no player will be made to sacrifice his commercial interests, without the promise of matching compensation to offset the loss in the event of breach of contract he may have to commit because of the adverse commercial tie-up between the sponsors of the tournament and the
ICC. The BCCI has not yet accepted the olive branch. Hopefully, after another round of teleconferencing today the picture would be more clear. The Indian and the international boards may agree to take the dispute to the International Court for Arbitration in Sport. Let the World Cup be conducted without any fresh
controversy. They do not have a choice except to tread the path of reconciliation for keeping the spirit of sportsmanship alive. |
The great Indian paradoxes A dalit in a position of power generally conducts himself or herself differently. So does a high-caste person. These general traits are very much part of India's changing social scene. Possibly these are part of socio-economic and political evolution amidst glaring disparities and deprivations prevailing at all levels of society. Social and economic ills continue to be part of the system even though leaders of the underprivileged sections have gained in status and influence. Amidst socio-economic disparities and power through the vote bank syndrome the new class of political vested interests has emerged. A Chief Minister is a Chief Minister. Everybody loves to bask in the glory of performance or nonperformance or even his or her cheap gimmicks. Civil servants and police personnel are, of course, a class by themselves. They think that they are the law unto themselves. This is how distortions in the system thrive to the disadvantage of the common citizen. I have a soft corner for the poor and the downtrodden. I want to see their upward mobility on the social and economic ladder even through the need-based reservation route in jobs and education. But those who have the desired breakthrough should make room for others to come up. Equally important is the upgradation of skills so that ultimately the reservation category persons are on their own—on merit. This alone would give them a sense of pride and pride of place as equal citizens. The national goal has to be creation of a just and merit-based society with equal opportunities to one and all. It also must be accepted that dalits and other backward class people have the right to come up on the power ladder. Viewed in this light I was happy to see the rise of Ms Mayawati as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. This is a legitimate aspiration of a dalit leader like her. Nothing can be more satisfying than to see underprivileged persons to prosper in an atmosphere of freedom. This helps to create a just society. However, this happiness gets a jolt when the likes of Mayawatis follow the same route of vulgar display of wealth and power which has been part of the stinking feudal system we often decry. A birthday bash in which crores of rupees are spent—that too at the cost of the public exchequer and amidst the poverty-stricken people—makes my heart sink. I don't hold it against Ms Mayawati celebrating her birthday in the name of Dalit Gaurav. But I resent her wasting public money for her personal glorification. This is what the feudal lords of yesteryears used to do. This is what the neo-rich class people have been indulging in with their five-star extravaganza. Five-star joints provide readymade outlets for black money operations. Expensive gifts pour in in hundreds. These gestures have strings attached to them. Unless they are genuine friends, the givers seek official favours in return for their public show of love and affection. This is how the vicious circle of the "you-scratch my back I scratch your back" syndrome goes on. I don't mind the low-caste people getting richer and earning their legitimate place in society. I love to see the traditionally disprivileged persons to occupy key positions of power. But I do resent when their conscience ceases to prick at vulgar display of power and money. Public positions are meant to serve the have-nots and the poor as well as larger sections of society. It is, however, a pity that while in power, the leaders of the Scheduled Castes and the Other Backward Classes do not care much for their unfortunate brothers and sisters. Why is it so? It is for sociologists and psychologists to examine this phenomenon. I consider this shameful because it perpetuates inequalities. Even Babu Jagjivan Ram as a key Central minister was no different in the fifties and the sixties. Similar is the case of most Scheduled Caste leaders. After coming to power with their community support, they prefer to rub shoulders with the high and the mighty instead of working for the uplift of their own people. The Muslim community too has suffered on this count. Take the case of Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav. What a vulgar display of wealth it was at the wedding ceremony of his daughter last year. He is surely clever. He claims that the expensive gifts were part of the people's love and affection for him. Is it so? Mr Laloo Yadav is surely too clever even for mediapersons. He is not a buffoon as many persons think him to be. Of course, his baffoonery and antics do evoke laughter. But he knows what is what. He knows how to fool journalists as well as the high and the mighty. That is how he has grown from strength to strength despite the infamous fodder scam. True, most Indian paradoxes are part of the phenomenon of rising expectations, triggered by explosive human consciousness. The level of penetration of this consciousness, however, varies from group to group and from sector to sector, depending on the urge and the capacity of each segment of society to move forward. However, a keen leadership can take advantage of the existing situation intelligently and set in motion new waves of change right at the grassroots. It needs to be appreciated by dalit and other leaders that every small step matters in a democratic polity. And several small steps along can lead to bigger steps. A social revolution has to germinate first in the mind before it has a mass base. The Mayawatis and the Laloo Prasad Yadavs of India have to constantly keep in mind how they should conduct themselves in breaking down the socio-economic barriers with a view to strengthening the sinews of democracy, equality, and social and economic justice while restoring the people's faith in the national destiny. Let us not overlook the country's vibrant liberal tradition. Interestingly, the Indian leaders on the morrow of Independence generally respected fearlessness and exemplified the courage of their conviction. In this context Gandhiji's was the most sweepingly revolutionary influence on the Indian social and political scene. He at once transformed the basics of Indian society into a manifesto of universal humanism. He firmly adhered to the "equanimity doctrine" of the Gita to preach selfless service. Many eyebrows were raised at the time over his unscholarly interpretation, but Gandhiji ignored his critics. He emphasised that the change had a wider connotation than the mere transformation of matter; it also meant liberation of the mind from old and ingrained habits and norms. It was from this central doctrine that Gandhi constructed such an all-embracing edifice that almost every aspect of Indian life and thinking came under its sway. He reinterpreted the Hindu scriptures, denounced the caste system and heightened public awareness of the gravity of the problem of untouchability. His espousal of the cause of emancipation of women, his stubborn and persistent pursuit of what would unite two of the largest religious communities in common endeavour, his ideas on basic education—all these facets of Gandhi's thoughts were revolutionary and unorthodox. Indeed, the social and economic ills, the false, conservative, obscurantist, irrational and misleading philosophies and deeds have to be attacked over and over again. The imbalances originating from the modernisation processes have also to be continually corrected. The idea here is to prepare in advance and equip the people "to take their place in an egalitarian, scientifically progressive and genuinely cultured society". But such a goal cannot be achieved by the Rs 20 crore birthday bash of the Mayawati brand or the vulgar wedding shows in the royal Laloo style! |
A tonga at midnight I
don’t know if you are a believer in an after-life or are one of those who hold that there is no heaven and no hell, only success and failure, joy and sorrow, all in this world and in this life which is the only one you will have. If you happen to be a non-believer you will probably dismiss with a tolerant smile a report I read in a foreign newspaper the other day. It said that a family in Bournemouth, England, had been advised by a “medium” to move out of their house for four days so as to allow it to “settle down”. The unsettling influence was alleged to be a spook who had plagued the life of the family for two days by smashing their crockery, overturning their furniture, throwing about ornaments and knocking over their TV. When the police arrived they saw a kitchen cabinet toppling over in front of them. I couldn’t stop laughing at the image of a phlegmatic, flat footed, blue-uniform bobby pushing back his helmet and staring openmouthed at the phenomenon! I am what is I generally known as an agnostic. Tales of bizarre happenings such as the one in Bournemouth leave me amused but not unduly shaken in my faith, or the lack of it. And so, it is with my tongue in my cheek that I relate an incident that took place about 60 years ago. In the course of my wanderings in the part of the country, then undivided, with which Kipling was so familiar I once had to spend a night in a dak bungalow which was said to have been occupied by the author when he was editor of the local paper. It was a night such as he has described in several of his stories and with nothing better to do, I retired to bed with a book. It was a little after midnight that I heard a tonga come up the gravelled drive and stop in the portico. There was the sound of feet walking down the long verandah and of a door opening at the far end of it. What I could not hear was anyone talking which, at the time, did not seem to be strange. Probably the person, whoever it was, did not wish to awaken the other occupants of the dak bungalow. But I was surprised to find the next morning that I was the only occupant of the D.B. I enquired of the old khansamah if the previous night’s visitor had already left. “No one else has been here huzoor”, he said looking at me with his rheumy eyes. “You can see from the register” which he promptly produced. I did not have occasion to go back to that dak bungalow but I was informed by some local residents that it was haunted by Kipling’s ghost. My own explanation of the sounds I had heard did not go down too well with them. I was quite sure that the old khansamah was supplementing his meagre wages by letting out unoccupied rooms in the D.B. for “immoral” purposes. True, I had heard only one set of footsteps traversing the verandah but then, the lady of the night might have been let in earlier and was waiting for her client.
|
The world is unsafe under American leadership January 27 may be a Black Day. On that day, America will decide whether to go to war against Iraq or not. And when. The travails of Iraq are by no means over. America is determined to foist a war on that country again. The issue is not the so-called threat posed by Saddam Hussain, as it claimed by the USA, but oil. There is a mad “rush” for the oil of Iraq. Whatever may be said against Saddam, he is not a supporter of fundamentalism and terrorism like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. While Pakistan is a sponsor of terrorism all over the world, Saudi Arabia is the financier of fundamentalism, terrorism and separatism. The Hurriyat Conference is one of its beneficiaries. A mere regime change is not going to solve anything. To spend $ 100-200 billion to bring it about is sheer stupidity. But it is time for Saddam to move out on his own after 24 years in power. True, he can destroy the oil-fields of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, as also disrupt the flow of oil through the ports. But he should seek a graceful exit, for war can only bankrupt the poorer nations. They have already suffered during the Gulf War. He was responsible for it. And there is no certainty that America can find an alternative to Hussain. There is no Karzai waiting in the wings. US State Department expert on the Middle East Henri Darkey says that “It’ll be much harder to politically re-build Iraq.” The Iraqi opposition is scattered all over the world. There is no unity among them. Prince Turki, chief of Saudi intelligence, says: “Every time they (opposition) meet, they tend to splinter again.” This will definitely vitiate the efforts to unite them. Only the Kurds in the oil-rich northern Iraq (20 per cent of the population) constitute a formidable force. Saddam had tried to destroy them. (The most outstanding figure of Islam, Saladdin, was a Kurd.) They can easily mobilise a force of 50,000 with US help. But Turkey has a Kurdish problem. It has warned the USA not to repeat its mistake in Afghanistan of arming the Taliban. The USA has already committed large funds to train an opposition force. There are positive factors too. If Saddam goes (either on his own or by force), Iraq will emerge as a more confidant regional power. To this extent, the influence of Saudi Arabia will decline. And that is all for the good. There will be a change in the global oil scenario with more oil availability, perhaps at a lower price. A crisis can come about only if there is a prolonged war. The advanced countries have large reserve stocks which they can release to meet shortage. Be that as it may, the USA is determined to oust Saddam. That is the real objective. This will cause great destruction. Famous US columnist James Caroll asks: “Do they (Bush and Co) know that death is about to become our nation’s purpose?” There was a moral ground for the Gulf War. There is none for the proposed one. Today Saddam is an isolated man. There is little support for him in the Arab world, although no one wants a war. The USA has bases in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, UAE, Turkey and Pakistan. But all bases will not be available for war. Jordan wants to maintain its relations with the USA. And Musharraf is not willing to make any sacrifice for Saddam. Each one for oneself — that is his new philosophy. So, is a war inevitable? Not necessarily. There is no support for the war even in the USA, not to speak of in the world. Today even the Right does not trust the USA. To live in a world dominated by America has become frightening. The European nations are solidly behind Russia, France and Germany in their opposition to the USA. Only Britain is an exception. And China, as usual, keeps a sepulchral silence. But trading of interests is possible. Many Republicans are no more with Bush. For instance, Dr Kissinger and former Secretary of State (to Bush Sr.) Brent Scowcroft. And a whole host of “Who is Who” in America. They say that Bush Jr. is alienating allies, creating greater instability in West Asia and harming long-term interests of the USA. And there is a real fear that Iraq might break up into Sunni, Shia and Kurd states, with unforeseeable consequences. In a Wall Street Journal, Scowcroft says: “An attack on Iraq at this time would seriously jeopardise, if not destroy, the global counter-terrorist campaign we have undertaken”. He warned that Saddam could provoke a war between Israel and Arabs. Islam is bound to react in that case by organising millions of jehadis. This is no idle talk. Saddam’s strategy is to avoid an open war in the desert. He wants to involve the USA in a destructive urban war. This will be tragic. He has already caused immense damage to Iraq by the eight-year war against Iran and his invasion of Kuwait, which brought about the Gulf War. One should hope that better counsel will prevail over him this time. The Arab world is the heart of the Islamic world. But it is not in sound health. Its leadership is discredited in the eyes of the youth. The Arab world is one of the richest regions, holding the earth’s greatest oil riches. But one in five Arabs still lives on two dollars a day! The per capita growth is the lowest. The young naturally want to quit their country (51 per cent). Others stay to become jehadis. But the madrasas continue to tell the young that all the ills of the Arab world come from the “corrupt West.” The Islamic world has not yet given any evidence that it wants to be master of its destiny. There is no unity of outlook. The role of the OIC is negative. India has a huge stake in the Gulf region. This is not often appreciated. It is getting most of the oil from there. By 2020 India will need 220 million tonnes of oil. About three million Indians are employed there. They send about $ six million yearly as remittances. Of late, the ONGC has acquired two oil-fields in Iraq. If war breaks out, all these will be in jeopardy. What course should India take? India must join forces with Russia, France, Germany and others to prevent the war. It is for the people of Iraq to throw out Saddam. His time is up.
|
Well-being has something to do with Supreme Being Faith in God has a lot to do with a person’s well-being, and now even longevity is linked to it. No bunkum theory this, it’s actually science speaking. Those who consider the spiritual dimension essential to their lives not only live longer, a study in the latest edition of The Medical Journal of Australia asserts, they are also healthier - with lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and lower rates of some cancers - and less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. But are they having any fun? Probably more, says Harold Koenig, director and founder of the Centre for the Study of Religion/Spirituality and Health at Duke University in the USA. Speaking in an interview in Sydney Morning Herald, he adds that godliness also reduces the rate of depression and suicide, as well as increasing the chance of a happy marriage.
ANI
Smart doctors inspire patients Doctors who dress up smartly and professionally are most likely to inspire confidence and trust among their patients. Any attempt at a more casual dress-down approach appears to make patients uneasy. Researchers from John Hunter Hospital in New Lambton, Australia, pinpointed four items that help create the right impression with patients and suggest that doctors wear at least two at any given time — white coat, tie, smart trousers, a smart shirt.
ANI |
The bhakti practised with the thought of injuring another, or out of hypocrisy, jealousy, anger and pride and for the satisfaction of selfish desires is the tamasa type of bhakti. — Bhagavata Purana, III. xxix .8 The bhakti practied for gaining wordly objects, fame and power, with the notion of difference, and in the form of worship of idols and other symbols, is the rajas type of bhakti. — Bhagvata Purana, III. xxix. 9 |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 122 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Loot and be happy. This seems to be the mantra of the powers that be. Everything in this country swings with those who have coveted positions of power and influence. It generates the same pattern of behaviour irrespective of one's caste or community background. Why is it so?