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Quest of peace No laughing matter |
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Towards a single market PM’s suggestion needs quick follow-up IN his first address to the nation on Thursday evening, Dr Manmohan Singh suggested the creation of a single market across the country for both manufactured goods and agricultural produce.
Tackling droughts
The spiritual in me
News analysis Are men better investors than women?
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Quest of peace A vital component of Dr Manmohan Singh's wide-ranging address to the nation on Thursday is his reassurance to Pakistan that India-Pakistan ties are very much on track. There were some misgivings on this count in Pakistan after the exit of the Vajpayee government. Even those who did not buy the argument that the relations stood derailed felt that the momentum had been lost. The new Prime Minister has sought to allay these fears in no uncertain terms. He has not only said that his government would actively pursue composite dialogue with Pakistan, he has gone so far as to mention that "we are sincere about discussing and resolving all issues, including Jammu and Kashmir". That is sign enough that Dr Manmohan Singh is willing to engage with Pakistan in the quest for peace and prosperity. To be sure, the reassurance from the Prime Minister can make all the difference on the eve of the meeting of the foreign secretaries of the two countries. The eagerness to improve relations is ordained not just by statesmanship but also by prudence. The never-ending tension has done no good to their respective health. The quality of life in both India and Pakistan will undergo a sea change if only they shed their traditional rivalry. Perhaps that is what all right-thinking people want. The world around them has changed beyond recognition while they remained glued to medieval enmity. However, in his own subtle way, Dr Manmohan Singh has also made it clear that the fences can be mended only if Islamabad reciprocates India's peace initiative. "It is evident that terrorism and violence would cause a dark shadow over this process," he has said. This is obviously to remind the neighbour that the eagerness to normalise relations should not be seen as any sign of weakness. A search of durable peace on the subcontinent has to be indeed a joint venture to be undertaken together by both President Musharraf and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. |
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No laughing matter FORMER Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee has not enhanced his image as an elder statesman by some of his recent statements. Early this month when he told a television channel at his summer home at Prini in Manali that the Gujarat riots were to blame for the BJP's defeat and Chief Minister Narendra Modi's removal would be discussed at the party's National Executive in Mumbai, many well-wishers of the party saw it as a positive development. But faced with opposition from the Sangh Parivar, he developed cold feet and refused to elaborate on the subject. All the while, most people thought he would pull strings from behind the scene and see to it that he was removed. The Mumbai meet is over but Mr Modi remains ensconced at Gandhinagar. Mr Vajpayee was described as the party's "tallest leader" at Mumbai by no less a person than Mr Venkaiah Naidu but few were keen to listen to his
advice. The hardliners in the party had a field day when they paid scant regard to the former Prime Minister's views on Mr Naidu. For him, it was the second time that he failed to convince the majority in the party's highest decision-making body on the need to show Mr Modi the door for turning a blind eye to the worst-ever riots that the state witnessed two years ago. The first time was when he expressed his displeasure over the riots and reminded Mr Modi about his 'raj dharma'. In retrospect, had Mr Vajpayee stuck to his decision and asked Mr Modi to go, he would not only have added lustre to his own image but would have endeared the BJP to a large section of the liberals in the country. It is not for no reason that it is said that a good man is a useless man unless he is able to assert his goodness. Little does Mr Vajpayee know that his credibility is at stake. Even by Mr Vajpayee's own standards of articulated ambivalence, his latest flip-flop on his desire to retire is simply mind-boggling. He startled partymen when he said in clear words, though Marathi, that he no longer wanted to remain at the helm of the party only to explain it away the next day as a "joke". It is sad that a leader of his eminence, known for his oratorical brilliance, has to take shelter in jokes. Sadder still is that the liberals have lost out to the hardliners in the BJP. In the process the country is a loser. |
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Towards a single market IN his first address to the nation on Thursday evening, Dr Manmohan Singh suggested the creation of a single market across the country for both manufactured goods and agricultural produce. This is a much awaited reform that needs to be pushed on priority, especially with the introduction of the value added tax (VAT) from April1. Right now there are inter-state restrictions on the movement of goods and foodgrains. The country is fragmented into many markets. This results in artificial shortage and glut situations. As a result, both consumers and producers suffer. Hoarders tend to exploit the situation in case of scarce commodities and producers suffer for want of remunerative prices available in a limited market. With the lifting of the curbs farmers will be free to sell their produce wherever they get the maximum price. Inter-state curbs made sense during the days of scarcity when hoarding was frequently resorted to. Each state protected its own interests. In today’s globalised economy free trade is encouraged. The European Union as emerged as a single market for its members. Goods move faster from production centres to areas that need them. Imports have become much more easier and faster. All this augurs well for consumers as they no longer remain captive users of high-cost local goods. The forces of demand and supply prevail and the market determines the price. A single market will particularly benefit foodgrain growers of Punjab and Haryana. They will no longer be at the mercy of local traders and government agencies to sell their produce. Traders and transporters will also gain by moving goods from areas of surpluses to those of scarcity. The government itself will stand to benefit as it would save huge amounts it currently spends on the procurement, storage and transportation of foodgrains. In this scenario the government will have to strengthen its public distribution system and check cartels from artificially creating a scarcity situation for a gain. |
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Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.
— Jeremy Kitson
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Tackling droughts DROUGHTS in the country have become a permanent feature and the severe drought during this year is perhaps the worst since the past few years. The matter was discussed in Parliament and during his intervention the then Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, announced to take up a massive programme of linking rivers emerging from the Himalayas to the rivers of the Southern parts of the country. This is no doubt a welcome move for better water supply and energy generation. However, only linking of rivers is not adequate to meet the permanent challenge of severe droughts occuring in the country. Inspite of the rivers like the Ganges flowing through Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have to face droughts on many occasions. Basically areas deprived from perennial irrigation are always affected by droughts. It has been estimated that even with all possible efforts at the most 50 per cent of the lands in the country may be brought under perennial irrigation and the rest will always remain dependent on rains. Huge resources and nearly 30-40 years will be required to complete the ambitious project of linking rivers. Heavy losses to environment and agonies of the displaced families cannot be ignored. Big dams could be undertaken only with due care of environment and simultaneous rehabilitation of the displaced families. Under the circumstances the best course is to scientifically conserve every drop of water whenever and wherever it rains, prevent soil erosion and control the devastating floods in the country. It has been established by voluntary organisations working in several parts of the country, social workers and systematically implemented programmes of the Central Government that a scientific microshed watershed development could conserve every drop of water in the vicinity and there is no scarcity of drinking water. To a great extent such developed areas have not suffered the wrath of severe droughts. The Central Government has already accepted an approach in the Sixth Five Year Plan to develop sustainable water security system for the country and has suggested the following strategy:
The revised National Water Policy (April 2002) of the Government of India while supporting this approach states:- “Non-conventional methods for utilisation of water such as through inter-basin transfers, artificial recharge of ground water and desalination of brackish or sea water, as well as traditional water conservation practices like rainwater harvesting, including rooftop rainwater harvesting, need to be practised to further increase the utilisable water resources. Water should be made available to water short areas by transfer from other areas, including transfer from one river basin to another, based on a national perspective, after taking into account the requirements of the areas/basins.” As a national consensus it should be unanimously resolved that water is both a natural and national resource and every citizen in the country is entitled to have equitable right in the use of water. No person could be the owner of underground or surface water. Water belongs to the whole of society and to the people of the country. In view of the constraint of resources, environmental problems and the long gestation period required for major projects, scientific micro watershed development for conserving every drop of water, wherever and whenever it rains and preventing soil erosion is the only solution which could take care of droughts, including drinking water. Besides it may be possible to provide water to seasonal crops, horticulture, agro-forestry etc. This approach will be applied in all catchment areas of big dams to prevent soil erosion and save the water reservoirs from further
siltation. Societies of the water users will be formed to recover reasonable charges from the actual users. Every drop of water used by beneficiaries in rural or urban areas will be charged on the basis of the used quantity of water. Cooperatives of the beneficiaries or water partnerships, will be encouraged all over the country. Water is required for the roots of the trees and crops and not for the whole of the field. Existing system of providing unlimited water to fields has created serious problems like salinity and waterlogging. Use of unwarranted fertilisers and pesticides has considerably harmed the soil texture. Surface or underground water users will be under an obligation to use sprinkler or drip irrigation system in their fields. Crops or industries consuming proportionately more water will be discouraged. R&D centres will be established to bring down the use of water in all sectors in cooperation with the existing national laboratories and agricultural universities. Pumping out water without recharging the aquifers will be regarded as setting the water itself on fire. After scientifically assessing the underground level of water the number of borewells or wells in a watershed unit will be prescribed with necessary restrictions. The Gram Sabha of a village will be authorised to lay such restrictions through efficient water management. The country has not paid adequate attention to recycling the used water and utilise it for domestic or agricultural purposes. Similarly, there is no compulsion to treat the water polluted by industries or by municipal bodies. It will be obligatory to treat the polluted water and to recycle the used water wherever possible. Evaporation of water is a serious challenge before all the countries in the world, particularly in tropical area like India. It is advisable to preserve the water under the ground and as far as possible use such green water. Traditionally simple and cost effective methods will be used to conserve water flowing from ridge to valley alongwith afforestation and
silvypasture. Traditional storage systems and other methods have great relevance. It has been estimated that the population of India will stabilise by the year 2050, when it would reach nearly 160 crore. It may be impossible to meet the basic minimum needs like water, food, cloth, etc. of 160 crore people. It has, therefore, become necessary to launch a peoples’ movement on the pattern of Kerala to effectively control the population of India. There should be a national resolve to restrict population to the level of 115 crore and also to control the growth of unproductive cattle. Luxurious style of living is the worst consumer of water. It has become unavoidable to change the way of living. The nation should resort to moderate simple living to bring down heavy demands on water, food etc. and ensure sustainable development. A holistic scientific approach and people’s involvement are essential to solve the chronic issue of droughts in the country. The Central Government has already set up separate Land Resource Department to implement a timebound programme of 15 years on the basis of the report submitted by the author and his proposal to constitute Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Mission for the Development of Wastelands and other Natural Resources is under the consideration of the Central Government. The timebound programme relies on scientific micro watershed and wastelands development. The writer is a former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission and former Union Cabinet Minister. |
The spiritual in me THOUSANDS
of wishes tumble upon each other in their anxiety to be free. Sometimes one sees oneself as a sufi swaying his head to the inner music, the self drowned in the holy chant. Sometimes an ascetic who has renounced the world, moving laboriously through mountainous treks, higher and higher into the Himalayas, trying through distance to imbibe the other worldliness. Sometimes a yogi in deep meditation, his mind at peace like Siva, his eyes closed to the mundane attractions of the world. Sometimes a temple priest performing the Arti even as the temple bells ring drawing in the cosmic vibrations. Sometimes I become a dancer rapt in her mudras swaying round and round even like the galaxy. Sometimes a note of a raga, distant and haunting like the morning dawn, rising with the gentle breeze, infinitely sweet with neither a beginning nor an end. Sometimes I become a prayer earnest and lofty where I and me is lost. Sometimes a blessing like the gentle shower or the rays divine filtering through the blue cloud. Sometimes an artist mesmerised by his own colours as they go swish, swish on the canvas which slowly becomes alive with every stroke. There is no limit to my expanse. Sometimes I am the night with its countless stars, that blankets and silences the clamour of the day. The moon that is with everyone, yet is out of reach. The tide that waves higher and higher to touch the moon only to be absorbed by the surfy ocean. The Buddha with his pleated Sanghati chanting Budham Sarnam Gachamiam,Sangham Sarnam Gachamiam under the majestic Pipal tree which joins the chant with its gentle rustling. The Jesus when he cures the suffering of the mankind by a single action of keeping his hand on the head of the sufferer saying “I am there for you”. I am a poet who pierces his heart with the pen he writes and breathes sensitivity. Sometimes a river that loses itself in each jump. Earth soft and fragile that opens its heart to the farmer's plough. A life that tears its embryo to fight against gravity and shoots out to reach the sky. A sunflower whose colour is a reflection of the sun’s, who droops as its beloved drowns in the distant horizon. A seed having the dormant potency of life. Wind which has no home and is a wanderer like the
faqir. Cloud holding the water of life, ready to shed it just to see the children dance and elders sigh. The horizon elusive, yet complete holding the earth and sky in its palm. The twilight where the day and night merge to lose their identities. Anything but
“me”. |
News analysis
THE recent rollback measures by Chief Minister Ms J. Jayalalithaa will cost the state exchequer at least Rs 3,000 crore a year and within two years of her regime, which is expected to last till May 2006, the state government will be left with a deficit of more than Rs 7,000 crore. In the Budget for 2004-05 the state had a closing deficit of Rs. 590.47 crore. While presenting the Budget, the Finance Minister, Mr C. Ponnaiyan, had said, “On the orders of the Chief Minister, this government has proposed several concessions.” He probably knew quite well that the Budget with no new taxes, just to please the people, would not take the state forward. When Ms Jayalalithaa inherited power from Mr M. Karunanidhi, the state had a revenue deficit of Rs 4,400 crore and a fiscal deficit of Rs 5382 crore. She certainly had a hard task on hand. She did try to carry it out and gain the favour of the electorate but it was her politics of vendetta, which failed her. Instead of trying to better the state’s economy, she was bent upon settling political scores and gain the favour of the people with her political shenanigans. But after being snubbed at the recent Lok Sabha elections in which the AIADMK and the BJP combine scored a duck in all the 40 seats (39 in Tamil Nadu and one in Pondicherry), she reversed all her major decisions taken during the last three years of her regime. The reduction in power tariff means a revenue loss of Rs 900 crore a year. The decision will benefit 116.57 lakh families throughout the state and their monthly electricity bills will be less by around 35 per cent. In 2001 the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board had a deficit of Rs 5,000 crore and it was then in a complete mess, but with resolute action the deficit was brought down to Rs 1,603 crore in 2004-2005. Her latest decision will put the board back to square. At a time when all state governments have discontinued free electricity to farmers, Ms Jayalalithaa has reintroduced it in Tamil Nadu. She blames the former DMK government for concurring with the memorandum of understanding with the Central government, which required observance of all principles set out in the Electricity Regulatory Commission’s Act, 1998. It included metering of all consumers including farm pump sets and huts and discontinuing free electricity. Though she has not quantified the expenses for providing free power to the farmers but going by what economists say her funds will be depleted at least by Rs 1,500 crore a year. Next comes, the free supply of eggs to schoolchildren who already were being provided a free mid-day meal. Poultry farmers in Namakkal district have been facing a hard time for the last few years because of the scare of bird flu and exports of eggs from the state also suffered. This will cost the state exchequer another Rs 2 crore a year. She has also tried to please the dairy farmers by increasing the procurement price of milk by 20 per cent, another burden to be borne by the state exchequer. Her decision to first sack all the 15,000 casual employees during last year’s strike by the state government employees and then reinstate them within 24 hours will cost the state exchequer another Rs 10 crore a year. Because of her recent decisions, Tamil Nadu’s financial burden has increased so much that there is an apprehension whether the 12 lakh state government employees and teachers will receive their salaries after six months. After two years, when the Chief Minister will have to face the elections, the state is likely to be bankrupt. But in Tamil Nadu who cares, because for politicians here the motto is to fool the people with populist measures. Mr Karunandidhi too seems to be just watching the fun. Because of electoral politics, he has not uttered a single word against the rollback measures. Ms Jayalalithaa’s game plan is well laid out. She has already started complaining about the step-motherly attitude of the Central government. When the state will be faced with a severe financial crisis, she will blame the DMK, which is sharing power at the Centre and try to create a sympathy wave in her favour. What the AIADMK supremo has not realised is if the electoral combination of the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) and the Congress continues till the next Assembly elections in 2006, it will be very difficult for her to come back to power unless a miracle happens. The electoral arithmetic of vote banks of the DPA and the Congress adds up to more than 60 per cent, which led to the total rout of the AIADMK-BJP combine in the recent Lok Sabha poll in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. The same is likely to be repeated in 2006, irrespective of her populist measures, which actually will plunge the state into economic darkness. |
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Are men better investors than women? ARE men really better at investing than women? Research from the share dealing division of the UK-based Halifax bank shows that men have been significantly better at predicting stock market performance over the last six months. If the research is a true insight into our psyches, then women need to start listening more carefully to the men in their lives - even if they need to follow them down to the local bar, the forum for much male discussion on investment. For a start, British men seem to be more likely to take an interest in the development of the index of top 100 UK companies (FTSE 100). About 25 per cent of men but only 11 per cent of women professed themselves interested when the Halifax questioned 2,000 adults last December. Sixty five per cent of men predicted where the FTSE 100 would be six months later within a 7 per cent error margin. Only 41 per cent of women got as close. Was this a one-off that would be seen as misleading if we looked over the long term? At the risk of generalising, it seems that men and women are very different in their attitudes to investments. In a small, statistically unsound survey of three independent financial advisers, it was that found they all saw women as more cautious, careful and less cavalier investors. `Women tend to be more pessimistic and look on the darker side,' says Garry Spencer of Wilbury Financial Management in Worthing, England. `Women are better at investing.' For instance, when the technology shares bubble burst in 2000, Spencer had not one female client invested in the sector — although several men — ‘often against my advice’ — invested in these stocks. ‘A lot of women have a nesting instinct in terms of looking after their family and their future,' says Justin Modray of BestInvest. ‘They don't want to risk gambling their future away.’ He likens male investors to male drivers, wanting to show ‘a bit more bravado'. ‘Men want to show they are good by finding investments which do better than the average. A lot of men like bragging about it in the bar -when it goes right, anyway. And when it doesn't go right, they probably go quiet or talk about football.' Caroline Anstee of Destini Fiona Price, an adviser specialising in female clients, agrees broadly with these sentiments and adds that men express themselves more confidently: `If you sat with a male stockbroker, you would tend to come out believing what they say. But a woman stockbroker would probably voice her reservations as well.' If, however, stock markets are about confidence and expectations in the market, then gauging the FTSE 100 is really about understanding male perceptions. Nearly 90 per cent of the UK's 1,600 fund managers are male, according to BestInvest. Could this mean that trips to the local bar are not just hedonistic experiences — but fieldwork for investment research?
— The Guardian |
Hinduism and all their religions are being weighed in the balance. Eternal truth is one. God also is one. Let every one of us steer clear of conflicting creeds and customs and follow the straight path of truth. Only then shall we be true Hindus. — Mahatma Gandhi Whosoever comprehendeth the truth will se the Blessed One. For the truth has been preached by the Blessed One. — The Buddha He who walks in the will of God, faces no hindrance. — Guru Nanak Be as devoid of vanity as the cast-away leaf carried by the high wind. — Sri Ramakrishna  |
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