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Show them the door Food for thought |
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Lie detection Sometimes it is best not to know the truth SOMEWHERE in England, presumably in James Bondian surroundings, M16 agents are being trained to spot liars. The special skills are expected to make an agent sound like a friendly priest in a confession box.
The rise of Condi Rice
The right choice, baba!
Afghanistan— abandoned to drugs Mirpur refugees await relief
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Show them the door FUTURE generations may find it hard to believe that there was an age and time when ministers used to have something called collective responsibility. Once a decision was taken in a Cabinet meeting, it was honoured and defended by everyone. Today, ministers criticise almost every such decision none too guardedly the moment they come out of the meeting. As if that is not bad enough, they have also taken to bad-mouthing each other. This kind of irresponsible behaviour has crossed all limits of civility of late. The other day, Union Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh publicly accused his colleague Ram Vilas Paswan of sheltering dacoits (“Daku paalte hain”). To pay him back in the same coin, the Steel Minister countered: “Raghuvansh Babu ke yahan sab sadhu palte hain kya?” (Are there only saints at Raghuvansh’s house?). A minister using such street language is shocking enough. Aiming it at a ministerial colleague is simply unbelievable. Things have come to such a pass because a lot of nonsense has been accepted in the name of exigencies of coalition politics. Regional satraps have carried their petty rivalry to the national level, vitiating the atmosphere no end. It is high time a cap was put on such uncouth behaviour. Dr Manmohan Singh has the Prime Ministerial authority and moral stature to discipline his bickering ministers. If the Prime Minister tells them in no uncertain terms that they must behave like mature persons if they want to stay in the Cabinet, the point will definitely sink in. For form’s sake, they may even make noises but such is the lure of ministerial perks that none is going to precipitate a crisis. There is also the larger question of an unholy nexus between the politicians and the criminals. Leaders from Bihar are particularly notorious for shielding gangsters. In fact, they not only shield them but also actively utilise them in doing their dirty work. Recent reports have graphically described how they indulge in abduction and ransom rackets. To that extent, the wordy duel between Mr Singh and Mr Paswan may be telling the truth. And for nothing else than disclosing what may be a state secret they should be shown the door — both of them. |
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Food for thought THE proverbial route to a child's heart is through his stomach, but this is obviously a lesson lost on those entrusted with the education of children. The recent incident of food unfit for consumption being given to school children in Kaithal is shocking, to say the least. Students of government-run primary schools were being given meals under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan project, but instead of a wholesome meal, what they got to eat were worm-infested grains and porridge made of fungus-affected soyabean nuggets. If only this was an aberration, it could have not caused so much concern. For over a fortnight, schools in Kurukshetra haven't received their share of food supplies for the midday meal scheme. On the other hand, teachers are cribbing about “additional burden” imposed by the scheme. There have been reports from other areas in Haryana about inadequacies in the implementation of the project. Punjab has been tardy in implementing the midday meal scheme, with Moga district taking the lead. There have been problems in Himachal Pradesh too, including some relating to caste bias. All these are primarily teething problems. The midday meal scheme was originally introduced in Tamil Nadu more than two decades ago and it has won high praise from international fora, including UNICEF. Over the years, it has been streamlined and improved to such an extent that even with change of governments there has had no adverse effect on feeding schoolchildren. Besides providing essential nutrients to the children, this has also become an attraction that draws them to schools. This is how it should be. Education department officials and others should ensure that there are adequate supplies and proper arrangements to provide meals to schoolchildren. Whoever is guilty of lapses should be pulled up and measures taken to ensure that such unhygienic, if not harmful, food is not given out. This is an initiative that needs to be expanded to areas that have not been covered so far. Help could also be sought from NGOs and the corporate sector. The midday scheme is too important to be derailed by improper monitoring or inefficiency. |
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Lie detection SOMEWHERE in England, presumably in James Bondian surroundings, M16 agents are being trained to spot liars. The special skills are expected to make an agent sound like a friendly priest in a confession box. So long as they use their skills on terrorists no one should protest. They should be warned not to try their skills on their spouse. They should never ask their wives whether one of their several children has a different father. One spy did and his marriage of 25 years broke up because the wife named him as the sire of the odd child out. Sometimes, it is best not to know the truth. Which Indian leader would want the British agents to investigate Telgi or Abu Salem? The effectiveness of these human “smoke outers” will be known when the terrorists crumble like stale cookies before them. The training is said to be so effective that Osama bin Laden will sing like a canary on just seeing the special agent. Father Terror recently managed to smuggle in another tape into the US of A on the eve of the most crucial election for Dubya? The President at that point would have given his best friend’s (read John Kerry) right hand to anyone who produced before him a lean and mean looking bearded bloke dressed up as Osama. To prove the new technique’s effectiveness M16 should request President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair to have a session with its operators. If the agents don’t blink first, the international community should have it straight from the horses’ mouth that they had indeed lied about the WMDs in Saddam’s backyard. The lie detecting skills can have wider application if M16 agrees to let its agents come into contact with Indian politicians. It will be a huge risk. Chances are the M16 agents would lose the skill of differentiating between truth and untruth. The desi netas have the extraordinary ability of making the most blatant lie sound like a verse from the scriptures. |
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Marriage isn’t a word... it’s a sentence! — King Vidor
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The rise of Condi Rice THE world has greeted with trepidation the naming of America’s first black woman Secretary of State, Ms Condoleezza Rice, to head the State Department. She climbs into the oversized shoes of Mr Henry Kissinger in jumping from the office of National Security Adviser to Foggy Bottom. Her stint was totally ineffectual in mediating the battles between the powerful Vice-President Dick Cheney and the Pentagon on one hand with a beleaguered Colin Powell on the other. And the dissenting voice of moderation of the State Department, however inconsequential it proved to be, will be missing in a reinforced and ideologically driven administration. In the American system of government, the President enjoys immense powers, with constitutional checks and balances being eroded every day in an Information Age of spin and propaganda. The power of a Cabinet minister or another official flows from his or her proximity to the tenant in the White House. Mr Kissinger enjoyed a close relationship with President Richard Nixon and, in a sense, took over the presidency in foreign policy-making while his boss was preoccupied with fighting off the Watergate scandal. But he was an academic of a rare breed and matched his intellectual prowess with a talent for bureaucratic in-fighting. The influence of Ms Condi Rice, as she is known, also stems from her close proximity to President George W. Bush. She was, in effect, his foreign policy tutor and conceived her job as his alter ego and articulator of the neoconservative view of the world. Instead of coordinating the different power centres in the administration and resolving disputes between them, she clubbed with Mr Cheney and Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to swing her weight behind such concepts as fighting preventive wars and the use of unmatched US power to bend the world to her country’s will. Ms Condi Rice will certainly be more effective than Mr Powell in talking to the world because unlike him, she will be talking with the full authority of the President. By the same token, Europe and the rest of the world will lose their interlocutor in America’s corridors of power. The question then boils down to the kind of policies the re-elected George W. Bush wishes to pursue in his second term. Will he press on with his preventive wars — the rhetoric on liberty has already been notched up a decibel — after taking a breather necessitated by the difficulties faced in digesting the invasion of Iraq? The signs are ominous. With a former Republican Congressman now in the process of bringing the Central Intelligence Agency to heel, Ms Rice’s first task will be to crush ideological subversives in the State Department — men and women who believe that diplomacy, rather than sheer power, is the better way to achieve national objectives. As was to be expected, the staunchest critics of the neoconservative ideology espoused by President Bush is to be found in the State Department, America’s face to the world. In line with the top resignations in the CIA, more resignations can be expected in Foggy Bottom in coming weeks and months. One objective of President Bush in nominating Ms Rice is to centralise authority; significantly, her deputy has been elevated to the post of National Security Adviser. With the Senate and Congress in Republican hands, the second term will see an enviable accretion of power to the White House. President Bush’s ultimate goal of building a permanent Republican majority can only gain fillip by nominating conservative judges in the vacancies that are expected to arise in the Supreme Court. Shall we then see more of the same in a concentrated form in Bush II? President Bush’s decision to opt for diplomacy in the cases of North Korea and Iran through the six-party mechanism in the first case and a European Troika in the second was determined by the mess in Iraq. American forces are overstretched and the strain in men and treasure by going it alone, with Britain and other subservient nations, is beginning to tell. All efforts for the present are directed at holding credible elections in Iraq at the end of January, which might give a patina of legitimacy to the proclaimed intention of bringing democracy to the benighted country. Given the personnel changes being made in the administration and the rhetoric of establishment figures from the President down, the neoconservative Strategic Doctrine of 2002 remains very much in place. The pursuit of ambitious goals will be accelerated, given President Bush’s belief in the Oscar Wildean adage of nothing succeeding like excess. How else can a born-again Christian steeped in the illusion of spreading democracy like manna from heaven view the success of his re-election bid? Despite the racial divide, Ms Condi Rice is, like her boss, an avid sports fan and is, besides, an accomplished pianist. At 50, she is single and has a rare determination to succeed in what she does. Her area of specialisation in political science has been the Soviet Union and Russia. We can expect a spring-cleaning in the State Department. Dissenters and those who do not have a stomach for preventive wars will be forced out, if they do not resign. Traditionally, officials find shelter in think tanks when the party they have backed loses power, but the new exodus from the administration will include Republicans of the moderate and originally conservative varieties. We can expect more spin from the State Department. Ms Rice had no problem in accepting the fiction of Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction from the Pentagon and the office of Vice-President Cheney. Her infamous comment, “We can’t wait for the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud”, has already gone into history books. Like her boss, she believes in the use of US power for freedom and democracy — and many other things besides. Ms Rice can lick the State Department into shape by putting it in the straitjacket of neoconservative philosophy. One can only recall the great welcome Colin Powell received on entering Foggy Bottom as a demoralised bureaucracy rallied round him as the new Secretary of State’s popularity ratings soared. Nearly four years later, he has left his supporters angry. Ms Rice will not be greeted with similar enthusiasm on taking office and one wonders how her colleagues and the world will view her in 2008. |
The right choice, baba! NO!” I said firmly, “I shall not accept governorship.” But the veteran politician’s voic from Delhi persisted:
“Please don’ break my heart. Think again — it’s after all a big state where I hope to become the chief in the coming elections. You, my fellow officer in municipal corporation at one time, could help me out in tricky situations.” “But bhai, many Governors are treated shabbily and forced to leave through the backdoor. I am not good at packing things suddenly and …” “Don’t worry,” he laughed gently, “we shall coach you quietly on all crucial aspects of governance — like hoisting the National Flag and following it up with the traditional tea party on Independence Day. We won’t allow the Tamil Nadu episode to repeat…” “But bhai, packing up suddenly, and things like…” “Don’t worry,” he laughed again, “I will myself teach you quietly from my own experience as a minister who had to quit many times. Remember, governorship is a light job. Cutting ribbons with total sincerity, sitting solemnly in public functions, playing old aunt to politicians and the public exhorting them all to work hard for upholding values, issuing greetings on important days, expressing sympathy for bereaved families …” I protested that I had no experience for carrying out such grave tasks impressively. Besides, my backache and other numerous ailments could stand in the way of discharging such heavy responsibilities on which alone our democratic fabric stood stoutly. I reminded him that our whole idea of governance was based on such vital ceremonies like laying foundation stones, inaugurating bhavans, singing soul-stirring bhajans in praise of leaders of your party, and, and … “Wah-wah!” he exclaimed in joy.” I knew you were the right choice, baba. What a pompous speech you have made, so perfectly gubernatorial! I remembered how you used to put off people approaching you with problems during our municipality days. And ha, your old age and ailments will be additional assets. Our sentimental public may even worship you if we transport you occasionally on stretchers for presiding over festivals...” I yielded soon, reluctantly. Would the state government be ‘consulted’ before appointing me? “Before?” he guffawed. “We always consult after such appointments. Statecraft, you see. But don’t worry, my municipality experience has stood by me solidly in dealing with such affairs. You too will become a solid politician within days of joining us.” I thanked him. “Meanwhile,” he whispered before hanging up, “pick up little, little skills like taping telephone conversations
...” |
Afghanistan— abandoned to drugs
THREE years after the fall of the Taliban, the United Nations issued a dramatic plea for help yesterday, saying that Afghanistan’s opium crop is flourishing as never before and the country is well on the way to becoming a corrupt narco-state. The UN’s annual opium survey reveals that poppy cultivation increased by two-thirds this year, a finding that will come as a deep embarrassment to Tony Blair, who pledged in 2001 to eradicate the scourge of opium along with the Taliban. So alarmed is the UN that it is suggesting a remedy more radical than any that has been put forward before - bringing in US and British forces to fight a drugs war similar to the war on terror. It wants them to destroy farmers’ crops on a massive scale before they can be harvested. The report from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODOC) says the narcotics trade is far bigger than anybody had realised. Most experts in Afghanistan believe it is a more significant factor in the continuing violence and instability than the Taliban insurgency. On the eve of the Afghan war Mr Blair informed the Labour Party conference that “90 per cent of the heroin on British streets originates in Afghanistan”. Despite evidence from the UN that the Taliban was suppressing the drugs trade, Mr Blair said: “The arms the Taliban are buying today are paid for by the lives of young British people buying their drugs on British streets. That is another part of their regime we should seek to destroy.” There is growing evidence, however, that despite some improvements, Afghanistan has become a failed state. It is now ranked by the UN as the second worst country in the world to live in — after Sierra Leone. British officials point out that the Afghan economy is booming, that three million refugees have returned home and that four million children are in schools. But yesterday’s report reveals that the engine of economic growth is opium production. Last year Afghanistan exported 87 per cent of the world’s supplies. Opium is now the “main engine of economic growth and the strongest bond among previously quarrelsome peoples”, according to the UN. Most of the opium is smuggled across the Pakistan border, where the Taliban and al- Qa’ida charge drug traffickers transit and protection fees. The UN report for 2003 found that one in 10 Afghans — many of them unemployed returned refugees — is involved in the drugs trade which last year employed 2.3 million people, and made up 60 per cent of gross national product. In just one year the area under cultivation increased by 64 per cent. Output was estimated at 4,200 tons, a 17 per cent increase on last year with only disease and bad weather acting as drag factors. The only year with bigger output was 1999, before a Taliban edict completely stopped production. Antonio Maria Costa, executive director of UNODC, urged Nato and the US-led alliance to fight the drugs trade and gave a warning in words usually reserved for war. “In Afghanistan drugs are now a clear and present danger,” he said. The US, worried about narcotics funding terrorism, is promising to spend $780m (£420m) next year on a war against drugs. Some money will be spent on alternative livelihoods for farmers, but most will probably go on measures such as spraying poppy fields, currently being discussed in Washington, and transporting drugs barons to US courts to stand trial. Before going to war on the Taliban, Mr Blair promised Afghans: “This time we will not walk away from you.” Last week he vowed that a fresh assault on Afghanistan’s opium poppy trade is to be launched. Britain is leading the international effort to stem production and has provided £70m over three years to fight the trade.
— By arrangement with The Independent, London |
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Mirpur refugees await relief ON November 25, 1947, Mirpur, a scenic town and district headquarters of erstwhile J&K state, was attacked by Pakistani invaders. Since then all Mirpuris, wherever they are, assemble at a particular place in their respective towns on the last Sunday of this month to pay homage to their kinsmen who fell victim to the Pakistani aggression. This once blooming town was ultimately submerged into the Mangala dam of Pakistan. After three to four days’ wearisome foot march, the survivors of Mirpur reached the Indian Army camp at Jhangar. Although no one among us was lucky enough to have escaped with all his family members, they were, in fact, better off than the rest, who fell to the enemy bullets, were captured and held as captives at the Alibeg camp. Those who could reach Jammu, according to a rough count by the rehabilitation department, could hardly cross the 4,600 mark. We had to move from pillar to post in search of assistance from the government. Each uprooted family was given a paltry sum of Rs 3500 as an ad hoc grant, provided the total income of all its members was less than Rs 150 p.m. The linking of the relief amount to income made a mockery of the rehabilitation exercise. Many of the deserving refugees became ineligible for such a dole. The package was opposed by various refugee associations, including our Chandigarh branch, saying that Rs 3,500 was insultingly low. The income clause was unheard of. We were, however, given to understand that the current grant was just to set up “chullah-chouka” and another grant befitting the holocaust we had undergone would be disbursed soon. That such a solemn promise made by a government can be kept pending for more than 50 years is unbelievable. After a long and anxious persuasion by refugee organisations, the NDA government at last decided to end ad hocism by paying Rs 25,000 to each eligible family as full and final relief. But the new package dated August 9, 2000, is still on paper only. The NDA government had acted more skimpily. The new guidelines are most stringent and harsh. Those who stayed in camps will also be ineligible. This clause is enough to bring down the number of beneficiaries to a microscopic minority. It is an irony of fate that the demands of Mirpuris are still in the melting pot. It is not the case that they are without sympathisers or well-wishers. A former Chief Justice, Dr Mehr Chand Mahajan, was Prime Minister of J & K when Mirpur was captured. He was married at Mirpur and most of his relatives had sacrificed their lives during the attack. Mr I.K. Gujral, who was Prime Minister of India not very long ago, belonged to Jhelum, a gateway to Mirpur, and was fully aware of the atrocities perpetrated on innocent souls. With the confidence-building measures sponsored at the behest of both India and Pakistan gaining momentum, we are hopeful that a new dawn is about to break. We feel elated to find people of all walks of life visiting us. Even residents of PoK have started pouring in. Anyhow, the moot question is: can we Mirpuris visit our motherland? Talk is hot at both the centres of power that a bus service from Srinagar to Mazffarbad is in the offing. How is it? Nobody has ever talked of a bus service from Jammu to Mirpur. We learn that a new Mirpur at a hillock called “Palah ka Gala” has sprung up. I feel we Mirpuris should take a pledge to sacrifice our relief grants, hanging fire so far, if we are not allowed to visit our motherland as a free man. |
In a word, there are three things that last forever: faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these is love. — Mother Teresa Self-control, pure life, perception of the Noble Truths and the realisation of Nibhana. This is the Supreme Blessing. — The Buddha God is beyond incarnation; He is self-existent. — Guru Nanak Faith is not like a delicate flower which would wither away. — Mahatma Gandhi Hinduism is not strictly a religion. It is based on the practice of Dharma, the code of life. — Essence of Hinduism |
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