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Advantage Mulayam Practical move |
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Preventable deaths
Quest for new UN chief
One out of ten
Mufti to step aside in Nov, says Mehbooba Chatterati
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Advantage Mulayam THE Mulayam Singh Yadav government in UP is in dire straits. It is under attack from major political parties because of the deteriorating law and order situation highlighted by the murder of a BSP legislator allegedly at the hands of a Samajwadi Party leader. The BJP and the BSP want President’s rule in the state. The Congress too has no love lost for the government it has been supporting ever since it was formed in 2003, but its hands are tied because of the dilemma it is faced with. The Congress has been criticising the state government on every issue, rendering its support “meaningless”, as party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi admitted on Friday. But the Congress cannot afford to be the cause for the end of Mulayam rule despite Mr Singhvi stating that his party is not opposed to the dismissal of the government. The Left parties providing crucial support to the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre are in favour of allowing the SP government to survive with a view to keeping the “communal forces” at bay. Most constituents of the UPA, including even Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal, are against the use of Article 356 for imposing President’s rule in UP. Their logic is if it is used in UP today it can be used anywhere else tomorrow to settle scores. This means the fate of the Congress-led UPA government will be in jeopardy if it upsets the applecart of Mr Mulayam Singh. The Congress is simply helpless! The BJP has come to the rescue of Mr Mulayam Singh in a strange way. It has demanded dismissal of the UP government and holding of mid-term elections. This means that any action against his government at the behest of the Congress will mean the Congress helping the BJP to achieve its objective. Mr Mulayam Singh is too shrewd to exploit this scenario to take on his adversaries even if the developments lead to a fresh poll. The Congress can, of course, pose a threat to the SP supremacy in UP only in the company of the BSP. But how far Ms Mayawati is prepared to go with the Congress is difficult to say at this stage. |
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Practical move THE annual return that the government gives to provident fund contributors flies in the face of financial logic. While it gets only 6 or 7 per cent from the deployments of these funds, it gives out as much as 9 per cent. The government pays the huge deficit from the exchequer. But non-government provident funds are in a difficult situation. They just cannot match the rates being given by the government. When we are talking of a portfolio of about Rs 1,35,000 crore, the shortfall itself tends to be staggering. At long last, the government has allowed them to invest up to 5 per cent of their total portfolio in the equity market. Not only that, they can also put in 10 per cent in corporate debt or equity-oriented mutual funds. This will ensure slightly better returns. These reforms and the new norms for exposure to government securities will ultimately help the PF contributors themselves, because their money will be better utilised. Enough safeguards seem to have been woven into the mechanism to ensure that there is no reckless investment. One, the 5 per cent cap will ensure that only a small fraction of the assets will be open to the vagaries of market fluctuations. Two, the assets can be invested only in shares of blue-chip companies and equity-oriented mutual funds. Both of these will have to possess an investment grade rating from two credit rating agencies. In other words, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) will keep a hawk’s eye on the investments. Besides offering better returns, the government move will also pump in about Rs 20,000 crore into the stock markets, reviving their health considerably. This will, hopefully, have an impact on the industrial climate of the country as well. That is the kind of push that India badly needs at this stage. Now it is for the regulatory authorities to ensure that the hard-earned money of millions of subscribers is invested sagaciously and carefully. |
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Preventable deaths THOUGH the infant mortality rate (IMR) in the country has been on the rise, the authorities have not formulated a comprehensive strategy to tackle it. The scene in Maharashtra is disturbing. According to the latest report by the Evaluation Committee on Child Deaths set up by the Maharashtra Government, the state loses as many as 1,20,000 children a year. The IMR in the state is 45 per thousand live births. The picture is much more disturbing in other states. According to the Census of India figures, it is 52.8 in Punjab, 68.6 in Haryana and 61.4 in Himachal Pradesh. The State of India’s Newborns report (December 2004) states that the all-India average of the neo-natal death rate is 44 per 1,000. This accounts for half of all under-five child mortality and nearly two-thirds of all infant mortality (death before the age of one). The optimism that accompanied the introduction of the Integrated Child Development Scheme and the Child Survival and Safe Motherhood Programme in the initial years seems to be missing now. This is surprising because the two schemes did bring about a reduction in neo-natal deaths. Though neo-natal deaths account for one-third of infant mortality, the policy focus has shifted to post-neo-natal deaths. NGOs have chipped in to compensate for the shortcomings in government hospitals, but they are only concentrating on curative care, leaving the poor people in the lurch. There is need for an overall policy change to tackle the problem of child deaths. In particular, the ICDS and the Pradhan Mantri Gramodyog Yojna should focus on child care and nutrition, not just on food supplementation. The healthcare systems need adequate infrastructural support, including trained Anganwadi workers. Most children can be saved from the jaws of death through a combination of good care, nutrition and medical treatment. It is said that simple measures like exclusive breastfeeding for six months and full access to immunisation can prevent child deaths by about 16 per cent. Proven strategies and interventions such as keeping the newborn baby sufficiently warm and neonatal resuscitation can also help. |
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Each man is the smith of his own fortune. — Appius Claudius Caecus |
Quest for new UN chief
Among the many attributes that a Secretary-General of the United Nations is required to have by convention is an unusual name. From Trigvie Lie to Kofi Annan, every Secretary-General sported a name that took people time to learn, whether it is the spelling or the pronunciation. Even a seemingly simple name like U Thant caused confusion as the honorific, U for uncle that the Burmese use with their names was mistaken for his first name. The Secretary-General cannot be from any of the permanent members of the Security Council, or from any country which has a dispute with another nation. Small, neutral countries with good relations with the US have a good chance. The qualifications and the experience of the candidate are no less important once the other criteria are met. Knowledge of French too is essential as France is known to have strong views on this point. This time around, the added attribute is that he should be from Asia, the continent having stood down for a term to facilitate a second term for Mr Kofi Annan, giving Africa an unprecedented 15 years. These attributes automatically rule out several candidates, but that has not prevented anyone from aspiring for the job. Their supporters think that there will always be a first time to make an exception. The names of Bill Clinton, Mohammad Khatami, Maurice Strong, Jean Chretien, Ali Alatas and Shashi Tharoor, who do not fulfil one criterion or another, have been mentioned as possible contenders. Although the East European Group has lost its political identity, it has challenged the notion that it is the turn of Asia this time on the ground that East Europe has not had a Secretary-General so far. President Aleksander Kwasniewsky of Poland is supposed to have the support of the group. Those who believe in convention have focused attention on the small countries in South and South-East Asia, where there is no dearth of people with the right qualifications and experience. The front runner for a time was a former Foreign Minister of Thailand, Mr Surin Pitsuwan, though Tommy Koh and Kishore Madhubani of Singapore, Mr Razali Ismail of Malaysia and Jayantha Dhanapala of Sri Lanka were not far behind. The first to announce his candidature, however, was the then Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, Tyronne Fernando, who said modestly during his campaign that he would withdraw if a better candidate entered the field. The recent endorsement by the ASEAN countries at their summit in Laos of Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai has made him a front runner, even though he does not have the added attraction of Islam that Surin Pitswan had. But he has all the attributes, including a tough name. Earlier reports indicated that he was not fluent in French, but at a recent Francophone summit in Burkina Faso, Surakiart made it a point to speak in French and he spoke it reasonably well. Thailand is a non-controversial country and has cordial relations with the US. Surakiart’s credentials are impeccable, with Harvard and Tufts degrees and vast experience in peace-making at a relatively young age (46). Interestingly, Thailand is an Observer in the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) and has sought Observer status in the group of Francophone countries. None of the permanent members is likely to veto him and he may be able to get broad support. The dialogue partners of ASEAN like India, China and Japan are expected to be specially inclined towards the ASEAN candidate, though none of them has taken a position. The US attitude to the ASEAN candidate is also unknown. Jayantha Dhanapala of Sri Lanka, whose candidature has been confirmed recently, has the same advantages as Surakiart and, in addition, his reputation as the person who delivered the perpetuation of the NPT and his record as the Under Secretary-General for Disarmament may make him a better candidate in the eyes of the US. With the ASEAN endorsement of Surakiart, other ASEAN aspirants will emerge only if his candidature fails. Therefore, the contest may well be between Thailand and Sri Lanka. India will have a hard time choosing between the two when Sri Lanka seeks SAARC endorsement. The absence of veto rather than general support is the main factor in the election of the Secretary-General. Boutros Ghali got 14 votes for his second term, but one veto denied him the customary five more years. The French had threatened to veto Annan, but relented when they were sure that Ghali would not make it. The repeated US veto against Salim Salim of Tanzania and the Chinese veto against Waldheim landed Mr Perez de Cuellar in the chair as he was the only one among a dozen candidates who had no veto against him, a fact that Olara Otunnu, the young Ugandan who chaired the Security Council, discovered in a straw poll. De Cuellar was fishing in Peru when he was chosen by the Security Council. A veto or threat of a veto can change the situation dramatically any time and a totally unexpected name may emerge from the consultations, setting all conventions aside. Bill Clinton may have wide support despite his obvious disqualification. Shashi Tharoor, with his felicitous pen and demonstrated diplomatic skills, has great credentials as a brilliant insider of the UN system like Kofi Annan. As an aspirant for permanent membership and a country with a special position on some UN matters, India may not qualify to provide a Secretary-General, but Tharoor’s nationality should not be an impediment as he has never been a practitioner of Indian diplomacy. At least one permanent member has indicated that Mr Tharoor may be considered a compromise candidate. Talk of electing the first ever lady Secretary-General has thrown up names of Gro Brundtland, Sagaka Ogata, Nafis Sadik, Najma Heptulla and others Two years are a long time in making and unmaking of personalities and in shaping the international situation. A word here or an action there may unsettle even agreed arrangements. Moreover, the investigation on the oil-for-food scandal and the reform exercise may produce new heroes and villains. An ASEAN diplomat said that the endorsement of Surakiart was motivated by the wise saying, “it is the early bird that catches the worm.” A counter to that wisdom is that it is the early worm that gets caught! The writer, a former ambassador, has represented India at the UN in New York, Nairobi and Vienna. |
One out of ten
Taking advantage of the smiling sun on a Sunday morning, I decided to complete the task I’d shelved for a week — grading examination sheets. I carefully went through the question paper before picking up the first of the 10 answer sheets. The student began rather well but beyond the first few lines drifted from the point. She seemed to have written what she knew and not what was asked from her. Dismayed, I stamped the evaluation with a disappointed tch-tch and a sardonic shake of the head. More sheets, and the displeasure only got more voluble and vigorous. What is this? Didn’t they come prepared? Couldn’t they comprehend it at all? They appeared to have no use of grammar! A question on the role of certain something had made an ingenious somebody fill three pages on its important and significant role. The only catch here was that the words “important role” came up more than a dozen times minus the elaboration on its importance. Had I not been irritated by the occurrence, I could have marvelled at the tenacity with which the question was attempted and the consistency with which the camouflage words were used — they went in circles refusing to divulge the significance of significant. Gosh, surely if an examiner is not alert enough or if he slips into languidness which comes with checking answer sheets, not to mention the heady sun, he could very well get psyched into seeing that insignificant read 10 times over turns significant — and may be becomes worthy of passing muster. Another to join the camouflage gang came in the shape of an artist. His paper looked amazingly neat and appealing. Recharged, the eyes read with hope. But in between the neatly arranged and underlined crossheads with different colours, there were only some more painstaking left and right alignments — little else. At the end of it all, the paper had all the makings of a shiny but inedible apple. The letdowns, thankfully, came to an end with an answer sheet that said it all. The answers radiated intelligent comprehension and were clear, lucid and neatly written. Just as I was generously marking the bright spark’s responses, the phone rang. Soon I was pouring out the details of the three hours’ misadventure under the sun. After a small pause, my friend chirpily responded: “Hey, take heart, your lectures made sense to at least one of the 10”. It was hard not to burst into laughter. The show no doubt was disappointing. But now I knew whom to point the finger at.
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Mufti to step aside in Nov, says Mehbooba Excerpts from an interview: Q: Comment on your experiences in the Lok Sabha. How is it different from being in the State Assembly? A:
The Lok Sabha is a bigger platform like the whole of India in one hall. Everybody tries to raise problems like that in the State Assembly and there is not much difference. It is a bigger canvas, where the members ask questions regarding their own states and constituencies. There is interaction with so many people and we hear different regional languages as some people prefer to speak in their own languages. Q: How do you look at the performance of your party in view of the last general elections, and by-elections in which the PDP made inroads into the NC bastions in Srinagar and also the election of Mufti Sayeed from the Pahalgam constituency? A: The victory in itself validates and vindicates our policies whatever we have adopted during two years. On the political front we have tried to fulfil the promises made by us. We have tried that common people feel secure, they are not harassed and there are no human rights violations. In case of any violations, action is immediately taken. We have really moved forward with vigour on the developmental front. Our biggest achievement is that we have been consistent in our political ideology. We have not changed it after we assumed power, be it the unconditional dialogue, better relations with Pakistan, opening of Muzaffarabad road, Sialkot road and the Kargil- Askardoo road. We have been on the job and we have pursued these things very seriously and consolidated our political agenda. We have taken up very big projects also that may take some more time. We keep the communication alive with the common masses. Our Chief Minister and other ministers move around freely and are not confined to the security zones. Secondly, among the people there is an awareness of their rights that lacked earlier. We have strengthened the roots of democracy here. Elections were being manipulated earlier, but now people feel that there are fair elections and it is their will that prevails. We had two byelections, one Lok Sabha election and there we have fought as if we are in the opposition. Q: What are the priorities of your government now? A: Now, our priorities are giving our people a feeling of some security that lacked there in the earlier regime. Second, people are demanding development as earlier they demanded nothing because of the tensions. Developmental works are on and the Prime Minister’s package of Rs 24000 crore is a big achievement. Out of this Rs 18000 crore is only for power projects. We have succeeded in getting funds from the ADB, and it is all going to be big money for developmental works that would generate employment. Now after the civic polls there would be a transparent and accountable set-up at the grassroot level. Q: Have you been successful in making your point vis-à-vis Kashmir issue in the Lok Sabha, as promised by you prior to the elections? A: I have spoken the most strongly about Kashmir issue and about opening of roads. I do not think any leader has spoken that much. I raised all issues, which I had promised. I have told the government at the Centre that the Kashmir issue needs to be resolved and roads opened, Indus Water Treaty needed to be compensated for and other issues sorted out. Q: How do you differentiate between Prime Ministers, Dr Manmohan Singh and Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee? A: Any PM in Delhi seeing the situation and the miseries of people of Kashmir, would like to resolve the problem. I do not think there is much difference. Vajpayee came here at a time when India and Pakistan leaders were not talking to each other and forces were in an eyeball-to-eyeball position on the borders for about one year. Seeing the mood on his visit here he extended a hand of friendship to Pakistan. Same is the case with Manmohanji. Q: Why has there been a delay in the initiation of dialogue with the separatist Hurriyat Conference, which had had two rounds of talks with the NDA government? A: I believe the Government of India can offer an unconditional dialogue. The separatists have to take the opportunity and come forward. There is no consistency on their part. Q: How do you look at shifting of power to the Congress party after three years in November this year? A: We are committed to the arrangement of coalition parties. Mufti Sayeed has a record of resigning several times as a minister in the State and at the Centre and not compromising to stick to the power. He has done his best to bring a change here. He is doing a job. In November, according to the arrangement, he will not stay even for a second there. His efforts have been acclaimed nationally and internationally. It is for the other side to decide and chose their person to hold the post. Q: How do you look at the NC demand of autonomy, particularly in view of the Union government’s stand taken on the issue? A:
Autonomy as a whole is a serious issue, but the NC has made it a gimmick by taking it up at the time of elections only. Even the people here look at it that way. There is nothing about Indus Water Treaty in the NC’s autonomy resolution and there are many things, which the autonomy resolution of NC lacks. Autonomy could also be put as one of the solutions, but it is not the last word. Q: How do you look at the change in the Indo-Pak relations following Baglihar issue? A: Baglihar is a serious issue. Both the countries need to review it in the sense that they need to sit together and talk about their losses. We need to sit and sort out how Kashmiris can be compensated. Our coalition government has put everything in this project. This should not come in the way of disturbing the whole peace process. Q: What about the promises made on POTA, SOG and other related matters? A: POTA has not been used during the past two years. Yasin Malik (JKLF) who was held under POTA is out. The people feel a lot of relief in the behaviour of the police and security forces. Human rights violations have declined. Whenever there are any reports, they are looked into, investigated and action taken. |
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A cinematic tribute by Devi Cherian Pratibha Advani, the daughter of our former Deputy Prime Minister, obviously is a multifaceted lady. She is much more than just her father’s shadow at gatherings. Pretty no doubt, but simple and down to earth. Her new film is an ode to India. Two things which have always fascinated her she has now managed to merge together in a unique documentary called “Ananya Bharti — a cinematic tribute to the motherland”. The documentary highlights patriotism in Indian cinema. It shows clips of Bollywood superhits like Refugee, Lagaan and The Legend of Bhagat Singh and personal interview of film stars Manoj Kumar and Sanjay Dutt etc. Pratibha’s film was initially introduced and screened for a select group of people at the Advani residence. Donning the role of compere was L.K. Advani, the proud father. And what an audience! Former PMs Vajpayee and I.K. Gujral, Home Minister Shiv Raj Patil, Sharad Pawar and Mr Amar Singh were among the political faces cutting across party lines. A large number of defence personnel, both retired and present, also watched this documentary and relished the delicious dinner.
Wedding songs of the past Pavan Varma is back in town for his winter vacation, and is again all over the papers and the Delhi social scene. Well, this winter a nostalgic Pavan launched a book of his mother on folk songs. Varma who has written the foreword recalled the genesis at its launch. The book launch coincided with a moving performance by Shubha Mudgal and a Kathak recital by Shovana Narayan. The evening saw many familiar page 3 people. After all how could they miss an opportunity to catch up with Pavan? For before he moved to Cyprus and then London (he is now the director of Nehru Centre in London) he was a regular in Delhi’s party circle. The song book penned down by Pavan’s mother, late Shakuntala Varma, is based on the cultural fabric and social history of the gangetic plains. It contains long-forgotten songs of traditional marriages.
Ganguly gang
oozes charm
The man who gave attitude to the boys in blue, Sourav Ganguly, was surrounded by a sea of humanity in the capital at a restaurant recently. The whole world and their aunt wanted autographs for their nieces and the skipper tried really hard to be nice to everyone. A few good cricketers converged at the capital to fulfil their sponsorship obligations. They do know how to let their hair down. Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Sunil Gavaskar and Yuvraj Singh all chilled out at the ICC bash here. The Delhites in the meantime could not get over their luck as Ganguly’s gang was relaxed and friendly. How the girls swooned over these good looking hulks! Yuvraj played the cool dude while our Royal Bengal tiger Ganguly was comparatively coy, Hey! But the man who really needs to be congratulated most is Virender Sehwag with his rustic charm. He has been featured in Time magazine as an Asian hero. Now that is great going for our Jat hero. |
Civil disobedience presupposes willing obedience of our self-imposed rules, and without it civil disobedience would be a cruel joke. — Mahatma Gandhi Anger must be sublimated into zeal for protecting the honour of God against the sacrilegious acts of profane people. — Guru Nanak The wise man is careful under all circumstances. When he speaks, he does not wish to hear the multitudes clapping in admiration. When he eats, he does not do it for sensual gratification. — The Buddha When our minds are taken up with thoughts of cars, houses and jewels; we begin to think of them as the final objective of life. A man in the grasp of such delusion cannot think of much else. Nothing appears worthwhile as these. — The Bhagvad Gita If he wants something to be done, He will give us the means.
— Mother Teresa  |
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