O P I N I O N S

EDITORIALS

Patently petty
Don’t play politics on Patents Bill
PASSING the Bill on patents was necessary for the UPA government to meet a WTO obligation, but the five-hour debate in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday was revealing in more than one way. It showed how opportunistic and short-sighted the BJP can be. It was the government led by it that had moved the Bill in December 2003, but now in opposition, the party discovered certain harmful effects of the proposed legislation and wanted it referred to a standing committee.

Underhand education
Deal sternly with unrecognised varsities
HUMAN Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh has assured the Lok Sabha that the government would sternly deal with private universities that do not meet the University Grants Commission's norms. The fate of over 112 such institutions, located in Chhattisgarh, was sealed when the Supreme Court held them as 'unconstitutional' last month.

• Thought for the day

ARTICLE

US looks differently at India
Changing perceptions in emerging global order
by G Parthasarathy
An influential American academic who was recently in Delhi very candidly spelt out US global priorities in the coming years. While acknowledging that the “War on terrorism” had acquired new dimensions that would take considerable time to confront, he averred that continuing “primacy” in world affairs was the predominant aim of American policy.

MIDDLE

For the good of all
by J.L. Gupta
It was March 2004. Indian cricketers were playing in Pakistan. The government of Pakistan had relaxed the rules and permitted the people to pass the border without any problem. My nephews, Shireesh and Vicky, had availed of the opportunity. To see the place and meet the people. Also to watch the two teams play. And what an experience!

OPED

Casting couch which stings
by V. Gangadhar
Film journalist: How much would you strip for a role? Starlet: It all depends on what the role demands and if the scene is handled artistically by a competent director. I would never strip for the sake of stripping.

From Pakistan
‘Religion’ back in passport
ISLAMABAD: The religion column has made a heady — albeit surprising — return to its coveted place in the passport after a five-member ministerial committee backed its restoration.

• Pak in water ‘red zone’?

• India buyer of petro products

• MMA threatens to resign

Just don’t get too sick
by Joe Robinson
Even if you can’t make it to the local craps tables or you’ve spent your budget for Lotto tickets this week, chances are you’re still doing your part for the new Roulette Economy, thanks to an in-cubicle gaming program sweeping the American workplace.

REFLECTIONS

EDITORIALS

Patently petty
Don’t play politics on Patents Bill

PASSING the Bill on patents was necessary for the UPA government to meet a WTO obligation, but the five-hour debate in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday was revealing in more than one way. It showed how opportunistic and short-sighted the BJP can be. It was the government led by it that had moved the Bill in December 2003, but now in opposition, the party discovered certain harmful effects of the proposed legislation and wanted it referred to a standing committee. Did the party not understand fully the far-reaching implications of the Bill before introducing it? Its stand was hollow as a joint parliamentary committee has already discussed the Bill threadbare for two years in 40 sittings. The Leftists, who had opposed the Bill when the BJP introduced it, showed an amazing turnaround — and understanding — to support the Bill, saying their amendments had been incorporated.

A widely feared consequence of the Patents Bill is that it would raise drug prices. This is partly true. But the prices of only those medicines would shoot up which are of recent make or are still in the making. So far, the Indian government has allowed local drug manufacturers to copy patented drugs and produce them by using a different process, resulting in the availability of cheap medicines. Indian companies not only produced cheap patented drugs for local consumption, but also exported them much to the annoyance of Western drug manufacturers. They have made cheap AIDS drugs available to patients in African countries. Indian drug companies, which earlier produced only for domestic consumption, now export medicines worth Rs 16,000 crore.

Apart from medicines, the Bill also accords patent recognition to other products like chemicals, seeds, computers and mobile telephones. The law on patents will encourage research — with or without foreign collaboration. All members of the World Trade Organisation have to respect patents. Following the WTO rules is necessary to take advantage of global trade. Europe has been forced to scrap textile quotas. It is a give-and-take globalised world.

Underhand education
Deal sternly with unrecognised varsities

HUMAN Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh has assured the Lok Sabha that the government would sternly deal with private universities that do not meet the University Grants Commission's (UGC) norms. The fate of over 112 such institutions, located in Chhattisgarh, was sealed when the Supreme Court held them as 'unconstitutional' last month. The court passed the judgement on a public interest litigation filed by Prof Yashpal, a former chairman of the UGC. The Chhattisgarh Private Universities Establishment Ordinance has rightly been criticised since it makes a mockery of the established education system. No one, however, wants the students who have enrolled in these institutions to suffer. They number in thousands and would be reassured, since Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University had, in principle, agreed to consider affiliating them as 'special cases'. Of course, the rider is that these institutions must meet the required standards of higher and professional education.

While Chhattisgarh is in the spotlight at present, Uttaranchal is also tainted as are some other states. The UGC, which is responsible for the quality of higher education and monitoring of educational institutions, regularly issues a list of fake universities. Last year, there were 18 such institutions, the year before that, there were 20. There should have been none by now.

A major factor responsible for the proliferation of unrecognised universities is that there is still a market for degrees, not education. Many people try to take a shortcut and get a university degree, which helps them in their career. Often, they get caught, but this is apparently not a deterrent. There can be no sympathy for such persons, but there is also a class of people who are naïve and fall for the lure of cheap education, or just don't know any better. There should be a campaign to expose fake universities, not just an annual UGC naming exercise. The UGC, on its part, must also evolve a mechanism to evaluate new universities and other institutions of higher learning in a prompt manner so that new universities do not face uncertainty about certification for long.

Vehicle breakers
Slow and steady is right only for the tortoise

They are speed breakers only in name. In reality, they are axle breakers and even back breakers. You find them on all roads of India, particularly Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh. In these states, putting up speed breakers is a cottage industry. Nearly every influential person builds one in front of his house, particularly in rural areas. There is no upper limit on the height. Most of them can put a camel’s back to shame. The higher the better is the unwritten motto. So what if a vehicle’s chassis grates hard against them while negotiating the mount! The trouble is that even the regular travellers are caught unawares many a time. He may have noticed 50 humps while coming. By the time he returns, the number may have increased to 55. As it is, it is very difficult to go faster than 50 kmph on many of these roads. The speed breakers make sure that you drop the zero out of even that speed. No wonder, in some places, the bullock cart is still the fastest mode of transport.

Most drivers have been suffering the nuisance all these years lest they annoy the residents of the villages dotting the roadsides so much that they decide to erect walls instead. But now the Army has thrown its hands in despair. It has said that sophisticated electronic equipment on its vehicles is getting damaged because of these common sights. If the civilians add their voice too, perhaps some respite can be had.

Given the insanity of some drivers who think that every road is a Formula 1 racing track, perhaps some check on speed is unavoidable. But the authorities must specify the maximum height as also the angle of the speed breakers. At the same time, it is imperative that these are duly painted white, there are zebra lines next to them and signboards on both sides to caution the drivers that they are approaching a speed breaker.

Thought for the day

Genius never does what it must, and talent does what it can.

 — Owen Meredith

ARTICLE

US looks differently at India
Changing perceptions in emerging global order
by G Parthasarathy

An influential American academic who was recently in Delhi very candidly spelt out US global priorities in the coming years. While acknowledging that the “War on terrorism” had acquired new dimensions that would take considerable time to confront, he averred that continuing “primacy” in world affairs was the predominant aim of American policy. This “primacy” was to be achieved by increasing investments to maintain global military “dominance” by the US and by preserving its economic power. Politically, the US would seek to engage centres of influence like its NATO and EU Allies, Japan, Russia, China and India. While there is little doubt that the US can perpetuate its global military “dominance”, there are doubts whether it can retain its global economic clout, to the exclusion of other players.

The present global order is going to largely revolve around the directions that American policies take in quest for global “primacy”. After attempting to engage the US and secure American recognition and respect for its interests in the erstwhile Soviet republics, President Putin appears to have concluded that there is a conscious US effort to contain and undermine Russian influence in its “near neighbourhood”, especially in the light of the recent developments in Georgia and Ukraine. Japan has won “unambiguous” American support for its candidature for Permanent Membership of the Security Council after it joined the US on the Taiwan issue.

China is now perceived by the Americans as a long-term challenge and threat, though there are disagreements within the US on how the emergence of China as a competing global power in the Asia—Pacific can be handled. While President Bush sought to assuage the feelings of European Allies about his desire to eschew unilateral American actions like in Iraq, the trans-Atlantic alliance could receive a serious jolt if the Europeans go ahead with their intention to sell arms to China. The Americans will inevitably respond with technology sanctions if European powers proceed on this path, as it now appears likely.

New Delhi should see recent developments, including the visits of Ms Condoleeza Rice, former Japanese Primer Minister Mori and the forthcoming visit of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, in the light of these factors. While the focus of attention of Ms Rice’s visit was on her concerns about the gas pipeline from Iran, she did make some significant comments in Delhi and Islamabad. In Islamabad she unambiguously stated that the US was opposed to violence and terrorism in J&K. She also recognized that the road to an “eventual resolution” in J&K would take time because of “deep divisions” in the positions of India and Pakistan.

The U.S. is now cooperating with India more closely than ever before on developments in Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Ms Rice acknowledged that the US was now willing to live with the reality of India being a nuclear power, and offered to assist India in meeting its energy needs. There is now some reason for optimism on this score.

After having agreed to provide over $5 billion in EXIM Bank credits and loan guarantees for supplying nuclear power reactors to China, the US cannot ignore India’s energy needs, including in the area of nuclear power. There is also recognition in Washington that given the American quest for “strategic balance” in Asia, India’s emergence as a growing economic power with military potential should be encouraged, including with measures like provision of missile defence systems, frontline fighter aircraft and other sophisticated military equipment.

Just before Ms Rice reached Beijing, Pakistan carried out a test of its Chinese supplied Shaheen II missile that has a range of 2000 km and can target cities like Bangalore and Chennai with nuclear warheads. It is imperative for Dr Manmohan Singh to take up our concerns about Chinese assistance to Pakistan’s nuclear weapons and missile programmes with Prime Minister Wen Jaiabao. Sadly, our political leaders have shown an unnecessary reluctance to take up such issues with their Chinese counterparts in the past.

The Chinese are supreme realists and respect others only when they show the ability to acquire and wield power. Chinese respect for India will automatically increase when we accelerate economic growth, step up our defence modernisation and deploy Agni III missiles. We should also make it clear that there can be no question of India yielding to the new and fanciful Chinese border claim of the monastery town of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh being a part of China.

While India shares common interests with the US on some issues there are also wide divergences on others. Both India and the US share a common interest in stability in the Persian Gulf and security of the Indian Ocean sea lanes. But there are differences on issues like relations with Iran. In such cases it would be in India’s interest to develop a common diplomatic approach with powers like China and Russia. Neither India nor China should be deterred from benefiting from the utilisation of the gas and oil resources of Iran merely because of concerns of possible American sanctions under the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act of 1996.

The Wen Jiabao visit should be utilised to see that competition for energy resources does not unnecessarily strain Sino-Indian relations. There is much that India can learn from the dynamic manner in which China has proceeded to acquire equity stakes in oil, gas and coal exploration in countries ranging from Australia and Canada to Iran and Sudan.

The visit of Ms Rice has led to expectations in India that the Bush Administration will be more forthcoming on issues of high-technology transfers, cooperation in nuclear energy and space and, finally, on sale and co-production of defence equipment. The US has not been a reliable partner in the past either on defence sales or nuclear energy. But there are indications that the US is now showing growing recognition of India’s importance in developing a viable and stable balance of power in Asia. There is, therefore, no harm in exploring the possibility of developing relations with the US in which India can benefit from American technology in areas like defence, space and nuclear power.

India could look at the possibility of acquiring missile defence systems from the US to protect its population centres because of the unrestrained transfer of missiles from China to Pakistan. India could also undertake acquisitions of major weapons systems once the US removes the legislative and other impediments New Delhi now faces in acquiring nuclear power plants.

The G 8 group of nations cannot expect India to join global efforts for dealing with climate change at a time when India is denied alternative, non-polluting sources of energy. The world will, however, take more serious notice of India after its nuclear scientists establish that it can build its own 500 MW Uranium 233-based fast breeder reactors. National self-reliance in such areas inevitably promotes international respect for India.

MIDDLE

For the good of all
by J.L. Gupta

It was March 2004. Indian cricketers were playing in Pakistan. The government of Pakistan had relaxed the rules and permitted the people to pass the border without any problem. My nephews, Shireesh and Vicky, had availed of the opportunity. To see the place and meet the people. Also to watch the two teams play. And what an experience!

Touched by the warm reception, they were full of praise for everyone. The customs and the security clearances were quick. The hotel staff was helpful. The policemen at the stadium were polite. And the people “are amazing. Tall, handsome and fearless. All had gone out of the way to make every Indian comfortable.”

It was heartening to hear their experiences. The warmth was visible. Everywhere. The taxi drivers. The hoteliers. The shopkeepers. All refused to accept any money for the fare, food or the small souvenirs. Indians were guests. The people greeted everyone with open arms. Extended hospitality whole-heartedly. A friend’s acquaintance had asked Shireesh over for dinner. It was a lavish spread. But no non-vegetarian dish was served. Even small sentiments were respected.

Is it not so natural? After all, once all of us were together. We were one people. A single nation. Our ancestors had lived and grown up together. They had fought hand in hand for our independence. Made sacrifices. Finally, they had succeeded. But having achieved the goal, the politicians had put the people apart. A manmade border was created to divide what God had ordained to be one. As if this was not enough, the governments had even inflicted the wounds of two wars on the innocent people.

Still, no scars could be seen. Man to man, there was no bitterness. No rancour. Only love and affection. Fortunately, the hatred created by the politicians has not permeated to the hearts of the people. And why not? We look alike. Eat and enjoy the same kind of food. Speak the same language. Wear similar clothes. There are old associations. Fond memories of good moments that some of us had spent together. Various incidents are still indelibly imprinted on many a mind.

I recall one. About a decade back, Qateel Shefai, the famous poet from Pakistan, had come to Chandigarh. To participate in a mushaira. A friend had hosted a dinner. I overheard him ask one of the guests about a place called Samana. “How are you interested,” I asked. “It is my native place,” was the prompt reply. And on learning that I also belong to the same place, he had given me a warm hug. “I would like to meet your father,” he said. And next evening, they met. He touched his feet. They talked nostalgically about Justice Munir and Justice Jameel Hussain, the two distinguished Judges from Samana who had migrated to Pakistan. About many others too. The mutual regard was obvious.

Then came March 2005. Hosts of the last year were with us. We had an opportunity. To reciprocate. To embrace them. To hold them close to our hearts. To welcome them warmly. The long lost brothers got together. We made the most of this moment. Repaid our debt of gratitude. In a good measure. For the good of man and his kind. For the good of all.

OPED

Casting couch which stings
by V. Gangadhar

Film journalist: How much would you strip for a role? Starlet: It all depends on what the role demands and if the scene is handled artistically by a competent director. I would never strip for the sake of stripping

Film journalist: Any experiences with the casting couch?

Starlet (with wide open eyes): Ooh, no baba. I have heard of it but nothing like that has ever happened to me. I am a straightforward woman, no nonsense with me.

Well, these are two standard questions flung at every starlet and the replies are stereotyped. We are hearing more of them, thanks to journalist Rajat Sharma’s “sting” operation on India TV which showed explicit clips of Shakti Kapoor propositioning a journalist of the channel who pretended to be a young woman badly in search of a film role.

Shakti also made disparaging remarks about Bollywood’s film stars and directors who used or were exploited by the casting couch phenomenon.

The debate is now raging on the expose. Was this really a “sting” operation, a piece of investigative journalism or sheer cussed blackmail to provide titillation to viewers?

Rajat Sharma, Editor-in-Chief of India TV, talks about noble intentions of exposing the casting couch harassment and protecting young, innocent girls lured by the glitter of Bollywood.

But the India TV “sting” operation was nothing of that kind. The bait was not an innocent small town girl but a professional journalist with some guts. She was ready to play the role of the seductive siren. She cooed softly to Shakti, said she was ready to give and receive massages when he was tired and do whatever he wanted. Shakti was lured into an apartment, plied with Vodka, made to talk about the casting couch phenomenon.

All the time, his voice was recorded, his actions were filmed by hidden cameras. The India TV crew barged into the room at the appropriate time.

This was not investigative journalism but a “honey trap” often used by intelligence agencies in India and abroad where officials in important positions are trapped into revealing confidential government information or act as moles.

To call such operations investigative journalism would be a slur on the profession. Why target poor Shakti Kapoor, a has-been villain who was not even a producer. According to Rajat Sharma, Shakti was just a symbol of what was wrong with Bollywood.

Despite his long years in journalism, Rajat Sharma, does not seem to have any idea of the modern, young miss even from small towns. Those who come to Bollywood know what may be in store for them and react in different fashions. Some of them are shrewd enough to shout “rape” (Preeti Jain vs Manish Bhandarkar) and make front page headlines.

When a starlet approaches a producer who has a roving eye for a role, he sets the terms. The girls do not offer massage promises or Vodka or a flat for a meeting. There was something fishy about the India TV operation and Shakti succumbed.

Tomorrow, a TV channel chief may fall into the same trap when a pretty young thing approaches him for the job of a news reader. Will India TV screen such exposes?

Bollywood stars mentioned by Shakti were naturally indignant. The call for his boycott made no sense, because Shakti is no longer in demand for roles. Other reactions were mostly critical of the Rajat Sharma strategy.

Ad man Prahlad Kakkar told the media that such scoops were not acceptable. Shobha De said the pre-arranged set-up for the sting operation affected its credibility.

Film Industry people explained that sexual allurements existed in all industries and affected both men and women. There were cases of top female executives ready to seduce young men seeking jobs.

IMPPA chief Pankaj Nihlani said that lessons from the past on this issue must not be forgotten and added that film people must be cautious about seduction strategy, which my lead to blackmail attempts.

How about a guidebook on the issue, written by starlets who had been asked to offer sexual favours by producers? That was the suggestion of producer Mahesh Bhatt! India TV’s intentions may be honourable but there is a feeling Rajat Sharma goofed up the sting operation by providing a set-up which damaged the credibility of the entire operation.

Tehelka did conduct a sting operation but it was more realistically done and its motives could not be questioned. The India TV expose was reduced to a cheap stunt, and now the channel warns that it has more in store. May God save the viewer!

From Pakistan
‘Religion’ back in passport

ISLAMABAD: The religion column has made a heady — albeit surprising — return to its coveted place in the passport after a five-member ministerial committee backed its restoration.

The inscription ‘Islamic Republic of Pakistan’ on the front jacket instead of the curtly worded ‘Pakistan’ is also assured of a comeback after formal approval from the Prime Minister and the Cabinet tomorrow.

Federal Minister for Defence Rao Sikandar Iqbal and Federal Minister for Information Sheikh Rashid Ahmad told a joint press conference on Tuesday that the software and machine for the new machine-readable passport (MRP) with the religion column would be available in a month after the National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) has already been directed to make the necessary amendments.
— The News

Pak in water ‘red zone’?

LAHORE: The World Wide Funds for Nature-Pakistan warned the country on Tuesday that if water losses and its misuses were not checked Pakistan might soon enter “the red zone”.

“Water is critical for sustainable development, including environmental integrity and the alleviation of poverty and hunger, and is indispensable for human health and well-being,” said Hammad Naqi Khan, Director, Freshwater and Toxic Programme of World Wide Funds for Nature-Pakistan.

Addressing a press conference at the Lahore Press Club in connection with the World Water Day 2005, Mr Khan further observed that at present water per capita stood at around 12,000 cubic meters and it would not take us long to fall in the “red zone”.

“For many years, the country has been witnessing the water per capita decline while the gulf between water availability and demand was progressively widening,” he said. By the year 2011, water availability would be 146.2 million litres as against its requirement of 179.9 million litres, he added. — The News

India buyer of petro products

LAHORE: India has emerged as the third major buyer of petroleum products from Pakistan in the last financial year, it is learnt on Tuesday.

In fiscal year 2003-04, India imported petroleum products worth $39 million from Pakistan. The neighbouring country had further imported petroleum products of the value of $19 million during the July-September period of the current financial year.

Details obtained by The Nation revealed that India has imported in bulk (120,873 metric tons) petroleum top naptha from Pakistan during the last fiscal year having the value of $39 million (Rs 2.247 billion).

Dubai and Afghanistan are the top two buyers of petroleum and its products from Pakistan. In 2003-04, Dubai imported $100 million petroleum/its products from the country while Afghanistan spent $91 million on the import of these items from here during the last financial year.

In other words Pakistan exported 72 per cent of the total petroleum/its products to the top three buyers — Dubai, Afghanistan and India — last year. In 2003-04 Pakistan exported 295 million dollars petroleum/its products to different countries. Pakistan’s traditional exports to India during July-September this fiscal were fruits/vegetable $9.9 million, molasses $6.77 million, spices $0.074 million, hides/skins $0.091 million, wool $0.299 million, crude vegetable materials $0.627 million, leather $0.492 million, cotton yarn $0.66 million, fabrics $2.476 million, textile made-ups $0.884 million, furniture $0.428 million, apparel $0.677 million, surgical $0.226 million, etc. — The Nation

MMA threatens to resign

KARACHI: The Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F), referring to the deteriorating situation in Balochistan, has said if the army operation was not stopped forthwith, the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) would not hesitate to part company with the government in Balochistan.

The JUI Secretary-General, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, who was addressing a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, demanded a halt to the army operation in Balochistan and withdrawal of troops from Dera Bugti and Sui for holding meaningful dialogue to solve the Balochistan imbroglio.

He condemned the kidnapping and torture of Baloch nationalist leaders Dr Abdul Hayee Baloch and Irfan Agha and demanded a high-level inquiry into the matter. The JUI leader said if Dr Hayee Baloch could be kidnapped then no political leader was secure. He accused Gen Pervez Musharraf of pursuing a policy to disintegrate Pakistan. — The Dawn

Just don’t get too sick
by Joe Robinson

Even if you can’t make it to the local craps tables or you’ve spent your budget for Lotto tickets this week, chances are you’re still doing your part for the new Roulette Economy, thanks to an in-cubicle gaming program sweeping the American workplace.

It’s called the paid time-off bank, or PTO, and it’s symptomatic of a workplace — not to mention society — that increasingly resembles a casino.

Paid time-off banks combine sick leave and vacation days, creating what at first looks like a jackpot — extra vacation days and more flexibility. But the winnings are subject to the vagaries of chance — your health — and corporate sleight of hand. Once your sick days are used up, further absences not covered by short-term disability come out of your holiday hide.

All-in-one-leave banks have stormed through offices like rhinoviruses. The number of companies offering them swelled from 20 percent in 2000 to 67 percent today, according to CCH Inc., a human resources firm in Chicago. The epidemic comes as the number of sick-leave days continues to decline or vanish.

Just three years ago, the average sick leave provided by companies with sick-leave policies for employees was 9.3 days. Now it’s 6.9 days, plunging to 5 for most paid time-off sick-leave plans.

Those statistics are a shrinking fig leaf on a thornier issue: Nearly half of U.S. workers don’t get any paid sick leave — for low-wage earners, it’s 75 percent. Unlike 139 other nations, the United States doesn’t guarantee paid sick leave. Let the pneumonias and hernias fall where they may.

Slashed sick leave is part of a broad assault on labor — roundly ignored in the last election — across a downsized workplace as the burden of risk shifts from employers to employees, who, if anyone’s listening out there, are livid about it, whether Republican or Democrat or independent. Companies are cutting or eliminating vacation leave (nearly a third of American women don’t get any; a quarter of men), pensions, health insurance and ergonomics rules.

Meanwhile, the Economist reports that corporate profits in the United States are higher than they’ve been in 75 years as benefits — including sick leave — shrink.

Employers say that merging sick- and vacation-leave policies increases attendance and efficiency.

“It certainly reduces unplanned absenteeism,” said Rich Chaifetz, chief executive of human resource firm ComPsych. “Sick days are typically unplanned, which results in significant burdens to corporations when individuals don’t show up for work unexpectedly.”

But at a time when almost 40 percent of Americans are already in deep zombie mode, working more than 50 hours a week, PTO programs don’t seem to be doing what their champions believe.

 — LA Times-Washington Post

REFLECTIONS

— Muhammad Ali