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Dangerous trend Belated bail |
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Left rumble Don’t rock the boat too much WHEN you pillion-ride a cycle, it is in your own interest not to shuffle this way or that excessively lest the cyclist has a fall, in the process injuring you too. This earthy wisdom applies in statecraft as well and is being recalled in the light of the tendency of the Left to rock the boat of the UPA government, which it supports from the outside, way too often.
Self-governance proposal
Marry, please!
Courting Army awards Splits can spell ruin for live-in couples The healthy taste of love
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Dangerous trend FOREIGN policy is not a holy cow. Political parties have every right to differ with the government on such issues. There are as many reasons to support the UPA government’s decision to vote against Iran as there are to oppose it. This is because Iran’s nuclear ambition cannot be seen purely in black and white terms. Small wonder that countries, which belonged to the Non-Aligned Movement, were divided on the question of referring the Iran issue to the UN Security Council. Similarly, Muslim-majority countries like Egypt and Saudi Arabia did not have much difficulty in voting along with India, the US and Russia. If anything, all this suggests that the vote at the International Atomic Energy Agency was guided by what every country thought was in its national interest. Unfortunately, in India, some political parties have begun to criticise the UPA government’s vote at the IAEA not because they want Iran to acquire the capability to make nuclear bombs but because they find in it a vote bank. They think that if they berate the government on this issue, it will gladden the hearts of the Muslims. The Samajwadi Party and the Telugu Desam are in the forefront in this regard. Both of them believe that it is the surest way to win back the support of the Muslims. The Left parties have a creditable record in keeping aloof from communal forces. They can be faulted for their ideology but not for the company they keep. But in this case, their conduct has not been all that blemish-free. Maybe, they have been bitten by the desire to cultivate the Muslim vote bank with elections round the corner in Kerala and West Bengal. The Prime Minister has deprecated the tendency to communalise foreign policy issues. Muslims like any other community would like foreign policy issues to be decided in the best interest of the nation. It does not matter to them whether oil is bought from Venice or Venezuela if it is cheap and the supply is assured. Ditto for other issues. In fact, when any political party thinks that its pro-Iran stand will endear it to the Muslims, it only exposes its own narrow-mindedness and the poor opinion it has of the Muslims as if they can be influenced by such gimmicks.
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Belated bail THE Supreme Court has rightly taken suo motu cognisance of a 70-year-old man who has been languishing in an Uttar Pradesh prison for 38 years. It has ordered his release on bail after furnishing a personal bond. The case of Jagjivan Ram Yadav, who allegedly killed his neighbour’s wife in 1968, suggests how callous and irresponsible the jail and police officials have been towards the undertrial. Unfortunately, Yadav’s is not a solitary case. There are several instances of people accused of even petty offences languishing in jails for years without trial. The official machinery has no sympathy for them. One can easily imagine the mental and physical torture such prisoners undergo in the jails. As there is no accountability and effective supervision, the officials hardly bother to expedite the trial of the prisoners. The Supreme Court may have granted him bail but he has a long way to go to walk to freedom. One does not know how many more years he has to spend in the prison for the trial. Surprisingly, neither the Khandaga police station nor the trial court in Faizabad district has his case records. It is this reason that is said to have prevented the court from granting him bail or initiating his trial. The apex court’s intervention in Yadav’s case should provide an opportunity for the Centre and the states to revisit all such cases in other jails. There is need for a comprehensive review of the cases of undertrials who have spent long years in various jails. Each case should be examined on merits and settled within a specific timeframe. In accordance with the apex court’s ruling, if an undertrial has already served the sentence that he would have got for a particular offence, he should be released forthwith. Since Yadav is charged with murder, he may not fall under this category, but there is no reason why his trial should not be expedited in the interest of justice and human rights.
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Left rumble WHEN you pillion-ride a cycle, it is in your own interest not to shuffle this way or that excessively lest the cyclist has a fall, in the process injuring you too. This earthy wisdom applies in statecraft as well and is being recalled in the light of the tendency of the Left to rock the boat of the UPA government, which it supports from the outside, way too often. It is one thing to try to persuade the government to do your bidding, and quite another to make things so hot for it that a meltdown can take place. Mercifully, it has announced that it will not vote against the government if a no-confidence motion is brought forth, but it must also cut down the daily quota of pinpricks it has reserved for the Manmohan Singh dispensation. Most of it is by way of posturing, no doubt. But at the same time, the Left has also been meddling too much in administrative affairs. The government is indeed at their mercy for their survival, but that does not mean that they should be dictating terms excessively. They should not be unaware of their total strength in the country. Making the government toe their line left and right will be counter-productive. By doing what they are doing, they are only exposing the inherent contradictions in their stand. For instance, they have been opposed to modernisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports through joint ventures but have been soliciting funds for the Kolkata airport through the same route. No wonder, the government held its ground and the strike fizzled out. They should be particularly wary of holding forth on matters which have international ramifications. A case in point is the forthcoming visit of the US President. Whatever their assessment of Mr George W. Bush may be, calling him uncharitable names and threatening to disrupt his visit is not very pragmatic and dignified. Even if all this is done with an eye on state elections, and to keep their cadres happy, it does not add up to responsible politics.
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Truth exists; only lies are invented. — Georges Braque
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Self-governance proposal
India’s Kashmir policy — if at all there is such a thing — is bizarre. To the rest of the world India never fails to point to the existence of an elected government, but this same government is ignored when it comes to making critical decisions about the state. India flaunts the elected legislators as representatives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, but ignores these very legislators when it comes to discussing political initiatives in the state. India knows that the separatist and secessionist elements are opposed to New Delhi, but it cannot seem to countenance a political solution in the state that isolates these elements and sends them to their rightful place — the dustbin of history. India knows that the separatists have no control over the jihadi terrorists, but continues to engage these people in the fond belief that may be, just may be, they can play a role in stopping violence in the state. India professes that it does not want to compromise on either territory or sovereignty and yet it engages Pakistan in a dialogue that will ultimately involve a compromise of either territory or sovereignty or both. India proclaims Kashmir to be an internal issue and yet it has no hesitation in talking to Pakistan about ways and means to satisfy Kashmiri aspirations, something which emboldens Pakistan to make suggestions like demilitarisation and self-governance, which in turn is tantamount to interference in India’s internal affairs. Even more strange is the Indian approach to solving the Kashmir issue. Ideally, India would like that the political question in Kashmir can be solved without involving Pakistan. But this approach has two in-built contradictions. One, while this would settle the issue within India, it will mean that relations with Pakistan (which stakes a claim to the state of Jammu and Kashmir) will remain strained and normalisation of relations will remain a pipedream. A related contradiction is that India seems to have reached the conclusion that there can be no long-lasting solution to Kashmir without involving Pakistan. But India wants to involve Pakistan without wanting to concede anything to it. Somewhere in the Indian thinking the calculation is that once engagement with Pakistan is sufficiently deep and broad-based, the Kashmir problem will recede into the background and cease to be an issue, if not for the Pakistanis then at least for the Kashmiris. As far as India is concerned, if the Kashmiris on the Indian side reconcile to their future in India, the war over Kashmir would have been won. Notwithstanding the obvious contradictions in the Indian approach, the real problem with India lies in the belief that given India’s capacity to hold on to Kashmir, it will ultimately tire the opposition and force it to sue for peace at India’s terms. In other words, India believes that a policy of masterly inactivity in Kashmir will ultimately lead to a sort of pre-insurgency situation there. This is something that India can live with till eternity, especially since it obviates the need to settle the Kashmir question with Pakistan, something which is beyond India’s political and military capacity to achieve. While there is a lot to be said in favour of this strategy, only the most purblind will believe that things will improve in Kashmir the way India wants without any major political initiative in the state to end the alienation of the disaffected people there. Ironically, General Pervez Musharraf’s proposal on self-governance has given India the opening it needed to undertake a major political initiative inside the state. Indeed, the self-governance proposal is one which could allow India to reconcile all the contradictions in its current policy and settle the political question in Kashmir on India’s terms. If India is really serious about making a political breakthrough in Kashmir without involving any third party (namely Pakistan) and at the same time isolate the separatists, then it must reopen a debate on the internal autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir based on the autonomy resolution of the J&K Assembly. This debate will give a voice to the elected representatives of the state and involve them in a political process that will only enhance their credibility among the people of the state. What is more, a debate, discussion and negotiations on the autonomy report will have a massive impact on the political climate in the state and will send a strong signal to the people of the state that their genuine aspirations are being addressed seriously. This will create stakeholders in the political process in the state, something that will only be to India’s benefit. There are, of course, many in Delhi who fear the repercussions of any such debate on India’s federal structure. But such misgivings and apprehensions are somewhat misplaced. The situation in Jammu and Kashmir is unique and does not obtain in any other state. Most Indian states are today more interested in attracting investments for faster development rather than in greater autonomy. There are issues of sharing finances with the Centre, but these do not necessarily dovetail with any discussion on autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir. Indeed, ever since the end of single-party brute majority at the Centre, most Indian states have been able to breathe easier. Moreover, since the beginning of economic liberalisation, many of the earlier restrictions on states have been lifted, something that has addressed major concerns of most states. As a result, there are hardly any voices calling for greater autonomy in the rest of the Indian states. In any case, negotiations over the autonomy proposals do not necessarily mean signing on the dotted line of the autonomy report of the J&K Assembly. Each and every proposal will be discussed and compromises will have to be struck over the more contentious issues. This in itself is a process that will take years. What is important is not what is finally conceded; rather it is the process of negotiations and the political impact that these have on the political climate in the state. Therefore, instead of bothering about the implications on India’s federal structure, what the Indian establishment needs to consider is the benefits of trying to address the political question in Kashmir within India. If anything, there are more misgivings among the Indian public opinion on discussing Kashmir with Pakistan than there would be if the government was to discuss Kashmir with Kashmiris. The people of India will be more willing to accept internal autonomy in Kashmir, even if grudgingly, if the only other choice is to share sovereignty or barter territory to Pakistan. The question now is whether the Indian government is capable of thinking out-of-the-box, a phrase that the current dispensation never tires of parroting. General Musharraf probably floated his self-governance proposal as part of a Pakistani strategy of salami-slicing in Kashmir — go in for interim and incremental solutions that keep changing the status quo until a point is reached where India will have no feet to stand on in Kashmir. Alternatively, General Musharraf’s proposal could be a genuine attempt at finding some middle ground in Kashmir which satisfies India, Pakistan and the Kashmiris. Whatever the case, he has perhaps inadvertently resurrected the old Indian proposal of “Azadi within India”. The parameters of this “Azadi” need to be discussed under the broad rubric of the autonomy report of the J&K Assembly. And perhaps it will be in the fitness of things if a Congress Chief Minister of the state raises this issue and appoints his alliance partner, Mufti Sayeed, as chief negotiator for Jammu and
Kashmir.
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Marry, please!
I
was thrilled when the news came that Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan were likely to tie the knot. No, it’s not as if I think — like the Bangalore astrologer — that they score a perfect 36 on the marriage compatibility chart. I am just sick and tired of being spoon-fed daily with juicy titbits in newspapers and TV channels about their never-ending flings with other actors. I think marriage will be the perfect antidote for those seasonal rumours, at least temporarily. Naturally, it broke my heart when Ash’s secretary later said that (a), she is not getting married and (b) in any case she has no dates for getting married till 2007. I have heard the “we-are-just-good-friends” bit a little too often and do not believe it at all, just as I care two hoots for Left threats against the government. But as far as the busy schedule is concerned, the claim might very well be true. While other actresses are going places, the green-eyed “Miss World” (serenaded by both Abhishek and Amitabh, strangely, for her “Kajraare kajrare naina” in that international anthem from “Bunty Aur Bablee”) is going all over the world. She will be in France next month and Brazil after that. But this tight schedule — which reportedly allows her only four hours of sleep a day — should not delay the nuptials. In fact, it is a god-send opportunity to have a true filmi-style wedding. Instead of going through all seven “pheras” at one go, the ceremony could be completed in several takes. Possibilities this opens up are exciting and endless. Imagine the first “phera” being picturised in Gulmarg and the next in Rome. They could be dressed in typical Indian wedding regalia in the third and formal western in the fourth, with a rollicking item song in between. Guests, I am sure, will be too happy for this kind of encore performance. Millions of fans worldwide will be delighted too. There should be enough sponsors to take care of the expenses. What if their shooting dates clash? No sweat. They don’t have to be present together either. Remember the famous “Aradhana” song picturised on Sharmila Tagore and Rajesh Khanna, “Mere sapnon ki rani kab ayegi tu”? When it was to be filmed near Darjeeling, Sharmila Tagore was terribly busy, like Ash today. So only Rajesh Khanna went for the outdoor shooting. Sharmila scenes, picturised in a studio separately, were juxtaposed later. Nobody was any the wiser. There is no reason why real life can’t emulate reel life. I fervently hope that the super stars will not be so terribly busy when it comes to
honeymoon.
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Courting Army awards Promotions and awards go hand in hand. Promotions are a measure of the overall success of a soldier’s career and awards that of his bravery/distinguished service. An individual aspires to be recognised for his professional excellence deeds of valour. The denial of promotion to an awardee creates heart-burning and discontent, sometimes resulting in reference to courts. This is detriment to the aspect of ensuring fair play and justice in the matter of granting such awards and promotions. What ails the system and are there remedies? During natural disasters, the Army has been in the forefront to mitigate the suffering of civilians. It has been repeatedly called upon to suppress internal and communal disturbances. It has also been requisitioned for maintaining essential services, repair bridges, plug canal breaches, assist during major train accidents, bomb disposal, tackling militants/criminals holed up in religious places etc. The list is endless. Such multifarious commitments of diverse nature and in trying circumstances have led many soldiers to serve beyond the call of duty. It entails considerable strain and responsibility on the Army hierarchy to ensure fair play in suitably awarding its officers and men for their performance. It is very difficult to recognise the contribution of every deserving individual astutely. The grant of distinguished service awards to all deserving becomes even more difficult due to the quotas for dynamited service. The conferment of awards undoubtedly raises aspirational levels of awardees for subsequent promotion. Frustration is bound to set in amongst those who have been awarded but rejected for promotion. How can one expect an individual to accept his rejection for promotion with equanimity when he has been decorated with an award and subsequently not found fit for promotion when the chain of reporting and recommendations for the award were the same? This is all the more galling for those who rendered distinguished service in war or war-like situations. An award once conferred must be given its due weightage or it loses its significance. The institution of awards is not a welfare measure. It is a valuable input for promotion boards providing them another important factor to quantify performance. Promotion boards are the proper forums for professional screening of connected officers and give due weightage to awards earned based on where, how and under what circumstances the award has been conferred. But the whole elaborate exercise loses its significance when the government reverses promotion board recommendations purely on grounds of mathematical merit and lack of vacancies. Despite the army’s ongoing efforts to ensure fair play and justice, a feeling is creeping in that distinguished service awards are all too frequently linked with rank, seniority, length of service and date of retirement. There may be some truth in it. To validate this impression, albeit partially, let us take the case in a particular arm; only one of its first eight Directors/Director Generals (1947-71) was awarded the PVSM and he happened to be a Brigadier! He must have been a truly exceptional officer. Subsequently, however, from 1971 to 2004 out of the 14 Director Generals 13 were awarded the PVSMs. Similarly, it appears that certain appointments/ assignments, by virtue of their status or prestige automatically become eligible for an award, not withstanding the actual performance of the individual who held it. Another strange rationale that seems to have crept into the system is equating the distinguished service awards with rank. For example, it is largely Lt Gens who earn PVSMs, Maj Gens the AVSMs and so on. It gives the impression that lower ranking personnel are incapable of rendering service of that high order to the nation — a rather presumptuous conclusion at the least! Distinguished service ought not to be a domain or monopoly of rank. Such a connotation will have a negative impact on the public mind whose recognition too matters to a soldier. Once a soldier’s performance in war/war like situation has been duly recognised through an award, his promotion should normally come as a matter of course. After all the ultimate test of a soldier is his performance in such a scenario. If need be, vacancies can be temporarily created for such cases for promotion. Command performance, difficult area service, counter-insurgency experience related awards obviously deserve greater weightage corresponding to similar awards earned on command, staff appointments in peace stations. The rank and award linkages should be removed. The lower the rank an officer earns a distinguished service award the greater weightage it should be assigned. For example, it is much easier for an officer to get an AVSM as a Maj Gen/Lt Gen because of lesser intervening stages where the citations can be vetoed. On the contrary — a Col/Brig’s recommendation for the same award has to run a longer gauntlet! There is also a need to cut out some superfluous awards e.g. Visishit Seva Medal ought to suffice — why SM (Distinguished) as well which is awarded for similar performance parameters. Give a relook to awards conferred on personal staff of senior brass in the Army as they are frequently the beneficiaries of awards largesse! Overall the system and linkage between awards and promotion is fair. There is no system the world over which is flawless. Our methodology and norms too have their kinks and aberrations. Besides, the government must place greater faith in the instituted army promotion boards and their recommendations. Wherever, it feels strongly to the contrary, instead of rejecting approved cases, a spirit of accommodation is essential by temporarily increasing vacancies to accommodate deserving cases and honoring the recommendation of promotion boards which are made with fairness and seriousness. This process may also assist in reducing the number of “aggrieved” officers going to courts.
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Splits can spell ruin for live-in couples February is some month for love. But at this time of year, divorce applications soar higher than at any other. Financial and family pressure over Christmas and New Year is chiefly to blame, according to anecdotal evidence gathered by lawyers and financial advisers. However, those enduring the heartache of a failed marriage at least have the reassurance of legal rights to fall back on regarding separation and maintenance, property and pensions. Not so if you are cohabiting, as two million couples in England and Wales are. This group of people could face financial hardship if their relationship breaks down or if a partner dies - regardless of how long they have been living together. More than two thirds of cohabitees misguidedly believe that if they live together, they will have the same rights as a married couple, reports Advice-now.org.uk, a legal advice website funded by the Government. Cohabiting couples can still take steps to establish their rights and safeguard their interests. Draw up an agreement: By going to a solicitor or on to websites such as Advicenow, you can get hold of a document that sets out how, in the event of a split, your finances can be divided fairly without your having to go to court. In the past 12 months, some 114,650 forms have been downloaded. While the document isn’t legally binding, says Suzanne Kingston of solicitors Dawsons, it shows evidence of intent, which would be taken into consideration if you did end up in court. Make or update a will: Unless you do this, your partner won’t inherit anything if you die; it will all pass to your blood relations. This is particularly important if a property is involved (see below). In the worst case, where there’s no love lost between one partner and the other’s family, there is a danger of someone being left homeless. Take action on tax: If you have assets that add up to more than £275,000, including property, your surviving partner will be liable for 40 per cent inheritance tax (IHT) on anything over this threshold. Trusts can mitigate this liability; a financial adviser can help. Sort out your tenancy: Say you live with your partner in a rented flat but your name isn’t on the tenancy. You have no right to stay if your partner leaves, asks you to leave, or dies. If you live together in a property owned solely by one of you, the other partner may have no right to stay following a death or a request to leave. If you’ve helped raise a child and looked after the home and bills for years, it’s very unlikely you’d be forced out by your partner’s family. A judge would probably provide some protection. When buying together, you can enter two types of agreement: “joint tenants” or “tenants in common”. With the former, you own the property in equal shares and, if one of you dies, the whole house automatically passes to the other. However, there could be an IHT liability. With the latter, you own the property in separate shares in accordance with the contribution you have made to the purchase — 60:40, say. So if one of you dies, that percentage of the home will pass on in accordance with the will. Again, tax liability could be an issue.
— The Independent
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The healthy taste of love THE world is awash in red on this Valentine’s Day — a symbol of the heart possessed of love. But health experts say the rich ruby color is tied to another vital life force: healthy food. Indeed, as you reach for strawberries (dipped in dark chocolate, of course) remember they are jam-packed with nutrients called antioxidants that keep cells healthy. And that dark chocolate is rich in magnesium and flavanoids that promise to increase the flexibility of your veins and arteries. And did you know cacao, used in dark chocolate, can quiet a cough? Here are some experts’ choices of the healthiest foods. 1. Fruits: Strawberries and blueberries are high in antioxidants, nutrients that protect against molecules that damage cells in the body. Blueberries release phytochemicals that speed up the communication between brain cells and help them make dopamine, a key chemical linked to reward and pleasure. Apples are also high in antioxidants and plant nutrients, reducing the risk of some cancers, diabetes, asthma and heart disease. 2. Nuts: Almonds and walnuts contain powerful anti-inflammatory properties. High in fiber, protein and antioxidants, nuts may reduce the risk of diabetes and may prevent certain cancers. Also, the healthy fats in nuts prevent the accumulation of bad fats in the artery walls. Walnuts and flaxseeds contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for the heart and brain. 3. Fish: Like walnuts, certain fish — salmon, mackerel and bluefish — contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. The brain needs these substances to maintain many complex functions. Nutritionists recommend two weekly servings of fish, about 4 ounces during each meal. 4. Whole grains: There are many whole grains available — couscous, an ancient grain called teff, quinoa, bulgur wheat and wheat berries — that provide healthy stores of vitamin B and fiber. Fiber is good for the gut and reduces the incidence of gallstones. 5. Yogurt: Yogurt made with probiotics is a rich source of protein, vitamin A, calcium and good bacteria that help restore order in the gastrointestinal tract. Yogurt also balances the immune response and inhibits inflammation. It also contains lactoferrin, which helps build bones. 6. Vegetables: Broccoli is high on every food expert’s list. Dark, leafy green vegetables have a pigment called carotenoids that enhance the body’s immune response. The pigment protects skin cells against dangerous ultraviolet rays. These foods are rich in vitamin A and antioxidants. Their anti-inflammatory powers also help block pain. 7. Olive oil: Extra-virgin olive oil is a wonderful source of good fat (monounsaturated) and powerful plant nutrients. It’s been shown to lower blood pressure, prevent bone thinning, maintain healthy blood glucose levels and lower blood pressure. 8. Beans, lentils: High in protein and fiber, beans and lentils contain potent levels of antioxidants. The nutrients in these foods help burn body fat and stabilize blood sugar. Kidney beans may also reduce risk for cancer and cardiovascular disease. Think kidney beans when you are trying to lower homocysteine levels, because the bean is rich in folic acid and vitamin B6. 9. Cinnamon: Studies show that it can help regulate blood sugar levels (just a half-teaspoon daily yielded a 20 percent drop in blood sugar), reduce inflammation and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi in the body. The smell of it may be potent enough to enhance memory, learning and visual-motor speed. 10. Wine: Lots of research supports red wine’s potent cardiovascular benefits. The benefits are seen with moderate consumption: one daily glass for women and two for men.
— LA Times-Washington Post
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From the pages of Subhas Chandra Bose WE have read Mr Subhas Chandra Bose’s letter to his brother with mixed feelings. In common with the rest of his countrymen we are proud of the brilliant young man who, in his own words, does not quail before the cheerless prospect of indefinite detention in a state of extremely bad health, leading perhaps to an early and premature death, when the ungrudging acceptance of that prospect is, in his opinion, necessary for securing the priceless treasure of freedom for his country. The words have, indeed, a religious freedom for his country. The words have, indeed, a religious ring about them. “Thank God,” he writes, “I am at peace with myself and I can face with perfect equanimity any ordeal that He in His wisdom may choose to visit me with. I regard myself as doing penance in my own humble way for the past sins of our nation and I am and shall be happy in my confinement.”
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I believe in Advaita, I believe in the essential unity of man and for that matter of all that lives. — Mahatma Gandhi The soul escapes as soon as the body falls. — Guru Nanak The body is of dust in which speaks nothing but air. (When its dust returns to dust and air to air). then what dies? It is the individual’s consciousness, one’s strife and pride of the self, that dies. The ever-conscious soul never dies. — Guru Nanak When conscience is blindfolded by desire, the sense horses drag the body astray. —The Upanishads
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