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Modify the IT Act Battle after the
war |
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Laws alone won’t
do
Trade with China at
a high
My tea with the sun
CINEMA:
NEW Releases
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Battle after the war It
seems a lonely battle being fought by the father of Capt Saurabh Kalia, who was among the first of the Indian troops to be taken prisoner by Pakistan forces in the Kargil War in 1999. Dr NK Kalia, a retired scientist who maintains a little memorial to his son in their family home in Palampur, wants the Government of India to file a suit in the International Court of Justice against Pakistan for violation of the Geneva Conventions in torturing Captain Kalia and other troops before killing them. The government apparently is unable to take up the issue at international fora because of issues related to India’s policy vis-a-vis Commonwealth nations, especially Pakistan. There are also matters of jurisdiction. The national foreign policy is a matter that cannot be altered over individual cases, and it is hard to judge what exactly holds the government back from doing what the Kalia family wants. However, the fact remains that the family needs a sense of closure and justice, at least from its own government. The government thus has to be in communication with the family in a manner that it feels genuinely engaged. It has to come up with alternatives that may serve the purpose. The resources of a government are immense, which it must use to seek at least an international indictment of Pakistan. After all, it is not often that we have a case of war crimes with evidence, which the mutilated bodies of the soldiers were. Pakistan will forever remain in denial. That is its best line of defence. It had even refused to accept the bodies of its troops in the Kargil War, something no self-respecting army would find easy to live down. Wars are an ugly affair under the best of circumstances — it cannot be anything but when people are being killed. But civilisation has taught man to conduct even this business with a sense of respect for humanity per se. That is what the Kalias are fighting for, and deserve to get.
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Laws alone won’t do The Lok Sabha has approved the changes suggested by a parliamentary committee in the Indian law against money laundering to make it compatible with similar laws of other countries. Money laundering has become a global menace after reports surfaced that terrorist activities are funded by organisations in hostile countries. Unaccounted money earned through tax evasion or other illegal means like the sale of narcotics is used to fund terrorism or kept in banks in countries like Switzerland where local laws ensure strict secrecy. There are also reports of ill-gotten money belonging to terrorist outfits finding its way into stock markets. Given the magnitude of the problem, the laws need to be made strict, no doubt. The amended law, once the proper procedure is completed, will introduce the concept of a “reporting entity” under which the onus will be on banks, financial institutions and other intermediaries to report cases of money laundering, if any. Besides, the amended Act empowers the authorities concerned to attach and confiscate the “proceeds of crime” even if there is no conviction. These are commendable enabling provisions. While the removal of shortcomings in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act is welcome, it is not because of the inadequacy of laws that strict action against money laundering could not be taken. There is the well-known case of Pune-based stud farm owner Hasan Ali Khan, who has been accused of money laundering and criminal tax evasion but is yet to be convicted. Criminals often take advantage of loopholes in the laws and the dilatory justice system. Besides, India has to be tough with financial institutions and countries which do not cooperate in unearthing black money and bringing the tax evaders to book. The government has a list of offenders who have stacked their illegal wealth in foreign banks but refuses to make it public. More than laws political will is required to take on the twin challenge of money laundering and black money.
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Keep your face always toward the sunshine — and shadows will fall behind you. — Walt Whitman
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Trade with China at a high Once
again, Sino-Indian ties present a strange spectacle. On the one hand, India and China have signed 11 agreements entailing investment of over $ 5 billion during the second India-China Strategic Economic Dialogue in New Delhi, while on the other India had to protest vigorously China’s newly revised passports that show disputed territory near their shared border as part of China and respond by issuing Chinese citizens visas embossed with New Delhi’s own maps. For a long time, the idea that economic ties will lead to a maturing of political ties was a mantra that serious policy-makers in New Delhi were willing to consider. But clearly the argument was a specious one and anyone with even an iota of understanding of global politics would have known that this trade-leads-to-peace thesis rarely works. There are multiple levels – diplomatic, economic, cultural — at which China and India are engaging each other. Sino-Indian economic ties are at an all-time high with annual bilateral trade expected to reach around $100 billion over the next three years. Yet despite that pretence of a sustained engagement, suspicions of each other are at an all-time high with the two states sharing one of the world’s most heavily militarised border areas. Alarmed by China’s reiteration of its claims over the whole of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, India is expanding its military deployments in its north-eastern region. If China has deployed around 300,000 troops across the Tibetan plateau, India is responding by raising its military deployment from 120,000 to 180,000 along with two Sukhoi 30 fighter squadrons in the region. And the issue is not merely about the border and Tibet anymore. Today, New Delhi and Beijing both view themselves as rising powers and as a consequence, their interests and capabilities are rubbing off against each other, not merely in Asia but in various other parts of the world as well. The two states do not fully comprehend the complexities of each other’s domestic politics either. China’s opaque political system festers a lack of transparency that can only be dangerous over the long term. India’s, often cacophonous, domestic political system seems perpetually unable to attain a seriousness of purpose vis-a-vis China. As if this were not enough, popular opinion in both countries is rapidly turning against each other. A recent Pew Research Center poll found that two-thirds of Chinese respondents viewed India unfavourably. The feeling is mutual with only 23% of Indians describing their relationship with China as one of cooperation and only 24% viewing China’s growing economy as a good thing. So much for the trade-leads-to-greater-understanding thesis! Alarm bells are ringing all around India’s periphery as China’s growing military might is allowing it to dictate the terms of engagement to its neighbours. A comprehensive programme of naval development is underway with some warning of a Chinese Monroe Doctrine taking on a new degree of salience. Last month, China unveiled its first aircraft carrier – the Liaoning – with five more reportedly under development. China is busy developing an extensive near-seas capability allowing it to pursue its ambitions unhindered even from the influence of the world’s reigning heavyweight, the US. Yet India has found it difficult to articulate a China policy that can go beyond clichés. It’s not about matching China weapon for weapon. It is about managing China’s rise in a manner that does not lead to India giving up its vital interests. There is no likelihood of border settlement anytime soon but the infrastructure upgradation on Indian side of the border has only just begun. Despite 15-odd rounds, the border talks between China and India have not led to anything substantive. Rising nationalism and the increasing sway of the PLA in policymaking in China will make it even more difficult for the two sides to reach a diplomatic solution. As China and India have risen in the global hierarchy, their bilateral relationship has become uneasy as they attempt to come to terms with each other’s rise. The distrust between the two is actually growing at an alarming rate, notwithstanding the rhetoric of official pronouncements. Growing economic cooperation as well as bilateral political and socio-cultural exchanges have done little to assuage each country’s concerns about the other’s intentions. Indian policy trajectory toward China is evolving as India starts to pursue a policy of internal and external balancing more forcefully in an attempt to protect its core interests. The government is trying to fashion an effective response to the rise of China at a time of great regional and global turbulence. Though it is not entirely clear if there is a larger strategic framework shaping India’s China policy, India’s approach toward China is indeed undergoing a transformation, the full consequences of which will only be visible a few years down
the line. With Sino-Indian friction growing and the potential for conflict remaining high, the challenge for India is formidable. India is increasingly bracketed with China as a rising or emerging power—or even a global superpower—though it has yet to achieve the economic and political profile that China enjoys regionally and globally. India’s main security concern today is not the increasingly decrepit state of Pakistan but rather an ever more assertive China, whose ambitions are likely to reshape the contours of the regional and global balances of power with deleterious consequences for Indian interests. India’s ties with China are thus gradually becoming competitive, with a sentiment gaining ground among Indian policy elites that China is not sensitive to India’s core security interests and does not acknowledge its status as a global player. As a consequence, India is belatedly gearing up to respond to China’s rise with a mix of internal consolidation and external partnerships. The latest row over Chinese passports is not limited to India. They also show images of the disputed, resource-rich islands in the South China Sea as Chinese territory, islands that Vietnam and the Philippines also claim. India has done well to respond forcefully to the latest Chinese challenge. As China’s behaviour becomes more and more difficult to predict, New Delhi will have to ensure that it has sufficient diplomatic and military firepower in its arsenal to deter Beijing from being too
adventurous.
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My tea with the sun I
am in south London for a short while. Our small apartment is on the 13th floor, not to talk of the ten steps leading to the ground floor where the reception is. I am at home the whole day with books as my sole companion- and of course the sky. Yes at this height I feel closer to the sky than to the earth. And believe me I never have a dull moment watching the sky the whole day. There is always some or the other activity going on up there. From the window I can see the High Street — the local shopping centre. It is a well cobbled road and the vehicles are strictly prohibited. I can spot many people strolling about, from the young mothers with perambulators to the oldies on wheelchairs. They seem to be there for an outing rather than for shopping. But I can see all this only if I stand close to the window. Otherwise from every corner of the flat what I see is only the vast expanse of the sky. The glass windows of all the rooms are huge and without grills giving me an unbroken view. It had rained during the wee hours of the night. When I wake up in the morning the sky is all washed up and clean, with rabbit-like white fluffy clouds playing on it. Very soon a large number of dark clouds heavy with water approach from the left, like a group of pregnant women come for their mandatory walk. They walk slowly but soon dominate the sky, shooing the fluffy rabbits away. For a while they hold the sky, moving leisurely, communicating with each other. The party is in full swing when a strong angry wind from the sea comes with lashes and makes them flee. Elephant like, they run — falling over each other. The flats of this building ‘Aspects’ are built on the both sides of a long corridor. So while the opposite row has its share of the sun in the morning after mid-day, it is all ours—flooding the rooms with bright sunshine. British weather being cold or very cold, the sun is always welcome. Clouds form a permanent feature of the British sky throughout the year. They may be in the shape of sterilized cotton scattered on a very azure sky, a lonely cloud wandering by — a la Wordsworth or the whole sky looking like a freshly ploughed field. Ultimately, the sun reaches the horizon. I bring my tea and stand near the window to watch the sunset. There are very few high-rise buildings in central London. And so I can see the whole horizon — a clear semi circle, the dome of the sky fitting perfectly over the earth The nature is preparing a grand farewell for the emperor of the sky. The sun touches the western horizon. It bursts into a riot of colors, each cloud of different hue that no human palate can produce, a new painting each day, each painting breathtakingly beautiful The final dip of the sun is sudden. One moment it is there the next it is gone — disappeared completely. The atmosphere is stunned — stands still. It is all very quiet all around. The mood is of somber-melancholy. I forget to sip my tea. But not for long. A lone bird flies past singing loudly, repeating the same words again and again. I am sure the name of its beloved. The partings are usually sad but not this one. There is the definite hope that the sun will come again tomorrow, nothing is more certain than this. All creations of God move in a circle. That is what makes them eternal- without a beginning, without an end. Lo, the evening star is already there. Soon there will be more. Do not pull down the blinds yet. A new play is going to start in the sky with new settings and an entirely new
cast.
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CINEMA: NEW Releases Nonika Singh
A
superstar Armaan Kapoor (Vivaan Bhatena) dies in what seems to be a rather bizarre accident. Is it murder, suicide or quite simply an accident? Questions and doubts fly thick and fast. Aamir Khan as the police officer Surjan Singh Shekawat leads the investigation and the story moves into the zone of flesh trade, blackmail, treachery, intrigue and much more. In short, the suspense begins and ends only with the climax.
And therein lies the beauty of the film that weaves its magic from scene one. Till the first half, it is superbly gripping as it seamlessly weaves two parallel tracks. Remarkably and adroitly the star crossed lives of the main protagonists Shekhawat and his wife Roshni (Rani Mukerji) and the mystery the inspector in him is trying to unravel converge. Not only in the finale but all through the film.
In fact what seems at the surface just another mystery movie, moves many notches above the pedestrian fare dished out in the name of thrillers and becomes a quest for something more sublime deeper and of course superior. In this world where destiny plays an important role and places us in most disconcerting positions, we all carry our crosses and have to fight our demons within. All through the mystery, a subtext runs and defines the narrative. However, while hinting and suggesting higher values including the inexplicable ways of life, the director Reema Kagti's hold on the art of story telling doesn't flag. Except may be for a wee bit in the second half when it tries to establish the tenuous relationship between Shekawat and Rozy (Kareena Kapoor). But the later part establishes the crux and the significance of those scenes. On the dramatic front, anyway the movie recovers quickly enough to gain momentum, with the surprise factor remaining constant.
Of course, if you are Sherlock Holmes you might be able to put the jigsaw puzzle together and reach the conclusion far before it actually unfolds. For the discerning viewer, rather cleverly the clues come early enough by way of a cameo. We won't tell which one and spoil your fun of watching the movie but talking of cameos the entire ensemble cast including Shernaz Patel, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and others are in top form. Aamir Khan, like always, gets under the skin of his character of a grieving father and an upright no-nonsense policeman. He is ably supported by Rani Mukerji who once more proves that she is and will always remain an actor of substance. Nawazuddin perhaps will never ever cease to surprise with the range of his performances. And as Taimur he reflects many shades of his role. Lest we forget Kareena is as beautiful as consummate and lends an ethereal as well as seductive hue to her part of a streetwalker. Even otherwise, woven around the seamier side of Mumbai, exposing its underbelly the narrative could have easily slipped into a sordid saga. Instead, it dives deep into unknown waters to present a gem of many nuanced characters and varying psychological inflections of human mind. Now moving now gripping, if on the one hand you are drawn into the many folds of the ongoing murders, on the other you are equally touched by the tragic twists of the plot. Actually in this world of conniving men and women, come to think of it there are no black and white characters. For even in this amoral world of exploitation there are love tracks. No wonder one's heart bleeds for more than one person. Indeed, if you are too much of a rationalist you might have issues with the final revelation. Yet there can be none with the masterly grip of the film, fine editing, perfect filming, ready wit and sardonic humour of the dialogues and with a musical score that might not be foot tapping but is certainly a haunting one that gels with the storyline. All in all, this Talaash is certainly worth venturing into.
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Movies on TV Saturday December 1
Slumdog Millionaire A Mumbai teen who grew up in the slums, becomes a contestant on the Indian version of
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? He is arrested under suspicion of cheating, and while being interrogated, events from his life history are shown which explain why he knows the answers. A sleeper hit,
Slumdog Millionaire was nominated for 10 Academy Awards in 2009 and won eight. ZEE CINEMA 07:30AM Hari Darshan 11:20AM Viewers Choice 2:35PM Sirf Tum 5:45PM Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani 9:00PM Phir Hera Pheri SET MAX 07:40AM Kishen Kanhaiya 11:15AM Golmaal: Fun Unlimited 2:35AM Welcome 6:00PM Gambler No.1 9:00PM Munnabhai M.B.B.S. STAR MOVIES 07:17AM The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement 09:45AM The Front Row with Anupama Chopra 10:15AM Bolt 12:23PM X-Men Origins: Wolverine 2:11PM In Time
SONY PIX 07:15AM Moneyball 09:40AM The Jackal 11:55AM Madagascar 1:35PM The Smurfs 3:30PM Slumdog Millionaire 5:45PM Beverly Hills Ninja 7:40PM The Sweetest Thing 9:00PM Munich 11:10PM American Pie: The Wedding HBO 08:45AM The Flintstones 10:30AM Ella Enchanted 12:25PM Van Wilder: Freshman Year 2:05PM Armageddon 5:05PM Ong Bak 2 7:00PM Mean Girls 9:00PM Thor 11:35PM Inception Sunday
December 2
Ishaqzaade Set
Max 5:00 pm Ishaqzaade depicts the passionate love story of two defiant, rebellious individuals. The Chauhans and the Qureshis are two political families whose rivalry and mutual hatred for one another goes back generations. It is a 2012 romantic drama written and directed by Habib Faisal and produced by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films. The film stars debutant Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra. MOVIES OK 6:00AM Farishtay 9:40AM Little Krishna III: The Wonderous Feats 12:00PM Kahin Pyar Na Ho Jaye 3:20PM Mela 6:55PM Dhamkee 9:00PM Golmaal 3 SET MAX 8:00:00 AM Aabra Ka Dabra 11:00:00 AM Main Hoon Wanted (Dub) 2:00:00 PM Tezz 5:00:00 PM Ishaqzaade 9:00:00 PM Munnabhai MBBS ZEE CINEMA 7:20AM Maa Durga Divya Haathi 10:40AM Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge 2:25PM Mera Badla 5:25PM Gadar: Ek Prem Katha 9:00PM Hum Aapke Hain Kaun...! HBO 8:45AM Mean Girls 10:35AM Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li 12:25PM Ong Bak 2 2:10PM Thor 4:25PM Inception 7:20PM Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo 9:00PM Final Destination 5 10:55PM Sucker Punch STAR MOVIES 7:40AM Ratatouille 10:02AM Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest 1:00PM Ong Bak 2:42PM Mr. Popper's Penguins 4:46PM Unstoppable 6:56PM Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer 9:00PM The Hulk 11:40PM Cars 2
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4:30PM Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines 6:48PM Ong Bak 9:00PM Mr. Popper's Penguins 11:03PM Unstoppable