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New beginnings
Cancer hospital welcome |
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Politics that transcends caste, creed
To dad, with all my love
A President’s predicament
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New beginnings The dawn of a New Year is a great time to take a fresh look at the world around us. It is when we look forward to the future, a time of hope, of breaking free from the past. The nation has got over a year that saw the corrosion of personal wealth of a majority of the population due to inflation and other economic factors; when mistreatment of women became a much-debated issue; when personal and institutional corruption became so high that there were mass protests against it. Now, as we look from the vantage point of a new beginning, we can take the luxury of looking at the future, unfogged, to a certain extent by the burden of the past. The time ahead is certain to throw up some interesting new situations that will pose fresh challenges. The economy of the nation is likely to look up, in spite of a certain degree of uncertainty that comes in a year of the General Election. People have spoken in the recent Assembly elections, and political parties have been served notice that governments are expected to deliver. They must give action plans of what they want to do in the New Year. It is a shame that still many in our country go hungry even as grains rot in godowns. We need to take care of the basics. Food security has to be ensured; to secure our children’s future, basic education needs major investment. The safety of women should be a matter of prime concern not only for the government, but also for each one of us. The nation is free, how come its women citizens do not feel that freedom? We, in India have the advantage of a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic heritage. As inheritors of a rich and proud civilisation, we must focus on what we can do for others, not on what others can do for us. Each of us can help India make its mark by contributing more as individuals. As we look at the New Year, we must learn to do more for each other. We should recognise the goodness in others, introspect and improve what we do not like. May the New Year bring in good tidings for all of us. |
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Cancer hospital welcome The number of cancer patients has grown manifold in the recent years in Punjab, especially in the Malwa region. The worst affected have been
Bathinda, Muktsar, Mansa, Ferozepur, Moga, Barnala, Faridkot and Sangrur districts. An estimated 33,000 people have lost their lives to cancer in the last five years in Punjab. Therefore, laying of the foundation stone of the Rs 450-crore Homi Bhaba Cancer Hospital and Research Centre by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, at Mullanpura meets a much-awaited demand for a specialised hospital for cancer care in Punjab. Hopefully, the state-of-the-art cancer treatment
centre, which will work in collaboration with Tata Memorial Centre,
Mumbai, and Atomic Energy Commission will be completed within the stipulated time of four years. Once completed, it is expected to help about 10,000 new patients every year. All this is good news for a state where cancer has grown like an epidemic while the state government chose to remain in a state of self-denial for years, till the data on cancer deaths spoke for itself. Despite losing about 18 people on a daily basis to cancer, enough is not done to provide specialised healthcare to cancer patients. In the recent past the Government of Punjab and Max Healthcare Institute set up
super-speciality healthcare facility for cancer in a public-private partnership in Mohali and
Bathinda. People need cheap and specialised care offered by the government hospitals close to their place of living. No wonder, majority of patients still prefer to board the “cancer train” to
Bikaner, where the treatment is affordable and hospitalisation cheap as compared to
Ludhiana, Chandigarh and Delhi. Moreover, the attendants find board and lodging within their reach in a number of dharamshalas and
serais, run by traditional Marwaris for charity in Rajasthan. Ashok Gehlot’s free medicine scheme may not have saved his government, but it did benefit cancer patients of Punjab. Apart from providing good care for cancer patients, the state government should also work to remove the factor that turned Punjab into a cancer state — the overuse of pesticides. |
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Thought for the Day
“The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes.” —GK Chesterton |
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Self-government for India
A Gratifying proof of the spread of the Congress ideal of self-government within the Empire comes from the tariff reform section of British Imperialists. Mr. Richard Jebb who, in his latest book, The Britannic Question, has lent his support to Lord Hardinge's proposal of provincial autonomy, writes to the Nation to say India must become a self-governing country to command respect from other self-governing units. He admits the anomaly of excluding India from deliberations of the Imperial Conference, but offers a plausible and unconvincing explanation. “The obvious reason for excluding subordinate Governments like that of India was that the vote of any such Government would be at the disposal of the British Government, which would thus enjoy double representation, whereas the basis of the Conference is equality of status.” This pre-supposes the equality of self-governing units with the Imperial Government and suggests the decision of the questions discussed is even now regulated by votes of the Governments represented at the Conference. Temperance versus revenue
His Excellency the Viceroy, in reply to the Temperance Deputation at Calcutta, observed that revenue considerations do not stand in the way of carrying out temperance reforms. We wish that this declared policy of the Government were acted upon by the executive revenue officers. But there are many instances which show how local officers act against this declaration, of which His Excellency seems to be unaware. It is for this reason that the excise local committees ought to be given the power to control the issue of licenses and regulate the sale of liquors. The revenue authorities, cannot by virtue of their very position, ignore or injure revenue yielding tendencies and if the principle of the Government is entirely in favour of temperance we fail to see what valid reason there can be against giving the suggested powers to local committees.
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Politics that transcends caste, creed
The
year 2013 was grey and grim. Prices rose, unemployment increased, moral standards fell and corruption was accepted as a normal phenomena. Parliament and state legislatures hardly functioned. Then there was summer in the cold month of December. The 46-year-old Lokpal Bill became an Act. I wish the CBI had been made independent, directly under Parliament, but since its own committee has prepared the Bill after holding consultations with nearly all political parties, it should constitute the Lokpal (ombudsman). The credit for this must go to Gandhian Anna Hazare who spearheaded the movement. Yet his hasty judgment and harsh words for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) do not help the dissemination of fresh ideas. The party is an extension of voluntary work done by the activists at the grassroots. These people are naïve and do not know the tricks of politics. This is their strength. That they, unlike the Naxalites, have put their faith in the ballot and have successfully fought the election in Delhi is the result of their realisation that democracy demands a way to determine who will direct the people to reject dictatorships or an authoritarian system. How far the AAP can ensure the people’s participation as well as sovereignty may decide the fate of other experiments born out of millions of mutinies, however small, waging in the country. In fact, leading activists like Medha Patkar, Aruna Roy and Nikhil Dey should assemble on the platform which the AAP has provided. Why don’t they constitute the governments themselves? Had Medha headed the Gujarat government at the height of the Narmada Dam movement, she would have helped decide against the uprooting of people from their homes and hearths. In fact, the very dam, to which she objected, may have been replaced by a series of small dams which would have assured water to far-flung places like Rajkot and still not disturbed lakhs of people — most of them did not get land for land. Aruna Roy should have realised that the Right to Information, for which she mobilised people, would not have come about if Parliament had not enacted the law. Her brief stint with Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s National Advisory Council should have proved how the land acquisition and food security demands became laws because Sonia Gandhi represented the authority of the governing party. People’s movements cannot be an end by itself. Another striking feature of December is the emergence of Rahul Gandhi as the leader of the Congress. Sonia Gandhi has stepped back. Lately, he is speaking and taking stances which may force the intelligentsia to rethink about his capability that had been written off earlier. Maybe, he is beginning to peak when Narendra Modi, the prime-ministerial candidate of the BJP, is lessening in gathering people’s attention because he peaked too early. Talking about the Modi phenomenon, no doubt he has jolted the political parties and the people. He speaks excellent Hindi and goes down well in northern India. The rout of the Congress in Rajasthan in the Assembly elections has been primarily because of Modi. He even increased the tally of seats in Madhya Pradesh. Yet he has not clicked in West Bengal, Odisha, Kerala, northeastern states and to a large extent, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Even otherwise, his preference for Hindu nationalism in place of Indian nationalism has alienated the minorities, particularly Muslims who influence the outcome of the parliamentary elections in at least 200 constituencies out of 545. The BJP may emerge as the largest party in the next Lok Sabha following the elections in May. The defeat of the Congress in the four states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Delhi is a clear indication of people’s anti-Congress mood. But it does not mean that Modi is the next Prime Minister. The BJP may have to project a more acceptable person to form the government. Modi has not even apologised for the loss of lives and property of Muslims in the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat. There is a possibility of a dark horse, a non-Congress and a non-BJP person, who will have the support of regional parties to be the Prime Minister. It all depends on the election results. Lately, there has been a lot of outcry against corruption, forcing political parties to pay heed to morality. One example is that of Delhi legislature. Even though the BJP was only short of four members for the formation of the government, it did not try to prod or get the support of Independents. It said it did not get the mandate, something which was never the case before. This is a good beginning. Whether the political parties admit it or not, the AAP has set into motion an era which is harking back to values. What has been disturbing in the year 2013 is the rise of communalism — to an extent, it is Modi’s divisive politics which he has camouflaged under the garb of development. Once a ‘pracharak’ of the RSS, he is creating a wedge between Hindus and Muslims who have been living in peace for over a thousand years. The worst fallout of his propaganda has been the killing of Muslims in Muzaffarnagar. They were sharing a common life. But this did not fit into the BJP’s scheme of things. The police force was, as usual, partisan. The victims are still languishing in camps, despite the claim by state Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav of being pro-Muslim. That is the reason why the Prevention of Communal Violence Bill should have been enacted during the winter session. This would have enabled the Centre to intervene at a place where the police force was contaminated and the state administration lax. Parties can tear a leaf out of the book of the AAP. It has initiated a politics that transcends caste and creed. The AAP’s success shows that the people are ready for it. |
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To dad, with all my love Like all teenagers, my teen years were also dogged by self doubt, prevarication and of course idol worship. But you bore my teenage tantrums with the patience of a saint. The raucous blaring of heavy metal bands from the vicinity of my room upset the neighbours and obviously did nothing for your composure but you never reprimanded me. Instead, you introduced me to classical music and ghazals. And Dad today when I am unhappy, your gift of music gives me solace. In the manner so typical of a whimsical teenager, I could not decide between medicine and literature. One was a prestigious profession, the other my passion. You encouraged me to follow my heart. When I decided to prepare for the civil services you were my anchor. You dogged the book-sellers and went through all the dust-laden musty books of the city libraries making copious notes. You talked me out of my examination blues and in doing so you gave me the most invaluable gift of all — unshakeable faith in God. You believed and so you made me believe. When you were diagnosed with Parkinsonism, I wanted to shake my fist at destiny. How could fate be so unkind? You were a decorated soldier. You believed you were ‘the master of your destiny’. Why should you be crushed by such a debilitating handicap? You accepted your fate and reassured me with ‘hukme ander sab ko, bahar hukam na koi’. I have seen you shrug off the ill-effects of a bomb-shrapnel, battle landmines during Indo-Pak war and stoically accept Ma’s tragic loss, but today your affliction has made you frail and dependent. Everyday tasks of eating, drinking, walking are insurmountable obstacles that drain your energy and spirit. Yet your stock refrain is Rab da shukar hai. Like most children, I have always taken your love and care as my due. Today I write this paean to a Father whose never-say-die spirit inspired me and made me dream big. |
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A President’s predicament For those familiar with the reasoning behind political, economic and social boycotts, the West Asia-connected activity of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions regime — better known as BDS — should come as no surprise. This is the organisation that over the years has been aggressively campaigning worldwide to push for the isolation of Israel at every possible level, including sport, business, and academia. It is a movement that consists both of aggrieved Palestinians, as well as many foreign nationals who have devoted their lives and energy to persuade elected governments, civil institutions and even ordinary people to join the fight against the Jewish state. Launched back in 2005, the stated aims of their campaign are to end Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, equal rights for Palestinian citizens of Israel and the right of return for Palestinian refugees. Its celebrated international supporters include the British physicist Stephen Hawking, who boycotted a prestigious conference in Israel last year following an appeal from Palestinian academics. Setback from President BDS followers have long been accustomed to criticism of their work from Israel and its friends around the world. But what they never expected, not even in their wildest dreams, was that even Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas would himself come out in public against the campaign to boycott Israel. Hence the BDS movement’s decision to officially denounce Abbas as a “collaborator” and “traitor”. Barely a few weeks ago Abbas managed to shock the BDS and other Palestinians when, following the funeral of Nelson Mandela, he voiced opposition to the movement’s campaign for a total boycott of Israel. While opposing a complete boycott of Israel, Abbas told journalists in Johannesburg that the campaign should be directed only against settlement products. “No, we do not support the boycott of Israel,” he said. “We have relations with Israel, we have mutual recognition of Israel.” He did, however, call for a boycott of goods made by Israelis in the West Bank, declaring, “But we ask everyone to boycott the products of the settlements. Because the settlements are in our territories. It is illegal.” Abbas’ Johannesburg statement that he does not support a total boycott of Israel prompted Palestinian journalist Daoud Kuttab to observe that the Palestinian President’s declaration “naturally has angered many Palestinian and international supporters of the BDS movement”. He went on to say that it “reflects the absence of any clear strategy from the Palestinian political leadership except for negotiations. It is unclear whether the reason behind the Palestinian leader’s public attack at the BDS movement is a result of trying to protect the Palestinian elite or not wanting to anger the Israelis and their US allies.” Abbas’opposition to a total boycott of Israel is not hard to understand. How can he favour a boycott of Tel Aviv at a time when he’s conducting peace talks with Israelis and his security forces in the West Bank are working hand in glove with the Israeli military? Widespread criticism Meanwhile, Abbas’ controversial statement has drawn condemnation from BDS and other radical Palestinians who claim that he is not authorised to speak on behalf of the Palestinians, not least because his term in office expired five years ago. Omar Barghouti , co-founder founder of BDS, is among those with strong, critical views. A graduate of Columbia University, New York, he also holds a post graduate degree in philosophy from Tel Aviv University and is a founding member of the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel. Electronic Intifada, the independent news outlet focusing on Palestine, cited Barghouti as commenting on Abbas’ statement , “Any Palestinian official who lacks a democratic mandate and any real public support who today explicitly speaks against boycotting Israel only shows how aloof he is from his own people’s aspirations for freedom, justice and equality, and how oblivious he is to our struggle for our inalienable rights.” Salim Vally, spokesman for the Palestine Solidarity Committee in South Africa, likewise told Electronic Intifada that Abbas’ comments were “shocking” and represented an “attack on the global solidarity movement”. Abbas’words were “akin to what our erstwhile Bantustan leaders would have said and this has the potential of undoing much of the work of the solidarity movement which is supported by the vast majority of South Africans,” Vally added. University lecturer Samia Botmeh commented, “Palestinians are angry and feel let down by Abbas’comments, he is contradicting the popular will of Palestinians.” She added, “Of course we deal with Israel — everything in our life is controlled by Israel. But there are choices we can make, and we can call on the rest of the world to act.” The BDS movement is not alone in accusing Abbas and his Palestinian Authority of collaboration with Israel. Many Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip also seem to share this view. For instance they routinely refer to the Palestinian Authority as ‘Israel’s sub-contractor’ for security affairs in the West Bank. This is mainly due to the ongoing security coordination between Abbas’ security forces and Israel. Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority have a common enemy in the West Bank called Hamas. That’s why they are jointly clamping down on Hamas supporters in the area. Hamas is the radical Islamist movement that seeks to destroy Israel. For its part the Palestinian Authority operating from Ramallah, where India has diplomatic representation, has never denied the existence of security coordination with Israel. Abbas has justified this coordination by arguing that the Palestinians are obliged to fulfill their commitments in accordance with the 1993 Oslo Accords. Other Palestinian officials say that without security coordination the Palestinian Authority would lose hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign aid. The US and EU have repeatedly threatened to suspend financial aid to the Palestinians if they stopped working closely with the Israelis to fight against terrorism. American pressure Yet there are other reasons why many Palestinians see their West Bank leadership as a gang of despised collaborators, or as Israeli and American “agents”. One of these reasons is related to Abbas’ recent “capitulation” to American pressure to resume peace talks with Israel unconditionally. For five years Abbas kept telling his people that he would never go back to the negotiating table unless Israel agreed to freeze settlement construction and accepted the 1967 borders as the future border between a Palestinian state and Israel. But four months ago Palestinians woke up to see how their President, under immense US pressure, had abandoned his former, so-called pre-conditions and was returning to the negotiations with Israel in return for nothing. Now by dragging Abbas against his will to the peace talks with Israel, the US Administration has only reinforced the charge among many Palestinians that their President is not just an Israeli collaborator, but also a “pawn” in the hands of the Americans. What the Americans and Israelis have done to Abbas effectively amounts to a bear hug. Indeed by embracing the Palestinian President so tightly, the US and Israel have undermined his credibility in the eyes of his people. A President who is already seen as a traitor, collaborator and quisling would never be able to win the backing of a majority of his people for any peace agreement he reaches with Israel. Abbas, meanwhile, seems to be adding to his own predicament. Instead of working toward gaining popular support from the Palestinians, he has chosen to fight for the approval of Arab foreign ministers, who in their turn represent un-elected and unpopular regimes. In late December Abbas flew to Cairo to persuade Arab foreign ministers to support his opposition to new US proposals for solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He said the US plan was biased in favour of Israel. The Arab League did give him the backing he asked for, which included opposition to the plans for stationing Israeli soldiers along a future Palestinian state’s border with Jordan and an end to Israeli settlements. Arab League Secretary General Nabil El-Araby added that Israel’s “continuation of its obstinate practices and policies and its repetitive and variant requests does not create the atmosphere that is needed for the success of the negotiations.” Abbas may see the League’s endorsement of his views as a diplomatic feather in his own cap. But it is unlikely to help boost his personal standing among fellow Palestinians. Statement that shocked BDS No, we do not support the boycott of Israel. We have relations with Israel, we have mutual recognition of Israel. But we ask everyone to boycott the products of the settlements. Because the settlements are in our territories. It is illegal. Any Palestinian official who lacks a democratic mandate and any real public support who today explicitly speaks against boycotting Israel only shows how aloof he is from his own people’s aspirations for freedom, justice and equality, and how oblivious he is to our struggle for our inalienable
rights. |
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