Sanjay Dutt Verdict

http://o3.indiatimes.com/mytimes/archive/2007/07/31/4754771.aspx

I totally disagree with the quantum of punishment handed down to Sanjay Dutt. Granted he was guilty of possessing weapons of banned calibre,but then, he has been in the can for over a year and been subjected to the painful experience of braving inefficiency of the Indian judicial system for over sixteen years, waiting for the trial to conclude.


Besides, his conduct during the 'waiting period' should have been taken into account before handing down the sentence. Doesnt jurisprudence advocate erradication of crime and not the criminal? A suitable community service would have more than adequately served the ends of justice in his case and humbled him for ever.

Second Korean hostage found dead

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6923455.stm

The regrettable killing of South Korean, 29-year-old Shim Sung-min in cold blood, has yet again proved that Taleban, is a desease, a sort of vicious fungus, prepared in the death laboratories(madrasses) of Pakistan. Like acid, it destroys everything it touches. Although one can pray for the remaining hostages and sympathise with the South Korean Government, you cannot negotiate with deseases and fungai. Concerted efforts at destruction of Taleban and Madrasses in Pakistan is the only answer.
The South Korean Government must hold the Taleban and Pakistan responsible for the henieous crime committed against their citizens.

600 suicide bombers put Pak in a tizzy

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/600_suicide_bombers_put_Pak_in_a_tizzy/articleshow/2242897.cms

600 suicide bombers within the limits of Pakistan's national capital? That too from just two Madrassas located in the heart of Islamabad that could easily have been monitored by the State security agencies and intelligence networks. Has anyone ever taken a stock of just how many Madrassas outside the sphere of influence of the Pakistani state apparatus are engaged in preparing these merchants of death, and in what numbers? It is not possible to believe that such destructive a mechanism was under manufacture without knowledge of the Pakistani Govt. The alarm in Pakistan is probably because the disease is likely to afflict the local population. Perhaps, it was okay to ignore the Madrassas involved in this kind of ‘education’, if their product was solely meant for export!

If this is the state of affairs under the very nose of the govt of Pakistan in their capital, Islamabad, what could be happening in Waziristan tribal region in the NWFP, where the govt has no control at all? Pakistani govt must be having all the data on sources of funding to Madrassas, number of students, the background checks of the learned staff, the sponsors and much more as is the norm everywhere. Now that there is a possibility of these suicide squads running amuck and turning on the home population, is Pakistan willing to initiate decisive measures to stamp them out permanently?

Though the report spells an ominous future for the world, it offers another opportunity to Pakistan to realize that it cannot play with fire without getting scalded.

US joins hunt to track Dawood

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/US_joins_hunt_to_track_Dawood_Ibrahim/articleshow/2245152.cms

The response of the Pakistani establishment to a US query regarding whereabouts of Dawood Abraham would be standard and predictable. It is interesting that the US also posed this query to the ISI. Sounds familiar somehow! We can expect to see a 'Don’t know where Dawood is' answer from Pakistan in tomorrow's paper. One can almost read tomorrow's headlines in any news paper - Pakistan hurt at the query, Pakistan reminding all that it is in the frontlines of war on terror, Pakistan reminding all how much it has sacrificed in their war on terror etc etc. It will not be out of order to imagine day after tomorrow's headlines too - The US reiterating that Pakistan is indeed a frontline State in war against terror, it is an indispensable ally and Musharraf the most handsome of men in the world etc etc.

The US has finally discovered that Dawood Abraham, the 'global terrorist', is an Al-Qaeda facilitator and now living in Pakistan; must have had their intelligence agencies burning countless barrels of midnight oil. India has all along maintained that Dawood’s narcotics trade was linked up with Al Qaeda and that his drugs and Al Qaeda’s arms and explosives routes to trouble spots in Asia, Europe and else where have long since merged. There were numerous press reports that mentioned the exact address of the ‘global terrorist’ in Karachi, Pakistan. The reports also disclosed the nexus between Dawood Abraham and the ISI. If there is no substance in the press reports, Pakistan can arrest Dawood in no time at all and hand him over to either the US or India and establish its credibility. But then, that would make it difficult for Pakistan to deny its role in sponsoring terror strikes in India and the logistics support to Al Qaeda and Taleban in Afghanistan, Iraq and else where.

No matter what comes of the US query, it is heartening to note the West’s realization that India’s goose is West's goose too, and not gander, as used to be the case when India was a lonely state combating terrorism .

Red Mosque: Who is the suicide bomber

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6920244.stm

Although the likelyhood of the Red Mosqe bomber belonging to Taleban or a militant group like lashkar-e-toiba, Jaish-e-mohammed, jamiat-ulema-e-islamia or numerous other militant groups operating in Pakistan is high, with the unchecked availability of explosives and other war like stores in Pakistan and the tempers running high amongst students of the two seminaries in the Red Mosque, the blast having been carried out by a student of one of these seminaries, cannot, all together, be ruled out. Since Jaish-e-mohammad lost the maximum number of militants holed up in the mosque during the Army operation, it had the most motivation for a revenge of some sort.

No matter who was responsible for the blast in the proximity of the controversial Mosqe, the significance of the event marks a watershed in developments within pakistan. since the early eighties, Pakistan had painstakingly nurtured a militant culture and blatantly encouraged home grown terrorists to interfere in neighbouring countries; in India to pursue its policy of 'A Thousand Cuts' and in Afghanistan, to create a 'Strategic Depth' by establishing the now infamous 'Taleban' rule. Though Pakistan did succeed to bleed India initially and was able to manage an untried depth in Afghanistan, it stands alienated from both its neighbours today. In its dogged determination to see India victimised by the terror machine it manufactured, pakistan failed to foresee the possibility of the machine going out of control and turning upon the manufacturers. The Pakistani planners of 'OPERATION TOPAC' had seriosly faulted in accurately assessing the impact of the operation for its own self, at least in the long term. Nations venturing out to achieve strategic objectives through military intervention in other countries, and succeeding, is a commonmly recorded fact of history. This would, perhapse, be the first instance of a state attempting to employ terror apparatus to achieve its strategic aims.

That the initiative proved detrimental to long term interests of Pakistan is of utmost significance for the world. For, had Pakistan succeeded in achieving its nefarious objectives employing terrorism as an instrument of state policy, even the most advanced armed forces of the world would have become redundant. Other nations would have emulated Pakistan and preferred the cheaper option of creating and maintaining terror outfits than the well equipped and expensive regular defence forces.

Hopefully, futility of employing underhand methods to achieve military objectives would have dawned on Pakistan. Any other possibility will be disasterous for the world and suicidal for Pakistan as a political entity.

Indo US neuclear deal

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_may_have_mortgaged_right_to_future_nuke_tests/articleshow/2241381.cms

I think this is a much awaited and desired deal. It enhances the Indian civilian nuclear capabilities in terms of meeting India's energy requirements, at the same time, leaving India's military options ... largely untouched.

The fear of the 123 Agreement capping our nuclear strike capability or deterrence has been well taken care of as India has retained its military nuclear capabilities, current and future, intact. India had already announced a moratorium on conducting nuclear tests , probably because it has developed laboratory testing techniques to its satisfaction. Allowing Indian civilian nuclear establishments to be inspected by the IAEA to assauge American fears of prolification does not dent the future Indian military options.

If you see the energy scene ... by IDSA ... this gives a good picture about the energy scene in India: http://www.ciaonet.org/olj/sa/sa_99das03.html

Times of India Poll: 27 Jul 2007

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/vote.cms


Indiatimes poll question : What has contributed to the bloodbath in the markets on Friday?

Oil prices capping an all time high has affetcted markets the world over. Though the fundamentals of the Indian economy remain untouched, market dynamics have taken a toll of the investers' wealth.

The Madarsa Monitor

http://www.tehelka.com/story_main33.asp?filename=Ne280707the_madarsa_CS.asp

There is no doubting the intention of the UPA Govt and the benefits of the proposed National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI) being set up. However, the political parties and prominant muslim individuals and organisations must take up the cudgels to convince Indian muslims of the viability and usefulness of the proposal. This can, ofcourse, happen when there are no political browny points being counted, no political equations being drawn and the sole purpose of the endeavour is to steer larger Indian interests towards a future we can all be proud of. Generating positive opinion about the scheme has to come from solid conviction of the good it can bring about. Any ulterior motive camouflaged behind the seemingly noble scheme would be counter productive and is likely to do more damage than the good it was ever designed to.

Whether the breed of politicians that we currently have is able to put aside personal or party interests/differences and work for a better India is a moot point; and one that can be debated till the cows come home. A case in point is the sudden clamber among politicians to get on the Mandal II bandwagon to improve their vote statistics in any election. There are those who have been in politics for over four decades, and whose utility to the nation had finally begun to dawn on the people, who have only just discovered their love for the country's downtrodden; only to remain relevant in their chosen profession and to serve their personal political ambitions.

Even in such environs and with such people at the helms of affairs, like our Prime Minister says, maybe this is another idea whose time has come.

Farmer Suicides in India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Nine_farmers_commit_suicide_in_Vidarbha/articleshow/2233946.cms

The frequent reports of Indian farmers committing suicide has an extremely depressing effect on the readers. It must be much worse for the families of the farmers. Inspite of the Prime Minister having made a trip to the Vidharbha region last year and promised effective steps to help out the farmer community, the trend has not been arrested. Maybe, the Prime Minister's good intensions and Govt's efforts have missed the right direction. Maybe, those involved in giving a practical shape to the Prime Minister's intensions and the Govt's policies in this regard are not the right medium to curb this curse. There has to be a reason why such suicides are still taking place.The local farmers must have a say in solving the problem as they have the best feel of the ground realities.

The Govt must initiate the strongest possible measures to lift the farmers out of their misery. And this needs to be done on a war footing!

Farmer Suicides: Act now

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Nine_farmers_commit_suicide_in_Vidarbha/articleshow/2233946.cms


The frequent reports of Indian farmers committing suicide has an extremely depressing effect on the readers. It must be much worse for the families of the farmers. Inspite of the Prime Minister having made a trip to the Vidharbha region last year and promised effective steps to help out the farmer community, the trend has not been arrested. Maybe, the Prime Minister's good intentions and Govt's efforts have missed the right direction. Maybe, those involved in giving a practical shape to the Prime Minister's intentions and the Govt's policies in this regard are not the right medium to curb this curse. There has to be a reason why such suicides are still taking place. The local farmers must have a say in solving the problem as they have the best feel of the ground realities.



The Govt must initiate the strongest possible measures to lift the farmers out of their misery. And this needs to be done on a war footing!

Buildings Collapse in India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Lids_off_Mumbais_cement_scam/articleshow/2231802.cms
Why ask the RWAs for suggestions to avoid building collapse cases in Mumbai? If the law enforcers did their job properly, and the law makers ensured that they did, we would not have to read such sorry tails of people busy in destroying a structure before it is erected. If this is the story in the fifth most honest city, one shudders to imagine what must be happening else where!

Such offences coming to light must be treated at par with 'Attempt to Murder' and the perpetrators tried under relevant provision of the law of the land.

Kiran Bedi: Top Cop Job

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2233053.cms

Letter to the editor

Why should Kiran Bedi be so upset at her being overlooked for the top cop job in the capital? Granted she has the right qualifications and the seniority for it and that she deserves the promotion; granted also that she had done an excellent job during the last two tenures of her duty as traffic cop and at the Tihar Jail and the fact that she has the confidence of the people of Delhi. By now she should have known these are the precise reasons for her disqualification for any important assignment coming her way, particularly with the present Govt. Maybe she did not notice the Govt's efforts in denying a second term to Mr APJ Abdul Kalam in the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

To top it all, she has always shown a remarkable tendency to face the odds(read politicians) in doing the right thing. How then, pray, can she expect to be anywhere near a position of responsibility?

Bin Laden in Pakistan

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bin_Laden_in_Pakistan_US_intelligence_chief/articleshow/2227801.cms
Ofcourse Bin Laden is in Pakistan. Where else would he find a more hospitable welcome?Pakistani leaders have always denied his presence on their soil; and why not? They had also denied presence of Jaish-e-Mohd and its leader, Maulana Masood Azhar - remember the IC 814 hijack of Indian Airlines plane to Kandhahar (Afghanistan), in Pakistan. So how did the Jaish-e- Mohd militants turn up inside the Red Mosque? Musharraf acted against them only when they posed a direct challenge to his authority. Until then, the Pakistani establishment continued to deny that Jaish-e-Mohd was at all active in Pakistan.

It is high time the world saw through Pakistan's pretence of innocence as far as Al Qaeda and the Taleban are concerned. Pakistani leaders acting ignorant of presence of Bin Laden, his terror outfit and the Taleban in Pakistan is the same as George Bush and Gordon Brown making a joint statement that they do not know where the Atlantic Ocean is.

There is no denying that, following the Red Mosque episode, Pakistan is suffering casualties in Waziristan. But then, that is the cost it is paying for the terror infrastructure it has established on its soil. It is pay back time now!

It is amazing that the west needed intelligence inputs to declare Bin Laden's presence in Pakistan when the whole world has always known where he could, without a doubt, be. Next they will need satelite pictures to locate New York.

Pres Kalam forced to leave

http://in.indiatimes.com/vote.cms

A fine man, a great scientist and the best President India ever had, Kalam has added to the prestige and stature of the highest public office in the country. His easy accessiblity and simple manner endeared him to Indians accross the whole wide spectrum of the population. What a pity then, the political class did not appreciate his suitability for a second term as President. Given the kind of politicians we elect, maybe we do not deserve persons of his integrity and calibre as our first citizen.

That said, may the life ahead hold promises that he did not, so far, have the time for. May this great country continue to derive inspiration and encouragement from him. May his tribe increase !

Befriending Pakistan is mission impossible

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Opinion/Letters_to_the_Editor/Befriending_Pakistan_is_mission_impossible/articleshow/msid-1750311,curpg-19.cms

In light of Kasuri's insensitive comments, which cannot have been released without Musharraf's approval, it is strange that TOI editorial recommends continuance of peace talks with Pakistan. There has to be a saturation point in the Indian patience as far as Pakistani support to terrorism is concerned. Or has there to be another threat to life and limb of the political class ( Parliament attack)to shake the country out of its euphoria. Pakistan has to be made to realise that there is a price to pay for playing a central role in terror activities in the region.

Black Day in medical history

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1710222.cms

Removal of A Ramadoss from the Govt should be the next priority now. He is shameless enough not to resign even after the high court slap on his Mandal II face.

Ramadoss is being a typical hypocrite by mouthing niceties about the Director of AIIMS. He may have succeeded in fooling the constituency that elected him. He is naive if he thinks he can fool the whole country by his 'Nothing Personal' comments on the Venugopal issue. The people can see him clearly for what he is, political filth and an Arjun Singh crony!

Befriending Pakistan is mission impossible

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1750311,prtpage-1.cms


My comments on an opinion poll in Times of India:-

The USA and others at the G-8 may understand India's point of view much better if the Pakistani jihadis' sordid act becomes a rehearsal of other such strikes in those countries. It doesn't have to be so is the point to be driven home to the world. Isolate Pakistan now and recognise it for the rabid and rouge state it is now, before it is too late.

Befriending Pakistan is mission impossible

My comments to an opinion poll in the Times of India:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Opinion/Letters_to_the_Editor/Befriending_Pakistan_is_mission_impossible/articleshow/msid-1750311,curpg-8.cms

That Pakistan is the main sponsor of jihadi culture was never in doubt, at least as far as the people of India are concerned. Now that the GOI(Government of India) too has become aware of the fact, are we going to stop at just beating our chests at the G-8 summit? Is the GOI made up of little boys who cannot decide for themselves what response to make to a rabid neighbour. Time and again it has been proved that Parvez Musharraf is a liar and he only speaks the anti-terror language to remain on the right side of the US. Are we then just going to remain mute spectators to Pakistan sponsored terror strikes in our country just because Musharraf has managed to please Bush? Prime Minister, you have proved that you are a decent man, now it is time to show the world that you are also capable of sorting out an incorrigible neighbour. Pakistan will never mend its ways unless the price for such dalliance is raised by India to unacceptable limits.

Musharraf's New Challenge

There is unlikely to be any serious threat to Musharraf's hold over Pakistan. Political disturbances, bomb blasts and militant activities are not new to the country. Restoration of stability in Pakistan is only a matter of time. The opposition in Pakistan will never be united enough to continue the stir against his rule now that Justice Chaudhary has been reinstated.

Musharraf's future

http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/post!reply.jspa?threadID=6922&edition=2&ttl=20070722055649
There is unlikely to be any serious threat to Musharraf's hold over Pakistan. Political disturbances, bomb blasts and militant activities are not new to the country.

Can Musharraf contain militant threat?

http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6883&&&edition=2&ttl=20070720155502

Good Read

Presidential Elections

This has reference to an opinion survey conducted by TOI on whether UNPA should not be allowed to abstain from Presidential polls.

These are the very same politicians who cry themselves hoarse trying to convince us that casting our votes is in national interest. Abstension from voting in the Presidential elections by these politicians is a clear double standard approach to an issue whose importance is not lost on themjagdishmadan.blogspot.com