Delhi under attack

THE HUNT for those miscreants whose planned attacks that rocked Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Jaipur is till on. But showing a thumb to the Indian security system, the Indian Mujaheedin members boldly claimed their responsibility after successfully conducting five blasts in different places of Delhi on Saturday (September 13) evening.


The first explosion took place in Karol Bagh area’s Gaffar Market’s MCD market at 6:10 p.m.; the second blast was reported in the Central Park of Connaught Place near Pallika Bazaar. The third one occurred at Barakhamba Road and then twin blasts hit Greater Kailash’s M-Block market. Later, four live bombs found near the India Gate, Central Park, Regal Cinema and Parliament Street were defused by experts. Today’s terrorist attack claimed the lives of 30 people and at least 90 people received fatal injuries. All the injured were rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia hospital, Lady Hardinge and Gangaram hospitals.



A red alert has been sounded throughout Delhi and the NCR region. Punjab and Haryana were also put under red alert. Just five minutes before the blasts took place, the Indian Mujaheddin had sent a warning e-mail to all Indian TV channels informing the same. The e-mail id is – ’al_arbi_delhi@yahoo.com’. The IP address is - 59.184.129.2 and the address of the sender is - 201-202, Eric Towers, Kamran India Pvt. Ltd., 16th Road, Chembur, Maharashtra. The first blast in Karol Bagh took place in a CNG autorickshaw and was followed by a blast in the cylinder kept on a scooter right behind it. Eyewitnesses reported that the impact of the blast was so heavy that the autorickshaw was tossed up at least 12 feet in the air. Only in Karol Bagh area, nearly 30 people received fatal injuries. All of them were rushed to the nearby nursing homes and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. Terrorists chose this spot as the MCD market area remained congested throughout the week. Their aim have been fulfilled as it is Saturday, a weekend.

The second blast went off in Cannaught Place, located at the heart of Delhi. The explosion took place at the parking stand near the Gopaldas Bhawan. Here the bomb was hidden in a dust-bin. Twenty people received severe injuries, who were also rushed to the hospital. The next blast occurred near the Metro station of the Barakhamba road. After that, twin blasts took place within 5 minutes at the M-Block market of the Greater Kailash-1. All the shopkeepers throughout the Capital downed their shutters after this incident. One bomb is believed to have been hidden in dustbin and the other in a scooter.

The concerned officials of the Bomb Disposal Squads and forensic teams have already rushed to all the affected sites. The Delhi Police has cordoned off the entire affected site.

The traffic has received a jolt throughout the city. Manmohan Singh, the prime minister of India condemned this heinous terrorist act and promised the nation that no offenders would be spared at any cost. Sonia Gandhi, the UPA chairperson also expressed deep grief over such incident. The prime minister also urged the Delhities to remain tranquil and not to be panic. Sheila Dixit, the chief minister of Delhi also expressed grief and ordered the administration to take stern action against the offenders as well as their supporters. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main opposition of the ruling government accused the ruling government of inefficiency.The govt. has announced that Rs. 5 lakhs will be given to the next kin of the deceased.

UNICEF expresses concern over Bihar floods

THE UNITED Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed grave concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Bihar, where more than three million people have been uprooted and at least 60 got killed in the worst flooding to hit north-east India in 50 years.


UNICEF is continuing its relief operation amid what it describes as a “grim humanitarian situation” with tens of thousands of people, including many children, still stranded in remote areas.


Many of them are living in the open, staying on highlands along river tributaries or on the side of the road, and many have moved more than once to escape rising flood waters.


“The displacement of people has been massive as people continue to flee or are evacuated from marooned areas. Many have settled in relief camps, but some of these have also been flooded”.
The relief and rehabilitation operation in Bihar could be needed for several months, according to UNICEF aid workers on the ground in the flood-afflicted area.


The agency is concentrating their efforts on delivering life-saving supplies such as clean water, medicines and shelter equipment, much of which was already stored in the region before the floods struck Bihar.


“Last year, flooding had affected other areas in Bihar and since then UNICEF had stockpiled emergency material there,” the agency’s spokesperson Veronique Taveau told reporters in Geneva.


“Therefore, it was able to immediately help affected people with plastic sheets, hygiene kits and other aid,” she added.

Should India support gay rights?

INDIA IS the pride of the world for being able to sustain a democracy in the part of the world that has seen military coups and dictatorships. On the other hand, India can teach to the western world what the meaning of democracy and freedom is. India and the rest of the world except for Europe and North America (including America) are beacons of freedom and democracy since there is a belief in the world (except for Europe and North America) that democracy and freedom is not voting every four years, or tolerating every immorality that exists. India can teach the people of Europe and North America that freedom and democracy implies responsibility.
India should not follow the example of the western immoral society and allow this foolishness called "gay rights". I say this from my experience of living in America, (and being a US citizen) I am tired of the excess tolerance for "gay rights" in the name of freedom and democracy. The city of Miami Florida has billboards proclaiming the "need to go against homophobia" while the US mainstream press has accused Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and even Communists (of the Asian variety) of being "intolerant, racist, biased and homophobic (the insult used by the so called gay and lesbian community against those who disagree with them).

The western world has destroyed what is called- the family. The laws that govern nature have always stated that a family should be a man, a woman, and a child. There is no space for man and man as well as woman and woman, which are aberrations. The so called "gay" and "lesbian" movement have forced their agenda on all spheres of western life, including the fact that professionals in the realms of law, healthcare and even culture have to pay lip service to these sexual deviations or face being sanctioned or marginalised by the powers that be. Vermont and Hawaii have legalised these aberrations such as "gay" and "lesbian" marriage. The American establishment gave publicity to a "marriage" (in my opinion an immoral aberration) between the comedian Ellen De Generes and her so called friend Portia La Rosa. The establishment also gave publicity to the immorality of Madonna, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) prohibits any suggestions that are constituted as "homophobic", which could mean defending the natural law of the family.

It is this aberration, when the border between freedom and responsibility crosses over to immorality of all kinds. It was these deviations including crimes and lack of respect that contributed to the fall of the Roman Republic around 30 BC, the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD and the fall of the various Greek Republic around the same era of 28 BC. I applaud the efforts of the African Anglicans who tell the new western imperialists in their church about the sins of their way.

I may not agree with Robert Mugabe (President of Zimbabwe) in many issues, but he is right when he stated that- "Freedom and democracy is incompatible with sexual deviations". (I often wonder if the western powers are trying to remove him because of these words). I also admire the People’s Republic of China, Iran and India for being beacons of morality, freedom, and responsibility when it comes to adherence to the laws governing nature (a man, a woman and a child).

India and the majority of the world has earned the right to become beacons of freedom. India should not copy the sexual deviations of western imperialism. India should be India so that it could develop while the western world (if it abandons the tenets of the laws of nature) can continue their gradual decline and fall.

Ansals surrender, sent to 14-day judicial custody

REAL ESTATE tycoons Gopal and Sushil Ansal, on Wednesday, surrendered before the Patiala House Court after Supreme Court cancelled their bail, stating that their role in destroying court records in the Uphaar Cinema fire case was criminal. Their bail plea was rejected yesterday (September 10).

The two brother were sent to 14-day judicial custody.

Ansals were given two years in jail in the Uphaar Cinema case but if they are found guilty of destroying evidence, they could face up to seven years in prison.

Apex Court in its order maintained that tampering with court record was a serious offence and bail should not have been granted to the accused.

Ansals were held guilty in 2007 and charged with criminal negligence, 10 years after 59 people were choked to death in South Delhi’s Uphaar Cinema owned by them.

There was a fire in the cinema hall after a short circuit, but the people could not escape as the exits were blocked. In 2007, the court convicted the brothers and sentenced them to two years in prison.

The latest Supreme Court directive comes in wake of the fact that evidence that they attempted to destroy documents that prove their day-to-day involvement with the running of Uphaar Cinema.

Strike or Bandh the right word - A Confusion

The issue is likely to open up a much wider debate than that concerning India's industrial future or the Late Swami Laxamananda Saraswati. The right to go on strike be treated as a basic - if not fundamental right in any democratic society., whether it professes socialism, capitalism or any other ism between the two.

The problem largely stems from semnatics, a confusion of terms between a voluntary strike or an enforced strike, popularly called as bandh. A voluntary strike - a refusal to protest against low wages anything else- is the obverse of the basic right to seek or to work. Much used bt M.K.Gandhi in his struggle for independence,the voluntary strike is the cornerstone of our democracy. As a legitimate form of dissent by deed -or rather , non-deed - the right to strike ought to be a basic right in a free society.

The Non Voluntary strike, or bandh,where force , or threat of force, is used to paralyse normal life is a clear violation of the rights of non-participating citizens to pursue their everyday business and must be deemed illegal - even when it styles itself as that ultimate paradox common to Bengal or any other parts of the country: the state sponsored bandh,which implies that the state is protesting against its own inequities.

So, should strike be banned? No. Should Bandhs be banned? Yes. Or else The Big Industrialists, will exercise their democratic right to go on strike - by striking out for whichever place offers the most business friendly environment.

Singur Confusion

LAND DISPUTES are becoming commonplace in India where businesses are being dumped amid blind protests and negligence of foresightedness. First it was Nandigram. Now it’s Singur. The land row in West Bengal has sent a wrong message across the business fraternity. The Singur siege led by controversial Trinamool Congress leader, Mamata Banerjee against Tata’s Nano project has left its administration and West Bengal government in dilemma.
Mamta has said that she is hoping for a positive solution to the Singur agitation, but will not back from the agitation unless the 400 acres of land is given back to the farmers. Amidst all such agitation and protests, Tata Motors has suspended operations at Singur plant and is in the process of exploring alternative locations after work had been disrupted since August 29. As of now, Tata’s dream project of Nano cars (the cheapest in India), has countered setback in Singur and if conclusive formula is not met with, it is destined to relocate to another venue outside Bengal.
Now the question arises, if Tata pulls out of Singur, what impact it would have on the industrialisation in West Bengal? The business community in the state is particularly concerned that if Tata leaves, others will definitely follow and this is going to hamper the industrial growth of the region. If the company goes, it is not only going to deprive the state of big money, but also blemish the image of the brand ’Bengal’.
The other big companies, which had decided to invest big money and time in this state largely because of the Nano plant at Singur, are now in dilemma and pondering over their options. Bharat Forge, Vedanta Group, Adhunik, Shyam Steel, Bhushan Steel, Abhijit Group and certain automobile majors who were mulling over investment in West Bengal, some of them had almost finalised, may not be all that keen to invest after the Singur standoff.
This standoff has certainly given cold shivers to Left-ruled government in West Bengal and deemed as a setback in its campaign to change its image from union-dominated, strike-bound state hostile to investors, to business-friendly government striving for uplift of living standards of people. The state government has been desperately trying to attract investors from within the country and abroad who for long had been adamant not to invest in the state because of the communist policies.

After Tata’s decision of suspending operation at Singur plant, the government has appointed West Bengal governor, Gopal Krishna Gandhi, as the mediator in the talk between Trinamool Congress chief and Tata Motors to reach a conclusion. There is evidence that the movement taken up by Mamta against the Tata project is witnessing a slow but steady divide, which may be a good sign for the government and the people of the region who are destined to benefit by the industrialisation of the region.
The most tormenting aspect of all such agitations is that the so-called flag bearers of such protests are in a habit of gaining short-term political gain keeping their eyes shut towards the mass benefit that may ensue in the long term. What goals can Mamta achieve for the land owners when the project is closed? Aren’t the land owners going to be benefitted more with Tata project in their place than they would otherwise be with mere agricultural land at their disposal? She is just trying to manoeuvre short-term political gains on the name of protest.
Supporters of the Nano plant at Singur argue that the project will lead to prosperity – and this is the reality. Look at the scenario – in the past one year, a number of banks have set up branches there, new constructions are coming up, jobs in a variety of forms in and around the plant are being created and new income is being generated. The region is getting a facelift and this may go on to benefit generations to come.
Even for the farmers whose lands were acquired for the plant, Tata’s withdrawal from Singur could be the worst case scenario. They may get back their land, but still be a loser, as it would have definitely provided new jobs and business opportunities, which would have boosted the local economy and the living standard of people.
Now, as the situation unfolds, voices are being raised against the Mamta-led agitation from even the farmers whose lands have been acquired. They do not want the Tatas to leave as they have started to believe that industrialisation would improve their lives. This view gains strength after the suicide of a farmer in protest against Tata’s ouster.
In a tragic incident, a 65-year-old farmer, Sushen Santra, from Joymalla village, living close to the Tata Motors plant, committed suicide after consuming pesticide at his residence. His family members said that it was due to the sheer shock of the Tata’s decision, announced a day earlier, to suspend work at its plant. He was upset after he heard that the Nano project might be relocated and committed suicide under depression.
His three sons work in the ancillary units located within the project area as daily wage earners and according to them, he was afraid they would lose their jobs. He was paid a sum of Rs 3,50,000 as compensation for his land from which he constructed a two-storey house and his living standard had improved due to job created for his sons. Now, with dark clouds looming over the project, he couldn’t stand the threat of losing all.

Meanwhile, in recent developments, it is learned that some landowners, who gave land for the project, demonstrated at the village demanding immediate resumption of work in the factory. But on the other hand, it seems that Mamta is keen on going ahead with her protest. Why can’t our politicians grow up? Just because of dogmatic approach of our politicians, the general people of the country have to suffer.
The business community in West Bengal is seeing the Singur siege as an unwanted obstacle in the road leading towards foreign investments and industrialisation of the state. The industrial climate is getting difficult and filthier in the state where the government needs to address the Singur issue if it wants to make West Bengal an investment destination at all.

orissa Kandamal Violence

WHEN ORISSA was gripped under violence targeted against Christians by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) extremists, there came a report of the World Bank’s latest estimates on global poverty. As per the report, 42 per cent of Indian population (456 million people) is living below newly adjusted international poverty line of $1.25 per day. The population of the poor has reached to 33 per cent (one-third) of the global poor. Moreover, it is quite shocking, but not surprising that those who are engaged in promoting education, moral and social upliftment to the weaker sections of the society, and providing financial support to the poor and downtrodden of our society are being targeted by the enemies of the humanity (ie, saffron brigade).

Whether it is Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena or the VHP, they have one thing in common, they are all made to harm the minorities for their own motives and setting their politics of hatred and immorality to further their unholy, ill-designed tasks. First, it was Muslims and now they are targeting Christians. More shocking is the fact that political parties known for spreading communal hatred and engaged in inciting violence against the minorities are once again queuing up unashamedly denying the VHP’s role in the attack on churches, orphanages, and burning alive the workers there. According to a report published in the Times of India few days ago, it is clear that the state government is handicapped and responding at a very slow pace and it seems they are turning their eyes from all the mess in Orissa. The present violence in Orissa has been planned under the same modus operandi that was observed in Gujarat. The local administration and communal forces are hand-in-glove in planning and executing attack against minority Christians in Orissa. An official was quoted in the TOI saying, “Though two additional Rapid Action Force (RAF) companies were rushed in, cops in the southern district found it difficult to move into interiors because of road blockades.”
The story of the systematic attacks on Christians have solid ground, if a pastor from Bhubaneshwar is believed who was quoted in the TOI saying, “A mob of about 70–80 people came with tyres, kerosene, petrol, and axes. Many of them were drunk.” Certainly, this is pointing towards the systematically planned attempt of communalists, which the intelligence agencies and the police must be aware of.

I was surprised when I read the news that a delegation of Christians met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday (August 28) and demanded severe action against the culprits and compensation for the victims, it was when the PM told the delegation that he will talk to the chief minister of Orissa to take actions against the culprits.
Hatred against any religion, caste, or sect and burning alive people as well as attacking innocents and engaging in arson of religious buildings and orphanages should be condemned and cannot be justified, whatsoever is the defence line. To be human is not as difficult.
We should first work for the betterment of downtrodden, depressed and miserable people, like what the Christian missionaries are doing, only then we can change the hearts of the people. Not surprisingly, it was Swami Laxmananad who himself once said, “The sooner Christians return to the Hindu fold, the better it would be for the country.” One should keep in mind that it is only love, care and support, which can win hearts of humans and nothing else.
Moreover, it is us, who should decide whether we want to be a nation with prosperity for all or be a “proud” nation having soaring graph of poverty and misery. Think and decided now before the time goes out of reach!