IT REFERS to Central Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi rightly exercising the power granted to him under section 25(5) of Right To Information Act to direct Delhi High Court to modify RTI rules for Delhi district courts in tune with spirit of RTI Act.
Similar directions were earlier given by Central Information Commission (CIC) to Allahabad High Court also to frame its rules according to basic spirit of RTI Act. But such ambiguity in RTI rules by several other high courts and some states still exists. CIC should direct all such public-authorities and states to rectify their rules in conformity with provisions of RTI Act, without waiting for any petition coming before the CIC.
Central Information Commission should take up the matter with Department of Personnel and Training to repeal sections 27 and 28 of RTI Act which give undue powers to states and public-authorities to frame their own rules. ‘One nation one act’ motto should be there so that rules and fees may be exactly same and alike for all states and public-authorities throughout the country for implementation of RTI Act exactly as passed by the Parliament.
November 19, 2010
RTI petitions should be accepted at all post offices
INDIAN POSTS Department offers a noble service at selected post-offices to receive RTI petitions for any public-authority on submission of RTI fees of ten rupees thus saving postal-expenses and postal-order commission for users of RTI Act.
But this service is neither popular nor available at all post-offices. Facility to receive RTI petitions for any public-authority only on payment of RTI fees of rupees ten should be made available at all post-offices throughout the country. Since every post-office, however small it may be, is attached/connected to a bigger post-office, RTI petitions thus received at smaller post-offices can be sent to big post-offices for being processed further.
In the meanwhile Indian Posts Department should issue special commission-free RTI postal-orders of rupees ten payable at all post-offices at par with payee’s name endorsed as “Accounts Officer” requiring a petitioner to write just name and address of the sender. Best is to issue RTI stamp of rupees ten to eliminate all difficulties in remitting RTI fees.
Otherwise also, Indian Posts Department should give a new modern look to postal-orders besides having a convenient sale-system. With modernised clearing-operation, it is needless to provide space for payable Post-Office. These should be payable at par at all post-offices.
Presently postal-orders are available only at select post-offices that too in restricted timings of just two hours. These should be available at all post offices during their complete working hours like postage-stamps are sold. Postal-orders should also be available for frequent users in convenient booklet-forms with ten postal-orders. Denominations for postal-orders presently are rupees 1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 20, 50 and 100.
But postal-orders of rupees 1, 2 and 7 are hardly available or even of any considerable use.
Even if postal-orders of these denominations are available, they are very old and not handle-able. Considering high cost of printing and handling of postal-orders, postal-orders should be of minimum 10-rupees denomination. Instead new denominations of rupees 200 and 500 can be added.
But this service is neither popular nor available at all post-offices. Facility to receive RTI petitions for any public-authority only on payment of RTI fees of rupees ten should be made available at all post-offices throughout the country. Since every post-office, however small it may be, is attached/connected to a bigger post-office, RTI petitions thus received at smaller post-offices can be sent to big post-offices for being processed further.
In the meanwhile Indian Posts Department should issue special commission-free RTI postal-orders of rupees ten payable at all post-offices at par with payee’s name endorsed as “Accounts Officer” requiring a petitioner to write just name and address of the sender. Best is to issue RTI stamp of rupees ten to eliminate all difficulties in remitting RTI fees.
Otherwise also, Indian Posts Department should give a new modern look to postal-orders besides having a convenient sale-system. With modernised clearing-operation, it is needless to provide space for payable Post-Office. These should be payable at par at all post-offices.
Presently postal-orders are available only at select post-offices that too in restricted timings of just two hours. These should be available at all post offices during their complete working hours like postage-stamps are sold. Postal-orders should also be available for frequent users in convenient booklet-forms with ten postal-orders. Denominations for postal-orders presently are rupees 1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 20, 50 and 100.
But postal-orders of rupees 1, 2 and 7 are hardly available or even of any considerable use.
Even if postal-orders of these denominations are available, they are very old and not handle-able. Considering high cost of printing and handling of postal-orders, postal-orders should be of minimum 10-rupees denomination. Instead new denominations of rupees 200 and 500 can be added.
RTI procedures should be tightened for public authorities
MANY CIVIC authorities especially like Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) are not adopting correct practices in responding to RTI petitions making the petitioners utterly confused and harassed.
MCD neither mentions date of RTI petition nor complete name and other details of responding Public Information Officer (PIO).
Every civic authority must compulsorily mention dates of RTI petition and its receipt together with complete name, designation, address, telephone-number and e-mail ID of responding PIO together with similar details about Appellate Authority as required under section 7(8) of RTI Act.
Appellate Authority at Supreme Court does not follow basics of legal principles and RTI Act. Appellate Authority there orders charging of cost for documents not provided by PIO within 30 days of receipt of RTI petition in contradiction of section 7(6) of RTI Act.
File-notes reveal that Appellate Authority at Supreme Court even endorses PIO’s reply while Appellate Authority, Ramesh Abhishek at Department of Justice follows healthy tradition of refusing any such endorsement because an Appellate Authority should not be a part of decision-making process!
Central Information Commission should issue necessary directives in this regard so that the entire process is transparent and adheres to the basic protocol of Right To Information.
MCD neither mentions date of RTI petition nor complete name and other details of responding Public Information Officer (PIO).
Every civic authority must compulsorily mention dates of RTI petition and its receipt together with complete name, designation, address, telephone-number and e-mail ID of responding PIO together with similar details about Appellate Authority as required under section 7(8) of RTI Act.
Appellate Authority at Supreme Court does not follow basics of legal principles and RTI Act. Appellate Authority there orders charging of cost for documents not provided by PIO within 30 days of receipt of RTI petition in contradiction of section 7(6) of RTI Act.
File-notes reveal that Appellate Authority at Supreme Court even endorses PIO’s reply while Appellate Authority, Ramesh Abhishek at Department of Justice follows healthy tradition of refusing any such endorsement because an Appellate Authority should not be a part of decision-making process!
Central Information Commission should issue necessary directives in this regard so that the entire process is transparent and adheres to the basic protocol of Right To Information.
Wake up Naveen Babu, keep Vedanta in Odisha
WITH ODISHA High Court declaring land acquired for the Vedanta University, a Stanford-kind university ‘illegal’, the Anil Agrawal Foundation’s mega project has virtually come to a standstill. The ruling has created mixed reactions both at the political and intellectual circles as future of the state is at stake.
The Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government, which enjoys political hegemony in the state in the absence of a strong and well organized opposition party, has once again come under furious attack from all quarters for giving green signal to the UK-based group by passing the Vedanta University Bill in the assembly in July 2009 and subsequently helping them to acquire 4500 acres of proposed 6892 acres of land on Puri-Konark marine drive.
Tough-speaking Naveen known for his hyper dream of taking the state tothe top of industrial map in the country did a very good PR exercise when he faced media after the HC ruling. His reaction was normal as if the order had no ramifications. He just said his government would study the order before taking any decision. He must take prompt decision and right action, otherwise Odisha may face the same fate as the Tata Nano-West Bengal row.
Vedanta, which is facing the public resents in Odisha in the wake of serious revelations by various ministries over its mining project in Niyamgiri hills in Kalahandi district, hinted that the university project may go to other states like Andhra Pradesh or Karnataka. Karnataka has already sent feelers to Vedanta chief Anil Agarwal assuring him all support if he decided to relocate the project to the state.
For all good reasons, the Vedanta University project is vital for the development of the state. It is not because of the fact that it would be one of the largest universities in the world and glorify the state at the international level or attract foreign tourists, or provide job opportunities to the locals. It is question of foreign direct investment. It is the matter of rapid industrialization through private companies.
With much-needed efforts, the state has managed to attract national and foreign companies such as POSCO, Vedanta, Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL), Pradhan Steel and Power Private Limited, Atha Mines Private Limited and Tecton Ispat Private Limited , Isagro Asia Agro Chemical Private Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of Isagro SpA of Italy , Kolkata-based Shyam Group, Sahara Group, Aditya Birla Group , Jindal Stainless Ltd (JSL) and Arcelor Mittal.
These companies are yet to start their operations in the eastern region - the region has its dubious distinction of poverty, malnutrition and starvation deaths. These projects are significant for the all-round development of the state, whose destiny has been sleeping over the decades. More than 40 percent of the state’s population is in BPL list, which is highest in India. The per capita income of the state is Rs 5,747 against the national average of Rs 11,013. The average monthly per capita consumer expenditure is Rs 399 in rural areas and Rs 757 in urban areas, compared with Rs 558 and Rs 1,052 at the national level, respectively. Ironically, most of the projects, most notably POSCO and Vedanta (mining project) are struggling to gain momentum, mainly due to political differences between state and centre.
Coming back to the Vedanta University project, the government should not overlook the concerns raised by the social and environmental stakeholders as it affects a larger section of the society. At the same time, it should not allow the project move out the state. The need of the hour is to bring a striking balance between industrial development and environmental sustainability.
For those reasons, the Naveen government should wake up and find an alternative, maybe in form of reducing the size of land or shifting the project to some other parts of the state for the benefit of all.
The Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government, which enjoys political hegemony in the state in the absence of a strong and well organized opposition party, has once again come under furious attack from all quarters for giving green signal to the UK-based group by passing the Vedanta University Bill in the assembly in July 2009 and subsequently helping them to acquire 4500 acres of proposed 6892 acres of land on Puri-Konark marine drive.
Tough-speaking Naveen known for his hyper dream of taking the state tothe top of industrial map in the country did a very good PR exercise when he faced media after the HC ruling. His reaction was normal as if the order had no ramifications. He just said his government would study the order before taking any decision. He must take prompt decision and right action, otherwise Odisha may face the same fate as the Tata Nano-West Bengal row.
Vedanta, which is facing the public resents in Odisha in the wake of serious revelations by various ministries over its mining project in Niyamgiri hills in Kalahandi district, hinted that the university project may go to other states like Andhra Pradesh or Karnataka. Karnataka has already sent feelers to Vedanta chief Anil Agarwal assuring him all support if he decided to relocate the project to the state.
For all good reasons, the Vedanta University project is vital for the development of the state. It is not because of the fact that it would be one of the largest universities in the world and glorify the state at the international level or attract foreign tourists, or provide job opportunities to the locals. It is question of foreign direct investment. It is the matter of rapid industrialization through private companies.
With much-needed efforts, the state has managed to attract national and foreign companies such as POSCO, Vedanta, Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL), Pradhan Steel and Power Private Limited, Atha Mines Private Limited and Tecton Ispat Private Limited , Isagro Asia Agro Chemical Private Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of Isagro SpA of Italy , Kolkata-based Shyam Group, Sahara Group, Aditya Birla Group , Jindal Stainless Ltd (JSL) and Arcelor Mittal.
These companies are yet to start their operations in the eastern region - the region has its dubious distinction of poverty, malnutrition and starvation deaths. These projects are significant for the all-round development of the state, whose destiny has been sleeping over the decades. More than 40 percent of the state’s population is in BPL list, which is highest in India. The per capita income of the state is Rs 5,747 against the national average of Rs 11,013. The average monthly per capita consumer expenditure is Rs 399 in rural areas and Rs 757 in urban areas, compared with Rs 558 and Rs 1,052 at the national level, respectively. Ironically, most of the projects, most notably POSCO and Vedanta (mining project) are struggling to gain momentum, mainly due to political differences between state and centre.
Coming back to the Vedanta University project, the government should not overlook the concerns raised by the social and environmental stakeholders as it affects a larger section of the society. At the same time, it should not allow the project move out the state. The need of the hour is to bring a striking balance between industrial development and environmental sustainability.
For those reasons, the Naveen government should wake up and find an alternative, maybe in form of reducing the size of land or shifting the project to some other parts of the state for the benefit of all.
November 16, 2010
The Facebook Movie: It is about you
DISCERNIBLE ENOUGH, every mind craves for recognition and every head implores for crown. This is what serves as the spine of this masterpiece, by David Fincher. How would it be if a young boy with all the gray matter in the world becomes the richest acceptance seeker- exactly defines Mark Zuckenberg? Mark is a Harvard product, looking for ways to get into the ‘finals club’ that is the tag over almost all the big names in the university. Mark tries weirdest possible ways for which you can appreciate his brain, but unfortunately, he ends up with zilch in hands.
Mark is craving to get into the ‘final club’ that he thinks is a prestige issue and unfortunately, this idea makes his girlfriend dump him. Just after this, he creates a social networking site called facemash.com with an exclusive application on which you can rate the hottest girls in Harvard. The site turns out as a big success, so big that it crashes Harvard’s server. Moreover, rather than appreciation, it comes out as a curse to Mark, as he ends up with a black image in front of girls and their boyfriend start threatening him for the same. This surely gains him some attention as the Winklevoss twins; tall, blonde, rich and popular people call him for a partnership in creation of a networking site that would work within Harvard. Even after accepting the idea, he does not get entry in the club, which he thinks would have been his chance to meet all the upper class people. He feels disrespected and reforms the idea, paving the path to his facebook.com. This was no doubt, a billion dollar idea. For the financial support, he asks his best friend Eduardo to do a partnership as the owner of facebook.com.
You better do not feel sympathetic towards Mark. It may come as a surprise to you that when Eudardo becomes a member of the club, getting something that Mark craves for, he starts making things difficult and apposite for him without even giving a second thought on this. Mark proves to be a selfish, stubborn character suffering from superiority complex. You may identify it to be a psychological dish. Here destiny conspires to make it worse for Mark only. Even after becoming a billionaire, he can’t really taste the pleasure. He stands amidst two lawsuits and hence the creation of the most successful and popular networking site becomes one of the biggest controversial name games. Upsetting part is that one of these comes from his own friend, Eudardo who wants to sue him. Second one, no doubt from the Winklevoss twins who have this case where they say that mark stole their idea for the site.
The plot and script deserves hats off. In every movie things become predictable but here neither can you foretell the next nor do you get any space to blink your eye. You will hold your breath with every expression and sarcasm that crosses the silverscreen. It is totally Aaron Sorkin’s script that you can connect with the movie so well. C’mon, it is part of you day to day life. You actually relate to the story, after all everybody looks for acceptance and feels desperate for things that have direct connection with fame. Therefore, it will not be wrong to say that after watching this you feel a Mark somewhere inside you. How far can your desire drag you?
Mooting upon the technical side of the movie, you will awe at the lighting in every frame and shot. Few movies bring it this decent and precise that no matter if the second shot of Mark behind the door with Eudardo in serious conversation is in light, the practical part is that in the first his other side was in complete shadow maintaining the practical and aesthetic balance, tough task. Movie begins with long and lengthy follow shots that make it suspicious. Never seen such smooth shots, without a single jerk in any of the cranes or pans. Not to mention the shift focus the glass with some formulae written over it. How perfectly can you put in your creativity into simple things and serve them as one of their kind? You start watching a movie with a long conversation in the beginning itself and you are still not bored. Rather, you can’t move your eyes.
One of the best given by Eisenberg. This movie surely pays off well.
November 11, 2010
Congress Secular Hindu Forum opposes Obama's visit
THE CONGRESS Secular Hindu Forum (CSHF) strongly believes that the present state visit of the United States of America President Barack Obama to India is detrimental to the interests of the Indian farmers and youth. In a statement issued, CSHF national general secretary K Ravi Kumar alleged that Obama’s main purpose of the visit was to exploit India with active collusion of Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to cover up his failures in his own country.
CSHF reminded that Obama is visiting India at a time when his popularity is very low in his home country following his failure to convince a lot of Americans about his efficacy of corporate bailouts and economic stimulates in reviving the economy and his country is facing grim employment situation.
In order to save the failing agricultural economy in his country, CSHF alleged that Obama is brining pressure on Indian government to adopt corporate farming and US companies’ domination in seeds supply to our farmers. This would turn Indian farmers into agricultural labourer in their own fields and Indian agriculture would be completely surrenders to US economy for its very survival.
CSHF also strongly objected to India’s readiness to buy fighter aircrafts from this US, worth 12 billion dollar (Rs 5,400 crore), as at presently India is not facing any major war-threat. Ravi Kumar lamented that this deal would save Obama’s position in USA by enabling him to create employment to one lakh youth permanently and making India’s defense at the mercy of US.
According to CSHF, the urgent need for India’s defense is strengthening its ordinance factories, modernise its infrastructure and attract more and more talent into the army with attractive incentives, rather importing critical equipments from US.
It felt, Congress is aware about USA’s expansionism and exploitive tendencies since the times of Nehru, who promoted Non-Aligned Movement by joining hands with Nasser of Egypt and Joseph Tito of Yugoslavia, opposing the hegemony of USA in world politics. Since then, USA waged proxy war against India by creating trouble in Kashmir through its CIA, later in Punjab, North East and in recent times all over the country with active collusion of Pakistan’s ISI.
All the national leaders from Nehru to Indira Gandhi and P V Narasimha Rao kept USA away form interfering into our internal affairs. But unfortunately, the United Progressive Alliance government led by Dr Manmohan Singh colluding with USA determining to the interests of Indian people.
Ravi Kumar deplored that Obama staring his tour from Mumbai under the guise of offering condolence to the victims of Mumbai blasts, even after it was suspected US’s CIA was colluded with ISI after the revelation that US was aware of the master-mind behind the blasts Headly’s intentions well in advance. As USA opened its Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) office in Mumbai, CSHF felt that the terror attack was intended to give scope for USA to expand its intelligence network in India. “How can Obama visit terror attack place without handing over Headly to India for investigation?” he asked.
CSHF accused that USA, which was instrumental in promoting terror network in India, was behind the brutal killing of our great leaders Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. USA’s imperialistic tendencies were known as `Nexus of Devil’ in countries like Palestine, Cuba, Korea, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. No country prospered with liberal assistance from USA, but collapsing completely in all fields, he observed.
CSHF lamented that Obama’s visit was intended to collapse India’s IT industry spread in cities like Bangalore and Hyderabad, threatening USA’s economy with active cooperative from Dr Manmohan Singh under the guise of `outsourcing’ negative policy.
Accusing Obama as anti-India, Ravi Kumar felt it would hard the sentiments of Indians if such a leader is allowed to speak in the Parliament and appealed to conscious Parliament members to boycott his address. He congratulated the Forward Block, which was started by great Congress leader Subash Chandra Bose, to boycott Obama’s address in Parliament, besides organising protests in the country.
But, CSHF wondered that other Left parties remained mute spectators and preferred to attend Obama’s Parliament address, while observing protest outside the Parliament. It seems Left is also surrendered to USA, he added.
CSHF lamented that the main opposition party Bharatiya Janata Party is also colluding with Dr Manmohan Singh in adopting pro-USA policies. Though some times it speaks against USA, in reality it is extending all needful support to UPA government adopting pro-US enactments, he said. This is exposing BJP’s pseudo-Hindu policies by supporting USA President, who is instrumental in encouraging Christian missionaries to promote religious conversations in large scale.
CSHF reminded that Obama is visiting India at a time when his popularity is very low in his home country following his failure to convince a lot of Americans about his efficacy of corporate bailouts and economic stimulates in reviving the economy and his country is facing grim employment situation.
In order to save the failing agricultural economy in his country, CSHF alleged that Obama is brining pressure on Indian government to adopt corporate farming and US companies’ domination in seeds supply to our farmers. This would turn Indian farmers into agricultural labourer in their own fields and Indian agriculture would be completely surrenders to US economy for its very survival.
CSHF also strongly objected to India’s readiness to buy fighter aircrafts from this US, worth 12 billion dollar (Rs 5,400 crore), as at presently India is not facing any major war-threat. Ravi Kumar lamented that this deal would save Obama’s position in USA by enabling him to create employment to one lakh youth permanently and making India’s defense at the mercy of US.
According to CSHF, the urgent need for India’s defense is strengthening its ordinance factories, modernise its infrastructure and attract more and more talent into the army with attractive incentives, rather importing critical equipments from US.
It felt, Congress is aware about USA’s expansionism and exploitive tendencies since the times of Nehru, who promoted Non-Aligned Movement by joining hands with Nasser of Egypt and Joseph Tito of Yugoslavia, opposing the hegemony of USA in world politics. Since then, USA waged proxy war against India by creating trouble in Kashmir through its CIA, later in Punjab, North East and in recent times all over the country with active collusion of Pakistan’s ISI.
All the national leaders from Nehru to Indira Gandhi and P V Narasimha Rao kept USA away form interfering into our internal affairs. But unfortunately, the United Progressive Alliance government led by Dr Manmohan Singh colluding with USA determining to the interests of Indian people.
Ravi Kumar deplored that Obama staring his tour from Mumbai under the guise of offering condolence to the victims of Mumbai blasts, even after it was suspected US’s CIA was colluded with ISI after the revelation that US was aware of the master-mind behind the blasts Headly’s intentions well in advance. As USA opened its Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) office in Mumbai, CSHF felt that the terror attack was intended to give scope for USA to expand its intelligence network in India. “How can Obama visit terror attack place without handing over Headly to India for investigation?” he asked.
CSHF accused that USA, which was instrumental in promoting terror network in India, was behind the brutal killing of our great leaders Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. USA’s imperialistic tendencies were known as `Nexus of Devil’ in countries like Palestine, Cuba, Korea, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. No country prospered with liberal assistance from USA, but collapsing completely in all fields, he observed.
CSHF lamented that Obama’s visit was intended to collapse India’s IT industry spread in cities like Bangalore and Hyderabad, threatening USA’s economy with active cooperative from Dr Manmohan Singh under the guise of `outsourcing’ negative policy.
Accusing Obama as anti-India, Ravi Kumar felt it would hard the sentiments of Indians if such a leader is allowed to speak in the Parliament and appealed to conscious Parliament members to boycott his address. He congratulated the Forward Block, which was started by great Congress leader Subash Chandra Bose, to boycott Obama’s address in Parliament, besides organising protests in the country.
But, CSHF wondered that other Left parties remained mute spectators and preferred to attend Obama’s Parliament address, while observing protest outside the Parliament. It seems Left is also surrendered to USA, he added.
CSHF lamented that the main opposition party Bharatiya Janata Party is also colluding with Dr Manmohan Singh in adopting pro-USA policies. Though some times it speaks against USA, in reality it is extending all needful support to UPA government adopting pro-US enactments, he said. This is exposing BJP’s pseudo-Hindu policies by supporting USA President, who is instrumental in encouraging Christian missionaries to promote religious conversations in large scale.
Obama surprises and delivers
On the strategic front -where India thought America will not deliver - Obama proved many, including journalists, common people and the society at large, wrong by actually pledging resolute support to India.
IT IS quite surprising that the entire nation stayed glued on to their TV sets as US President Barack Obama gave his historic speech in the Parliament. The President of United States made unambiguous statements in favor of India’s rise as a global power. While he made no bones about his obvious aim of cashing in on the India’s rising economic prowess, he made it a point to ensure that it was a two-way street, as promised. Proving that he was a man of words, he rose above expectations. And as articulated several times in his speeches here in India, indeed he made it a win-win situation.
On the strategic front –where India thought America will not deliver – Obama proved many, including journalists, common people and the society at large, wrong by actually pledging resolute support to India. By candidly speaking in favor of India’s bid for the UNSC seat, Obama drew applause from all the Ministers in the central hall, and the millions watching on TV.
But the direct recognition and support for India’s aspiration to be on the UNSC as a ‘permanent member’, was indeed momentous. By naming Pakistan as the nation that acts as the breeding ground for terrorists, and by declaring that perpetrators of 26/11 must be brought to book, Obama surpassed hopes and anticipations.
He even mentioned the perilous Afghanistan-Pakistan border while referring to terrorism. Mahatma Gandhi always finds a place in his speeches, but his reference to and quoting of stalwarts from Indian history like Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore, and Dr B.R. Ambedkar was matchlessly noteworthy. His oratory was always admirable and stirring but his true intention of befriending India became all too obvious in the speech, wherein he connected directly to the hearts of a billion. His bringing up Indian religious texts and spirituality spoke of his pacifism.
Nonetheless he reminded India of its duties as an international player. Obama, the upright man that he is, directly implied that India had shied away from criticizing human right violation in Burma, something not befitting a global player. This was actually an endorsement of Amartya Sen’s articulation a few months back that India should condemn Myanmar’s tyrannical ways.
As Obama’s speech was beamed live across the world in BBC and other global media networks, along with all Indian channels, a billion hearts cheered Obama for his overly pleasant surprise. He surely is taking much from India this winter but as much sure is the fact that he really hasn’t retreated from genuine bilateralism.
IT IS quite surprising that the entire nation stayed glued on to their TV sets as US President Barack Obama gave his historic speech in the Parliament. The President of United States made unambiguous statements in favor of India’s rise as a global power. While he made no bones about his obvious aim of cashing in on the India’s rising economic prowess, he made it a point to ensure that it was a two-way street, as promised. Proving that he was a man of words, he rose above expectations. And as articulated several times in his speeches here in India, indeed he made it a win-win situation.
On the strategic front –where India thought America will not deliver – Obama proved many, including journalists, common people and the society at large, wrong by actually pledging resolute support to India. By candidly speaking in favor of India’s bid for the UNSC seat, Obama drew applause from all the Ministers in the central hall, and the millions watching on TV.
But the direct recognition and support for India’s aspiration to be on the UNSC as a ‘permanent member’, was indeed momentous. By naming Pakistan as the nation that acts as the breeding ground for terrorists, and by declaring that perpetrators of 26/11 must be brought to book, Obama surpassed hopes and anticipations.
He even mentioned the perilous Afghanistan-Pakistan border while referring to terrorism. Mahatma Gandhi always finds a place in his speeches, but his reference to and quoting of stalwarts from Indian history like Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore, and Dr B.R. Ambedkar was matchlessly noteworthy. His oratory was always admirable and stirring but his true intention of befriending India became all too obvious in the speech, wherein he connected directly to the hearts of a billion. His bringing up Indian religious texts and spirituality spoke of his pacifism.
Nonetheless he reminded India of its duties as an international player. Obama, the upright man that he is, directly implied that India had shied away from criticizing human right violation in Burma, something not befitting a global player. This was actually an endorsement of Amartya Sen’s articulation a few months back that India should condemn Myanmar’s tyrannical ways.
As Obama’s speech was beamed live across the world in BBC and other global media networks, along with all Indian channels, a billion hearts cheered Obama for his overly pleasant surprise. He surely is taking much from India this winter but as much sure is the fact that he really hasn’t retreated from genuine bilateralism.
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