Tehreek-E-Taliban and Al-Queida have virtually held Pakistan to ransom. Within two months of assassination of Punjab Governor and Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) leader Salman Taseer the terrorists have struck again. This time the victim was Pakistan’s Minister for Minority Affairs and Pakistan Peoples’ Party leader Shahabaz Bhatti, 42, a Christian, by three unidentified assailants while coming after meeting his mother. While visiting his mother, he never allowed security men to be with him, the prime reason being he was nervous about the presence of security guards after his colleague Salman Taseer was gunned down by his own security Ali Mumtaz Khadri.
The reason behind murdering both is the same, that of their antagonistic attitude towards blasphemy laws. There are several others who are on the watchlist of Tehreek-E-Taliban elements in Pakistan who have spoken against blasphemy laws. Sherry Rehman, Pakistan Peoples’ Party legislator is one among them.
Pakistan actually is in doldrum’s with hard-core terrorists running helter-skelter. And Pakistan govt in fact remains a mute spectator to the mayhem these terror elements commit. It is a kind of implosion in other words. Wherever and whoever the terrorists aim at, they commit the brutal acts with utmost precision.
Pak democracy is being replaced by Islamic fundamentalism. Mumtaz Khadri who assassinated Salman Taseer was showered with rose petals by the advocates of blasphemy laws and he is now celebrated as a hero by majority in Pakistan.
Not only Pakistan remains shell-shocked but the entire world writhing in anger since it is a violation of human rights.
Pakistan’s Human Rights activists have condemned the act in the strongest terms possible. Similarly Human Rights watch and Amnesty International too have joined hands with Pakistan’s human rights activists in condemning the violent act.
Shahabaz Bhatti, a Christian by birth had in fact apprehended a certain violent death at the hands of terror elements for holding anti-blasphemy laws. He was always under the watch-list of terrorists which he knew, but he continued to speak out fearlessly for the cause of minorities of Pakistan. In fact with his murder, the minorities are like a rudderless boat, in Pakistan and they apprehend more trouble. The one who always stood as a vanguard is no more and it is quite natural that they suffer from kind of existential angst.
It is worth pointing out here that apprehending death at the hands of Islamist terrorist he had handed over two tapes containing his messages to be aired both to BBC and Al-Jazeera and the contents have now come out.
Pakistan is our neighbouring country. Let’s forget the term traditional enemy. Now is the time to extend our sympathies to that nation which is virtually in the grip of hard-core terror elements.
Before totally falling into the hands of Islamist militants, it is in our interest to see that democracy flourishes in Pakistan.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
MICHAEL GORBACHEV AT 80
Age has caught up with him. Even at 80 – he turned 80 today - apart from his physical features his attitudes remain the same.
A man acclaimed and celebrated abroad is not much loved in his own nation. The reason - he was instrumental in the withering away Soviet Union – a conglomeration of States. He brought down the Iron Curtain and presided over the collapse of Soviet Union. In other words a misfit in the Communist nation.
Michael Gorbachov will be remembered in the years to come as the former President of Soviet Empire, he was the last one to preside over and he will be remembered as the architect of Glasnost and Perestroika – total restructuring - which led to the crumbling down of Soviet empire. Through Glasnost – the open debate - and Perestroika – total restructuring – he invited many critics and enemies in his own nation which ultimately led to his removal from the prestigious post of President. The Communist party turned more bitter, Boris Yeltsin with the support of two States Ukraine and Belarus occupied the saddle who passed away four years ago. The Communist party even tried to topple Gorbachev from power through a coup, but was unsuccessful. Gorbachev’s plan to form his party met with failure as he was not allowed to get it registered on being isolated in his home country the outside world was all praises for him and still held in high esteem. The reason behind celebrating his 80th birthday at the Royal Albert Hall with Gala concert on March 30 is very much understandable while in his home country the celebration is limited to a photo-session including only his family members.
In the year 1985 he assumed power as President of the Soviet Union and within no time dismantled the country’s nuclear arsenal, which was a great instance of his love of peace. Though his action was not acclaimed inside the country, the then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi followed his example. But no, expect for Ronald Reagen, the then American President expressing surprise, US decided not to follow Gorby as he is fondly called.
Vladimir Putin, Russia’s Prime Minister and then President called the disintegration of Soviet Union as a big ‘geo-political catastrophe’.
One high official of Putin govt even called Gorbachov a ‘demagogue’ and a ‘traitor’. One Marxist theoretician in India went to the extent of writing ‘I have not a drop of tear to shed for Gorby’, in fact Gorbachov felt isolated and ostracized with critics and enemies around.
Recently in an interview Gorbachev called Putin-Medvedev tandem as ‘imitation democracy’ and ‘a bad copy of Soviet communism’.
In his official as well as personal life Gorbachev had to face many tragedies still the great man remains confident and determined and goes ahead with his Gorbachev Foundation.
The 1990 Nobel Prize for Foreign policy went to Gorbachev and now he moves ahead with the Gorbachev think tank and the ecology of Green International, he is fountain head of both organizations.
Courtsey : Vladimir Radyuhin
A man acclaimed and celebrated abroad is not much loved in his own nation. The reason - he was instrumental in the withering away Soviet Union – a conglomeration of States. He brought down the Iron Curtain and presided over the collapse of Soviet Union. In other words a misfit in the Communist nation.
Michael Gorbachov will be remembered in the years to come as the former President of Soviet Empire, he was the last one to preside over and he will be remembered as the architect of Glasnost and Perestroika – total restructuring - which led to the crumbling down of Soviet empire. Through Glasnost – the open debate - and Perestroika – total restructuring – he invited many critics and enemies in his own nation which ultimately led to his removal from the prestigious post of President. The Communist party turned more bitter, Boris Yeltsin with the support of two States Ukraine and Belarus occupied the saddle who passed away four years ago. The Communist party even tried to topple Gorbachev from power through a coup, but was unsuccessful. Gorbachev’s plan to form his party met with failure as he was not allowed to get it registered on being isolated in his home country the outside world was all praises for him and still held in high esteem. The reason behind celebrating his 80th birthday at the Royal Albert Hall with Gala concert on March 30 is very much understandable while in his home country the celebration is limited to a photo-session including only his family members.
In the year 1985 he assumed power as President of the Soviet Union and within no time dismantled the country’s nuclear arsenal, which was a great instance of his love of peace. Though his action was not acclaimed inside the country, the then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi followed his example. But no, expect for Ronald Reagen, the then American President expressing surprise, US decided not to follow Gorby as he is fondly called.
Vladimir Putin, Russia’s Prime Minister and then President called the disintegration of Soviet Union as a big ‘geo-political catastrophe’.
One high official of Putin govt even called Gorbachov a ‘demagogue’ and a ‘traitor’. One Marxist theoretician in India went to the extent of writing ‘I have not a drop of tear to shed for Gorby’, in fact Gorbachov felt isolated and ostracized with critics and enemies around.
Recently in an interview Gorbachev called Putin-Medvedev tandem as ‘imitation democracy’ and ‘a bad copy of Soviet communism’.
In his official as well as personal life Gorbachev had to face many tragedies still the great man remains confident and determined and goes ahead with his Gorbachev Foundation.
The 1990 Nobel Prize for Foreign policy went to Gorbachev and now he moves ahead with the Gorbachev think tank and the ecology of Green International, he is fountain head of both organizations.
Courtsey : Vladimir Radyuhin
MAHASHIVRATRI – DEPARTED SOULS VISIT EARTH
Today ‘Mahashivratri’ is celebrated with religious fervor and gaiety across India – a day on which departed souls of our forefathers, near and dear ones are believed to be visiting us from heaven. This annual Hindu festival is widely celebrated across the nation and is celebrated along the banks of rivers especially sacred rivers, believers throng Shiv temples and offer obeisance to the departed ones for their blessings in abundance and also for their eternal peace.
In North India on the banks of river Ganga, especially at Varanasi and in Kerala along the Banks of Periyar river, Bharata puzha et al, thousands throng to offer obeisance to their departed forefathers and kith and kin after taking holy dip in rivers. Mahashivaratri day is believed to be a divine day by the Hindu devotees. The devotees are obliged to spend sleepless nights chanting ‘Om Namasivayya’ invoking the name of God Shiva before offering obeisance to the departed souls.
This annual ritual is being traditionally celebrated with gaiety and religious fervour since time immemorial across India.
In North India on the banks of river Ganga, especially at Varanasi and in Kerala along the Banks of Periyar river, Bharata puzha et al, thousands throng to offer obeisance to their departed forefathers and kith and kin after taking holy dip in rivers. Mahashivaratri day is believed to be a divine day by the Hindu devotees. The devotees are obliged to spend sleepless nights chanting ‘Om Namasivayya’ invoking the name of God Shiva before offering obeisance to the departed souls.
This annual ritual is being traditionally celebrated with gaiety and religious fervour since time immemorial across India.
THE DISTANCE
The distance between
You and I is the same.
The distance between I and
You is also the same.
The amount of love
or hatred
between you and I
need not be the same.
It could vary depending
upon the attitudes
of I and You.
You and I is the same.
The distance between I and
You is also the same.
The amount of love
or hatred
between you and I
need not be the same.
It could vary depending
upon the attitudes
of I and You.
THE HURRICANE
Your sharp, witty tongue
Your pointed, piercing comments
Your acid pen
Your never-say-die attitude
and
Your calm, serene, tranquil mind
in the face of hurricanes,
our pride
Your pointed, piercing comments
Your acid pen
Your never-say-die attitude
and
Your calm, serene, tranquil mind
in the face of hurricanes,
our pride
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
ELECTIONS ANNOUNCED IN 5 STATES OF INDIA
Election Commission of India has announced dates for elections to five States of India today – Kerala, West Bengal, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Assam. As per the notification elections to Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are scheduled to be held on April 13. In the State of West Bengal elections are to be held in six phases apprehending trouble from the Maoists. Tight security measures are to be taken to avoid untoward incidents in Bengal – where CPI(M) led Left Front and Trinamool Congress – Indian National Congress combine are the main contestants. In the State of Assam, elections are to be held in two phases where the main contestants are Indian National Congress and Assom Gana Parishad. In Tamil Nadu, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam alliance led by M.Karunanidhi is locked in a fierce contest with its bête noire All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam alliance led by Kumari J.Jayalalitha. In Kerala, it is CPI(M) led Left Front versus Congress led United Democratic Front. Coming days are crucial for all main players and seat sharing arrangements, changing political equations and political calculations are poised to be in full swing. The counting of ballots is fixed to be held on May 13.
Then only a clear picture would emerge and let’s wait with fingers crossed.
Then only a clear picture would emerge and let’s wait with fingers crossed.
THE MARKET
His art of manufacturing
lies
has a lucrative market.
In a world where
truths are just
trickling down
the art of manufacturing lies fetch
rich dividends.
Behind the façade of
smiling faces
wolves loiter around
preying victims.
lies
has a lucrative market.
In a world where
truths are just
trickling down
the art of manufacturing lies fetch
rich dividends.
Behind the façade of
smiling faces
wolves loiter around
preying victims.
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