NATIONAL
BOMB BLAST IN PUNE
The nation has been jolted once again by a suspected terrorist attack this time at Pune. At about 7.15 PM an explosion of severe intensity in the German Bakery at the Koregaon park near Osho Ashram mostly frequented by foreign tourists led to the gruesome death of 9 people, most of them charred beyond recognition. More than 30 persons have been mortally wounded. The death toll is feared to mount. The identity and whereabouts of the criminals are yet to be established. Whether the unfortunate incident is designed to upset scheduled Indo-Pak talks in Delhi on 25th remains a mute question.
The scheduled talks, if it were to happen is unlikely to yield positive results on account of Pakistan’s insistence for a composite dialogue, the “core issue” being Kashmir.
CMs’ Conference at the Capital
In their address to Chief Ministers, Prime Minister and Home Minister have urged them to fill the more than 39400 posts of security men into various States and provide them with modern training with modern equipments. At a moment of mounting troubles in the States by fissiparous elements, their advice to the States gains significance. Their statements that centre alone cannot contain the increasing violence across the country, their request for co-operation by States is at the apt moment.
Reservation of Jobs to OBCs
The West Bengal Government’s announcement of 10% reservation to OBCs may not prove fruitful. Such an announcement by Andhra Pradesh Government earlier was quashed by Andhra High Court recently. Before proceeding along these announcements, the legal aspects of such decisions ought to be taken to avoid embarrassments later.
Former DGP of Haryana
S.P.S Rathore, former DGP of Haryana who is undergoing trial in a court for molesting a teenager, Ruchika in 1990, who later committed suicide was stabbed in the face by Utsav Sharma, a student of National Design Institute of Ahmedabad, while Mr.Rathore was emerging out of a court after hearing. Utsav Sharma was soon overpowered by security men and put behind bars who has since been released on bail.
Moratorium on Bt.Brinjal
Union Environment Minister, Jairam Ramesh after bowing to enormous pressure by more than 8000 farmers around the nation announced a temporary moratorium on Bt.Brinjal on Tuesday to the relief of farmers and environmentalists. A welcome news indeed and a shock to the multinational Monsanto-Mahyco.
Chidambaram’s Appeal to Maoists
Union Home Minister P.Chidambaram has appealed to Maoists to desist from the violent path and invited them for talks to find solutions for their grievances. At a meeting in Kolkata attended by Chief Ministers of Naxalite infested States like West Bengal, Orissa, Chattisgarh and CMs’ representatives from Bihar and Jharkhand attended the meeting. Shibu Soren, Chief Minister of Jharkhand who was reported ailing and Nitish Kumar, Chief Minster of Bihar who was busy with some other preoccupations didn’t attend. Along with the appeals all of them discussed how to combat the menace with the mobilisation of security men and modern weapons. Without attending to the social and economic disparities this threat is likely to aggravate. The foremost step is to diagnose the disease and prescribe the cure and treating disease symptoms won’t be of much benefit.
Nagaland Talks
Union Home Secretary G.K.Pillai has announced the Government’s plans to hold further talks with Isak Muivah, General Secretary of National Socialist Union of Nagalim (NSU-IM) in April. Even after talks dating back to years by various governments the problems in the North-East still remain and the April talks would yield any positive results is a question mark before the nation.
India-Turkey Talks
India-Turkey talks to combat terrorism has been agreed upon during the ongoing visit of Abdullah Gul, Turkish President. This is a major breakthrough as Turkey is a prominent member of OIC (Organisation of Islamic Countries).
Release of ‘My Name Is Khan’
Sharukh Khan starrer ‘My Name Is Khan’ has been released. Much to the delight of film fans and much to the disappointment and disillusionment of Shiv Sainiks amidst tight security the film is running in packed houses. Bollywood amidst wide applause of fans is in a mood of exhilaration and ecstasy. Regional chauvinism has once again backtracked, close on the heels of its disappointment over Rahul Gandhi’s visit. If the political will of the government is there to stay no chance possible for proponents of the ‘sons of the soil’. Bal Thackeray and his kid Udhav keep on gritting teeth in their den.
On Gorkhaland
Gorkha activists’ dream of a separate State seems to be dashed to the ground. According to Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee nothing except autonomy for them is going to be granted. Whether they are bent upon intensifying their struggle for a separate State is to be seen. While Bimal Gurung and Roshan Giri are for a separate State Buddhadeb prefers to be in touch with Subash Gheising, the moderate former leader who is the beter noire of Mr.Gurung and Giri.
Mughal Gardens opened to Public
Sprawling Mughal Gardens, the embellished, magnificent, colorful world of a variety of blooming flowers have been opened to the public this time also. Mrs. Pratibha Patil was seen in colourful dress matching the enchanting colours of the flowers tending tulips in the gardens. The rare opportunity of strolling along the gardens enjoying the beauty and fragrance of this dream world is a visual feast to the eyes of the public. Rare moments of ecstasy- a sort of inebriation…
INTERNATIONAL
Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan Parliament has been dissolved. A certain victory for the ruling party seems assured and hence the untimely dissolution.
Sarath Fonseka , the former (Retd) General is still in detention. Anyhow Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lankan President has assured the opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe who called on him demanding the release of General Fonseka, if proven not guilty General will be released soon. The trial proceedings, he is reported to have promised Ranil Wickramasinghe will be completed soon.
Snowmageddon
East Coast of USA has been reported to be covered with thick snow and the people are reported digging up the snow to remove the debris. Two persons were reportedly killed in the blizzard which blew along the coast with a speed of 60 miles per hour.
Operation Musparak in Afghanistan
With the surge of 30,000 troops as announced by Barack Obama the first major assault on Taliban stronghold in the Southern Afghanistan has begun. Operation Musparak (meaning- together), is the beginning of a series of major onslaughts on Taliban by US, British and NATO forces before making an exit route in 2011.
Milan Toofan- New Pak-Taliban Leader
Milan Toofan, the hard-core terrorist has assumed the role of the new leader of Pak-Taliban after the reported killing of Hakimullah Mehsud, the former leader. Milan Toofan is reported to be a cold-blooded terrorist without any qualms ‘to kill the humans like chickens’. He is believed to be one among the terrorists behind the assassination of former Pak Premier Benazir Bhutto.
Ukraine Elections
Victor Yanukovich, a pro-Russian politician has been elected the new President of Ukraine. He defeated Yulia Tymoshenko, the lady PM by a margin of 48.4% votes. He is close to Russia. The former President Victor Yushchenko was a pro-American. He assumed the role of President in the aftermath of the historic- ‘Orange Revolution’. Barack Obama has another reason to worry about and Dimitry Medvedev & Vladimir Putin have a lot to rejoice.
World’s Tallest Tower
To the deep disappointment of visitors the observation tower in 124th floor of World’s tallest building Burge Khalifa has been closed. The visitors were denied access due to electrical problems. The 160 storeyed building was completed spending 1.5 billion dollars.
Laura Chinchilla
Costa Rica, the Latin American nation has got a new President. Laura Chinchilla is a social-conservative but is believed to be pro-poor. Latin American nations have got the rare credit of five women heads of States. Women could be on an upbeat mood.
Iran’s Victory Rally
Iran’s 31st anniversary after the historic revolution in 1979 overthrowing the then ruler Shah Reza Pehlavi was celebrated with much fanfare. The massive victory rally comprising lakhs and lakhs of citizens have been addressed by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedi Nejad. In the course of his address to the gathering he declared Iran to be a ‘nuclear power’- much to the chagrin of US and other European nations.
REGIONAL
I am afraid Malayalam tinsel world is caught in a jinx. Beginning from Lohita Das, then Rajan.P.Dev, Murali, last week it was Cochin Haneefa, a versatile film personalilty. This week it was the noted lyricist Gireesh Puthenchery who penned melodious memorable songs for 400 films. More than 1500 lyrics are there to his credit. The most unfortunate thing is his departure from the scene is in the prime of his life.
Dr.K.N.Raj, Economist of International repute, Dr.K.N.Raj who carved a niche for himself in the field of economics, passed away on 10.02.2010. A student of London School of Economics and a classmate of K.R.Narayan India’s former president both disciples of Harold Lasky was one of the prominent architects of our First five year plan and also an adviser of Pandit Nehru. He served as Vice-Chancellor of Delhi School of Economics and on getting fed up with the goings on at the University, without any hesitation relinquished the post and left to his State, Kerala. He founded the Centre of Development Studies at Thiruvanathapuram. Our present Finance Minister Dr.T.M.Thomas Isaac was his student there. An economist who made no compromises on his ideals, principles and also one who stood by his honesty and integrity.
MahaShivarathri
Mahashivarathri with all religious fervour was celebrated across the state. Millions of devotees offered their oblations to their beloved departed souls and prayed for their eternal shanthi and Moksha.
FINANCE
7.2 per cent GDP Growth in the second half of 2009-10 is predicted by our Finance Minister, Pranab Kumar Mukherjee. As a prelude to budget presentation in the last week of this month he is busy with his budget preparations. The plan of withdrawal of stimulus package has sent ripples across the corporate world. And their demand for tinkering with corporate taxes may not be considered. These are all speculations. Nobody knows for sure. The hike in fuel prices is a possibility before the presentation of the budget itself.
Obama against outsourcing
Obama’s ire against American firms outsourcing jobs to India knows no bounds these days. In the long run the former Republican President Richard Nixon’s type antipathy towards India cannot be ruled out. A frustrated President is likely to adopt some extreme measures. The man is sandwiched between Pakistan his new found friend doling out billions of dollars and Hamid Karzai’s Afghanistan.
Federal Bank Employees Union Conference
FBEU (Federal Bank Employees Union) conference begins at Kottayam on 15th. AIBEA leader C.H.Venkatachalam will light inauguration lamp.
Valentine’s Day
I don’t know whether anyone in his/her hand has/had with a beaming smile reflecting love, warmth, care and affection greeted with a red rose to each other in his/her life, particularly on a Valentine’s day. About me? Sorry don’t ask. It is a secret.
Happy dreamy Valentine’s day to all.
SPORTS
Cricket
India has once again showed its ‘greatness’ in a Cricket Test match against South Africa doling out its No.1 position in the world test rankings and has safely come back to its No.2 position after a brief spell. Kudos to them.
Winter Olympics
Winter Olympics has begun on a tragic note with the untimely death of a Georgian Athlete at Vancouver in Canada. A Malayali sports personality is also participating in the Winter Olympics. Let us offer our best wishes to him.
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