Weekly News RoundUp

NATIONAL

Indo-Pak Dialogue

Maintaining that the terrorist attack carried out in a German Bakery at Pune was a deliberate ploy on the part of militants to thwart the scheduled Foreign Secretary level talks between the two nations on 25th of this month, highly placed government officials are determined to proceed along the dialogue path.

Though differences of opinion on holding talks by certain sources like the BJP (Bharathiya Janata Party) and a few intellectuals, their arguments being terror and dialogue can’t co-exist. It is worthwhile to note here that some doubts and anger still linger among a few on the timing of the dialogue this much early by India taking initiative for it to materialize as Pakistan was not that enthusiastic for a negotiation across the table too soon. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Muhammed Qureshi’s arrogant claims that India had to bow down to Pakistan for an early dialogue and Pak Prime Minister Gilani’s persisting demands for holding composite dialogue on the ‘core issue’ of Jammu&Kashmir along with the threat of cross-border terrorism, it is quite obvious that India has once again succumbed to the pressure of a Super Power, I do not hesitate to name it, it is USA. The recent visit of Robert Gates, US Defence Secretary, under orders from His Excellency Barack Obama was to force India for a dialogue with Pakistan.

America is always concerned with its selfish-motives and the rulers at the helm there know for certain only after engaging Pakistani troops at North-West frontiers to tackle Taliban militants holed up on the Afghan border -their final assault on the Al-Quaeda – Taliban militants to ‘succeed’ the first step they need is withdrawal of Pak troops along the Line of Actual Control (LOC) with India.

Telangana Cauldron

A simmering Telangana as also Andhra Pradesh as a whole is grabbing the headlines these days for the wrong reasons. Soon after the constitution of Justice B.N.Sri Krishna committee which include four members besides Justice Sri Krishna Pro-Telangana activists took up cudgels against the centre as also against the State government. Yesterday students of Osmania University in spite of heavy police-bandobust turned violent, angrily tried to break the police cordon which virtually laid a siege on the city of Hyderabad where the assembly was in session. The assembly after concluding urgent business adjourned to bring down the intensity of violence. After pitched street battles by students against police the city was about to return to normality, then a youth Yadagiri, who was working as a cashier in a cafe entered University campus doused himself with kerosene and set himself ablaze. He sustained 85 percent injuries and is fighting for his life in a hospital. All for the cause of a Telangana State.

Workers in the Un-organized sector
Mukul Sharma, the noted human rights activist has penned a thought provoking article on the plight of employees in the unorganized sector. It is mind-boggling. Whether this article be an eye-opener to any good Samaritan in the corridors of power remains to be seen. Trade union leaders should take the initiative to bring them under the unions’ umbrella so as to enable them to fight for their deserving entitlements.

Shibu Soren’s Gesture

To the great relief of his family members a revenue official Prasant Kumar Layek who was kidnapped by Maoists in exchange for a few incarcerated Maoists got a new lease of life when the Shibu Soren government agreed to release them to save a man’s life thus bringing them cheer and moments of relief to his family members. Shibu Soren’s gesture will be remembered in the years to come.

BJP chalking out a new political strategy

BJP (Bharathiya Janata Party) at its National Executive Council meeting which lasted for three days at Indore concluded on a delightful note. Nitin Gadkari was formally elected the President of the principal opposition by delegates from various States. Gadkari, the Sangh Parivar prodigy came out with a strategy, a populist one, it is true all parties in India harp on the populist strategy ( old wine in new bottle, so to say) like fighting for the Dalits, Muslims and middle-class and also the development mantra. However not surprisingly, the Mandir (Temple) issue is still reverberating in his mind but along with it to pacify the Muslim community, Mosque issue is also paramount in his mind. A peaceful co-existence of Mandir and Mosque, yes a nice popular idea. How far his attractive ideas go down the major vote-bank - the masses is million-dollar question. The six-year rule and the India shining slogan are still etched in the Indian psyche. Any how all the best Nitin Gadkari. Let the BJP cycle move along with uniform speed. New Delhi is however far away.

SC Verdict on CBI taking up cases

By a historic verdict, the Supreme Court has given consent to the High Courts to refer certain cases to entrust the CBI to investigate, If the HCs find it imperative without the permission of state governments.

Amir Khan relents atlast

Amir Khan’s angry walk-out from the 10 member copy right panel after a heated argument with noted lyricist Javed Aktar and news of his subsequent resignation had attained ‘national significance’. Anyhow thanks to the tireless efforts and cajoling by Minister of Human Resources & Development Kapil Sibal, the star has agreed to withdraw his resignation. The celebrity might be in a cheerful mood. Thank God.

Budget Session

An all party meeting was held in New Delhi in response to the invitation of Loksabha Speaker Meira Kumar ahead of the commencement of Budget Session of Parliament on Monday. The session is likely to be stormy for various reasons. Mounting price rise of essential commodities, Maoist threat gaining momentum, law and order situation, fake encounter death in Kashmir and subsequent arrest of a BSF personnel, the upcoming Foreign Secretary Level talks between India and Pakistan at New Delhi on 25th of this month- no dearth of serious issues for a pandemonium. Presentation of the Railway Budget by Mamta Banerji on February 24 followed by the presentation of General Budget by the Finance Minister the incorrigible Pranab Kumar Mukherjee are also awaited with bated breath. The budget session is likely to conclude on May 7.

Amitabh Bachan’s fury

Megastar (Big B) Amitabh Bachan is furious, losing his composure on going through a rumour spread by a tabloid - Mumbai Mirror – on the health of his daughter-in-law Aiswarya Rai Bachan. The tabloid had reportedly published a news item about Aiswarya’s desire to conceive but didn’t materialize due to Stomach Tuberculosis Mr.Bachan naturally got angry and has reportedly demanded an apology for spreading such falsehoods. Rumour-mills work overtime and it is the bane of our times. The tabloids everywhere spread rumours for massive circulation to amass huge amounts of money. Princess Diana’s tragic fate and the constant shadowing of her movements by the paparazzis still haunt the whole world.

INTERNATIONAL

Tin Oo freed

After a prolonged period of house arrest the octogenarian leader of NLD (National League for Democracy) has been freed. He was a confident of Aung-San-Syuuki, the Myanmar opposition leader who is now in her 14th year of house arrest. Freedom from the military yoke still eludes Myanmar.

Japan 2nd Largest Economy

Thanks to its energy efficient car industry Pro-greenery approach, Japan has retained prestigious position as the 2nd largest economy in the world.

Sherry Rehman’s article

Pakistan’s former Minister of Information & Broadcasting and the leader of Pakistan Peoples’ Party in one of her articles published in a National daily has stressed the need for the dialogue process to continue even if there is no positive outcome except ‘chai, samosas and gritty charm’. According to her, dialogue has its own significance. Yes, ‘chai, samosas and gritty charm’, listen Mrs Nirupama Rao.

Alexander Haigh is dead

Former US Secretary of State, Alexander Haigh is dead. The four-star military General was 89 when he breathed last. He had worked under Richard Nixon, Ford and Ronald Reagen.

Mossad strikes again

Mossad, the Israeli Spy Agency has struck again. This time its agents using fake passports of foreign-born Israeli nationals cold-bloodedly assassinated a Hamas leader Mahmoud-Ah-Magbough in a hotel room, where the latter was staying alone. A diplomatic war has broken out between UK and Israel on the issue of using fake passports purported to have been issued by the British government.

Dutch Cabinet falls

On the question of Afghanistan, the Dutch government had to step down due to squabbling among the allies in the government. It was reportedly over the issue of the deadline regarding the withdrawal of Dutch troops beyond August 2010.

REGIONAL

Binayak Sen’s appeal to Maoists

Dr.Binayak Sen who was imprisoned for more than one year while doing service at Chattisgarh over his alleged connection with Maoists and freed after incessant pressure by international community and intellectuals at a meeting held at Thrissur under the auspices of PUCL (Peoples’ Union for Civil Liberties) has appealed to Maoists to shun the path of violence.

Mullaperiyar issue hots up

After Supreme Court’s ruling for the formation of five-member committee to look into the safety issue relating to the Mullaperiyar dam, M.Karunanidhi, Tamil Nadu CM has announced his government’s decision not to send the representative as suggested by the court.

Athirappilly Project

The demand by Kerala government to accord sanction to the Athirappilly hydro-electric project has been rejected by the Union Environment Ministry citing the harmful consequences to the environment.

Literature

Reputed Malayalam author M.Mukudan was awarded the Habi Valappad Award. The award was presented to him by M.P.Veerendra Kumar.

Poonthanam Day Celebration

Poonthanam day celebrations were held at Guruvayoor this year also. Poonthanam Award was conferred on noted scholar V.Sankunny Kuttan by Revenue Minister K.P.Rajendran.

Rare honour for V.S.Naipaul

The portrait of Nobel Prize winner, V.S.Naipaul was unveiled at the London Art Gallery. It was the first time a contemporary person was being honored this way. The honour was mainly bestowed upon the erstwhile reputed personalities. His portrait was drawn in his Wiltshire Gardens , London where he is residing from 1950s, his favourite place while sitting with a contemplative mood as if in meditation.

The Passsing away of Dick Francis

Dick Francis, famous writer who penned 42 thriller novels, passed away at his Carribean home at Grand Cayman. He was 85.

FINANCE

Railway Budget is scheduled to be presented on February 24 by Railway Minister Mamta Banerji. Whether Kerala is going to be blessed this time remains to be seen.

General Budget is on 26th of this month. Prime Minster’ Principal Economic Adviser has unveiled some proposals such as partial withdrawal of stimulus packages. While the service sector and industry sector have shown appreciable improvement, the progress on Agriculture front as usual is far below expectations.

It is hoped that farm sector and food security most probably would get significant attention. It would be a good thing if Finance Minister could allocate a part of funds to the social sector while allocating funds to infrastructure development.

SPORTS
Cricket

Soon after regaining the No.1 position in the World Test Ranking, today in the One Day match against South Africa India has won by 1 run. Cheer up India.