WEEKLY NEWS ROUND-UP

NATIONAL

After his successful visit to the oil-rich Gulf nation, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh reached Delhi on an upbeat mood. World’s oil rich country, which is a power player in the Gulf-zone has agreed to ‘bless’ India with doubling the quota of crude oil to meet the increasing needs of our nation.


The decision to enhance strategic and bilateral ties is a welcome step particularly the signing of extradition treaty which would enable both to extradite terrorists at a time this menace is fast spreading leading to nightmares for the rulers and civilians alike around the world. This camaraderie it is hoped across the wide spectrum might lead to lessening the tensions with neighboring nation if not in the immediate future, at least in the distant future.


And on board the aircraft ManMohan Singh speaking to the media personalities was reported to have made it clear to them India’s intention to walk the extra mile to normalize (friendly) relations proceeding along the dialogue path provided a zero tolerance towards the terrorists was taken by the rulers of Pakistan. Unfortunately no signs of an initiative on that score by Pakistan Government is not yet visible.



Man Mohan-Advani spar

In the current parliament session verbal altercations on the issue of Indo-Pak dialogue were witnessed by the nation between Man Mohan Singh and NDA Chairman and BJP leader L.K.Advani. Advani’s charges that back channel talks on Kashmir between India and Pakistan were under pressure from the United States. Though the Prime Minister angrily denied the allegation leveled by Advani, as a regular media watching citizen, I see some substance in his allegation. Prior to the foreign secretary level talks between India and Pakistan, the visits of US Defence Secretary Robert Gates followed by Senate foreign relations committee chairman John Kerry, I think was not courtesy calls or for picnics. ManMohan Singh’s argument that at no time did Obama talk about solving the Kashmir issue and his counter arguments pointing out the frequent meetings between Strobe Talbot, the then Deputy Secretary of State, USA and Jaswant Singh the then External Affairs Minister I refer here the NDA tenure under A.B.Vajpayee does not hold much water. Dragging the past events to the fore and trying to silence the opposition party and vice-versa is the order of the day among political parties and the leaders. It is worthwhile to mention here that as a politician ManMohan Singh has come of age and I wonder how soon the economist has turned out to be a master politician.

LEFT’S IRE against government

Taking up cudgels against the Government on a slew of burning problems facing the country especially the galloping prices of essential commodities, mounting food inflation, steep hike of fuel prices by increasing taxes adding salt to the wounds, the leftists will hold a massive march to Parliament on 12th of this month. The pretest march is long overdue and is warranted. An unexpected victory for the UPA in the 15th General elections and the subsequent taking up of power the ruling alliance turned euphoric and even after widespread discontent and disillusionment across the social spectrum, the Government continues to be arrogant, adamant and complacent. The euphoria has still not subsided albeit failures on various fronts. But a share of the blame must go to the leftist leaders’. In the 15th general elections as the results kept streaming in they were badly mauled in their citadels of West Bengal and Kerala the seat tally went down to 16 from 61. A jumbling of figures.

Taslima’s Article-Sparks of violence

The renowned controversial writer Taslima’s article on the issue of Burkha which was allegedly translated into Kannada (Taslima has vehemently denied the veracity of her article) sparked off violence and arson in the districts of Hassan and Shimoga by Muslim fundamentalists charging that her article was an insult to Islam and was intended to provoke their religious sentiments. Widespread damage, resulted, like burning of vehicles, buildings and other valuable properties forcing the authorities to close down educational institutions and business establishments had to down the shutters. Two newspapers offices ‘Kannada Prabha’ and ‘Jai Kirana’ were vandalized. Religious fanaticism both Hindutva and Islamic or to be precise organized religions of all hues still continue as curse even in the first halt of the 21st century reminding us of the medieval times.

Air Show ends in tragedy

Soon after taking off from the Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad, one of the Surya Kiran aircrafts during India Civil Aviation show crashed against a residential building resulting in the death of two pilots of Sagar Pavan aerobatic team. S K Maurya pilot and Rahul Nair Co-pilot and a civilian got killed. The air-show had to be dropped and air of gloom enveloped the surroundings.

Praveen Mahajan dead

Praveen Mahajan, who gunned down his elder brother and the veteran BJP leader Pramod Mahajan on 22nd April 2006 died on March 3rd at a Thane Hospital after a prolonged illness. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and was on parole for quite some time. During parole he suffered brain haemorrhage and went into a coma and the doctor’s could not revive his consciousness since then.

Women Empowerment and Women’s Reservation Bill

Today March 8. While writing this piece, women’s reservation’s bill was presented in the Rajya sabha in a charged atmosphere. A pandemonium broke out resulting in a few opposition MPs rushing to the podium and tearing away the copies of the Bill which were on the table of Vice-President Hamid Ansari while a 2/3rd majority of Women MPs belongings to the Congress and its allies, BJP and Leftists shedding their hostilities for a common cause joining hands and a determined SP (Samajwadi Party), RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal), LJP and BSP MP’s constituting a minority firmly opposed to the bill were determined to prevent the passage of the bill. The Yadav-troika stole the show this time also by adopting vandalism and dirty games.

This is the centenary year of Women’s Empowerment. The long cherished dream of women MPs didn’t materialize on the International Women’s day and had it been passed in the Rajya Sabha on the historic day itself it would have been a defining moment, in their life as also in the history of Indian Parliament and State Assemblies. The fight for 33 per cent reservation for women in parliament and legislatures began since 1996 during Dev Gowda’s Premiership.

(Better late than never. As the flash news in the visual media informed the media watchers today evening the happy news of passage of the bill on today the 9th.)

Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh inaugurated a summit on women’s leadership 2010 on inclusive growth and empowerment of women in Rural India on Sunday.

PM didn’t forget to lament over the naked truth that in spite of high economic growth, yes our nation is on a fast growth trajectory, women at bottom line remain a suffering lot as always. Female foeticide, increasing maternal mortality rate, widening gender gap (low sex ratio) and malnutrition, Yes, Prime Minister, the trickle down effect is not up to the mark. Something constructive is the need of the moment for their upliftment.

The Minister of state for child welfare and women empowerment Krishna Tirath also dwelt upon the theme of bridging the gap between the educated well employed women who could break the glass-ceilings and those hapless women who need the helping hand from the rulers like her. Don’t let these slogans continue to be platitudes as is the practice followed since a long time.

Holi celebrated

Holi, festival of colours was celebrated across North India and a few places in South India with much fanfare and pageantry.

As per the custom, it is the victory of good over evil reminding us of the mythological characters-Prahlada, Hiranyakasipu, the demon king - Prahlada’s father and Narasinha the avatar of Maha Vishnu the Supreme Deity of Hindus. Prahlada son of Hiranyakasipu was an ardent devotee of MahaVishnu which was not to the liking of Hiranyakasipu an evil Asura king, who thought of himself as the Most Supreme. Hiranyakasipu ordered Prahlada to stop chanting the name of Vishnu but Prahlada kept on chanting hymns praising the Supreme Deity. ‘Show me your Vishnu’-the Asura king roared in the anger.

"God (Vishnu) is omnipresent and omnipotent"- Prahlada replied non-chalantly. In a fit of rage, the demon king struck a pillar with his sword and from it jumped with fury the frightening incarnation of Vishnu, Narasimha tore Hiranyakasipu to death.

To celebrate this victory of good over evil, holy is celebrated with religious fervor and devotion every year.

Paid News

To curb paid news, an evil practice followed by certain media establishments for quite sometime for churning out money from the affluent sections of the society, the Government has decided to empower the Press Council of India to punish those found guilty.

Ashram stampede

63 persons, 26 women and 37 children were crushed to death in a stampede occurred at an ashram near Kunda town of Pratapgarh district of UP. The impoverished women and children in the area rushed to the ashram on the annual ‘shraddam day’ of Padmadevi, the wife of 'Godman' Kripalu Maharaj expecting some donations offered by the 'God man' annually to those approaching him with folded palms. The heavy rush to the Ashram resulted in one side of the gate crashing down leading to the tragedy. Picture the image of a cross section of the hapless, poverty-stricken beings of a welfare state running to a 'Godman’s' Ashram for a square meal, a utensil and one laddoo.

BRAI Controversy

The union Government’s decision to introduce a bio-technology regulatory authority of India bill in the current session of Parliament has met with stiff opposition from India’s well known, well-intentioned agricultural scientists as it is certain to destroy India’s rich and fragile bio-diversity - their arguments being the intention of the Government to open up the doors for corporatising agriculture by allowing the multinationals to dump GM seeds in our country. V.S.Vijayan, Kerala Bio-diversity department chairman has vehemently warned against the introduction of BRAI in parliament. Whether the legitimate concerns of the well intentioned agricultural scientists would be of any benefit remain a Million dollar question. Corporatization of Indian Agriculture sector continues to be a fond idea or development mantra of our modern day hi-tech politicians. The poor farmers of India will be the ultimate sufferers if the government decides to proceed with the introduction of this draconian bill.

INTERNATIONAL

Hafeez Sayeed Walking Free

Pakistan Government has decided not to arrest the L.E.T Master Mind Hafeez Saeed leaving him scot-free. 26/11 Mumbai carnage is an issue affecting India, it is India’s pain and sorrow. Pakistan might be feeling proud about the criminal.

The murder of a 3 year old child in Australia

Gurshan Singh, a three year old child was cold-bloodedly murdered in Australia sending shockwaves and anger across the world. The body of the child clad in full blue jeans and a green top was found about 30 Km from his residence on a grass field. A part-time India taxi-driver was reportedly arrested in this connection as per the latest media reports.

US $ 15 BILLION FOR EMPLOYMENT

The House of Representatives passed a bill for allocating $15 billion for employment generation (HIRE-ACT) voted along partisan lines in USA. Tax concessions to business firms and $ 1000 income tax credit to those firms which provide permanent employment to the jobless promised. A good step in the right direction.

Iraq polls

Iraqis went to polls on March 7 Sunday defying bombs, grenades and mortar attacks by militants to sustain a vibrant democracy. Ever since the poll date was announced, the waves violence also broke out leading to the deaths of hundreds of civilians. Despite all these threats, they turned up in large numbers and exercised their franchise.

REGIONAL

Kerala’s fiddling Neros

While prices of essential commodities, hike in fuel prices and subsequent increase in bus-auto-taxi fares, the political parties in Kerala are busy staking claims for Rajya Sabha seats. Really great.

Justice K.T.Thomas: Kerala’s Representative

In the Supreme Court - constituted five member committee to study the Mullaperiyar issue Justice K.T.Thomas has been chosen Kerala’s representative.

Surasu awards presented

Versatile actor, writer, cultural icon, the man who always rebelled against the establishment, Surasu was remembered at a function held at Trichur. Veteran actor, Thilakan and Music composer Johnson were awarded in his memory by minister K.P.Rajendran.

Kairali TV’s own premises

Luminaries including Ministers, political leaders across political spectrum and cultural icons participated during the inauguration of own premises of 10-year old Kairali channel on Friday.

CINEMA

Oscar Awards

In the 82 year old history of Oscar this is the first time, a lady director Kathryn Bigilow, ex-wife of renowned director James Cameroon walked away with six Academy awards for best picture, best director, best original screen-play, editing, sound-recording ,sound- mixing, best story for the low-budget film ever in the history of Oscar, the “Hurt Locker”, a heart rending story of Iraqi saga of a bomb disposal squad in the seven year war in Iraq. By becoming the best director for her film, she was wreaking a sweet revenge on her ex-husband James Cameroon whose epic science fiction film Avatar had to satisfy with three awards on technical fronts like visual effects, cinematography and art direction. It was doubly sweet for Kathryn as the awards went to her on the historic international women’s day which incidentally falls on the centenary year of Women’s empowerment.