WEEKLY NEWS ROUNDUP

NATIONAL

Indo-Pak Dialogue

The dawn of February 25 was as usual in New Delhi. Hyderabad House was all welcome to a ‘historic’ meeting of minds. Smiles, warm hand-shakes, “gritty charm, chai, samosas” ( Courtesy : Sherry Rehman, Leader- Pakistan Peoples’ Party) aplenty. Good.

Nirupama Rao and her team on one side of the table with three dossiers prepared by Ministry of Home Affairs for the scrutiny of Pak Foreign ministry and Salman Bashir, Pak Foreign Secretary in a serious but smiling face and his team on the other side.

Both already briefed by their respective higher-ups, the talks went on smoothly.

Her inherent diplomatic approach, notwithstanding, mincing no words wanted Pakistan to curb the terrorists crossing from across the border first and then “let’s proceed on with composite dialogue process” to discuss the “core issue” of Jammu&Kashmir threadbare.

Salman Bashir wanted all issues terrorism included to be bracketed with composite dialogue process so as to enable both nations to discuss the “core issue” of Jammu& Kashmir to be discussed straight away. Both stuck to their respective stands albeit with smiling faces.

Both sides held separate press conferences as was decided earlier and made known their respective stands already known to the media as also common citizens. But the dialogue must go on and on and on.

Pakistan’s Kashmir ‘fixation’ dates back to 1947 itself ie. after partition. Then there were no terrorists or in the words of General (Retd) Pervez Mushara ‘freedom fighters’ anywhere in the picture.

But three major wars fought by successive rulers of Pakistan against India leading to casualties on both sides over the issue of J&K resulting in much bloodshed.

Terrorists appeared on the seen later, first appreciated and encouraged by Pak governments provided with logistical supports and massive funds. The successive rulers of Pak governments rejoiced over the capacity of these elements for striking at will anywhere in J&K as also the whole of India.

This Kashmir ‘fixation’ of Pak rulers proved detrimental to themselves in the long run and they continue to pay dearly for the nefarious activities of the so-called ‘freedom fighters’. Now the whole nation has turned into a ‘towering inferno’ and the rulers go on lamenting over their helplessness to rein in these lethal elements - just think of the enormity of destruction of properties, loss of lives, even former PM Benazir Bhutto fell victim to the machinations of hard-core terrorists like Tehreek-E-Taliban, Huji, LeT and other such accursed beings. If one is of the opinion that Pakistan faces extinction on account of these Frankenstein monsters how is it possible to blame him but that is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

If Pakistan from the very outset had shed its Kashmir ‘fixation’ and its rulers concentrated more on the development and prosperity of the country, it would have become a powerful nation by now. Instead it has termed out to be the hot-bed of terrorism in the eyes of whole world.

The Afghanistan Imbroglio- India suffers Casualties

It was the third time Taliban militants had launched two suicide bombings killing in the process six Indians along with citizens of other nationalities including an Italian Diplomat. While the US and Afghan forces were loudly making tall claims about their renewed surge inflicting massive losses to the terror elements in Marjah in the Helmund provinces, they were taken aback by the two separated suicide bomb attacks killing almost 17 at the very heart of Kabul, the Afghan capital.

Reports streaming in from various sources point to the unlimited civilian casualties in the North-West Frontier Province. No end in sight for a breakthrough in the near future. Innocents for no fault of theirs’ always bore the brunt of all wars and violence, be it anywhere.

Maoists Cease-fire Offer

Reciprocating Home Minister P.Chidambaram’s offer of a 72 hour cease-fire against the Maoists. Maoist leader Kishenji has responded with a 72 days cease-fire. Who is actually more peace-loving- Chidambaramji or Kishenji? I am being more and more confused.

Mobilization, consolidation, tactical approach what not a variety of interpretations from media community.

Vasundhara Raje Resigns

Vasundhara Raje, former CM and now opposition leader in Rajasthan Assembly has in the end, ‘royally relented’ and vacated her prestigious post. Whether her ‘royal step’ is in deference to the wishes or dictates of BJP President the ‘indomitable’ Nitin Gadkari, sorry no idea.

Beheading of Two Sikhs in Pakistan

The whole country cried in anguish and deplored the barbaric beheading of two Sikhs by Taliban militants in Pakistan. The Sikh community and the whole India and Sikhs elsewhere went into a shock and rage over this blood-chilling act.

Railway Budget

The news of fund crunch in the Railway Ministry couldn’t deter an irrepressible Mamata Banerji in presenting a people-friendly Railway Budget in Parliament on Feb 24th. Train fares and freight charges remain untouched. Though she went soft on her Home State that is not a crime Mamata took care to meet the needs of other States also though to a lesser extent. Elections are round the corner in West Bengal and she feels like Writers Building beckoning her at least in the coming elections. Whether her long-cherished dream would fructify we have to wait and watch.

Parliament Budget

Another great son of West Bengal Pranab Kumar Mukherji without departing from his previous style as Finance Minister under different Prime Ministers presented the General Budget- a pragmatic one- it is his forte amidst protests as also applauses by opposition and ruling benches over certain issues respectively.

Giving the right hand and taking by the other hand he has done a balancing act. The decision to hike the petroleum prices evoked sharp protests in Parliament leading to lightnings and thunder showers opposition members and some of the UPA allies trooping to the well of Parliament demanding roll-back of prices and then an unprecedented walk-out by them, the great man stood firm and had a difficult time shouting down the irate members. He was seen and heard “this is a constitutional requirement and you can’t stop me” and the unstoppable Minister went on with his duty. Nice.

The bottom-line remains bottom-line, it will continue to be so. They can go out into the streets with begging bowls.

Murli Deora, this time happy, he can sit pretty well with a broad smile for having passed the buck to the FM.

Industry sector rejoice as usual as they have got what they expected from the FM. The farm sector and the social sector need be satisfied with a nominal fund earmarked for their ‘welfare’. Let Lord Indra listen to his prayers for a fast recovery.

Qatar Nationality to M.F.Hussain

The artists and the cultural personalities heard with shock the conferment of Qatar Nationality upon M.F.Hussain, the world famous painter who is 95 now. He had to leave India after suffering humiliations and threat from Hindu fundamentalists for depicting Hindu Godessess in the ‘nude’ which the Hindutva elements found an insult to Hindus. A self-imposed exile in a Gulf country culminating in conferment of that country’s nationality upon him sent shock waves and anger amongst the Indian artistic community.

At least the Government should show the courtesy of honoring him with “Overseas Indian Citizenship” at least.

INTERNATIONAL

Iraq elections are scheduled for March 7. Ahead of the elections, media-world and political commentators are busy weighing the prospects of various alliances. The incumbent Noori-Al-Maliki’s alliance this time faces a tough challenge ahead due to the anti-incumbency factor, wide-spread corruption and intermittent violence. The Iraqi National Alliance under Shiite leader Muktada-Al-Sadr faction of Shiites and a few religious organizations combinedly fight against Al-Maliki’s alliance. Sadr faction is Pro-Iran, they want an early exit of US troops from Iraq and end rampant corruption. Await.

Victor Yanukovich Sworn-in

Victor Yanukovich, the pro-Russian newly elected leader of Ukraine took oath as the next ruler of Ukraine. Being a Pro-Russian, Russian rulers Dmitry Medvede and Vladimir Putin are upbeat. So is Yanukovich.

REGIONAL

Kerala Assembly’s budget session has started. Finance Minister, Dr.Thomas Isaac is busy with his budget preparation exercise. The celebration of the fourth anniversary of the government and the impending assembly elections might lead to more populist measures in the budget eyeing the vote-bank.

Temple Festivals

Annual Attukal Pongala festival which is already in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest congregation of women devotees to offer pongalas with religious fervour and devotion for attaining profuse blessings of presiding Deity at Attukal temple to remain ‘Deergha Sumanagalies’ ( a happy and prosperous prolonged married life) throughout their lives gathered before Attukal Devi this time also.
Annual ‘Makam Thozhal’ festival at Chottanikkara was also celebrated by the women devotees on the auspicious day of Makam, Devi’s star being Makam has a special significance. Those who pray to Devi on this auspicious day are believed to be blessed with a life-long married life and marital bliss.

Annual Guruvayoor Temple festival has begun. The ‘Kodiyettam’ (Flag-hoisting) and the customary annual ‘Aanayottam’ (Elephant race) conducted with much religious fervour and devotion.

In Kerala this is festival season. Places of worship - temples and churches - are in a festive mood with devotees thronging before the presiding deities and pray to their heart’s content, pouring out their sorrows with tears streaming down their cheeks and seek their blessings with folded palms.

LITERATURE

Salman Rushdie, writer of international repute and Booker of Booker Prizes Winner has stepped into a world of penning his experiences while in hiding to escape from the “fatwa” (death-warrant) issued by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini for writing a novel, “The Satanic Verses” in which he is alleged to have cast aspersions on the prophet.

Malayalam Film Industry

It seems Malayalam film industry has no way out of the quagmire of mud-slinging against each other, the dog-fights, a daily routine forgetting the precious as also the culture-rejuvinating role of films. Personal animosities and washing the dirty linen in public surpass all decencies. Super, Super-Duper, Mega and what not? We the film-goers need to shame a part of the blame for keeping in our hearts larger than life pictures of some “pigmies”. It is actually our fault.

SPORTS

Sachin atop the world

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar has once again proved his towering presence in the world of cricket. In the Gwalior One Day against South Africa, the master batsman with a 200 not out the first time ever in One Day Cricket surpassing the previous records set by Saeed Anwar of Pakistan, 194 and Charles Coventry of Zimbabwe, 194 has gained the profuse applause and approval of the world. Let him have the stamina and will-power to scale new heights in future.

Hockey

In the Hero Honda World Cup Hockey match India has got off to a flying start by defeating Pakistan 4-1.