Wednesday, January 21, 2009

OBAMA:A NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM


Stepping into history, Barack Hussein Obama grasped the reins of power as America's first black president on Tuesday, declaring the nation must choose "hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord" to overcome the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.Young and untested, Obama is a man of enormous confidence and electrifying oratorical skills. Hopes for Obama are extremely high, suggesting that Americans are willing to give him a long honeymoon to strengthen the economy and lift the financial gloom.
If 9/11 changed the Bush presidency, global hotspots, some a continuing legacy of the war on terror, will give Obama little respite. On his first day in office on Wednesday, he is expected to name George Mitchell as special envoy for the Middle East, indicating he has an eye on the Israel-Palestine conflict.By the end of the week, Obama will move to end one of the most controversial chapters in US history when he signs an executive order which will eventually end the military detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay and move on how to deal with some 250 remaining inmates, at least some of whom are hardcore jihadis whom no country, even less squeamish allies like Poland and Egypt, are willing to host.
India is no exception as Obama’s elevation to power has been largely met with optimism. The only sore note, if one can call it that, has been the new president’s inclination to draw a link between the situation on Pak-Afghan border and the J&K dispute between India and Pakistan which many in the West believe can lead to a flare-up on Pakistan’s eastern border.

However, the good news for India is that Obama has already declared that the war on terror during his regime is going to focus on Afghanistan-Pakistan and not Iraq. This clearly authenticates India’s stand that it is important to sort out these two countries to root out terrorism. Obama’s predecessor had been pilloried for the US follies in launching an all-out war on Iraq and Obama’s decision to withdraw troops from that country has been greeted well by the world community. In that sense, Obama has already started to make a difference.

India, of course, would want to ward off any attempt by the Obama administration to force a resolution of the J&K dispute on the pretext of ensuring more cooperation from Pakistan in the war against terror. However, Obama clearly understands that India looks upon J&K as a bilateral dispute, with the world community having little or no role in it, and is unlikely to disturb the balance.

Another likely bone of contention between India and the US could be the Democrats’ insistence on India signing the CTBT and NPT. However, India’s stand on both the issues is so clearly spelled out that any attempt to force India could lead to an ugly situation which Washington may want to avoid.


Wednesday, January 14, 2009

WHERE IS THE SPIRIT GONE!!!


Hello everyone. Yesterday I had to face harsh criticism from my wife regarding the quality of my recent blogs. She feels that my blogs are soulless and written without any specific purpose. I agreed to it and I must say that was my mood in the past few weeks. A year ended, a new year started but I fail to understand why the spirit shown by the mighty Indians after 26/11 dissipated so early. The business houses, media all who showed us the path to glory somehow could not keep pace with the changing times. The Satyam fraud, declaration of the Lok Sabha Election dates, new year celebrations- all seemed to have taken away our attention. Its heartbreaking to know that some people of the film fraternity have already started a project on 26/11, titled Total 10.Equally heartbreaking is to see the media wasting much newsprints and precious time on which film earned more revenue, Rab Ne... or Ghajini. And the government is doing what they always do.Once in a while making statements like "all options are still open against Pakistan" to remind the people how much they care for them. What further evidence do we need? I am no warmonger. Agony of the war torn people scare me like every other fellow.But isn't the time ripe to take a strong action against Pakistan? Well, the old fellas still don't understand that only within 3 months they have to answer this question in the court of the people. Believe me , I am not happy with the way truth is unfolding. And the truth is that our government doesn't keep words. I would love to be proved wrong. Till then good bye.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Happy New Year

First of all a very happy new year to everyone and I sincerely wish for your success and prosperity throughout the year and always. I am presently at Salboni, a small block in West Mindnapore for my Land Settlement training at ARTI.The network coverage here is extremely poor and that is the reason why I could not be online for about a fortnight. However my experience here has been very rich and after 10th january I will certainly share all the experiences with you.This is the first time I have stayed in a village and the experience is surely a lifetime one.I have taken plenty of snaps which I will post here.Its almost 2 AM now and I have to get up early.So I have to bid you goodnight.Phir milenge chalte chalte.Ciao.