Loud n clear message from Kashmir...!

The recent Kashmir election results is a shot in the arm for India in view of the fact that the next administration in the US is interested in mediating a deal on Kashmir between India and Pakistan, which India is not keen on.The recently conducted election has proved that the people of Kashmir in general have nothing against India, as pro-Pakistani elements want the world to believe.The people of Kashmir are clearly aware that their future lies with India,not with the separatists.

let's respect the martyr's.!!!

Recent remarks of the Union minority affairs minister,A.R.Antulay,on the killing of ATS chief Hemant Karkare by terrorists.The argument advanced by the minister is grossly incorrect.It is unfortunate that a Union minister should raise doubts when the entire nation is convinced about Pakistan’s culpability in the gory Mumbai episode.The responsibility of the Union Cabinet is joint and several.Unless Mr Antulay reverses his stand and apologises,or removed from the Cabinet,it is implied that the entire Cabinet is jointly responsible for his observation.

Delay game..............

The US has taken a U-turn with regard to terrorists being handed over to India.The American government was pressuring Pakistan to hand over the terrorists involved in the Mumbai attacks to India but now they a supporting Pakistan in trying the culprits in Pakistan itself.It is a foregone conclusion that a trial on their soil will be an eyewash and the involved terrorists will probably be acquitted.The Indian government will go on asking for the extraction of the culprits,but it will never happen.In the mean time the elections will come and all that happened on 26/11 will be forgotten and the political bigwigs will plunge into the elections,which is what Pakistan is waiting for.

National Investigating Agency....!!!

Now that the National Investigating Agency would be formed, the government must ensure it's proper functioning. The agency must be made an elite one,so that it stands out in comparison with other investigating agencies and gets the respect that is due to it.It must have appropriate authority and infrastructure.The composition of the NIA must be thought through and only the best in the business should find a place in it.

Pakistan needs to act real fast....!!!

The world is a playground for Pakistani terrorists.Everyone knows that the terrorists are made,not born,on Pakistani soil.They terrorise and spread terror not only in their neighbouring countries but are slowly and steadily trying to expand their network to terrorise the whole world.The latest victims were the Mumbaikars.Why cannot international community label Pakistan a terrorist country?I hope the global community will find some solution to this terror,which is costing lives worldwide.
It is a matter of concern that in spite of mounting pressure from all quarters, especially the US and the UK, Pakistan continues to deny its responsibility for rooting out the terrorist infrastructure from its territory.As long as this approach takes,India may be forced to adopt an aggressive plan to deal with the situation. Even the possibility of a war cannot be ruled out.There is a limit to everything. Pakistan must now act quickly and effectively.

Time for Action..........!!!

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s apology to the people for being unable to prevent the terrorist attack on Mumbai,though genuine and straight from the heart,does not soothe aching souls and will do precious little to assuage the feelings of those who have lost kith and kin in the terrorist strike Public memory might be short,and the casualties suffered might soon be forgotten,but leaders like the Prime Minister should see to it that these unwelcome incursions from across the border are ended once and for all.Pakistan’s harbouring of terrorists and their arming and training them can no longer be taken lightly for even India’s legendary patience has run out. An apology is fine,but what is needed is action that will break the back of all terrorist organisations in the world.

Kudos Media.............!!!

It is surprising that the politicians are blaming TV channels for having shown the terrorist attack live. If at all the channels have done any good things,it is this. They should be congratulated for showing the general public everything.At least now people know about terrorist acts and how should they behave if caught in such a situation. Not only that,the lapses on the part of the Navy and Coast Guard were brought to light.The politicians were exposed. That is why they are angry and thinking of putting restrictions on tv coverage of such events.The NSG personnel were honoured.So far they were unknown heroes.All the deficiencies were shown live. The politicians are unhappy because they could not bluff the people with their lies.
At the same time Media needs some corrections...........The media, specially the electronic media,has come in for a lot of flak for their overenthusiastic coverage of the terrorist attack in Mumbai.In the race for "breaking news",they overlooked the basic rules of disaster coverage.It is also said that at times they compromised our security personnel.The media urgently needs some self-regulating guidelines for disaster coverage.

Politics......the game of Scoundrels...........!!!

The real terrorists in India are the corrupt and communal politicians who divide people in the name of religion/caste/linguistic issues.Instead of punishing these politicians,the government provides police/commando protection to these politicians. If there was unity among Indians,the terrorist across the border would have not dared kill a single Indian.It is also very strange that politicians in India never get killed in bomb blasts and terror attacks.In India the law enforcement agencies collude with communal forces.

Please strengthen the Indian Defence Forces......!!!

With Islamabad’s refusal to part with the "kingpins" of the terror outfits,military action cannot be ruled out.In such a situation,we need to strengthen our armed forces,under a single adviser to the government on all military matters with total accountability.At least now our political leaders should understand that such a system is imperative to evolve joint combat doctrines and to maintain harmony between the Army,Navy and Air Force,along with other paramilitary forces.
The 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks have shown that only highly motivated men in uniform would be able to save us from the enemy.As such,not removing pinpricks introduced so maliciously in the Sixth Pay Commission would only result in frustration growing among defence personnel.The fallout of the working relationship between the armed forces and paramilitary destabilised by the anomalies in the pay panel report is already evident in our operational efficiency.

Let's learn to honour our Martyrs.......................!!!

The supreme sacrifices made by our brave policemen and NSG personnel while battling terrorists has shown that our securitymen are ready to sacrifice their lives for the safety of our great nation. In fact, Mumbai’s policemen held the fort till Army, the naval commandos and the NSG arrived. India lost some of its bravest officers like Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte, Vijay Saleskar and Major Unnikrishanan. A grateful nation mourns these brave soldiers of peace.
A major reason why our security personnel are becoming alienated is the indifference towards their contribution to protecting the nation.What should the defenders of our security and borders infer if one state government rewards a shooter for winning the Olympic gold medal with crores of rupees and another government pays Rs 5 lakhs to the family of a police officer who sacrificed his life to save civilians in the Mumbai terror attack?

Cricket Diplomacy...........!!!

Sports minister M.S. Gill’s statement on the Indian cricket team’s scheduled tour of Pakistan in January makes the government’s thinking clear."Is it possible for one team to arrive in Mumbai and indulge in mass murder, and have another team go and play cricket in the winter afternoon sun at Lahore"? The time cannot be conducive for the use of cricket diplomacy to mend fences with Pakistan when the nation is still boiling over the terrorist attack on Mumbai by perpetrators from across the border.However valid the argument that sports and politics should not mix,the logic is defeated by the fact that no normal sport is possible in such abnormal times.Cricket,which has often played out its role as a confidence-building measure between neighbours,must take a back seat for the time being,while India wages its rightful war against acts of terror clearly carried out on its soil by people of other nationalities.................&................we must not forget that cricket,at all times,must be subservient to the national interest.

Lesson from the Election results........!!!

"Development is the key to success"
Development rules,the elections in five states, BJP winning two and Congress winning three seats,it has become clearer that people are looking at development aspects rather than rhetoric.The voters have grown wiser and would be wiser in the general elections.The Assembly elections are a lesson for the political parties that waste the public’s money on unworthy causes and don’t pay attention to the basic necessities of the people.

Let's act tough..........!!!

The token arrests effected by the Pakistani authorities are far from convincing. What is the point of displaying goodwill gestures periodically to a country that fails to respond despite all evidence? If Pakistan acts only after being warned by the US, there is no point wasting time drafting bilateral treaties that remain only on paper. A country kneeling before the IMF for funds needs to be economically attacked and starved into a state that attracts pity. Enormous international pressure should be applied politically, economically and diplomatically so that Pakistan discovers issues of greater priority than protecting Masood Azhar and Dawood Ibrahim.

Copy cat needs help....................!!!

Pakistan, as of now,is a failed State.However much the Pakistanis might like to call their government democratic,we are tempted to call it "civil" as governance there has swung between civilian and military.Their mindset is to follow whatever India does,whether it’s exploding nuclear devices,launching missiles or international diplomatic manoeuvres.All is not well with their government having to do a tightrope-walk between the US and India.With the danger of their nuclear arsenal falling into the wrong hands,they need international assistance to attain stability.This is good for India,and for other nations.Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, in all his interviews,tends to homogenise terrorism in South Asia,thereby implying that both India and Pakistan are on the same side.His statement blaming "non-state" actors indirectly reveals either Pakistan’s incapability to rein in these elements,or its covert support to them.Pakistan cannot be given a clean chit just because it too was affected by bomb blasts in recent times.There is no parity between India and Pakistan vis-à-vis terrorism,and Pakistan must realise this.

Breather to pronounced terrorists.....................!!!

The Indian government has not yet mustered enough courage to execute Afzal Guru, who was convicted by the Supreme Court in the Parliament attack case. The court case against Abu Salem drags on eternally. So one is not sure what the government would do with the terrorists operating from Pakistan even if their government agreed to send them here.

Let's stand united against Terrorism.............!!!

The 9/11 terror attacks on the US proved that no country could ever claim that it is totally "immunised" against the threats of terrorism. The might of a nation is in its ability to find new ways to overcome trauma. Tackling a problem head-on and arriving at a solution to insulate oneself against such dangers will lead to correction of all anomalies that could otherwise compromise the safety of the nation and its citizens. We need to stand up against these terror merchants in unison. Let the message be loud and clear: Fear is definitely not the key.

Can We............?

Politicians, of late,have become a detested lot.They have only themselves to blame for this.However,it is unfortunate that they are a "necessary evil" in a democracy.It is also unfortunate that even when proven to be corrupt,they come back to rule us,election after election.This is a travesty of our democracy.These self-serving politicians have been the main cause for our quality of our life being substandard compared to that of people of many other countries.Our political system needs overhauling.

Reshuffle...........an Eyewash..........!!!

The present political reshuffle is nothing but a charade and a damage control exercise. Political leaders of all hues have failed us miserably and misused the trust placed in them.As a class they have enriched themselves and set in motion debasing practices of corruption and nepotism.Archaic laws are retained, implementation is selective,chronic delays are the norm,and the political masters lead ostentatious lives while large numbers live in sub-human conditions.There is an absence of accountability in the bureaucracy.A mechanism to conform to the people’s mandate is the need of the hour. We need to seek and find leaders of quality who can deliver the goods and regain lost ground.
Kiran Bedi,in one of the interviews has correctly identified the reasons for the collective paralysis of the police department,which is enslaved by the politicians. The security provided,at public cost to eminently undeserving politicians,some with criminal backgrounds and court cases pending against them, is an example of the gross misuse of the security apparatus.

Please respect our Martyrs............!!!

Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was killed in the recent Taj Mahal Hotel combat against terrorists in Mumbai. The crass behaviour of politicians towards our martyrs is condemnable. Kerala chief minister V.S. Achuthanandan said that "If it had not been (Major) Sandeep’s house, not even a dog would have visited the house" after facing stiff opposition from Sandeep’s father from entering into their house. The pity is that Mr Achuthanandan is allowed to continue in spite of making derogatory remarks.

Indian call to International Community...............!!!

The US won’t give permission to India to take any "punitive action" against Pakistan,and the "loyal" Indian government will also not act without US permission. This is the helplessness of India,for which the government’s loose,soft and ineffective foreign policy and lack of political will are responsible.India misses the powerful leadership of people like Indira Gandhi and Sardar Patel.Narendra Modi is a ray of hope. Enough is enough.It is high time that India teaches Pakistan a lesson.It is the obligation of the international community to tackle terror.The duplicity of the Pakistan President,Asif Ali Zardari,couldn’t have been more evident than in the present context.He has backtracked on promises made after expressing concern over the Mumbai massacre. He refuses to hand over fugitives after the terror attack.Now reports suggest that Pakistan may ask India to hand over former deputy Prime Minister L.K.Advani and Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, among others,if India continues to insist on getting the terror suspects from Pakistan.These evasive actions appear to be akin to an admission that our neighbour is indeed harbouring the fugitives.

Corruption is deep rooted......!!!

I was shocked to learn that an IAS officer, Subhrendu Bhattacharya, was taken back into service even after disappearing without information for almost a decade. If the government is so liberal towards its employees, how can it ever expect to eradicate corruption in the system? It’s time the government learnt something from the private sector.

Stringent action required......!!!

The statement by the sports minister M.S.Gill,and I quote.... "Is it possible for one team to arrive in Mumbai and indulge in mass murder,and have another team go and play cricket in the winter afternoon sun at Lahore" unquote, echoed the common man’s thinking.The BCCI must stop all activity with Pakistan till they stand with the people of India and hand over the terrorists as demanded by India.

Voting for PEACE................!!!

The huge voter turnout shows that the people of the Kashmir Valley are fed up with insurgency and want peace to return.Elsewhere in the state,the commitment of the six polling staff and the enthusiasm of the six registered voters in Thugsey Gompa,who braved temperatures of -20 Celsius, is commendable.The nation salutes them.The election has been absolutely free and fair.When the new state government is formed, it must be mindful of the trust of the people and respect their disapproval of terrorism and insurgency.
Whatever the outcome of the polls in J&K, the electorate has ignored the call of the separatists to boycott elections. The 64 per cent (Huge 64% turnout on Kashmir Day 1)polling has shown that separatist leaders have no base and should not be given undue importance.The marked increase in voter turnout shows that,like in the case of militancy in Punjab in the past,the people are fed up with empty rhetoric and yearn for development.Kashmiris,who have taken the bus ride across the LoC must have convinced them that they are better off than their relatives in PoK.

A rogue state.............!!!

it is preposterous that many social scientists plead for the bailing out of Pakistan. After all, the country is not facing a natural disaster. Its economic meltdown is self-inflicted as it insisted on acquiring nuclear weapons and let Islamist terrorism flourish. Ever since its inception in 1947, Pakistan chose to subsist on foreign handouts. It never bothered to learn the art of earning its living through strategic planning, economic reforms and investment in higher education. Instead of propping up Pakistan time and again, is it not time the West encouraged Islamabad to cut its defence spending on nuclear technology, missile development and proxy wars, and is taught to live within its means?

Media.....Media.....Media....................!!!

I have not seen a more negligent action by the media in my life! While the anti-terror commando actions were going on, the media was televising it "live", in real-time, so that the terrorists holed up inside Nariman House, or their handlers, could see it all on their monitors and give suitable instructions to evade the trap laid for them, or to kill the commandos. Bravo!! I never knew that Indian journos were so irresponsible. Who benefits from such journalism? God save the commandos — they don’t need enemies if they have such brainless friends.

Shaheedon ka samman..............!!!

Hats off to the brave policemen and soldiers who laid down their lives to save innocent men, women and children taken hostage by the shameless terrorists. Our politicians will hardly care for these great martyrs after a few weeks. They will announce cash compensation which may not reach the families of these martyrs. Through your columns, I earnestly appeal to the media to set up a martyrs’ fund which should be headed by a responsible individual, such as Ms Kiran Bedi, former President Abdul Kalam, and Mr Julio Ribeiro. Donations should be called for from the entire nation. From this fund, generous amounts should be sent to the family of the martyrs and be used for the education of their children. We salute our men in uniform.

Who will hold up a mirror to the media?

They say the media holds up a mirror to society. If so, then this must be most true of the electronic media which, unlike the print media, is so instantaneous in their response and presentation that there is no time for sober consideration and adjustment. But that also means that many weaknesses of our society may well be not just reflected in but even reinforced and sometimes worsened by the media. This thought came while watching television coverage of the horrifying terrorist attacks in Mumbai last week.

There is no point repeating all the clichés. In any case, even the commonly used words — shock, fury, anguish, anxiety — do not suffice to describe all the emotions that most of us have been through while watching the horrific events in Mumbai. But while people across the country were glued to television sets to find out what was happening as the grim and tragic drama unfolded, the role of newscasters inevitably also came under scrutiny. And sadly, the electronic media too has been found wanting on this occasion.

The most shocking aspect may have been the fact that so many news channels persisted in the urge to be sensational and to come with scoops over other channels, over the most elementary sense of responsibility in coverage. It should be obvious to the meanest intelligence that if the enemy — in this case a handful of highly-armed terrorists — is provided with any information during an encounter, it is bound to give them an advantage and make the task of the authorities much more difficult. This is clearly even more the case in prolonged operations in urban locations when only the official side is hampered by the need to prevent civilian casualties.

This means that those covering such actions must be particularly careful not to provide any information that could be relayed back to terrorists and provide them with any advantage. Yet, during the extremely sensitive and fraught military-style operations in the three Mumbai locations, competitive journalism obviously trumped such considerations, even though it was suspected that the terrorists had satellite phones and could, therefore, access and use information that was being relayed on television.

At least one television channel openly bragged about the special information it had obtained from members of the forces brought in for the rescue operation. Some provided detailed descriptions of the ongoing anti-terror operations, down to details such as which rooms and which floors of specific hotels the National Security Guard commandos would enter.

Most of the channels kept their cameras directed at the areas identified as “trouble spots” or areas where the militants were suspected to be hiding. And every time there was some movement on the part of the commandos, or even the police outside, the newspersons would be rushing to train their cameras on such movement and speculate on what it was for.

We can only guess how much help this provided to the militants. But the prolonged nature of the operations in all three locations suggests that such media hyperactivity certainly could not have helped the brave men who were risking their lives in a very complex and difficult operation against deadly enemies.

On several occasions, jostling and confusion among the crowd of assembled journalists created such commotion that police had to step in to control them. At times when they were asked to step back behind cordons for their own protection as the possibility of crossfire grew, or to allow the military action to proceed, there was resistance and several tried to sneak back when they thought they could get away with it.

And then, once again because of the continuous presence of the cameras, we were treated to the sorry spectacle of complete lack of sensitivity of the TV journalists when they rushed to surround and interrogate the exhausted and traumatised survivors as they were brought out from the hotel buildings.

Even when they begged for restraint and respect, microphones kept getting shoved in front of their faces and questions poured down on them, until finally they could manage to push their way through the melee of journalists into waiting vehicles. Those who had suffered personal tragedy, losing family members or close friends and themselves still in shock, were not spared media scrutiny as the cameras panned in on their tears and watched their agony.

Is this the sign of media gone crazy, an explosion of competitive journalism that is so obsessed with sensationalism and being the first or the most able to come out with certain news that it has lost sight of essential humanity? Or is it that we as a society are now so degraded that even something as ghastly, tragic and horrifying as these incidents of terror and their awful personal aftermath for the victims can be treated like a TV reality show?

It is common in such situations to call for introspection. But maybe introspection is no longer enough, especially if there is no subsequent change in behaviour. Since the prolonged encounters finally ended, we have had to suffer the main presenters, especially on the English language channels, hold forth pompously and at length on the need to change many things in polity, society and the nature of governance. “Enough is enough!” they announced, and said that citizens would not tolerate any more.

Unfortunately, none of them recognised any problems with the media’s own behaviour, or acknowledged that there was any need to change. Is it possible for society to now hold up a mirror for the media?