A missed opportunity

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh missed an opportunity to refurbish the image of his government, which is in the thick of corruption charges even by reshuffling his Cabinet . PM's Tuesday’s exercise was not a reshuffle but a shuffle. It was his work in progress about the Cabinet rejig which he had told the top selected editors in a meeting with them a few days back. His Cabinet reshuffle makes no positive impact on the image of his government, though it is his prerogative.Cabinet reshuffle was a long-awaited shake-up of the government to infuse hope among the disappointed countrymen. But in reality, it was a lack-lustre formal govt. function in which 7 were dropped and 8 new were inducted, besides a few more transfer of protfolios here and there. Infrastructure earning ministries were left untouched and adequate number of younger leaders were not inducted and the PM failed to give his Council of Ministers a youthful image as half of our country’s population is young.Though Uttar Pradesh- the largest populated and politically most important state- was taken into consideration in view of assembly elections next year there, Bihar remained unrepresented in Manmohan’s Cabinet despite the fact it is second to UP and Congress is in worst shape.This Cabinet reshuffle amply reflects that this government is passing the time till 2014 and Prime Minister is making his way out for Rahul Gandhi after 2014 if ever Congress-led UPA came back to power. Accusations of corruption against Manmohan Singh government is mountain high, though the PM’s personal honesty and integrity is unquestioned. But they have reached to his door. This Cabinet re-shuffle was a golden opportunity for the PM to boost his government’s image, which has become tainted,shaky and embarrassed among the public. He could have given a development oriented, yuothful, reforms driven and action savvy look through the Cabinet reshuffle. But he has adopted a very defensive approach and please all tactics,sending out no positive signal among the people. It is also a fact that in the age of coalition politics the PM like Dr. Manmohan Singh is best suited, though the nation remains in loss. Barring his personal academic qualities, he is neither assertive nor has guts to take his own decision. By undertaking his last Cabinet re-shuffle before 2014, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has failed miserably to give a face-lift to the government.

Embargo US military to Pak

US has taken very positive step by putting embargo on the military aid to Pakistan until it goes full throttle war against terrorism.India has rightly hailed the US move withdrawing USD 800 million military aid to Pakistan and termed the it as a positive step.US suspended a USD 800 million military aid to Pakistan.The suspended aid, which is about one-third of the USD 2 billion in annual American security assistance to Pakistan, includes about USD 300 million to reimburse Pakistan for some of the costs of deploying more than 100,000 soldiers along the Afghan border to combat terrorism.It also comprises millions of dollars in training assistance and military hardware.It was US whose eyes were shut to the diversion of its military aids given to Pakistan by Pak itself for promoting terrorism across the border to disturb India. Despite the avowed announcement being made to fight terrorism without exercising any sort of favouritism towards any country howsoever close, the US realised only when its Navy personnel killed its most wanted terrorist Osama bin Laden in Abotabad of Pakistan that it was unable to spot the serpent in the grass that Pakistan is. India had been impressing upon the US and raising voice that Pakistan was hand in glove with terrorism, and it has borne the most at every international forums. It also always charges Pakistan with diversion of US military aids to fight terrorism into aiding and abetting it. It may be new to US but for India it was taking place right under its nose and had experienced its pain a number of time. Though the US move is belated, which has caused enough damage to life and property all over the world, it is hailing. But the US must stick to its embargo decision until Pakistan comes on right track. Duplicity has been the hallmark of Pakistan since it was carved out. It always says one thing but does the opposite. It is good that US lawmakers have also supported Obama Administration on this issue. It is too early to comment for how how long this embargo will continue.

Deaths on rail tracks

The deaths on rail tracks are not new to us. If ever one thing is the cheapest in our country, it is the life of poor common people. In the span of less than fifteen days more than 100 lives have been lost in rail accidents. There have been two rail accidents- one in UP and the other in Assam on Sunday. The Kalka Mail derailed between Fatehpur and Kanpur railway stations, resulting in the death of more than 70 and the Puri-bound Guwahati- Puri Express derailed in the Kamrup district of Assam due to blasts by suspected militants on rail tracks as the reports pour in.As routine affairs, the amount of compensation to the kith and kin of the deceased of the Kalka Mail Delhi-bound train was announced and a probe was ordered immediately. The cause of the accident is not officially known but if the media reports are to be believed, the Kalka Mail was at great speed and derailed due to application of emergency brake by the driver. A few days back, a rail accident had taken place due to unmanned gates (Rail Gumti).At this point of time, There are 1453 unmanned railway gates. At all these gates, accident may occur at any point of time.But no attention has been paid by successive Central governments for a long time. Railway is the largest government organisation and connects the country from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. It is the most striking symbol of our unity in diversity. It is the carrier of crores of Indians and foreigners daily. Railway has also given largest number of employments and has been most profitable. At the same time, the guarantee of lives of million of rail passengers depend solely on it during their journey. So rail safety measures must be of the paramount importance for both the railways and the government. But here in our country, these areas are most neglected due to the callousness of the government and rail ministry.Since the former Union Railways Minister took over the charge of chief ministership of West Bengal, the most important ministry has been headless. It has been left to the fate by the UPA-II. And what can be expected in the country where Chief Executive is directionless,helpless,spineless and completely incapable of taking any decision. The UPA-II must awake. Otherwise, its dooms day is not far off.

Revoke closure announcement of News of the World

Press is held in high esteem by the public and society. It is the
fourth pillar of democracy. Society believes in news that makes them
abreast of everything. Pressmen form opion and always keep the society
alive to the developing situation and the functioning of the government
of the day in democracy. Press is the voice of the people and the greatest weapon to fight
injustice through non-violent means. The entire mediapersons world-wide
are shocked at the announcement of the closure of News of the World. The most prestigeous Britain's168- year-old largest selling Sunday
Tabloid- News of the World- will have to be shut because it was charged
with committing unethical act of phone hacking for the news stories. When its scandalous practices came to light, the public got excessively
infuriated and the management was forced to announce its closure.
Though James Murdoch, Chairman of News International has admitted that
the Company made mistakes and announced the closure of the 168 year-old
Tabloid at the Centre of the row, the damage has already been done. It
was Britain’s best-selling Sunday Tabloid. News Papers’ credibility are its invaluable property and once its
credibility is lost among its readers in particular and society in
general, everything is lost. In a race to go ahead of all in popularity
and TRP ratings of electronic media companies, publicity and
advertisements, most newspapers start filing sensational news stories
without verifying the authenticity and the modus-operandi of the
reporters who have brought the reports.James Murdoch is the son of media baron Rupert Murdoch and after making
the announcement of closure, he is repenting. That is of no use if the
closure decision is not revoked forthwith. The phone hacking scandal that forced management to take such drastic
step is suicidal and bolt from the blue for jounalists and other staff
working for Sunday Tabloid News of the World. The management should
have dismissed the Editor during whose period the phone hacking took
place and sought apology from the readers and public. If they had used
professional approach and resolved the issue of phone hacking with
public and the readers, they would not made this sordid announcement.
The entire media world implores upon senior and juniors Murdochs to
revoke the decision forthwith and let the invaluable legacy- News of
the World- run with doubly force with unwavering commitment to
journalistic ethics.

Belated action

At last under media pressure and ultimately the charge of CBI that the high-profile Union Textile Minister Dayanidhi Maran forced a Chennai-based Telecom Promoter C Sivasankaran to sell his stakes in Aircel to a Malaysian firm in 2006 during his tenure as Telecom Minister in UPA-I, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had to seek his resignation. But how the UPA-2 is captive and dictated by its tainted sothern ally the DMK can be seen in Maran’s resignation that he resigned only after getting order from the DMK patriarch M Karunidhi. DMK is the largest alliance partner of UPA-2 and Maran is its second casualty of the multi-crore 2G scam of 1.76 lakh crore. This very clearly reflects of inaction by the PM in 2G Scam, which is the mother of all corruption. Undoubtedly, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is honest, a man of integrity, fine gentleman, world renowned economist and the father of economic globalisation in India but at the same time the wave of scams that have swept the UAP-2 has taken place right under his nose and he miserably failed to check them due to inaction.When pushed to the wall in the 2G spectrum allocation case, high-profile Maran had to resign from the Union Cabinet. Maran’s continuance in the Cabinet became untenable after the CBI in its status report on the 2G scam case charged him with pressurising a Chennai-based telecom promoter to sell his stakes in Aircel to a Malaysian firm in 2006 during his tenure as Telecom Minister in UPA-I. Maran, son of late Union Minister Muralosi Maran, is a grand nephew of Karunanidhi. With this, Maran becomes the second DMK minister to step down for alleged involvement in 2G scam. Former Telecom Minister A Raja was also forced to resign in November, 2010 when the CAG indicted him in the scam. Karunanidhi’s daughter and DMK MP Kanimozhi and Raja are currently in Tihar jail for their alleged involvement in the scam. The CBI, in its report, also said that during 2004-07 when Maran was telecom Minister, Sivasankaran, was forced to sell the stake in Aircel to a Malaysian firm Maxis Group. It is alleged that the Karunidhi family-owned Sun TV received pay-offs from a Malaysian firm in return for the spectrum alloted to it during Maran’s tenure surfaced. All these developments amply indicate that DMK quota minister of telecom was carrying his personal and party property promotion through telecom ministry since long and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his Cabinet remained a mute spectator to the misappropriation of public exchequer worth 1.76 lakh crore due to compusion of coalition politics. It is nothing but the helpless and inaction of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

A big blow to UP Govt

The Supreme Court has upheld the Allahabad High Court order quashing the acquisition of over 156 hectares of land from farmers in Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh and allotting it to builders. The court also imposed Rs 10 lakh as cost on the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) and directed it to hand over the land to the villagers and farmers. The Honourable Supreme Court is requested to take notice of the plight of 6,500 persons investing their life-time hard-earned money estimated about 100 crore rupees for a roof over their heads. There must be a provision for returning their hard-earned money through proper channel immediately after scapping of IGNA land. They are general Delhiites. The Supreme Court verdict has been hailed not only by the farmers and landowners of UP but by farmers, landowners and common citizens whose livelihood is solely dependent on land for ordering Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA)and builders to handover their land. First of all, the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 enacted by Britishers is now outdated. Because of that there is urgent need to introduce Land Acquisition Amendment Bill immediately in the Parliament. As land is a state subject, the different states mould the land acquisition act to suit their political interest. So did the BSP government of Chief Minister Mayawati in Uttar Pradesh. The term public purpose in the act is also interpreted by different states differently to suit their political interest. This has been blatantly misused. With the opening market in the age of economic globalisation, big industrial, business and corporate houses, besides several multinationals started setting up industries all over the country. And for that land is their primary need. To acquire land by making agreement with state governments by hook or crook, they wilfully took over the fertile lands of big, medium and small farmers at a throwaway prices as state and Central governments are always on their side. Singur and Nandigram in West Bengal are the shining examples of high-handedness of the government and industrialists concerned are all before us. No farmers and landowners would ever refuse to give their land in national interest and for their all-round development. The meaning term public purpose is development of the common and general public and nothing else. The apex court has given a great relief to the farmers and land owners all over the country. Farmers and landowners are the sole masters and proprietors of the land and nonelese. Their interests must be kept uppermost by the government while introducing the Land Acquisition Amendment Act.

Disgraceful act

The disgraceful act committed by the Indian atheletes has brought shame to the nation. And this is not the first time that the dope test affairs involving Indian atheletes has arisen, a lot had been written about it in late 80s. But no action was taken by the authorities concerned.Taking serious note of the dope scandal in athletics, the government on Tuesday cracked the whip by sacking India’s foreign athletics coach Yuri Ogrodnik and formed an inquiry panel to probe the fiasco. Sports Minister Ajay Maken held the officials and coaches, apart from the athletes, responsible for bringing shame to the nation. The eight atheletes who have been tested positives are all quartermilers of CWG and Asian Games. The immediate responsibility of keeping the players protected against any evil habits is and must be of their Coach. The Coach is the inspirational force behind the players' performance in the field. His or her guidance plays very vital role in players' performance. So, the Coach must be held accountable first if the players playing under him are tested positive. That the sports ministry has done. The Sports Minister Ajay Maken has rightly sacked India’s foreign atheletics coach Yuri Ogrodnik of Ukrain. It might be possible that the players might be unaware of what is being given to them for eating and drinking. Their main job is only to play well and win the medals for themselves and the nation. Now doubt, sportspersons do pride for the nation and all Indians feel eleated at players’ good performances at national and international stages. But at the same time, their being tested positive when they are put to undergo dope test, nation’s head is hung in shame. The steps taken by Sports MinisterAjay Maken has taken a very small one. Only by only sacking the coach, all ills that have taken deep root can not be removed. He has let down our country in the world of sports and, this is the darkest stain stuck to our altheletes that, too, can not be easily washed. The need of the hour is not to wash dirty linen in public but take concrete action against those sports officials who are either found guilty of negligence that led to this shameful position of the nation in sports loving nations. All officials and staff attached with atheletics must be overhauled. Finally, the minister has swung into action immediately and constituted a probe committe to find the guilty.