American Authorities in one stroke conveyed to India that it is no
longer their 'Strategic Partner' in South Asia and relations between two
Democracies is effect an unequal relations; with the audacious arrest
of Indian Diplomat in New York. Americans have a great plan to drive a
wedge between India & Pakistan pertaining to supply of Arms to
Afghanistan. Since Afghanistan President Mr. Karajai refused to sign on
the dotted line with USA; even after the lower Jigra gave him a go ahead
on the matter. USA was quietly putting pressure on India to be more
active in Afghanistan after the pull out of NATO forces next year.
Indian PM did not bite the bait so cunningly laid by USA; therefore, USA
strike Indian Sovereignty with the mistreatment of its senior diplomat,
which is essentially a civil dispute on employment. India could Strike
Back equally lethally by cancelling or putting off all arms deals with
USA and lobby hard with all developing Nations to do so in a quite
diplomatic coupe and explore the possibility of moving all defense
purchases to Europe or Russia which could in short time cripple the
Defense Industry and USA Economy. That should make the Secretary of
State of USA run from his HoQ to Indian shores sooner than later.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
UNITED INDIAN SUBCONTINENT
BIKASH
CHOUDHURY
My country was broken into three pieces before I was born
and old enough to read History in School; and, as an under graduate student of
economics realized to my utter dismay that continuing poverty and un-development
in the sub-continent was due to breaking a flourishing economy in three halves.
The architect of division relied on the science of ‘Plant Propagation’ to
multiply; however, that does not hold good in case of a living organism “Economy
of a Nation”. Needless to mention, I can’t savor living in just a small part of
India; which our forefathers bequeathed to us before partition in 1947. Can
we re-write History? That will depend upon to a great extent; if we can
unite people, society, culture and the economy in our sub-continent. It is
easier said than done. But, nevertheless an attempt could be made to reach out
to the living rooms of the region about the benefits that would accrue of ‘collaboration’
vis-à-vis the cost that we incur each passing day. The simple difference
between the two, so huge that would be very difficult to ignore by saner minds.
The power of social, cultural and economic collaboration could ignite passion,
enthusiasm, joy, confidence and happiness; as the movement of goods, services
and people (skill, technology & capital) could revive the old circular
flow in the economy that once made this region prosperous by reducing
considerably its dependence on the outside World. On top of all, the majority
and minority syndrome would vanish from our lexicon. As both leading faith would
have almost identical strength in the region. That would make our people work
hard and play harder to make their lives worth living for. In contrast the cost
that we incur is simply incalculable in hard currency as it involves innocent lives,
blood, sweat and tears; apart from the resources that we drain from our
public exchequer on frivolous pursuits that could have been purposefully
invested in a school for children or in a hospital in the interior regions of
our land that has not yet seen civilization.
“Power of Collaboration” is an
Idea the time of which has just arrived. Recently, Nutshell Forum, Karachi organized
a ‘South
Asian Conclave’ at Lahore; where 80 Indian delegated attended including
the actor Nandita Das, who was flabbergasted at the hospitality that she
received and warmth that she felt while interacting with young men and women of
Pakistan. She concluded in her article in “The Week” that ordinary people in
Pakistan as much eager for peace and collaboration as across the borders in
India. Just there are gaps in our perception somewhere and somehow; love and
respect between two people is mutual and infectious. Another initiative that
has stormed the imagination of nay Sayers is the effort of two NGOs—The Citizens
Archive of Pakistan (CAP) and Routes 2
Routes (R2R) of India that would bring the children of the countries closer to
each other under the banner of “ Exchange for Change”. If that were
not good enough; the ‘Forum for Political Unity of India
Foundation’ proposes to organize an International Conference at New
Delhi next year (5th March 2014) on the theme: “United Indian Sub-Continent and Prosperous South Asia” as part of 2nd
Biju Patnaik Memorial Lecture to be delivered by Dr. Sanjaya Baru, Director for
Geo-Economics and Strategy of International Institute of Strategic Studies and
a former media Adviser of Prime Minister of India. Dr. Baru has written an
extra ordinary non-fiction on the subject titled “Strategic Consequences of
India’s Economic Performance” which dwelt at length on ‘profit and power’ of
collaboration in the region; unfortunately, that has been apparently ignored by
the policy maker in India at a huge cost, which should change now. This
International Conference plan to bring Govt. Politicians, Diplomats, Media,
Academics, Activists and Students of the sub-continent to deliberate and
preferably to chalk out a plan to reach out to the living rooms of the region
with the “thought” that power of collaboration and subsequently unity in our
sub-continent could make South Asia a very prosperous region not only in Asia;
but, all across the World. A time will come in the life of this region people
would stop migrating to western countries for a better living; rather, it will
attract the Global Talent Pool and Resources in search of greener pastures.
Shall we?
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Misplaced Outrage or Talibanisation of America
Bikash Choudhury
Apropos your editorial “misplaced outrage” on 19th December 2013 ; in
our opinion and as per Global Community Indian Govt. response to humiliating
treatment, Physical and Psychological torture of woman diplomat of India
by American Authorities in
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
AMERICAN FIGHT ON TERROR
BIKASH CHOUDHURY
American people spend over billions of dollars annually
on fight against terror all across the world. However, it is also equally true
that American Govt. and its policies inadvertently help create terrorism
directed against American Citizens in many parts of the World. Recently
American Authorities have arrested an Indian Diplomat on flimsy charges at New
York City. They have handcuffed her in full public view and later strip
searched her in custody and lodged her with hardened criminals till she was
released on bail. This has created an outrage in India; as such things has
never ever happened anywhere in the world to a diplomat of a friendly country.
In the past Indignities have been heaped on an Indian former President, One
Cabinet Minister in Govt. of India and an Indian Ambassador to USA. Such
incidents create general disaffection against American Govt. and its people
over a period of time in India; and, that could subsequently lead to a form of “terrorism”
in the minds of section of Indians living in India or overseas; and those could
aim at soft American targets and substantially hurt American Interest. If such
things do happen in future, then American people have to blame their own Govt.
alone.
Flat No-105, Kalpataru Nivas
Apartment, Swarnapuri, Patia, Bhubaneswar-751024
Email:streben.market@gmail.com, Twitter: @ideasofhope Mob: 9853426657
Email:streben.market@gmail.com, Twitter: @ideasofhope Mob: 9853426657
Friday, December 13, 2013
WHY AAP SHOULD GO 4 GOVT. IN DELHI?
Bikash
Choudhury
1.AAP
stated position is to transform the
polity and politics of the country.
2.
At the present juncture an AAP led Govt./ Coalition Govt. With BJP could offer
very fast transformation to Governance in Delhi. (AAP transparent politics has already had an rubb off effect during
election)
3.
People of Delhi have spoken with 8th Dec2013 poll result; and, their
mandate should be understood and respected. Delhi people have consciously made
a choice.
4. People’s
court is the highest court in ademocracy and should not be challenged or
questioned out of turn.
5.
People of Delhi have voted on 4th Dec. 2013 not to vote again but to
be Governed well.Therefore, a fresh election would be counter productive and
bring anti-climax and frustration and voters antipathy.
6.
AAPhas a responsibility towards the people who have voted for them with hope,
the volunteers who worked day and night for the victory of the party candidates
and millions of people in India and overseas who prayed for the success of AAP
and those who contributed their hard earned money to fund the election expenses
of AAP. Euphoria always a short lived
phenomena; but, the momentum can be preserved with achievement of
objective(Poll promises)—Good Governance
of Delhi.
7. AAP
Govt/Coalition Govt. In the present circumstance would offer 50% chance of
fullfilling its poll promises to people in its manifesto against a 50% chance
of returning to power with a simple majority in a fresh election. As
people/voters do not change their opinion so soon.
8. A
fresh election means a Hundreds of Crores of Public money down the drain
without any tangible benefits. As normally people/voters stick to their
opinion if challenged openly.
9. A
minority/Coalition Govt. In Delhi could be formed with a set of common minimum
programs. In case of a coalition Govt. A neutral person could lead as CM
acceptable to both the partners.
10.
In a country as diverse as India; to pursue a principle of Political
Untochability inside Parliament & State Legislature could be disastrous for
the country and its Governance.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
WILL DELHI POLL REPEAT IN 2014?
BIKASH
CHOUDHURY
The poll result of five States must have shocked the
grand old Congress Party; the debacle was a foregone conclusion. But, the
quantum and scale of defeat surprised pollster and political parties alike. The
political Chicanery of the Congress Party fell flat in front of people’s anger
and frustration with monumental corruption and price rise of food items; as it is
wiped out of Rajasthan and Delhi. The electoral drubbing that Sheila Dixit got
at the hands of an upstart Arvind Kejriwal of Aam Admi Party in New Delhi has
drowned the cumulative voice of all vociferous Congress Spokes persons. Loquacious
Renuka Chowdhury has daringly given a miss to the television Studio. She used
to poke fun at AAP as they were green horn in Politics. The audacity of
Congress men could bury them with worst ever electoral performance in the
Parliamentary election next year. If we draw analogies from the Rajasthan and
Delhi Poll results; Congress Party could come down to 50-60 seats in Parliament
in 2014 in a triangular contest led by Modi Mania in one side and Kejriwal led
AAP & Third Front in another side. The obituary for Congress Party in 2014
has already been written by the Congress men themselves. One Manishankar Aiyar
is ranting about in advance to seat in the opposition next; while some other
Congress men from Andhra Pradesh have filed a no trust motion against their own
Govt. Congress Leadership could remain oblivious to such developments at its
own peril. What happens to the Congress party is not that important; as the nature
of Govt. that would take over the reins at the centre in 2014. After 10 years
of Policy Paralysis; the least that India deserves is a strong and robust Govt.
with full majority to lead and lift the Nation from morass of poverty &
stifling Inflation and subjugation & despair out of poor economic growth
and employment; that would require a visionary leadership and impeccable execution.
All these would largely depend upon how the Cocktail gets prepared closer to
election next year; how BJP attracts new allies, how Kejriwal display his AAP’S
magic in other parts of the country and how the Third Front organize itself with
a common vision? But, it will be disastrous for the country to repeat the Delhi
Poll outcome in 2014 with a hung Parliament. The choice is ours to make.
Friday, December 6, 2013
TARUN TEJPAL WITH A CHICKEN HEART
(IN RESPONSE TO THE COVER STORY IN THE INDIA TODAY)
Apropos your cover story “The Fall”. Tarun Tehelka (read
Tejpal) has moved a long way from being a wordsmith of your edit desk to your
cover page. If it was Kalidasa who cut the tree he was standing on; Tejpal
seems to have done the opposite (cutting his own feet). He made one cardinal
mistake of not voluntarily giving himself to the law of the land owning full
responsibility of his disgraceful act after editing the final cover story on
himself in his own magazine “Tehelka”. Thus, he could have saved the ‘cult’ he
so assiduously created, his reputation and his magazine “tehelka”. That would
have made him a demi God with Global fan following with his new novel “alchemy
of sex”. It is bad and very sad that he was carrying just a chicken heart.
Bikash Choudhury
Bhubaneswar
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)