Resist Temptation to Strike Pakistan

People world over silently enjoyed the spectacles of shoe throw at American President Jorge Bush at Baghdad press conference. Bush himself regretted about the wrong intelligence about Iraqi possession of WMD which led to the war. President elect of US has criticized the war of Iraq from the beginning. Indian leadership must now recognize perils of aggravating already a failed country although Pakistan does not deserve a consideration in any count but it is in our own supreme National Interest, we must resist the temptation. India is a great country and just Mumbai incident however painful it might have been does not justify a shrill response rather India must consider a strategic response which should break the back of all state and non state actors of Pakistan who have been working against Indian interest for long time.

Indian attack would give Pakistani ISI and Military opportunity to take full control of the affairs of state and nascent democratic experiment would get derailed forever. More over, Indian strike would help forge unity among Military, ISI, and Jehadi fundamentalist of all kind to train their gun at Indian Interest at all the time. India must understand the power dynamics of Pakistan which is in constant flux. Neither Army is under full control of Democratic Govt. nor does ISI take all orders from Army the main sponsor of the organization. The bombing of Pakistani Air Force One with General Jia ul Haq on board was a live example of how these forces interact with each other at different times and situations. India should exploit the weak power dynamics in a covert manner as Americans have been doing with reasonable success on their own National Interest.

Indian leadership must display vision for a country of Indian strength. A billion population with one trillion dollar Economy and growing at an average speed of 6.5-7.5 % in a fiscal year, society rich with diversity in religious faith, language and culture. India has been considered as a mature nation in global flora from the beginning be it in non alignment movement in the cold war era or in contemporary world politics, India is considered as a regional power with potential for global leadership. Americans pursued the Civil Nuclear Deal with India in an exceptional manner was not symbolic but displays Americans deep understanding of future potential of Indian state. We must use our position in the neighbor hood to assert our role as a Peace keeper in the region through diplomatic and strategic offensives to form a conglomerate of willing nations against International Terror in South East Asia.

Traditionally Pakistani Jihadi elements are generously funded by sympathizers in Arab countries, Overseas Pakistani in Europe and America. On top of diplomatic initiative to block the major funding channels; India must, now, appeal to the head and heart of all sympathizer of fundamentalist terrorist forces with the sufferings of family of deceased and all the injured in 26/11 Mumbai attack by their physical presence in these countries to create strong public opinion and marshal the civil society in our offensive against terror across the border in Pakistan. International community at large must realize that India is acting as a responsible nation in spite of exceptional provocation. Let the global civil society fight the inimical forces against peace of the region on our side.

Last but not the least, Pakistani civil society activist should receive encouragement, moral and material support from Indian Govt. unequivocally to embolden the nascent group of Pakistani Peace lovers to exert pressure on their democratic Govt. to see reason and logic to face the war mongers in the establishment of Army and ISI with boldness expected out of them in the interest of impoverished people of Pakistan who have elected peace and democracy in recent general election. Top down and bottom up approach may not get the desired result in short run; however, it will certainly remove the sting out of Indian shells as and when India choose adroitly to exercise that option for protecting its Supreme National Interest.

Story of Two Brothers, 34 Years ago

A 34 year old story about two brothers. Older brother was about 6 years and younger one 3 years, born to a very dynamic and benevolent father and ambitious mother living in a small township in the eastern part of the country. Once, mother left the two young children at the disposal of her husband and apparently went for a visit to the Ashram of her family Guru. However, her Industrious husband soon got busy himself with some stitching work of the household and got so immersed in his work that he completely for got about the two kids. The younger one started searching for her mother and grew very sad and miserable, any amount of consoling by the older brother did not pacify the little kid; rather he began to cry silently inconsolably. Elder brother became very worried, wished to do some thing about it; knowing very well that approaching father would invite scolding and may be a thrashing, good one at that. Decided on his own that mother must have gone to father’s sister house, a good 3 kms away and if I take the little one to mother then he would be happy and cheerful. Older brother wish to see the, usual, cheerfulness, which was missing from his brother’s face and carefully whisked away the little one from the house in spite of vigilant eyes of his father and carried the little one to Aunts house unfortunately his mother was not at the Aunts place; sadly older boy did not get any help from Aunt’s family. Again, he brought his little brother on his fragile shoulder back home safely. By that time father had already raised an alarm and mother had also reached home. On seeing the two brothers at the gate of their modest home; everybody pounced on the older boy and gave him enough; both in cash and kind on his back and cheeks and the older one started screaming in Anger, Frustration, Sadness and of course for the disrespect and abuse, no body ever cared to ask what prompted the older boy to do, what he did? Sadness and regret of the event remained locked deep inside the mind of Older Boy for the rest of his life. History has uncanny knack of repeating itself; as fate would have it while playing with his younger brother a few years later, the discernible eyes of the older boy noticed a faint blood stain on the white canvas of his younger brother and immediately insisted to remove the canvas shoe and to every bodies surprise, noticed a small lizard in the shoe and a bite mark on his feet with blood oozing out from the wound. Without waiting for any one, the older boy put his little brother on cycle and rushed to the hospital nearby and left a word with friends to inform mother immediately to come to the hospital. The doctors at the hospital appreciated the older boy and took prompt medical care of the little boy and later, declare the little boy out of any danger. Older boy now stand vindicated of his decision and silently raised a toast for a long life of his brother. The older boy has now turned out to be an impeccable Strategy Consultant with an MBA wife to boot and Little boy has conquered frontiers of software development technology in USA and proud owner of a model look alike stylish, tall and beautiful wife, blessed with a gorgeous and cute little daughter, all of five years adept in gulping two big portions of KFC with liberal amount of carbonated chilled drinks and a bunch of paper napkins to control overflowing tears.

Smart-Waste Disposal

Solid Waste Disposal has become hurculean task for the both the twin city Corporation BMC & CMC. Commissioner of BMC is under fire from the High Court of Orissa for some time now. Still the solution elude the authorities regarding land for a dumping site.BMC need to think out of the box and devise a method to efficiently manage solid waste(500 tonne per day for Bhubaneswar alone) by following the foot steps of Chennai Corporation by out sourcing the solid waste disposal and cleaning of city roads to French Multinational corporation CES ONYX for seven years; the company is doing a great job that can be confirmed from any resident of Chennai. Otherwise, BMC may chalk out a new path in SWD management; that is actually marketing the solid waste through value addition by segregation of wastes from the start of SWD life cycle through designated collection bins for each type of wastes like wet waste from kitchens for Vermi Compost by Interested Biotechnology Company, Paper & packaging card board waste can be recycled by Packaging Industry and identically Polythin & Plastic garbage can be collected and sold to a Plastic manufacturer for recycling as raw material and again all E-wastes can be aggregated and auctioned to interested party at huge profit to BMC. BMC may appeal to the residents of the Capital city to segregate wastes from home and deposit in respective waste bins near to their homes, which they would happily comply in their own interest of litter free roads and clean city. Now, instead of searching for a dumping site BMC must hunt for a Company who would buy the entire value added wastes at market rates. BMC may not have to spend a penny for arranging for Waste Bins as such bins can be sponsored by the Industry. BMC could be richer by two hundred crores of rupees annually, by actually selling what we throw from our homes.


Bikash Choudhury
Bhubaneswar

Evening Group Meeting at RRL with Generation Gap

August 1983, we jumped from school to college and to our newly minted freedom at College--no uniform and freedom to bunk classes as and when you desire to while away your time in the college corridor to just observe “the things of beauty & joys for ever” or at nearby tea stall discussing mightier issues of Global reckoning. But, our college was having semester system with its surprise quizzes, assignments, midterm and final semester, 30 exams in each six months. The initial euphoria of getting into college evaporated just when the first midterm result was out. But, our friends in other city colleges were having a gala time and we were very envious of them.

After the college hours, in the evening our group usually congregates at the entrance of Regional Research Laboratory (now rechristened as mineral & metal institute) and take seat on the left culvert facing the gate and on the other side was regularly occupied by Senior citizens of Acharya Vihar. There was a gap of about fifty feets between the two culverts which used to represent the Generation Gap between the two groups. While our group was chalking out plans for future higher education, entrance examination of various technical institutes and some times discussion veered round to popular movies, cricket and good looking girls in the college and in contrast senior people at the sunset of their life used to discuss or despair over the state of politics, their grand children and some time sweet and sour experiences in their personal and professional life. These two groups meet so regularly at the same place and at same time that became a permanent feature of the area; and it came to the notice of local press of that time. A few of the seniors some time walk over to our side to say just hello to the familiar faces and make polite enquires about our studies. After years of meeting each other the two groups silently developed a emotional attachment for each other. We miss them and their carefree laughter when they are not around as they would gently enquire about our absence from the place due to exams and other commitments.

With time, another group of six aggressive youngsters came in the scene, they would generally came in their bike and some time do stunts like driving bikes with front wheel in the air and other many such belligerent activity. Our group and senior citizens did not approve of the commotion at the place but never dared to approach them. But, as fate would have it some of these group members made little excesses while collecting contribution from a few Mallu (Keralaites) residents of the area and remain behind bars for a few days; their parents later packed them off to Delhi and our group silently enjoyed the calmness in the area.

After a few years many of our group members left the city for higher studies and only visit us during holidays. Our group strength now came down to four of us but we continued to meet at the same place for an hour. By this time I had picked up a job after completing my Post Graduation in a private company in the city. Days were passing by and we were getting anxious and worried to make some thing out of our life.

Our discussions would now concentrate on various opportunities in profession and business. Group members were getting desperate to become rich and famous and wished if there were any short-cut. Out of the blues one fine evening a good looking school girl approached one of our friends near the gate of erstwhile RRL and rest were history. Our friend was taken aback for some time but gained composure and sailed in the same boat of love. Other group members offered him moral support and time to see him through this uncharted territory. By this time the attendance in the other side of culvert, among oldies was running thin and with the enterprise of love our group anchor also missed to visit our evening gathering which brought the curtains to our community of generation gap. Hope to revisit the place with our group to the right side of the culvert with our grand children in tow.

Evening Group Meeting at RRL with Generation Gap

Bikash Choudhury

Bhubaneswar

Corruption A Myth or A Way of Life

Sukh Ram, former Minister for Telecommunication, GOI was convicted on a case of assets disproportionate to income. Mr. S.K.Tamotia former CMD of NALCO was also convicted by CBI court in a similar corruption case. In recent years, these two high profile convictions are just aberration to normal rule; people usually go Scot free on the ground of insufficient evidence to nail the culprit. Media and society at large have become cynical about corruption and thrown-up their hands on air for good. Corruption has entered into the mindset of a large section of society. Knowingly, unknowingly or habitually people corrupt or allow themselves of corrupt influence to get a set of benefits that normally would not have come on their way. A few simple instances of corruption in routine life can be cited to drive the point ; Breaking queue, Getting tickets out of turn, Claiming concession in taxes not applicable, Getting things done quickly by influencing person concerned, copying in the examination, Getting away by Paying Police for breaking simple laws of the land and million other instances many people choose to corrupt than follow the path of rectitude in day today life, yet always complain about corruption by bureaucrat, politicians, police and business men. Realisation has donned in current times, that charity begins at home and if we expect a corruption free administration then first we have to bury the corrupt mindset from our lives. No amount of laws would help create a corruption free world unless and until society at large make a social norm for rectitude in general life. Giver and receiver are equally responsible for thriving business of corruption in our life. Once, society makes that call, the administrative and political corruption can be easily controlled through suitable legislation.

Pakistan—Obama’s Test of Leadership

Defiant North Korean missile test with tacit backing of China and Russia has severely dented authority of new American administration. Now, Taliban march towards Islamabad with very complex understanding with Pakistan Army is surely driving Pakistan towards anarchy; which would ultimately endanger the security of the world in general; America and India to be specific. Pakistan would be the first measure test of leadership of Obama administration. In his acceptance speech Obama has outlined his emphasis on change in domestic as well as in foreign policy. Change must be in capital letter in his policy towards Pakistan to ensure global security and preserve authority & credibility in global affairs. The task has never been as daunting as it is today. Former KGB man, the prime minister of Russia Mr. Putin is looking down his shoulder, to regain influence all over the world fresh and China has just started to flex its muscles.

Pakistan has truly been labeled as migraine of the world now; but the road to the present state and ultimate destruction of Pakistan has been littered with support of USA policy in south East Asia since inception of Pakistan. Pakistan has only one policy, which is to hurt and humiliate India. Last 60 years Pakistan has armed itself with conventional weapon and nuclear capability through proactive support of USA and China at the expense of development of its poor people. Recent news story in Pakistani media confirm that poor people of the country ready to offer themselves as suicide bomber for a few lakh rupees. Such development is the symptom of grave risk that world has to contain with after Nazi policy in Germany in Second World War. Taliban in connivance with Pakistan army would take over the nuclear assets of Pakistan and target India for territory to spread Talibanised brand of Islam in south East Asia and attack American interest from a secure territory in India with huge population as a shield against drone retaliation by American forces. Pakistan army might be successful to take revenge on Indian forces for Bangladesh and Jammu & Kashmir with the help of Taliban forces in the bargain loosing the control of Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Taliban for good.

Obama administration has very few options left and time is actually running out for a proactive external intervention to save Pakistan from collapse and the world from senseless violence that innocent people have suffered in 9/11 at New York and 26/ 11 at Mumbai. Obama must recognize this as a common problem of National Identity in various parts of the world and draw support from all big 5 to fix the problem for good through uninterrupted negotiation till a package of peace deal is found for all aggrieved party. Obama’s recent overture to Muslim countries is just not enough for a durable peace. First, new American administration must devise a permanent mechanism to discuss about Middle East peace plan on the premise of two state theories with active involvement of Arab countries. Second, must take China & Russia in confidence to either talk to Taliban for a middle path solution in Afghanistan and eviction of its forces from Pakistan; or, failing which a joint military forces of big 5 with security council resolution to that effect must engage all Taliban and other terrorist forces in Pakistan & Afghanistan till complete annihilation. The task is as much challenging as perilous in current global economic slowdown. The job would ask for tremendous self-confidence and tallest ability of leadership from team Obama. Obama must deliver what he promised at the first place; The Change & Leadership.

Pakistan—Obama’s Test of Leadership

Author: Bikash Choudhury, Chief Executive of Strategy Consulting Firm based at Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India. Contact: Mobile: 00 9853426657 Tel: 91-674-2720271

Email: streben.market@gmail.com & bikashchoudhury@sify.com

Letter to Prime MInister-Macro Strategy team for PMO

11.06.09

Prime Minister

Government of India

New Delhi

Sub: Macro Strategy team for PMO

Esteemed Sri Manmohan Singh Ji,

I take this opportunity to congratulate you on a fresh mandate for your government in general election 2009. This is once again, a challenge and an opportunity for our

Prime Minister. Challenge is to retain the confidence of people till 2014 and there after, Opportunity is to think big for India in long term, much beyond just electoral success and lay a firm foundation in the current term with bipartisan support for an uninterrupted agenda for growth and development driven towards super power India in a multi polar world by 2020.

Sir, very humbly I wish to cite the example of Singapore which made remarkable progress in between 1967-2009 to become a developed country under the leadership of Mr. Lee KuanYew, the founder Prime Minister. Many country men are very hopeful during this term of your Prime Ministership India would somehow run towards its coveted goal and rightful position in the world.

In addition to the Congress manifesto, UPA Government may need to consider the following:

• Inspirational Leadership: Country needs inspirational leadership from

Prime Minister to integrate the various powers in the system for the common goal

of Samrudha and Sampurna Bharat

• Macro Strategy Team in PMO: A multi skilled highly empowered team need to advise prime minister on a full time basis about strategic direction of the country.

India may need one unique strategy for galloping growth & development.

• Foreign Policy, Economic and Strategic Necessity: Indian Foreign Policy now must have long term goal of having an Indian Federation comprising of India-Pakistan- Bangladesh keeping in view economic and strategic need of India as a Super Power.
• Dy.PM: Prime Minister may need a competent and trusted colleague as deputy to look after the routine governance of country and leaving enough time for Prime Minister to contemplate on strategic issues if it is politically expedient.

Hope our IDEAS would be of interest to the Prime Minister and look forward to an opportunity to meet the Prime Minister in person at a convenient time and date suitable to the PMO.

Kind Regards,

Bikash Choudhury

Off: GA-41 Niladri Vihar C.S.Pur Bhubaneswar Orissa 751021 Tel: 2720271 Mob: 09853426657

Res: Flat No: 105 Divyasai Enclave Sailashree Vihar C.S.Pur Bhubaneswar Orissa 751021