Indian insurance sector to get more global tie-ups

By now it has become evident that 2010 is going to be a boon for the Indian insurance sector and the reasons behind this are not hard to see. A number of insurance tycoons across the globe are getting interested to capitalize on this mounting (in terms of revenues) and certainly vibrant market and foremost of them happen to be the celebrated insurance companies hailing from Japan.

One of these is, without a shred of doubt, Mitsui Sumitomo, an exceedingly acclaimed insurance player in the realm of Japan, and the company, at the moment, is busy is exploring opportunities to enter the Indian insurance sector. What is its aim at the moment? Well, as far information goes, it is to set up shop in India. It has to be stated, in this context, Indian Government’s proposal to lift the FDI cap in the insurance sector from 26 per cent to 49 per cent has stimulated Japanese and Korean companies to a large extent.

Why shouldn’t the same be too? Recent studies suggest that India and China are among the fastest growing insurance markets following the recession. Is there any difference between the two? As indicated by industry analysts, even if China is a bigger market, India’s distribution system is more evolved and it is believed to be acting as the Unique Selling Proposition at this moment in time.

There have been other inspiring facts as well. As said by industry officials, global companies by and large prefer to have a presence in both India and China and the market grapevine has it that a couple of Japanese and Korean insurance players are looking at possible joint venture deals with some of the financial services firms having extensive distribution networks.

Bear this in mind. Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance (London Management) Ltd (MSILM*) is part of the Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group (MSIG). MSILM, through its subsidiaries, is one of the most innovative and forward thinking insurers in the market at present.

Indian insurance sector awaiting a showdown

There is no doubt in it that the New Year – 2010 is going to be the best in your life and will gratify your most of long-standing aspirations. Will the same be for everyone? Well, I am not so sure but surely it is not going to be for the Indian insurance sector. Reason? A bitter struggle between the insurance and markets regulators in the Indian scenario is imminent and the questioning of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to HDFC Standard Life regarding the absence of life insurance cover under its pension plan has already initiated the scuffle.

Experts assume the market regulator looking for product details from a company which comes under the realm of the insurance regulatory and development authority is not unusual but the same development could intensify issue of regulatory turf. The only reason is that insurance companies are allowed to put up products for sale only after a rigorous approval process by IRDA.

Nevertheless, HDFC Standard Life Insurance has preferred to retain a strange silence over the issue thus far. But industry analysts are anticipating a bitterer development. As per the majority of them, IRDA may take the matter up with SEBI owing to the fact that the pension plan like all other products was cleared by the insurance regulator. It is to be noted that the launch of
unit-linked insurance plans has wakened the lines between a mutual fund and a life insurance company.

It has come to the knowledge, in order to distinguish the products the insurance regulator has prescribed minimum lock-in period for life companies. The approach, without a shred of doubt, is surprising since all life insurers sell similar pension plans without any life cover. HDFC Standard Life can’t be held culpable as a result.

We are waiting for a showdown.

Real estate woes tormenting Indian government much

Even though economic pundits in the realm of India are considering the indigenous realty sector as one of the most vivacious and prospective sectors (certainly in terms of generating revenues) known hitherto, the picture is perhaps getting bleak bit by bit owing to several unforeseen developments. What makes one issue such ruthless remarks?

Go through the following and I hope that you may also abide by my standpoints.

It is getting evident an increasing number of non-resident Indians (NRIs) is getting vulnerable to real estate woes and as per some of the preys, negligence of governance happens to be supreme. To cut a long story short, copious numbers of complaints of real estate deals getting sour, crooked and dishonest encroachment and unauthorized occupation of properties have flooded the ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA).

What we can say is that this is nothing new but the recent saga of Satyam scam casting its shadow on Maytas Properties has made the situation out of the frying pan into the fire. There is hardly any doubt that apprehensions amid overseas investors, thanks to all these tainted events, have deepened.

What has been the response of Government of India? After all, it is the foremost authority and can’t leave us in the lurch. Well, it has expressed own views and as indicated by Vayalar Ravi, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister, "Property dispute is one of the most frequent complaints by NRIs. They are unable to protect their property due to long absences or lack of awareness of laws."

Bear this in mind too. The majority of complaints are from major real estate markets like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Punjab.

What types of complaints are there then? The nature of the complaints, it has been found, are mostly protection of property that has been forcibly occupied or encroached, dispute relating to division of property or inheritance and cases where investors have been cheated by real estate developers.

On the word of the minister, following this deluge of complaints, he had written to state governments asking them to appoint nodal officers for civil, judicial and police matters. These nodal officers are free from NRI cells that are dedicated for issues related to financial or welfare interests of overseas Indians.

Wen Jiabao vows to retain "proactive" fiscal stance

China is in a real fix and the experts fear the real estate bubble may attain alarming proportions, if not restrained in time. All these have stimulated the Communist Government of China to get cognizant of each and every development in the pertinent area and the Chinese Premier has come out with a phenomenal assertion. In accordance with Wen Jiabao, the Chinese Premier, from this time forth the government will dampen down property prices, resist pressure for the yuan to appreciate and keep inflation at "reasonable" levels.

"Property prices have risen too quickly in some areas and we should use taxes and loan interest rates to stabilize" them, Wen said yesterday in an online interview with the official Xinhua News Agency. China will "absolutely not yield" to calls for currency gains, he stated in addition.

Take a look at some other crucial facts. Recent reports suggest elucidate that China's property prices climbed last month at the quickest pace ever since July 2008 and all these made industry analysts predict record lending and inflows of money will inflate asset bubbles in the world's fastest-growing major economy. What was the last statement of Fan Gang? Only on November 18 the Central bank adviser said that the nation needs to be on alert for stock, real-estate and commodity bubbles for the reason that global capital flows into emerging economies.

"It's difficult to see how serious the government is about cooling the property market," said Andy Xie, former Morgan Stanley chief Asian economist. "The issue isn't about introducing new measures but enforcing existing measures."

We must focus more on the statement of the Chinese Premier. China should anticipate inflation on account of factors including rising global commodity costs, Wen said, pledging to keep price increases in a "reasonable range." The government will leave no stone unturned to retain a "moderately loose" monetary policy and a "proactive" fiscal stance, Wen said, adding that it would be a mistake to extract stimulus measures too quickly.

Israel’s military triumphs strengthen own realty sector

This picture, without a shred of doubt, is contrary to the belief. We, at the moment, are dealing with Israel but more with its successes, instead of anguishes as usual. The whole of Jewish republic in southwestern Asia at eastern end of Mediterranean, at present, is enjoying a housing boom and the sole credit, in this context, goes to its political leadership. How? If you recall whilst Israel launched a massive offensive in the Gaza Strip a year ago, political leaders said the primary objective was to quench cross-border rocket fire against villages in southern Israel.

What is the current situation then? Well, all tensions have dissolved almost as the military mission has largely been accomplished. It must be taken into consideration that launches of short-range Qassam rockets plummeted 90 percent to a decade low in 2009. All these positive developments have stimulated the country-wide realty sector and there has been a upsurge in demand for homes in a region that people had been fleeing. There is hardly any doubt that most of Gaza remains in ruins thus far. Nonetheless, improved interest in real estate in Sderot, the main target of the Qassam rockets, has pushed home values up by as much as a 30 percent.

A sense of optimism is being witnessed in the kibbutz, or farming collectives, around Gaza, as well. On the word of leading real estate marketing executives in the region, sales of new homes have tripled while prices have risen 15 percent. As per the majority of them, the situation has changed drastically by now and the role played by improved security conditions, in this regard, can’t be belittled.

Is this the beginning of a new era? We surely would love to envisage in this way but some fears still continue to torment Israelis and according to the beliefs of majority, a new, worse flare-up is only a matter of time. If recent Israeli army intelligence assessments are relied upon, Hamas is learning the lessons of the war and stocking hundreds of missiles in preparation for another round of fighting.

But surely Israel is steadfast and this defiant attitude is being expressed through each aspect, the buoyant Israeli realty sector is one. Truly, it is unlike India, the Asian giant, mostly susceptible to terror strikes and getting lost in political squabbles bit by bit.

Can US leaders restrain subsequent healthcare legislation hurdles?

How can a struggle be won? Lots of pundits are there to express personal standpoints in this context but we, commoners remain in need of extremely explicit specimens to stimulate ourselves. US healthcare reform Bill – gallant struggle to set up the essence and to emerge victorious after a long, arduous struggle, if truth be told, is itself a specimen that will encourage the generations to come.

The history was created as soon as US Senate approved the ground-breaking legislation and by now it’s a reality that it would play a great role in extending healthcare for tens of millions of uninsured Americans. Now the question remains whether the victors can have a sigh of relief yet and the reasons are not hard to see.

As per a considerable section of pertinent analysts, substantial hurdles await the legislation to a large extent. It has come to the knowledge that the work will embark on in the New Year to reconcile the Senate legislation with a House of Representatives Bill that was passed last month, which is more left wing. Make a note of this as well. Potentially tough negotiations are likely all over January for the reason that the two Bills have significant differences.

Experts state that the Senate Bill does not include the "public option" - a government-backed insurance programme - which is a crucial part of the House legislation. The provision is likely to be hard fought for by liberals in the House. Nevertheless any public option risks losing the key votes of moderate Democrats in both the House and Senate.

Is this all? Perhaps not! Another conceptual separation between the two bodies is how the reforms will be financed. The House Bill would enforce a surtax on high-earning individuals and couples, whereas the Senate Bill applies a 40 per cent tax to be paid by insurance companies on alleged "Cadillac plans" or the health insurance premiums that cost above $8,500 a year for individuals and $23,000 for families.

South Korea firm to fortify own defense science and technology might

The political climate of Asia is changing fast with China and (to some extent) India getting belligerent than ever before. What should other nations do other than fortifying own boundaries and potencies? South Korea is doing the same and in accordance with the country’s Ministry of National Defense, it has unveiled revised plans on developing the country's defense science and technology from 2010 to 2024. Without a shred of doubt, the task is both humongous and intricate but what else can be done. One should not forget that South Korea shares border with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, known for its uncanny approaches, dogmatism, and unwavering fealty to communist principles in the global arena.

Now let’s have some words regarding revised plans. As per the Ministry of National Defense, the revised design has set improving technologies for high-tech weapons system as a mid-term goal and securing independent technology for it as a long-term aim. Nevertheless, there shall be far-reaching consequences and it is likely that South Korea’s investment in research and development on national defense, at the moment at 5.6 percent of the total military spending, will climb up to 7 percent by 2012, and to 10 percent by 2020. This is not only a sharp rise compared to the original plan but is competent to make the nation more poised than ever before.

It is to be noted that South Korea, at this time, is the world's 18th largest weapons seller and also aims to increase its arms sales by 2024 to become the 10th exporter.

But there have been some other talks as well. Government records suggest that changes in plans are believed to be made every five years. What led to this bizarre development then? Experts state that the changes did surface in advance than standard following the latest revision in 2007 on account of policy changes on national defense under the Lee Myung-bak administration, which assumed office in February 2008.

Can insurance schemes with feudal overtone benefit?

The Preamble to the Constitution of India declares the nation to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic but I am confident that none can have the glimpse of it in the reality. Though this is shameful and I do also feel bitter while stating the same, truth can’t be enshrouded. Perhaps there is no other country where each and every aspect of feudalism reigns with such vigor while remaining under the clout of democracy.

There is, without doubt, no country other than India where posthumous awards or schemes dedicated to departed leaders rule the show. Take for instance Congress General Secretary and budding PM (or Super PM?) Rahul Gandhi. The royal scion (who can dare to be majestic save for him?) launched Rajiv Gandhi Artisans Health Insurance scheme for women associated with self-help groups, bringing his slain father’s charisma yet again to the public.

Inaugurating the scheme in his own constituency launched as an enterprise between the ICICI Bank and Union Textile Ministry, Rahul said free medical treatment of upto Rs 6,000 would be provided to women connected with the SHGs. What shall be the other benefits? Cards will be issued to the beneficiaries under the scheme, which will enable them for free treatment at the Sanjay Gandhi hospital.

There was, if truth be told, a festivity to mark the visit of Congress General Secretary and ten OPD camps were organized on the occasion at Sanjay Gandhi hospital, where free medical examination and treatment was provided to locals. The Congress leader himself, projecting himself as a true leader, inspected the camps and enquired about medical examination and treatment being given to the patients.

What do you envisage then? The insurance scheme had been necessary, it was introduced but we have strong doubts of its application.

No scheme with feudal flavor has been successful thus far. If you fail to accept this and contradict me, I shall be happiest.

Anita can’t be disowned, She is our Daughter and shall ever be

Where are we heading to? This sentence at the very outset may astound you a good deal. Well, before going to any further, let’s check out some readily available facts.

Ever since Islam stepped into the realm of Bengal, forceful conversion of Hindus has been one of the most preferred ploys of the Muslim zealots to make the whole community kowtow. Throughout the Muslim hegemony and 19th century, it was in full swing and gained new momentum with the onset of the 20th century backed by several doctrines. It has been unabated in both erstwhile East Pakistan and contemporary Bangladesh but the same malicious campaign is being witnessed in the Indian state of Bengal too, thanks to the tacit understanding between the pseudo-secular sections and Islamic fundamentalist forces and certainly the uncanny silence of the culpable democratic society.

What is more striking, even the Hon’ble Calcutta High Court, considered as the highest form of judiciary in the state, is corroborating the same spiteful intents. What else can be said if we look at the strange development of the case of Ms Anita Ray?

Ms Anita Ray (aged 15) and Shahidul got married only after she was misled by him. Anita, at the behest of Shahidul, ran from her paternal residence, got converted into Islam and married the venomous guy. Mr. Suvendu Ray (Anita’s father) got infuriated and with the help of police got hold of the estranged daughter only on 20th October, six days after the couple took flight.

From that period Shahidul was absconding and even though he appealed to the lower court for bail in advance, it was rejected altogether. Strangely enough, Calcutta High Court has sanctioned the same citing that marriage of women under 15 years is lawful under the Muslim Marriage Act, unlike Hindus.

What does this lead to? Does the court wish for to affirm that any such act is glorious? Does it want to convey the message that Muslim society is omnipotent and what it does is just? Before that, Anita, at the time of conversion, was of 15 years old only. How can a minor be converted?

It’s definite that the Ray family didn’t consent or respond favorably to the proposal, not to speak of Anita, a minor girl who can’t decide on any such crucial issue, in accordance with Indian Penal Code.

What can you say then? This is one of the gravest conspiracies known hitherto and must be trounced, forget about remaining indoors and continue to doggone or wish harm upon Shahidul. Without a shred of doubt, he has been backed by the considerable section of Muslims in close proximity, may be there is the involvement of Calcutta section as well.

The line of battlefield has been drawn already and we are taking all types of measures to make the heinous conspiracy bite the dust. Be it legal or…………

Intel and investigative journalism – nice combination!

Let’s begin by having a few words of a highly controversial subject that may leave you wondering of its relevance in this regard. It’s investigative journalism, a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, often involving crime, political corruption, or a scandal. However, there is also a difference. Unlike the past, business enterprises and tycoons have become the focal point of investigative journalism, and the situation has already become perilous.

Who can understand this better than Intel? Thanks to a leaked report, it has been learnt that Intel's imminent "Gulftown" 32nm, six-core processor will be known as the Core i7-980X and could be a part of new Mac Pro systems from Apple in early 2010. This is not all, surely.

In accordance with leaked information relayed by Hardmac, the English-language version of French Apple site MacBidouille, in contradiction of earlier reports, the new processors will not adopt the Core i9 name, and will purportedly retain the Core i7 title. The new processor, code-named "Gulftown" will fall under the i7 "Extreme Edition" category, the first of which will be the i7-980X.

The so-called roadmap from Intel depicts that the processor will clock in at 3.33GHz. That chip is likely to arrive in March 2010, but in the past, Apple has reached exclusive agreements with Intel to be the first to carry its new processors. A number of preceding reports have suggested Apple is testing the new Xeon chip, anchored in the Gulftown architecture, in its Mac Pro desktop. The new, upgraded processor features more horsepower and lower power consumption, and will be the first dual-socket, six-core processor for Intel.

It has also been learnt that the novel 32 nanometer chips have 12MB of L3 cache, and six cores with 12 threads for each CPU. Apple, by and large, doubles the processors in its high-end professional workstations, therefore it's feasible the new Mac Pro system could have a total of 12 cores and 24 threads. The new hardware could be released sometime in the first quarter of 2010.

Is iMac’s built in demerits ailing Apple Inc.?

There had been large talks with regard to the launch of iMac, Apple Inc.’s 27-inch all-in-one desktop computer both in and out of the company and it was formally released in October. But even after this, when people thought that all settled, shipping on orders of the cutting-edge device has been delayed by two weeks. Reason? Well, Apple has given a justification in this regard but to most of people it is nothing but a ploy to enshroud own demerits and hence it is largely feeble. Is it so?

On the word of Apple Inc., the delays are on account of high demand for the all-in-one desktop computer, its largest model yet. "The new iMac has been a huge hit and we're working hard to fulfill orders as quickly as possible," Apple's official statement says. "We apologize for any inconvenience or delay in delivery this may cause our customers." As already said, many are considering it as feeble and smell a rat. Copious numbers of conjectures are running high, as a result.

Let’s crack down on unofficial sources then. Many analysts have started saying that the 27-inch iMac has display problems. Chatter about cracked screens began in Apple's discussion boards last month, and Macworld's test unit suffered the same fate. A great talk is also going on regarding flickering displays; it's the most frequently reported issue at a website committed to documenting the 27-inch iMac's woes.

Do you want to lend ears to the versions of sharp detractors? One of them is surely BroadPoint AmTech analyst Brian Marshall who lays the blame directly on ATI's graphics cards. "They should've stuck to Nvidia," Marshall told MacNewsWorld. Apple brings ATI cards into play in both its 27-inch iMacs and one of its 21-inch models, but only the larger models have been delayed. Marshall, in addition, questioned Apple's claim that its flagship iMac is a huge hit, calling it a "low-volume product."

Can Microsoft appropriate Plurk’s code and content?

This is unusual for a multinational computer technology corporation like Microsoft even. The internationally celebrated organization is under a close scrutiny, it is alleged to have got inclined to stealing of both code and content from a rival. This is not only a crucial stage for the company but any impulsive act may lead to an irreparable damage to its brand identity also.

The plaintiff, in this context, is Plurk, known for operating Asia's top microblog and it claims Microsoft's Juku service chisels its look, structure and also mode of operation to a large extent. Through one of its blog post Plurk officials stated, "Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but blatant theft of code, design, and UI is just not cool." Juku "is by and large an EXACT copy of Plurk's innovative left-right timeline scrolling navigation system," Plurk officials said in their post.

This is not all and the officials posted afterwards how they came to know all these. "We were first tipped off by high profile bloggers and Taiwanese users of our community that Microsoft had launched a new Chinese Microblogging service that looked eerily similar to Plurk," the officials said.

"Needless to say we were absolutely shocked and outraged when we first saw with our own eyes the cosmetic similarities Microsoft's new offering had with Plurk. From the filter tabs, emoticons qualifier/verb placement, Karma scoring system, media support, new user walkthroughs to pretty much everything else that gives Plurk its trademark service," the officials stated this too.

It is to be noted that Microsoft introduced MSN Juku Dec. 1 in beta form. It lets users post 140-character messages, a la Twitter.

The veracity is yet to come out but the allegation has shocked lots of people given that Microsoft’s involvement with crusade against software piracy and theft of intellectual property in the Asian market is known.

However, we are groping in darkness still.

Bangladesh in search of a tech-savvy identity

It seems that Islamic Bangladesh, always vulnerable to specter of religious bigotry and hardliners, has come to the conclusion that the country (considered as “rural slum” by erstwhile British rulers) can’t proceed devoid of latest versions of science and technology. Well, all these have come to light as Sheikh Hasina as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister (PM) (for the time being), also daughter of slain leader Mujib, has expressed her solemn pledge to build a science and technology-based modern Bangladesh free from hunger and poverty by means of implementing its development goal: "Vision 2021".

The PM was engaged in a video conference with the local people after inaugurating a newly-installed 1000 kilowatt medium wave transmission of Bangladesh Betar at Dhamrai where she said, "We are working to carry forward the country by using modern technology as well as ensuring balanced development across the country in line with our election pledges." In addition, Ms Sheikh Hasina stated that it would be possible to create jobs for the young generation and build Bangladesh a modern one with the finest application of new generation technology.

At an earlier time, the PM officially launched the transmission of the state-run Bangladesh Betar by pressing a button at Super Power Transmission Centre and Information Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury briefed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina about the transmission, its efficacy and on the entire installation project.

An enormous gathering consisting of Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad, local lawmaker and local people were present on the occasion.

The PM said the country's development process has been disrupted for a number of times on account of grabbing state power through unconstitutional means by vested quarters after the brutal assassination of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Can tech-savvy Indian Police ensure a better security?

It all did happen in the late 60s and early 70s when the whole of Calcutta (Kolkata) and Bengal was tumultuous on account of the Naxalite Movement in full swing. Even though several harsh methods (that have remained focal points of human rights organizations yet) were used, Calcutta Police, especially its IB and Special Branch were able to quell the intensity and earned the title “Scotland Yard of the East.” There was hardly any presence of new technology but the Calcutta Police emerged victorious thanks to strong public-police coordination. The question remains whether the Indian Police force still enjoys the same confidence.

All these are being asked since Dakshina Kannada district police of the state of Karnataka has launched its own website - www.dkpolice.org and it hopes that this will lead to a new chapter of professionalism, greater competence and much more.

It has to be stated that the same district police did start blog (spdk.blogspot.com) as a public-police interface four years ago, an unique experiment and first-of-its-kind in India. The blog, without a shred of doubt, became popular and inspired many district police units in Karnataka as well as across India to do the same. It has been learnt that this exceptional official police blog will be yanked off the net before long and become an integral part of the official police website, under its own domain.

On the word of B Dayananda, SP at the time of launching the blog and now Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Intelligence), while the blog started by him was a novel concept in the police department, websites were not new. "Many district police units in India, and abroad started their websites, but majority of them are not regularly updated or are in a state of limbo," he said to TOI.

The website maintained and designed by Goal IT Solutions, Mangalore, has been funded owing to special innovations project fund given by DGP Ajai Kumar Singh. This is the first time ever that the district police have received such funding such efforts are on to make the website more comprehensible, SP said.

We end with a humble question. Can the new tech-savvy Indian Police assure us of a better security? Can it surpass the feats of Calcutta Police?

Indian cyber security is greatest casualty, must be renovated before long

Terrorism or the methodical application of terror especially as a means of coercion has been present in the worldwide civilized society for decades. But even this violent political or social philosophy has changed to a great extent by now and cyber terrorism or at least cyber crime has become its newest manifestation. What can India, one of the prime targets of this trigger-happy doctrine, do? In order to save its own skin and kith and kin, it must build up a commendable and potent cyber security. Well, we are not sure how far the country has comprehended this new danger but it must be said the consciousness is rising.

One of the exponents of this school of thought is Ankit Fadia, eminent cyber security expert. According to his views, courses on cyber security should be launched in schools and colleges in India straight away, while cyber cells need to be set up in police to check cyber crimes.

Ankit Fadia, known as one of the computer whiz kids in the world once, prefers to introduce himself as an ethical hacker and is, at present, engrossed with the task of advising companies, governmental bodies and security agencies both in India and abroad on cyber security.

‘International cooperation should be increased. India should propose something like an Interpol or a United Nations body for cyber security, ‘he said.

Speaking to the press and media recently, he told that educational institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) ought to operate courses on ethical hacking - practice of hacking sites and e-mail ids to identify the defects to organizations and individuals concerned and bring forth remedies to plug the loopholes. What is more, he opines, youngsters must be both informed and trained on the problem of cyber crimes and possible solutions. There is hardly any doubt of this necessity; it is already recognized that 26/11 terror attack on last year made use of most advanced technologies for communication.

‘India is no doubt the world’s IT capital. But as far as security is concerned, our country has fallen far behind, ‘Fadia said. We have no skepticism in this and the sooner India heeds this the better it is.

India remembers 26/11, can’t thwart another too

There have been several versions of terrorism in the post-WWII decades. While on one hand there was the presence of Red Army Faction or one of postwar Germany's most violent and prominent left wing groups once, there has also been the presence of dreaded Islamic hard-line outfit Lashkar Taiba or LeT. But it will be simply erroneous if you dare to place them in one-half. On the contrary there is a vast and never-ending difference between the two.

Red Army Faction or RAF asserted that it was a communist and anti-imperialist "urban guerrilla" group engaged in armed resistance against what they deemed to be a fascist state. The RAF was founded in 1970 by Andreas Baader, Gudrun Ensslin, Horst Mahler, and Ulrike Meinhof. But Lashkar Taiba or LeT is one of the largest and most active Islamist militant organizations in South Asia and has been grown in order to trounce and balkanize India, the land of infidels. While left wing terrorism springs up owing to mounting polarization and economic inequality, Islamic terrorism is set to uproot an entire civilization.

In all these years, thanks to exponential growth in worldwide technology and a profound transformation in global economy, Islamic outfits have extended considerably. Each and every attack of them, especially in India is lethal and what did Mumbai witness on the last 26/11 may be the beginning of a new chapter.

Nevertheless Mumbaikars (residents of Mumbai) are upbeat and in spite of remaining busy with their scheduled tasks, they were found to pause in their tracks to honor the memory of the 166 people killed in the shocking 60-hour terror strike last year. A similar scene was witnessed when thousands of daily commuters rushing to their offices stopped so as to pay respects to those who slaughtered in the attacks on the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST).

Well, there would be many other moments of silence, remembering and mourning slated all over the day. But the morning rush hour showed the spirit of India's financial and entertainment capital without a doubt.

However all these make us pose a new question. Is India prepared to thwart another 26/11? Perhaps not since the country even doesn’t dare to reach an eventuality with Azmal Kasav, terror face of the Mumbai attack. What a quirk of fate!

Potent, imperialist US-China entente in the pipeline!

Though the relation of China with several countries, especially India, is getting embittered increasingly, it has found a new supporter in the global arena out of the blue. It’s no save for the United States of America and owing to a volte face (seemingly) it is busy in showering praises, for the time being, on the Asian Dragon. "The rise of a strong, prosperous China can be a source of strength for the community of nations," Mr. Obama said in a speech in Japan's capital, Tokyo.

He also said, better US ties with Beijing do not mean a weakening of relations with US allies in the region. Furthermore, describing himself as the first "Pacific" US president, he said the US was committed to the area's security. Well, Mr. Obama is now in Singapore so as to attend an Asia-Pacific economic summit.

Speaking on this development, Obama’s trade representative Ron Kirk, who is already at the APEC meeting, says the US wants barriers to trade and investment removed to promote an open global trade system. It has also come to the knowledge that Mr. Obama will brush up his week-long Asian tour with stops in China and South Korea.

All this make us raise a very pertinent yet uncomfortable question and it does deal with the US-North Korea relation. Well, this subject was raised in Tokyo too and Mr. Obama told the gathering Washington’s commitment to the region's security was "unshakeable", in spite of its commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In accordance with his statement, the US would chase "pragmatic co-operation" with Beijing on issues of mutual concern. He also warned that he would not be indecisive from raising human rights concerns with Beijing, but preferred to retain silence on specific concerns, for instance Tibet.

Last but not least, the US president necessitated the need of more assistance from China to frustrate the nefarious ambitions of North Korea, and warned there would be tough, unified action by the US and its Asian partners if Pyongyang failed to abandon its nuclear weapons program.

Is this a just posture from a new friend of China or the beginning of a potent, imperialist US-China entente?

Joining Indian police force? Think twice

Can you envisage a day without police or the local or state administration deploying personnel for manning streets? No you can’t and none of us as police and administration is a vital part of the society and its absence may wreak havoc among us. I know that you do feel in the same way even though most of us don’t waste any opportunity to despise these people. There have been other factors also.

For decades, we have been taught that police and administration is an inseparable part of the State structure and hence, it is a tool of repression and comprises morons only. All these have led to skepticism among public and the dearth of essential facilities in conjunction with low pay envelopes have made the jobs less attractive among unwaged youth too.

Why should they join? Perhaps you are not acquainted with the horrific reality. Do you know the ways through which these security personnel have to work? At most occasions they go without basic facilities for boarding and lodging and accommodations are arranged either in municipal schools or local parks or perchance in the barren pavements of the urban markets. The highest echelon of police has the proud record of having the highest disregard to the lowest echelon of police.

This picture is not limited to any particular or a handful of Indian states; the picture is similar, whether it is Naxal-infested Gadchiroli or Lalagarh, Jangalmahal in Bengal, engrossed in dealing with Maoist disturbances.

What is most striking, life of the platoon of 30-odd jawans that works 24/7 to man four bunkers inside the Taj Mahal Hotel, focal point of 26/11 terror attack, is no different. These persons are in huge problems regarding everything ranging from meals, rests to morning ablutions. At the moment the Taj genially provides three meals a day and jawans don’t know when it may cease to exist. For morning ablutions they have to go to police stations or public toilet in close proximity and we prefer to keep quiet regarding the amenities there.

Now let’s crack down on the pay packets of these people, who brave all odds to let civilians have sound sleeps. It is not fit to meet the needs of a college student even.

Do you want to join this elite (you can surely ask Leftists for attaching this tag) force? Think twice.

Is China going to set off an arms race in space?

The latest stances of China have not only left the international community bemused but have also made it consider dangers that can be posed by the giant dragon. One of it is certainly India, the country with whom China’s scuffles over “Arunachal Pradesh” (Indian state but being demanded by China also) has spread like a wild fire by now. Now India, it seems, may have to have sleepless nights owing to the hottest remarks of China.

In accordance with the state media, a high-ranking China air force commander has called the militarization of space an "historical inevitability and this indicates the very nation is changing its erstwhile standpoint – opposition to weaponising outer space. As per the comprehensive interview in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Daily, air force commander Xu Qiliang elucidated that it was crucial for the PLA air force to extend offensive and defensive operations in outer space.

"As far as the revolution in military affairs is concerned, the competition between military forces is moving towards outer space... this is a historical inevitability and a development that cannot be turned back," Xu told the paper. "The PLA air force must establish in a timely manner the concepts of space security, space interests and space development.” "We must build an outer space force that conforms with the needs of our nation's development (and) the demands of the development of the space age."

What makes China focus on this very issue all of a sudden? The only reason is that the pre-eminence in outer space can give a nation hegemony over war zones both on land and at sea in conjunction with a strategic advantage. Xu Qiliang made it clear that such control was necessary to preserve the nation.

What is most striking is that China had long stated that it endorsed the passive utilizations of external space and was in opposition to the introduction of weapons there. Beijing has also sought after to set up an international treaty to control the deployment of weapons in space.

Why is China taking an alternative oath then? Is it just to admonish others or set off an arms race in space? Is China depicting the covert desires of its erstwhile Manchu dynasty instead of Communist ethics?

Electoral frauds dampen Afghan business prospects

Which picture of Afghanistan do you have? A mountainous landlocked country in central Asia; bordered by Iran to the west and Russia to the north and Pakistan to the east and south; impoverished and also ravaged by internal feuds and Islamic terrorists. Is it the same? Well, without a shred of doubt, you can have it; this has been the common picture of Afghanistan for decades. But the ill-fated or doomed country has another reality.

Afghanistan is a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and even though its economy and business have suffered to the largest extent ever since the 1979 Soviet invasion and subsequent conflicts, there have been signs of developments in the recent years. According to the World Bank, "economic growth has been strong and has generated better livelihoods" since 2001.

One of the key factors behind this praiseworthy development is the infusion of multi-billion US dollars as part of international assistance and investments, in addition to remittances from expats. It is also due to dramatic improvements in agricultural production and the end of a four-year drought in most of the country. Well, this was the common picture even a few months back but now it seems the erosion is on the rise once again.

The most crucial factor of this decline afresh is the poor security and ongoing indecision about the result of the presidential election run-off - or whether there will even be a run-off - and also of the character of a future government. Experts state emphatically that all have contributed to the stagnation.

There is no doubt that the electoral fraud and the subsequent uncanny developments have dampened the spirits of both intellectuals and the business fraternity in the country. Both confided the electoral procedure and hoped to return to normalcy bit by bit. This reality, as per many Afghans, does endanger both security and stability and stamps down the business prospects.

What should be done? Hindus can’t write own obituary

Lots of things can be said of the gradual yet unfortunate (expected?) decline of BJP and SANGH PARIVAR, though I simply despise to write the obituary of this specific school of thought so early. What have been the real causes of its downfall and slow but steady move to the oblivion can be both discussed and debated; but, without a doubt, what has happened and is also going on still is neither coveted nor was a nightmare even a few months back. Well, it seems to be a grim reality and also intricate. What conclusion can be drawn then? We, again, are at a loss!

What can be the destiny of Political Hinduism then? What shall be the next courses of action? It appears that this is the high time to introspect meticulously; we are not in a position to repeat the past mistakes simply. There have been humongous failures at almost all fields, be it social or political or even academic pursuits. Truly speaking, the Hindu movement (as has been perceived hitherto) suffers from an inhuman dearth of noble natures, intelligence and also sharp acumen.

Is it vital to cite a single instance? This is also an impossible task since mistakes have been manifold and have let down the aspirations of a race/DHARMA that was destined and also desirous to write its own political destiny. The saga of vivacity, masculine tendencies, aggression and also assertion that unfurled from the late 80s (through Ram Mandir movement) has lost in the midst of administrative compulsions, avidity to become akin to a suzerain in the corridors of power and also weird endeavors.

Is this is a betrayal of self-claimed custodians of Hindu society? There is, truly, no other way other than to corroborate this stern reality. Definitely Political Hinduism has failed to attain the success that we had thought would happen in no time. There is nothing except a void. Is this permanent? We dare not to think in this way but unless new and radical thoughts spring up, we may have to write the obituary of whole HINDU DHARMA.

What should be done then? How can this squalor and negativism be brushed aside? Try to be radical, steer clear of the perennial fallacies of practiced Political Hinduism and get aggressive. For more than one millennium HINDU DHARMA has remained defensive. Only gospels of multiculturalism in conjunction with non-violence, passivity, self-righteous traits have been preached by the Gurus and the result is too obvious. Hindus have become synonymous with a geographical identity and also emissaries of a defeatist philosophy.

You can opine and also bring forth several standpoints to defy the aforesaid sentences; but the veracity is simply unavoidable.

Hindus have been slaves for more than one millennium and perhaps prefer to go on with the same without any compunction. What do you think then? Well, I am clear to myself. These frivolous tendencies or practiced notions of Political Hinduism must be stopped straight away.

There can’t be any more defense, as our backs have touched the wall. The mantra is crystal clear hence – either we rule or get ruled and get perished once and for all. Hence, what should be done is to fabricate new strategies, lines of action to seize the whole globe. It’s a bloody affair and so Hindus have to be aggressive and have the zeal to stamp all down.

Will Indian realty sector get vulnerable to government whims?

It seems that the 13th Finance Commission of India is no longer contented with its own conventional duties, especially dealing with the sharing of taxes between the central and state governments, and is trying to take hold of other sectors too. What makes us speak in this way? In accordance with a top official, the Commission is looking for to bring the escalating real estate under the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST).

“I urge the government to include the construction and housing sectors (real estate) in the GST base either immediately or during a subsequent phase,” Commission Chairman Vijay Kelkar said at a conference on GST, organized by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in Bangalore.

Is this a new development or part of a greater strategy to subdue the raucous voices of the emboldened Indian private sector? Nothing is known yet but definitely the Commission has concluded that the construction sector is a significant contributor to the national economy and housing expenditure dominates personal expenses and all these have made it conclude that the existing piecemeal taxation of the real estate encourage vicious incentives.

“Raw material is charged at Cenvat (central value-added tax), the works contract is charged at VAT and stamp duty levied on the sale deed. With no provision of input tax credit in place, there is little incentive to record such transactions either at the construction stage or at the sale stage at their correct value,” Kelkar said. “Such multiplicity not only leads to substantial loss of tax revenue, but also fuels parallel economy.”

Looking for the support of the chambers of trade and commerce to the introduction of the GST effective from April 1, 2010, Kelkar said the railway sector should also be included in the GST base to give a level playing field to the road and air freight sectors, which would be subject to the new tax regime.

“We favour extending the GST to the real estate sector to regulate the business and bring in transparency in its operations. Such a measure will help all stakeholders, especially buyers, curb speculation, check artificial pricing and ensure accountability,” FICCI president H.P. Singhania said later.

Indian realty sector vows to expand more; nation’s moral fiber capitulates

It is said that a sound economy is the foundation of any country and this is also the nuts and bolts that renders the coveted courage to the same. Well, we don’t know what ails India that leads to its mere capitulation before the continual and almost regular admonitions of China but certainly the aforesaid aphorism fails to find any place in the Indian scenario. Reason? Indian economy, in spite of its severe shortcomings in an assortment of sectors, is strengthening whereas the external world is still reeling under the brunt of the moribund downturn.

Getting interested to know of the reasons behind the last few lines of the first paragraph? Well,
United Arab Emirates (UAE), the 10th largest foreign direct investor in India with a total cumulative investments of more than $ 5 billion, is ardent on investing in impending projects focused on sectors like minerals and metals, real estate, infrastructure, aviation, ports, telecom and energy in the country.

Speaking on this, Ambassador of UAE, H E Mohamed Sultan Abdalla Al Owais in an interactive session organized by CII (Eastern Region) on Friday, "We have already committed up to $400 million for a special economic zone and port at Kulpi in West Bengal. We are also closely following the other port developments in India. Our investments (by UAE companies) in the next few years could be in the sectors such as minerals and metals, real estate, infrastructure, aviation, ports, telecom and energy."

It is worthwhile to mention, in this context, the bilateral trade between the two countries was in the region of $44.5 billion in 2008-09, an increase of about 53% compared to $29.1 billion during 2007-08 and H E Mohamed Sultan Abdalla Al Owais has the conviction that this growth rate in the next fiscal shall be retained.

United Arab Emirates with a population of 5 million has almost 1.75 million Indians who constitute about 42.5% of a strong workforce of the country. Al Owais also said that UAE, at the moment, is India’s number one trading partner, surpassing China and USA.

Can human sperm be created artificially?

A new issue has come to the fore and it is regarding the artificial creation of human sperm in the laboratory. It has been alleged by a group of scientists in Newcastle and as per them, this epochal event is the first in the globe. Nevertheless, there are detractors as well and lots of scientists belonging to this group are skeptical of the entire development. Though the researchers state that the work could eventually help men with fertility problems to father a child, many researchers are not convinced of the success yet.

The Newcastle group has already written of the development in leading journals like Stem Cells and Development and also said it will be at least five years before the technique is perfected. They do reiterate the fact that the sperm were fully mature, mobile sperm and they have produced a video to back up the research.

Speaking on this Professor Karim Nayernia at Newcastle University and the NorthEast England Stem Cell Institute says: "This is an important development as it will allow researchers to study in detail how sperm forms and lead to a better understanding of infertility in men – why it happens and what is causing it.” "This understanding could help us develop new ways to help couples suffering infertility so they can have a child which is genetically their own.” "It will also allow scientists to study how cells involved in reproduction are affected by toxins, for example, why young boys with leukaemia who undergo chemotherapy can become infertile for life – and possibly lead us to a solution."

However Dr Allan Pacey, a sperm biologist at the University of Sheffield, said he was not convinced the sperm were fully developed. He said, "The quality of the images is not of sufficiently high resolution and I would need more data. They are early sperm, but functional tests would be needed to know exactly what has been achieved." The sperm cannot be used for fertility treatment as this is prohibited under UK law. The scientists in Newcastle say it will be at least five years before the technique is perfected – when they believe it should be available to help infertile men.

Josephine Quintavalle from Comment on Reproductive Ethics (Corethics) said: "This is an example of immoral madness. Perfectly viable human embryos have been destroyed in order to create sperm over which there will be huge questions of their healthiness and viability.” "It's taking one life in order to perhaps create another. I'm very much in favor of curing infertility but I don't think you can do whatever you like."

But John Harris, Professor of Bioethics at the University of Manchester, said: "I don't see any problems with the use of synthetic, or laboratory produced sperm.

Confusion persists therefore.

Morocco’s real estate sector sings the tune of optimism

Let’s ask the question first. We all know how the economic bigwigs (developed nations) in the global arena have been suffering on account of the existent recession and it is without a shred of doubt that the worst impact is on the real estate sector. What is the condition of other countries then? Well, there are only a few exceptions and others are in the same position. One of these exceptions is certainly Morocco or officially the Kingdom of Morocco, located in North Africa, which boasts of its coast on the Atlantic Ocean that reaches past the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea.

How can this be? Is this a miracle? Well, nothing of that sort but the same recession has invigorated the country in a different way. Morocco is gearing up to implement noble plans to demolish its shanty towns, where decades of state neglect have bred despair and religious extremism. Now it’s the time to translate the same idea into action or reduce the difference between theory and praxis.

The concept has also stimulated Morocco's property firms who were disconsolate owing to the decline in demand for luxury homes and tourist facilities at the rear of the global financial crisis. What are their present activities therefore? It has been witnessed that they are getting busy in capitalizing on a state-backed scheme to domiciliate 4 million slum dwellers in new flats.

The role of the concerned government is indeed exemplary and the developers are being offered slashed price rates if they are successful in selling some floors of their apartment blocks to slum families below the market price. How can the impoverished families afford these? Bear in mind that the very families receive grants to help them pay.

However detractors seem to be skeptical of the success of the entire project. But the proponents consider that critics must confide in the governmental reports that state emphatically thirty towns have been cleared of slum areas since 2004 and 50,000 shacks were destroyed last year.

The concept is both novel and elegant. Is this a Moroccan version of bail out package or the resurrection of discarded and besieged centrally planned economy?

Construction of Ram Temple – an eternal electoral plank

It is said that almost each riot (mostly religious) in the Indian subcontinent is hardly related to the concepts of religion but has a deeper affinity with politics only. What’s more, this is a fine way to stimulate people and grab the coveted political power. Is this true? Well there can be long debates over this and pundits may bring to the fore contending standpoints that are competent to bewilder the listeners and readers. Let’s not get into this and concentrate on some related but hard facts. What was the real reason of partition of British India? While the Hindu majority India though going to the hands of “rascals, rogues and freebooters” increasingly continue to rise gradually, Muslim dominated Pakistan and Bangladesh continue to sink at a faster rate.

Who has benefited except the nobility and clergy is unknown yet but he cannot be any ordinary Hindu or Muslim. If you want to be more certain, you can certainly focus on the Ram Janmabhoomi movement that started in the late 80s and reached the climax in early 90s. It is regarded as one of the largest movements in post-independence India hitherto and according to scholars, the movement proved to be enough to bring cohesion among Hindus whose religion is known for diversified culture and believing in gods ranging from panentheism, pantheism, monotheism, polytheism, and atheism with Vishnu and Shiva being the most popular deities.

The basic aim of the movement was to construct a colossal temple in the place of Babri Masjid (a 16th century mosque) which is the birth place of the Hindu God Ram as stated by popular beliefs. What was the result? The 16th century mosque was demolished by right-wing Hindu activists on December 6, 1992 in order to construct a large temple at the site where the mosque stood. However the temple is to be built yet.

Are the concerned leaders serious of this any more? On no account! The pledge to construct the temple has become almost an electoral clause for the self-claimed custodians of Hindu religion since it attracts large crowd still. What ails the parties then? Remember in India, where a secular fabric persists, it is necessary for one to be a devout Hindu but he/she must be secular at the same time to garner minority votes especially of the Muslims. How can one proceed then?

If you ever visit the disputed site at Ayodhya in the central Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, which remains highly politically sensitive ever, you can have the reality. Within a kilometer from the temple site there is a courtyard where 100 pillars are rotting. These stone pillars were carved by hundreds of craftsmen who came from different parts of the country in the tumultuous 1990s.

The commoners, especially of the vicinity, believe these will remain same in the coming years too since Hindus have been fooled by their own leadership which has also affected the virility of Dharma.

Construction of Ram Temple is a plank for Hindu leadership – forever.

Hurling benign shoes – latest form of protest against Indian politicians

What is the latest weapon of Indians to vent their strong resentment against the system? If you think it’s a new version of AK-47 or some hand grenade, you are exceedingly erroneous. Remember gross pacifism has been the ideal of the country from time immemorial, so they can’t go for bloodshed like the Tartars or Afghans. What have they stumbled upon then? Well, they are simple shoes and in this case their ideal is Muntather Zaidi? Have you forgotten Muntather Zaidi so soon? He is the Iraqi journalist who hurled both of his shoes at then-President Bush and earned a year in jail for his "real-time editorializing" hence.

Zaidi has inspired a new generation of Indians and has taught them how simple and benign shoes can be used against the State power. One of his followers is certainly Jarnail Singh or the local reporter who was found to repeat the same act recently. However, venue, reason and objective were certainly different. The target was Home Minister of India Palaniappan Chidambaram and the issue was why a prominent lawmaker of the same party was cleared of all charges in the death of 3,000 Sikhs after he was accused of firing up a sectarian mob a quarter of a century ago.

There is no doubt that the issue is highly emotive and has rocked the nation from time to time. But there is a question. Can this way of protest be ever accepted in a civilized society? Opinions differ and there may be groups for and against this move but this is undoubtedly improper. Journalism is regarded as the fourth estate of a society and for that reason its representatives must behave more properly.

You, as a representative of the press, have every right to make the target’s hackles rise and frighten him/her as well. This is the fundamental principle or bedrock of Journalism. Nonetheless the act of vandalism indicates that the concerned person is failing to counter and defeat the adversary.

Is it also a disgrace for commoners? Perhaps not. Bear in mind that Indian political class’ culture, integrity, commitment is on the wane and worst victims are the millions of countrymen. They have hardly any right to speak against existent discriminations, exploitations, repressions, corruptions and harassments. What can they do except hurling shoes? Recently Congress MP Naveen Jindal and BJP’s projected prime ministerial candidate LK Advani had the taste of same in election meetings. It is said more are on the cards and the politicians are getting nervous witnessing this latest expression of fury. It may be some of protesters are efficient in targeting. What will happen then?

Is the Indian mass getting more conscious? It may be. If you want to be more knowledgeable, go and try to discern the immediate reasons of French Revolution.

India – easy prey of a fraudulent, virulent political leadership

There have been long debates among political pundits over the efficacy and also the tenets of dialectical materialism or the materialistic philosophy propounded by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. We need not get into the details or spend sleepless nights to gauge the fundamentals of the thesis, anti-thesis and synthesis but it can be said, without a shred of doubt, change is an intrinsic notion of the nature. There have also been considerable changes in the Indian political scenario. What has been the intensity of this change? Has it become synonymous to rugged deterioration?

There are also different opinions of it. It should be noted that the indomitable influence of Indian National Congress in the 50s and 60s crushed like a house of cards in the 70s owing to the emergence of unforeseen developments. Now the question remains was Indian political scene without a strong opposition! No matter the presence of small parties comprising the Communists, Socialists, Right-wing Nationalists and even Centrists, there were larger leaders who were known for their eloquence, integrity, commitment, candor and also influential oratory. What’s more, they had powerful all-India appeal. These included Dr. S P Mukherjee, Ram Manohar Lohia, Indulal Yagnik, Minu Masani, J P Narayan and several others. On the word of experts, their presence along with horde of identical others enriched the Indian Parliamentary system and its adherence to a great extent.

The scene changed considerably in the 70s. A number of new issues not only indicated the gradual collapse of India’s largest political party, backed by reckless and impulsive decisions like imposition of Emergency but the Indian political structure was found to get susceptible before newer aspirations also. The vacuum was filled by Janata Party (combining several splinter parties) but the most notable feature became the emergence of regional parties. Their gradual move towards the center stage in conjunction with Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) skyrocketing in the 1990s has changed the political saga completely.

What we do see now is nothing but the continuation of tradition of 1990s. Regional parties are flexing muscles, having good says in grand coalitions forming the government and the big players are binding their mounting aspirations in the manifesto of the government – for saving the governance since it begets a mind-boggling asset.

Will there be any difference in 2009 Parliamentary Election? Not in any way. The same scene is being repeated and the political Machiavellis are found to roam with their own manifestos. It is evident neither Congress nor Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to gain a majority, meaning India will have to opt for another coalition at the center with the greater says of smaller parties.

Last of all, there would not have been remorse so much had there been the presence of silver-tongued, erudite MPs like the yesteryear. On the contrary there is an inhuman dearth of it which is rising as well. We, therefore conclude, India is going to be the mistress of a fraudulent, virulent political leadership for another five years.

Are Indian Muslims being fooled for the political clout?

What is the most interesting aspect of Indian politics? It’s not the fracas over caste or class but the hankering for Muslim vote. Though this is a very recent development, in different political spectrum (both in national and state level) parties are being found to almost vie for it. Reason? The number of Muslims residing in India is 140 million, if not more and this makes them the largest religious minority in a country of 1.1 billion people and also the second largest Muslim state in the world.

Is this all? Well, it’s the monolithic identity (alleged) of the Indian Muslim mass that attracts the political parties to them. It’s thought that the benevolent support of Muslims may make the dream of attaining the throne of governance possible. Nevertheless, intellectuals claim that the notion of Indian Muslim monolithic identity is an illusion or semblance and the intra-community tensions are expanding more with the passing of years.

Now the question remains what has been the benefit of the Indian Muslim community. Well, nothing has been found and on the other hand these political approaches have made the vast Hindu majority antagonistic to a large extent. The antagonism between the two, it can be said, is on the verge of reaching the pinnacle and this was not the scenario even a decade back. Even the Islamic community leaders have long complained of discrimination, with allegations of harassment increasing in the wake of militant attacks last year that were blamed on Islamic militants.

What can the Muslims do at this hour? Though this is uncertain, it is becoming evident that they are realizing the issue and also the mounting seething aggression. Take for instance the latest statement of Syed Ahmed Bukhari of New Delhi's Jama mosque or the chief cleric at India's largest mosque. According to him, Muslims were "victims of injustice" and they are being "tortured and systematically sidelined by all political parties." "A peaceful, secure and happy life is a distant dream for us," he said in a speech ahead of Friday prayers.

He also opined that Hindu-majority India's political parties were either explicitly sectarian or otherwise trying to cynically woo the Muslim vote with "false promises." "Look around and see the situation: some parties have an anti-Muslim agenda, some are trying to show sympathy towards us, but they will never be of any good to us," he said.

Awami League and Hindu Persecution

A considerable section of the international community, not only in India or the other neighboring countries, but also in other parts of the world is busy in making merriment over the stunning triumph of progressive and secular forces in the land of Bangladesh. Truly, this is an epoch making victory and if someone considers, this will give rise to a new age of hope and brightness in the distraught county, he can’t be blamed. Well, the Hindu minority community of Bangladesh has also joined this elation and it hopes that the Awami League-led government will ensure a better life along with security to them. Here comes an important question. Can this ever be?

What has been the record of the Awami League in all these years and its relation with the Hindu community? Was it ever conscious to safeguard the Hindu interest or has it always used the far flung Hindus as mere pawns for a checkmate? These questions are coming to the fore since the Hindu population has come down to 9% from nearly 30% (1948) till date and on the word of dupes or victims there is hardly any difference between Awami League and ideologues of Jihadi fundamentalism in the country. It should also be noted, according to experiences, the mighty presence of Awami League helps perpetrators to hide religious persecutions on minorities, which go on relentlessly.

Are there strong evidences that can prove the culpability of this icon of Bangladeshi secularism? Let’s scrutinize facts and figures.

The ideologists of the Awami League were directly associated with the Muslim League that was responsible for the deadliest Great Calcutta Killing (1946) and in this episode the role of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, father of the nation of Bangladesh, was of a trusted lieutenant of Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, then Chief Minister of undivided Bengal. It is alleged by several sections that Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy is the true founder of the Awami League (then Muslim Awami League). What an irony! The party, in order to exploit the (then) reigning politics in Pakistan, changed its stance and became Awami League in 1952.

The greatest achievement of the party in the later period was to spearhead the historic Language Movement in 1952 although the demand to make Bengali one of the official languages of Pakistan was first propounded by Dhirendra Nath Datta (1886-1971), MP from Coomilla on February 23, 1948 in the Pakistan Constituent Assembly in Karachi. However he was not even thanked by Awami League, at that time, as he was a Hindu.

Now let’s enter into the other acts of this glorious party. It was on 25 th-26 th March, 1971 when the Pakistani Army started its operations. This was done by means of ethnic cleansing of Hindus and Muslims but with the exclusive gangrapes of Hindu women. Nevertheless, the Awami League carders were seen in looting the affluent Hindu families. Don’t get amazed! There are others too!

In India, during the fateful India-Pakistan war of 1971 training camps were opened at Balurghat, Siliguri and Dehradun under the auspices of the Govt. of India for the training of Mujib Bahini. What did happen there? In Balurghat, 7 Hindu liberation fighters were bayoneted since they were found discussing that the liberation of Bangladesh would bring no liberation for Hindus. In Siliguri 7 Hindu youths were bayoneted since it was alleged that they dared to tease the daughter of Fazlul Haq. But the incident of Dehradun surpassed all. There 16 Hindu boys were brutally murdered since they had kept Bhagavad Gita in their pockets. The Govt. of India preferred to remain quiet or else any outburst would have derailed the movement harming India.



Now let’s concentrate on Ramna Kalibari. This ancient temple was desecrated and destroyed by the Pakistan Army on 25-26 March, ’71 resulting into the brutal murder of 200 Hindu devotes, if not more, alongside. But the following history is more painful. The Bangladesh government under Mujibur Rahman, refused to acknowledge the long standing demand of Hindu community (temple’s restoration) and destroyed the remaining portion of this property spreading over 26 acres. According to the latest ordinance, it is now Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy Park and the project completed without any compensation.

What has been the role Awami League regarding Vested Property Act (erstwhile Enemy Property Act)? It was reintroduced by the Awami League government and 1,62,000 acres of land was incorporated into this Act between 1972-75. We should remember that Vested Property Abolition Act was introduced in 2001 by Sheikh Hasina Wazed and the consequence is well-known.

Let’s focus on his illustrious daughter now. Is she better? There were lots of hopes but all have already been squashed. She is always a devout Muslim and then a Bangladeshi, according to her own revelations. This conviction made her denounce the Bangladeshi Hindus as people with twin allegiance. The Hindu minority leaders faced the same rhetoric when Hasina advised them to become Bangladeshi citizens first. What’s more she has been refuting the charges of Bangladeshi infiltration to India!

Have these nefarious designs been played only against the Hindus? Not at all! The Chakma community (Buddhist) has also faced the same effrontery. Manabendra Nath Larma, chief leader of the Chakma community and also the MP of CHT went to meet Mujibur Rahman (regarding CHT’S development). He was advised to become a Bengali, conversely. It is said that this brazen outlook made Mr. Larma initiate the armed struggle. Last but not least, Bangladesh joined OIC under the aegis of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The above-mentioned facts are tiniest specimens of the insensate and unabated minority persecution in the land of (alleged) Bengali nationalism under the covert and overt patronage of Awami League. There are, indeed, numerous stories of persecution that are undated and undocumented but continue with the same vigor.

Is a decent and a secured living of Bangladeshi Hindu community a bleak prospect? We think it is. Nevertheless, there is a greater reality. The greatest sin of Hindu community has been to confide in Awami League. It is, without doubt, a blasphemy.

India must intensify sea route security to throttle nuclear attack

How much is India capable to shield itself against any nuclear attack? There was a time when any such talk was termed as next to insanity but no more. The emergence of Taliban and Al-Qaeda and their successful operations in several parts of the globe has changed the scenario forever. This is a different world and the stance of radical Islam against India (terming it as an infidel) gave a new fillip to the imbroglio. The 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai has added fuel to the fire.

It has been learnt that the assailers on the fateful day had more sinister intentions but the obstinacy and counter attack of India made them finish with that. But, as fresh reports are coming in, a new danger is emerging and it may erupt at any time in India. This is the threat of a nuclear attack and if sources are to be believed, the terrorist groups are trying this way too and are gearing up. It can be said that the experts were speculating of this way and the statement of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Suresh Mehta has hardened their standpoints only. The Indian Navy is apprehending an attack through the sea route.

These fears are not baseless. The perpetrators in 26/11 terror attack made the best use of sea route and carried out the mayhem. The same thing can be repeated again and successfully due to the vulnerability of India at several points. The Chief of Naval Staff said, “The container would be the most likely means for terrorist organizations to illegally transport a nuclear weapon.”

What are India’s vulnerabilities hence? They, as indicated by the Navy Chief, include India's inadequate port security, and the lack of means to scan shipping containers. “The airport security system has been working fairly well over a large number of years. And a similar system for containers would have universal acceptance,” Mehta suggested.

There is no doubt in it that this is urgent and the good news is that the government is realizing this. The Cabinet has approved the unified operation of all maritime security agencies, all of which will now report to the regional Navy boss. But this is not enough and there is the need of more. First of all, India will have to change its fortress mentality. This has ravaged India without a doubt.

Materialism quashes human emotions

Even these days, when the saga of modernism and reliance on modern ethics has commenced in the Indian society, we often come across incidents of separation between couples due to trivial reasons. Well, these episodes are not confined within married couples only but among young lovers also. Though in the conventional Indian society wives are dubbed as more responsible, a boy is believed as perpetrator if there is a break up with his fiancée. Any such accusation is not baseless also since in most cases boys are found to be apostates. What will happen if the reverse happens? How will the Indian society look at the girl who dumped his beau? Will she be considered as slovenly woman?

A similar incident is in the making. It has been learnt, from unnamed sources, that Freida Pinto has repeated the rare incident and has dumped Rohan Antao. Don’t you know of Freida Pinto? She is an award winning actress in her debut film Slumdog Millionaire (2008). For her acting she has won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Slumdog Millionaire won five Critics' Choice Awards, four Golden Globes and seven BAFTA Awards, including Best Film, and has been nominated for ten Academy Awards.

But it seems that, the hero of this tragic episode, Rohan Antao is not aware of these latest developments. He is a 25-year old director of a marketing firm in Mumbai and is a “very private person”, according to his own confirmation. When he was approached by the HT City, Rohan expressed shock and said, “Let me speak with her. Has she really given this statement [about breaking off with him] to the media? She could be talking about something else.”

Though he is in a denial, sources confirm that the funeral is complete and his name has been expunged from Freda’s personal diary. But Rohan, so they say, supported Freda in her modeling and acting career and even helped her develop her website besides handling publicity for her.

It is not known whether Rohan will come back in Freida’s life, if she fails to become an “Ash” or the sexy siren “Bipasha”, but this is a classic example of ditching human emotions in search of materialistic gains.