.jpg)
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Curbs on the media would not work out
By O.J.George
Kerala, iconising Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai, cannot have Pravda (Truth-Russian), Izvestiya (News-Russian), Granma (Cuban) type newspapers and their way of reporting, controlled by the Big Brother.
Kerala is a place where anyone can talk and walk for any number of hours on all conceivable subjects. The writers know the extent of liberalism available to them, and they don’t cross the borderline. A few Smart Alecs break the golden rule once in a while, and they are outrightly condemned.
The latest missive from the government is to its own departments to size up the dimensions of divulging information to the media. The persons responsible for the respective departments should secure prior approval for divulging information. Perhaps the departmental heads and information officers can give out the programme details of ministers and party functionaries!
In actual practice, curbs on the media would only boomerang on the authorities, for diktats are double-edged weapons.
When official sources refuse to divulge pure information, there would be speculation bordering on hearsay and untruths.
Would it be enough if the newspapers and media report information supplied by so-called worthies like N.Madhavankutty? He had said on television channel something like this. ‘Neither me nor the party was convinced by the explanation of Sebastian Paul regarding media syndicate’. His professional background and practices are not worthy of emulation, and if someone follows the advice, coming from them galore, the atmosphere would be vitiated.
There is something more than meets the eye with regard to their motives. A party or the government, guided by similar elements would be hollow.
The world would be a poor place to live in, if people have to savour only the information supplied by such elements with vested interests. They have a mind-block, limited by the me-only attitude. Nobody worth the salt can be made an obedient servant in the media echelons.
The people enjoy uncontrolled dissemination of information. Deviations from moral, ethical, legal issues in reporting should be dealt with in the regular way of the society.
Various authorities in India have tried to gag the Press one way or other, but they have on and off backed off in the face of public outcry.
And when there are officials like K.Sureshkumar who could take on the office of the Chief Minister, there would be no shortage of views opposed to the stymied information being given out by censored sources.
Of course, government sources who divulge information in an official way should be responsible for the take.
To gag them in toto would be meaningless and the offshoot would be chaotic.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
DMK putting pressure, Congress not willing to toe the line
O.J.George
For the benefit of local politics or otherwise, the DMK has been driving the Congress to the wall after the UPA II government took over. It is common knowledge that the Congress Party, particularly Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, has not been happy with the performance of many DMK Ministers during the UPA I regime. But the political expediency enmeshed in front regimes had helped the DMK go scot-free.
However, after the last Lok Sabha elections, when the Congress Party rejuvenated itself by good performance at the hustings, the DMK could not claim many things on a platter.
The Lok Sabha election results had proved that many of the partners of the UPA I are not that indispensable. In fact, the Congress Party has a better reckoning indirectly as many parties, now outside the UPA bandwagon, would be only too willing to associate themselves with governance. DMK is not that powerful now. But some of the leaders arrogate to themselves the thinking that they can have their way about every thing.
A.Raja was not a minister held dearly by the Prime Minister during UPA I regime. He would have jettisoned Raja in the UPA II ministry. But Karunanidhi had insisted on Raja being sworn in . That does not mean that Raja can have his way about everything.
The Central Vigilance Commission has found several irregularities in the Telecom department headed by Raja. The CBI had launched widespread raids in many of the offices of Telecom, regarding irregularities and corruption in the allotment of spectrum.
There were reports that a Madras High Court judge was asked by a Union Minister to save a person involved in the marks scam.
Union Minister Azhagiri, Karunanidhi’s eldest son, has not been ruling well at the Centre, which the Congress leaders know it very well.
Under the circumstances, it is clear that all is not well with the DMK-Congress tie-up.
By this time, the DMK has been zeroing in on Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh for his sanctioning a survey for a new dam in place of the 114-year-old mud and lime Mullapperiyar dam.
Karunanidhi wrote to Jairam Ramesh and Prime Minister to cancel the sanction, which no sensible administrator can do. Now DM has called for a special convention of the party to denounce Jairam Ramesh.
It seems DMK is taking Congress Party for granted, but the Congress leaders seem to be not amused. Earlier Rahul Gandhi visited Tamil Nadu, but he did not care to call on Karunanidhi. Now Kanimozhi wanted to call on Sonia Gandhi, who has not been willing to receive her , it seems in the vitiated circumstances.
O.J.George
For the benefit of local politics or otherwise, the DMK has been driving the Congress to the wall after the UPA II government took over. It is common knowledge that the Congress Party, particularly Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, has not been happy with the performance of many DMK Ministers during the UPA I regime. But the political expediency enmeshed in front regimes had helped the DMK go scot-free.
However, after the last Lok Sabha elections, when the Congress Party rejuvenated itself by good performance at the hustings, the DMK could not claim many things on a platter.
The Lok Sabha election results had proved that many of the partners of the UPA I are not that indispensable. In fact, the Congress Party has a better reckoning indirectly as many parties, now outside the UPA bandwagon, would be only too willing to associate themselves with governance. DMK is not that powerful now. But some of the leaders arrogate to themselves the thinking that they can have their way about every thing.
A.Raja was not a minister held dearly by the Prime Minister during UPA I regime. He would have jettisoned Raja in the UPA II ministry. But Karunanidhi had insisted on Raja being sworn in . That does not mean that Raja can have his way about everything.
The Central Vigilance Commission has found several irregularities in the Telecom department headed by Raja. The CBI had launched widespread raids in many of the offices of Telecom, regarding irregularities and corruption in the allotment of spectrum.
There were reports that a Madras High Court judge was asked by a Union Minister to save a person involved in the marks scam.
Union Minister Azhagiri, Karunanidhi’s eldest son, has not been ruling well at the Centre, which the Congress leaders know it very well.
Under the circumstances, it is clear that all is not well with the DMK-Congress tie-up.
By this time, the DMK has been zeroing in on Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh for his sanctioning a survey for a new dam in place of the 114-year-old mud and lime Mullapperiyar dam.
Karunanidhi wrote to Jairam Ramesh and Prime Minister to cancel the sanction, which no sensible administrator can do. Now DM has called for a special convention of the party to denounce Jairam Ramesh.
It seems DMK is taking Congress Party for granted, but the Congress leaders seem to be not amused. Earlier Rahul Gandhi visited Tamil Nadu, but he did not care to call on Karunanidhi. Now Kanimozhi wanted to call on Sonia Gandhi, who has not been willing to receive her , it seems in the vitiated circumstances.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Old fashioned Opposition is no more relevant, Congress on a winning streak
By O.J.George
Assembly election results in Maharashtra, Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh have proved the point that old fashioned functioning of the Opposition is no more relevant to fight the Congress Party, which is definitely on a winning streak.
In Arunachal Pradesh, Congress is the only party of reckoning, in Maharashtra Congress-NCP combine has no rival claimants for a government and in Haryana, Congress is the largest single party, although it has not secured simple majority on its own. Still, it can form a government with the help of independents or Kuldip Singh Bishnoi’s Haryana Janhit Congress.
The BJP-Shiv Sena combine has not proved to be the roaring lions as breakaway MNS of nephew Raj Thackeray has put a spanner into the hopes of the Bal-Udhav Thackeray father-son duo to be in the saddle of governance in Maharashtra.
As for the Congress, Ashok Chavan in Maharashtra, B S Hooda in Haryana and Dorjee Khandu in Arunachal are likely to be renominated by the party leadership as Chief Ministers in the respective states.
Congress can enjoy a hassle-free polity in several ways as irritants like BSP, NCP etc have been made to sit on the backfoot, apart from dealing a deathly blow to BJP in electoral politics. The BJP has already been driven back to fourth or fifth position in UP and the continued decline of the BJP-Shiv Sena combine in Maharashtra should teach them political lessons to give up old fashioned rhetorics and gain the confidence of the people by positive ideas and action.
The best bet for the Congress has been its cohesion at the highest levels, for party president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh are able to pull together without irritants. Earlier, on several occasions, the dichotomy betweent the party and its government had weakened both, hitting the overall functioning.
The main opposition should convince itself that throwing gaffes at Sonia Gandhi and Rahul and deprecating Manmohan Singh as being weak, without itself projecting cogent alternatives, would not gel well with the electorate.
All the same, it should be the duty of the opposition to regain some relevance as democracy calls for multi tasking at political levels.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Salutation, intonation rude, the very language is impolite
By O.J.George
At least at times one has to ponder over the peremptory manner in which we articulate messages, convey ideas and interact with each other or the public.
A lot of people do not show poise when they disseminate information, address issues and react to situations, even when they are happy.
Some linguists had observed that Malayalam is probably the rudest language in terms of intonation, saluation and addressing.
People who have travelled to other parts of the country where different tongues stand out would come to notice the humble languages of Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and the like. Even Hindiwalahs add “Sirji”, “Bhai Sab”, “Behenji” etc when they address others.When it comes to Telugu, it is “Emandi”, Prabhakara Garu” etc and that “Garu” is an affectionate form of addressing.
Even when Malayalis address people like “Sahodaree Sahodaranmare” (Sisters and Brothers), it is not like Swami Vivekananda addressed the same words in the US at the parliament of religions. His address had captivated the hardest cynics among the audience.
However, our “Sahodaree Sahodaranmare”in its ambience of pronunciation, salutation, and intonation does not smack of any amount of humility. It is commanded like “Parade, Saavadhaan” ( I was in the NCC during college days).
“Gruhani pidicha payyan”( boy with worm infection) reference about Rahul Gandhi was a little too much. No doubt, I have heard some political leaders speaking about Mahatma Gandhi as which Kaanthi What Kaanthi like that when they waxed eloquent on the futility of his peaceful means, through the public address system, erupting goose pimples for the rugged.
These days, when the by-elections are round the corner, the people of Kerala should be prepared to listen to unhygienic verbiage, foul and filthy.
The question is, would there be any necessity for such onslaughts when the people, even the lowest of the lowly, are aware of the melody of salubrious salutations, except drunkards, drug addicts and the deviants?
Address the issues, argue out the points, vet the goings-on, but remain poised.
I believe the national capital is full of political leaders who are aware of blemishless conduct in addressing rivals. Vajpayee, Advani( he faltered once when he called Manmohan Singh a weak PM), Sonia Gandhi, Prakash Karat, Sitaram Yechuri and the like remain towering personalities because of their poise. Nobody can prick Manmohan Singh, who is low profile while speaking(once he had crossed the lines when he spoke his mind out to Asif Ali Zardari in the presence of the Press).Mind you, Advani and Manmohan Singh had apologised on both instances.
Let our Malayali leaders also learn to be humble even when they “speak daggers but use none”.
By O.J.George
At least at times one has to ponder over the peremptory manner in which we articulate messages, convey ideas and interact with each other or the public.
A lot of people do not show poise when they disseminate information, address issues and react to situations, even when they are happy.
Some linguists had observed that Malayalam is probably the rudest language in terms of intonation, saluation and addressing.
People who have travelled to other parts of the country where different tongues stand out would come to notice the humble languages of Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and the like. Even Hindiwalahs add “Sirji”, “Bhai Sab”, “Behenji” etc when they address others.When it comes to Telugu, it is “Emandi”, Prabhakara Garu” etc and that “Garu” is an affectionate form of addressing.
Even when Malayalis address people like “Sahodaree Sahodaranmare” (Sisters and Brothers), it is not like Swami Vivekananda addressed the same words in the US at the parliament of religions. His address had captivated the hardest cynics among the audience.
However, our “Sahodaree Sahodaranmare”in its ambience of pronunciation, salutation, and intonation does not smack of any amount of humility. It is commanded like “Parade, Saavadhaan” ( I was in the NCC during college days).
“Gruhani pidicha payyan”( boy with worm infection) reference about Rahul Gandhi was a little too much. No doubt, I have heard some political leaders speaking about Mahatma Gandhi as which Kaanthi What Kaanthi like that when they waxed eloquent on the futility of his peaceful means, through the public address system, erupting goose pimples for the rugged.
These days, when the by-elections are round the corner, the people of Kerala should be prepared to listen to unhygienic verbiage, foul and filthy.
The question is, would there be any necessity for such onslaughts when the people, even the lowest of the lowly, are aware of the melody of salubrious salutations, except drunkards, drug addicts and the deviants?
Address the issues, argue out the points, vet the goings-on, but remain poised.
I believe the national capital is full of political leaders who are aware of blemishless conduct in addressing rivals. Vajpayee, Advani( he faltered once when he called Manmohan Singh a weak PM), Sonia Gandhi, Prakash Karat, Sitaram Yechuri and the like remain towering personalities because of their poise. Nobody can prick Manmohan Singh, who is low profile while speaking(once he had crossed the lines when he spoke his mind out to Asif Ali Zardari in the presence of the Press).Mind you, Advani and Manmohan Singh had apologised on both instances.
Let our Malayali leaders also learn to be humble even when they “speak daggers but use none”.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
It is a shame on Kerala that by-election in Kannur cannot be held smoothly
By O.J.George
The Election Commission of India is a phenomenally gigantic apparatus which can conduct elections for the people of over 110 crore people smoothly.
On several occasions, the commission was able to find solution to vexing problems popping up in electoral times.
Alas, there are reports appearing daily that the by-election to Kerala Asssembly from Kannur constituency cannot be held in a free and fair manner. At least rival parties hurl abuses and indulge in machinations.
Are the officials free and can they discharge their functions fearlessly to uphold democratic principles?
If not, the election commission should take appropriate steps to dispense justice to all. There is no room for partisanship for an umpire who oversees the political match. And this should be convincing to the people.
The beauty of Indian democracy is that there is space for every kind of political opinion.
Sometimes, the space is overabundant that extremist elements also thrive. That is what we witness in about half of the areas of the Indian nation in the form of Naxalites or Maoists.
When there is no ideology for physical extermination of human beings, any outfit is okay. But the Maoists are on a killing spree, which cannot be justified on any count. Like that, undesirable tendencies in the election arena should be nipped in the bud.
Kannur is the most politically volatile district in the state, where the by-election would be, naturally, on a high voltage transmission of emotions. But venting of emotions should not be aimed at achieving ambitions at the cost of justice and fair play.
The CPM and the Congress are the major players there and they should cease activities to outwit the other at the cost of democratic exercise.
The district collector gives in writing that worksheets of electoral rolls should be given. The tahsildar provides in black and white that this cannot be done. Something is wrong somewhere.
The point is the CPM, Congress and BJP should have a feeling that good governance prevails in the electoral exercise.
If there is any breach, the election commission should plop down and save the murky situation from going out of hand.
By O.J.George
The Election Commission of India is a phenomenally gigantic apparatus which can conduct elections for the people of over 110 crore people smoothly.
On several occasions, the commission was able to find solution to vexing problems popping up in electoral times.
Alas, there are reports appearing daily that the by-election to Kerala Asssembly from Kannur constituency cannot be held in a free and fair manner. At least rival parties hurl abuses and indulge in machinations.
Are the officials free and can they discharge their functions fearlessly to uphold democratic principles?
If not, the election commission should take appropriate steps to dispense justice to all. There is no room for partisanship for an umpire who oversees the political match. And this should be convincing to the people.
The beauty of Indian democracy is that there is space for every kind of political opinion.
Sometimes, the space is overabundant that extremist elements also thrive. That is what we witness in about half of the areas of the Indian nation in the form of Naxalites or Maoists.
When there is no ideology for physical extermination of human beings, any outfit is okay. But the Maoists are on a killing spree, which cannot be justified on any count. Like that, undesirable tendencies in the election arena should be nipped in the bud.
Kannur is the most politically volatile district in the state, where the by-election would be, naturally, on a high voltage transmission of emotions. But venting of emotions should not be aimed at achieving ambitions at the cost of justice and fair play.
The CPM and the Congress are the major players there and they should cease activities to outwit the other at the cost of democratic exercise.
The district collector gives in writing that worksheets of electoral rolls should be given. The tahsildar provides in black and white that this cannot be done. Something is wrong somewhere.
The point is the CPM, Congress and BJP should have a feeling that good governance prevails in the electoral exercise.
If there is any breach, the election commission should plop down and save the murky situation from going out of hand.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
The war cries will be shrill this time for the by-election seats
By O.J.George
The three by-elections to Kerala Assembly, which should have been a low-key affair, are turning out to be fiery. For sure, by-election to Kannur Assembly constituency, will see more fire works than anywhere else in the state.
Assembly seats of Kannur, Ernakulam and Alappuzha have been the sitting bastions of the Congress Party. K.Sudhakaran in Kannur, K.V.Thomas in Ernakulam and K.C.Venugopal in Alappuzha were elected to the Lok Sabh and hence the by-elections to the Assembly seats. The new incumbents would not have even two years to go in the Assembly. Still it is a question of prestige.
For the CPM the most prestigious seat is Kannur where the Congress Party has drafted its ex-whiz kid A.P.Abdulla Kutty as its own candidate.
In the normal circumstances, the CPM would not tolerate someone who had left its fold. That way Abdulla Kutty is persona non grata. By hooks or crooks he has to be taught a lesson. All the three Jayarajans, E.P, P. and M.V, are collectively mopping up their tactics to beat Abdulla Kutty. M.V.Jayarajan himself is the candidate taking on Abdulla Kutty.
Now a tussle is going on regarding alleged hanky-panky in inclusion of additional voters. Kannur’s stormy petrel K.Sudhakaran has demanded worksheets from the officials regarding addition of new voters. The deputy tahsildar is not amenable to giving away the details.
Union Minister Vayalar Ravi has advised the District Collector to give up election duties himself in the wake of allegations of irregularities.
In Ernakulam the CPM candidate appears to be a low-key person compared to M.V.Jayarajan in Kannur. CPI has its candidate in Alappuzha who is the owner of three elephants. These are all only players in the democratic exercise.
The CPM has some solace these days that it could successfully muster enough people to stage a human chain across the state. That has proved to be a morale-booster for the party which has been a victim of groupism. Chief Minister V.S.Achuthanandan is also contributing to the success of the LDF candidates.
In fact, the CPM has nothing to lose even if it loses all the three seats, for these were held by the Congress Party. Conversely, if it wins one seat, it will be a world of victory for it.
And if that winning seat happens to be Kannur, the CPM would have a hell of a celebration.
That does not mean, the Congress Party will leave its seats to anyone. The Congress and the UDF are doing everything possible to retain the seats. The war cries will be shrill this time.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Terrorist attacks in India or Pakistan is a grave threat to the world
By O.J.George
Repeated terrorist attacks in Pakistan should be an eye-opener to that country and peace lovers all over the world about the futility of either supporting blood thirsty groups or ignoring their tentacles.
No doubt, terrorist attack in Mumbai was done with the blessings of Pakistan. Now terrorists, be they Laskhar-e-Toyiba, Pak Taliban or other entities, are turning against Pakistan itself.
I firmly believe that The US should have tackled the terrorist elements camping in Pakistan first before it had turned its attention on Iraq, Afghanistan etc.
US attitude is crucial to the decimation of terrorist elements. One evident example is the extermination of LTTE, which earlier had the tacit approval of agencies in the US. After September 11, 2001, the US reformulated its priorities and declared many organizations as terrorist. LTTE also formed part of the list of terrorist organizations. Gradually, the influence of LTTE waned and that is a thing of the past for now.
Likewise, whether Pakistan was in the bosom of US in the past or not, the Americans should understand that almost all the terrorist elements in the world are deeply enmeshed in Pakistan whose rulers from time to time co-operated with it or ignored their evil activities.
Now the very same elements are turning against the nation, like the Frankinstein monster.
The US should come to understand that its intentions in Afghanistan cannot be achieved in toto with the co-operation of Pakistan, for it is not totally loyal to the commitments made to the US regarding action against terrorists.
Or one can say that the Pak administration had deep-rooted role in the continuance of terrorist activities there that it cannot whole-heartedly turn against the evil forces.
Sooner or later, the US would be forced to deal with the terrorists in Pakistan in other ways. But by then the terrorists would be able to deal deathly blows to peace-loving people, even in the US.
God knows what would happen to the nuclear arsenal in Pakistan, for terrorist organizations have already accessed means of procuring nukes or are capable of getting their hands at it.
Nukes in Pakistan, Iran, North Korea etc could be diverted indirectly to evil minds determined to decimate the world.
China may be thinking that they would be safe as it has close association with Pakistan. Facts would speak otherwise, for terrorists are heartless and would not acquiesce to sentimentalities. If they can attack Pakistani establishments, they can go against others as well.
It is in the interest of the US and others to bridle Pakistan at any cost so that terrorist elements do not find safe haven in that country.
By O.J.George
Repeated terrorist attacks in Pakistan should be an eye-opener to that country and peace lovers all over the world about the futility of either supporting blood thirsty groups or ignoring their tentacles.
No doubt, terrorist attack in Mumbai was done with the blessings of Pakistan. Now terrorists, be they Laskhar-e-Toyiba, Pak Taliban or other entities, are turning against Pakistan itself.
I firmly believe that The US should have tackled the terrorist elements camping in Pakistan first before it had turned its attention on Iraq, Afghanistan etc.
US attitude is crucial to the decimation of terrorist elements. One evident example is the extermination of LTTE, which earlier had the tacit approval of agencies in the US. After September 11, 2001, the US reformulated its priorities and declared many organizations as terrorist. LTTE also formed part of the list of terrorist organizations. Gradually, the influence of LTTE waned and that is a thing of the past for now.
Likewise, whether Pakistan was in the bosom of US in the past or not, the Americans should understand that almost all the terrorist elements in the world are deeply enmeshed in Pakistan whose rulers from time to time co-operated with it or ignored their evil activities.
Now the very same elements are turning against the nation, like the Frankinstein monster.
The US should come to understand that its intentions in Afghanistan cannot be achieved in toto with the co-operation of Pakistan, for it is not totally loyal to the commitments made to the US regarding action against terrorists.
Or one can say that the Pak administration had deep-rooted role in the continuance of terrorist activities there that it cannot whole-heartedly turn against the evil forces.
Sooner or later, the US would be forced to deal with the terrorists in Pakistan in other ways. But by then the terrorists would be able to deal deathly blows to peace-loving people, even in the US.
God knows what would happen to the nuclear arsenal in Pakistan, for terrorist organizations have already accessed means of procuring nukes or are capable of getting their hands at it.
Nukes in Pakistan, Iran, North Korea etc could be diverted indirectly to evil minds determined to decimate the world.
China may be thinking that they would be safe as it has close association with Pakistan. Facts would speak otherwise, for terrorists are heartless and would not acquiesce to sentimentalities. If they can attack Pakistani establishments, they can go against others as well.
It is in the interest of the US and others to bridle Pakistan at any cost so that terrorist elements do not find safe haven in that country.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Do we not need leaders in various political persuasions, why this intolerance?
By O.J.George
These days we have been witnessing episodes, maybe minor in nature but have deeper meaning, which speak of the degeneration in political conduct and co-existence.
Rahul Gandhi, the scion of the Gandhi family, and one of the strongest contenders for power in the country, made a visit to a few colleges in the state where students accorded him a warm welcome.
No doubt, the general public also appreciated his tour as well as his remarks. Of course, there may be political differences and rivals may not have taken kindly to his making inroads into their bastions.
All the same, those who launched vitriolics against Rahul Gandhi’s visit, forget for a moment that the country needs leaders who should have a feel of the pulse of the people. The more they get acquainted with people of all sorts, the better for the society as these would have an impact in their minds when laws, schemes and missions are thought of.
Not only Rahul Gandhi, but also all leaders should be let in so that they would get richer experience and the people would come to know them in close quarters.
But people like A.K.Balan made remarks of intolerance about the visit of Rahul Gandhi. Not to lose time, the CPM activists acted against a hotel owner for his feeding Rahul Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi enjoyed the good coffee served to him by Abdul Azeez, owner of the Olive Hotel at Palazhi junction in Olavanna panchayat in Kozhikode district. The hotel people were taken aback when Rahul Gandhi’s entourage stopped at the joint and had coffee and bites. He also gave them an autograph, writing ‘good coffee’.
Sadly someone broke the glass in which coffee was served to Rahul. Now the hotel owner is charged by the CPM-ruled panchayat and the health centre facility for using muddled water in the hotel, which is denied by the owner.
It seems some people have been flabbergasted by the affection bestowed on a leader. The attitude that no one else should come in is nothing but intolerance. Even RSS has made it clear that there is nothing wrong in Rahul Gandhi visiting rural areas.
Let charistmatic leaders of all political parties visit our state and learn about its rich culture, traditions and way of life.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Obama is a special person for the world
By O.J.George
The news was stunning that Barack Obama, the fledgling President of the US, has won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.
No doubt, he has fetched international acclaim for his ethical, intellectual and egalitarian views on world issues.
The prize is for ``his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples,'' the Norwegian Nobel Committee said, citing his outreach to the Muslim world and attempts to curb nuclear proliferation.
Obama's name had been mentioned in speculation before the award but many Nobel watchers believed it was too early to award the president. ”Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future,'' the committee said.
"His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population.''
Theodore Roosevelt won the award in 1906 and Woodrow Wilson won in 1919. Former President Jimmy Carter won the award in 2002, while former Vice President Al Gore shared the 2007 prize with the UN panel on climate change.
Our own Mother Teresa had won the prize in 1979.
That Obama was for inclusion of variegated sections, ideas, resources etc in his world view have fetched him rich dividends. Even though the al-Qaeda and similar movements do not approve of his ways, Obama has genuinely tried to reach out to the Muslim world, which has been at loggerheads with the US and allies for a long time now.
Let us hope Obama will not trip in his efforts to make the world a livable place.
By O.J.George
The news was stunning that Barack Obama, the fledgling President of the US, has won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.
No doubt, he has fetched international acclaim for his ethical, intellectual and egalitarian views on world issues.
The prize is for ``his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples,'' the Norwegian Nobel Committee said, citing his outreach to the Muslim world and attempts to curb nuclear proliferation.
Obama's name had been mentioned in speculation before the award but many Nobel watchers believed it was too early to award the president. ”Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future,'' the committee said.
"His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population.''
Theodore Roosevelt won the award in 1906 and Woodrow Wilson won in 1919. Former President Jimmy Carter won the award in 2002, while former Vice President Al Gore shared the 2007 prize with the UN panel on climate change.
Our own Mother Teresa had won the prize in 1979.
That Obama was for inclusion of variegated sections, ideas, resources etc in his world view have fetched him rich dividends. Even though the al-Qaeda and similar movements do not approve of his ways, Obama has genuinely tried to reach out to the Muslim world, which has been at loggerheads with the US and allies for a long time now.
Let us hope Obama will not trip in his efforts to make the world a livable place.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Goings-on in Thekkady and elsewhere not conducive for safe travel
By O.J.George
Reports coming out about the hanky-panky in boating arrangements at Thekkady reservoir point to prevailing undesirable activities not fit for security.
Tourists who are anaware of the risk to which they fall, in the deep waters, pay any amount to have a view of the wildlife at close quarters.
Elephants, deer etc are aplenty in the Periyar wildlife sanctuary and when they reach the waters’ edge from the forests, tourists can have a clear view and a feeling of proximity to the run-wild, run-free denizens of the animal kingdom.
For this adventurous trip, they would pay whatever is demanded by the boat operators. Kerala Tourism Development Corporation and the Forest Department run boat services within the reservoir.
Now it is coming clear, when tourists are aplenty, they are loaded on to the boat without taking recourse to the carrying capacity.
On the day of the Jalakanyaka tragedy, there were 12 excess passengers on the upper deck. The boat driver cannot deny space for them as they are sent by either the KTDC or Forest Department people.
Additional chairs were put on the upper deck for accommodating the excess tourists.
Sometimes exorbitant charges are levied from the tourists who come late and who want to have a journey anyway, for they would want to go away from Thekkady that day itself.
Other boats like Jalaraja, Jalamohini, Jalasundari etc also charge extra like this, people say.
Meanwhile, the technical stability requirement of Jalakanyaka is also under question. Experts have suggested that if 12 additional tourists board the boat, it should have an incline of only 14 degrees.
In the present case, when the boat reached 14 degrees incline, it overturned. Usually the boats should have an incline of up to 60 degrees without overturning, experts say.
Therefore, it could be surmised that there was serious flaw in the structural mould of the boat.
Apart from that, there was no system of insisting on wearing life jackets, presence of life guards, security personnel.
The tourists are just thrown into a confused situation. They think that everything is okay, but in reality, everything has been wrong.
The government has now decided all tourists would have life jackets from now on. In fact, all boat passengers everywhere should be provided with life jackets. Think of the passengers in Vembanad lake and Kochi backwaters traveling in insecure conditions.
Safety should be provided everywhere.
By O.J.George
Reports coming out about the hanky-panky in boating arrangements at Thekkady reservoir point to prevailing undesirable activities not fit for security.
Tourists who are anaware of the risk to which they fall, in the deep waters, pay any amount to have a view of the wildlife at close quarters.
Elephants, deer etc are aplenty in the Periyar wildlife sanctuary and when they reach the waters’ edge from the forests, tourists can have a clear view and a feeling of proximity to the run-wild, run-free denizens of the animal kingdom.
For this adventurous trip, they would pay whatever is demanded by the boat operators. Kerala Tourism Development Corporation and the Forest Department run boat services within the reservoir.
Now it is coming clear, when tourists are aplenty, they are loaded on to the boat without taking recourse to the carrying capacity.
On the day of the Jalakanyaka tragedy, there were 12 excess passengers on the upper deck. The boat driver cannot deny space for them as they are sent by either the KTDC or Forest Department people.
Additional chairs were put on the upper deck for accommodating the excess tourists.
Sometimes exorbitant charges are levied from the tourists who come late and who want to have a journey anyway, for they would want to go away from Thekkady that day itself.
Other boats like Jalaraja, Jalamohini, Jalasundari etc also charge extra like this, people say.
Meanwhile, the technical stability requirement of Jalakanyaka is also under question. Experts have suggested that if 12 additional tourists board the boat, it should have an incline of only 14 degrees.
In the present case, when the boat reached 14 degrees incline, it overturned. Usually the boats should have an incline of up to 60 degrees without overturning, experts say.
Therefore, it could be surmised that there was serious flaw in the structural mould of the boat.
Apart from that, there was no system of insisting on wearing life jackets, presence of life guards, security personnel.
The tourists are just thrown into a confused situation. They think that everything is okay, but in reality, everything has been wrong.
The government has now decided all tourists would have life jackets from now on. In fact, all boat passengers everywhere should be provided with life jackets. Think of the passengers in Vembanad lake and Kochi backwaters traveling in insecure conditions.
Safety should be provided everywhere.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Land and house for 1,432 families not a bad deal
By O.J.George
The settlement of Chengara land grab stir today at the behest of the state government, the Opposition and the agitating families is a sign of the peaceful means of finding solution to a vexed problem.
The agitation by Sadhujana Samyuktha Samithi ( Joint Council of the Poor) led by Laha Gopalan has completed more than two years at the Chengara estate of the Harrison company.
The original demand of the strikers was to provide them five acres of land each and the essence of the argument was that they should be able to find livelihood from the plot of land.
The government has made it clear that it would not be possible as it was not holding much of vacant land.
There were 1,738 families on the Chengara venue, of whom the government identified 1,432 families as landless. As many as 306 families had a little bit of land of their own.
The government would give one acre of land to the Scheduled Tribes each, for that is the land distribution policy. For the Scheduled Castes, the allotment would be 50 cents each and others up to 25 cents each.
Housing assistance of Rs 1.25 lakh to the STs, Rs one lakh to the SCs and Rs 75,000 to others would also be provided.
The package would be implemented within three months, according to Chief Minister V.S.Achuthanandan.
Opposition Leader Oommen Chandy has pointed out that government should give compensation to the families of 13 persons who had died on the agitation venue at Chengara.
Of late, there has been signs of discord among those settled in the agitational venue. Very many interested parties had crept into the crowds of the poor people.
As usual vested interests had put ballooning hopes among the poor agitationists, knowing fully well that it would not be possible to fetch so much.
Laha Gopalan, expectedly, pointed out that he was accepting the package without satisfaction. He was calling off the stir on account of great pressure exerted on him.
If he did not accept the package now, the venue would end up like Nandigram.
Suffice it to say, it would be impossible to give them five acres of land. That would have been self-income generating. But no government can give so much.
People not aware of the complex problems involved in land provision would argue that the estate lands should be divided and given over to the landless. Taking a cent of the estates would have resulted in a century of delay due to court proceedings and otherwise.
There should be give and take in all forms of agitations, pressure to the contrary notwithstanding. Let all of us be relieved that it has not created an infamous Nandigram.
By O.J.George
The settlement of Chengara land grab stir today at the behest of the state government, the Opposition and the agitating families is a sign of the peaceful means of finding solution to a vexed problem.
The agitation by Sadhujana Samyuktha Samithi ( Joint Council of the Poor) led by Laha Gopalan has completed more than two years at the Chengara estate of the Harrison company.
The original demand of the strikers was to provide them five acres of land each and the essence of the argument was that they should be able to find livelihood from the plot of land.
The government has made it clear that it would not be possible as it was not holding much of vacant land.
There were 1,738 families on the Chengara venue, of whom the government identified 1,432 families as landless. As many as 306 families had a little bit of land of their own.
The government would give one acre of land to the Scheduled Tribes each, for that is the land distribution policy. For the Scheduled Castes, the allotment would be 50 cents each and others up to 25 cents each.
Housing assistance of Rs 1.25 lakh to the STs, Rs one lakh to the SCs and Rs 75,000 to others would also be provided.
The package would be implemented within three months, according to Chief Minister V.S.Achuthanandan.
Opposition Leader Oommen Chandy has pointed out that government should give compensation to the families of 13 persons who had died on the agitation venue at Chengara.
Of late, there has been signs of discord among those settled in the agitational venue. Very many interested parties had crept into the crowds of the poor people.
As usual vested interests had put ballooning hopes among the poor agitationists, knowing fully well that it would not be possible to fetch so much.
Laha Gopalan, expectedly, pointed out that he was accepting the package without satisfaction. He was calling off the stir on account of great pressure exerted on him.
If he did not accept the package now, the venue would end up like Nandigram.
Suffice it to say, it would be impossible to give them five acres of land. That would have been self-income generating. But no government can give so much.
People not aware of the complex problems involved in land provision would argue that the estate lands should be divided and given over to the landless. Taking a cent of the estates would have resulted in a century of delay due to court proceedings and otherwise.
There should be give and take in all forms of agitations, pressure to the contrary notwithstanding. Let all of us be relieved that it has not created an infamous Nandigram.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)