Obama starting well

By O J George

It was exhilarating to see Barack Obama ascend to being President of the United States of America. Sitting far away and simply observing the political ways of America, I never thought that the US, which had refused to change its certain ways for 220 years of its independence, would elect an Afro-American origin person as its President. Then, times are changing and the descendants of the oppressed are becoming the callers of the tune.

That is nice for the world which has become too mugh besotted, selfish and avaricious.

For Obama, there are many things to do. If he does all the things which he can do, in al sincerity, sky is the limit for the world to come to common sense. I believe the world, the people who call the shots have all lost their common sense, not listening to others’needs for existence.

There is no point in going on berating America for anything and everything like Hugo Chavez, Ahmadinijad and the like do. The thinking people would only consider them as foolhardy.

Nice things about Obama’s ways, he had drafted Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, retained Robert Gates as Defence Secretary. These are signs of accommodation.

Let him take wise decisions for the common good of the world

Terror leaders safe, followers thrown into war

By O J George

“We will sit in crevices, corners and caves in high mountains or hide in deep forests or coastal belt in cognito. You people go and wage a war and get killed”. This appears to be the message given out by so-called messiahs like Osama bin Laden, Hamas leaders, LeT, Jaish and other outfits, as well as LTTE’s supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran.

In Gaza, hundreds of innocent people, including women and children, are getting killed and maimed in the war between Israel and Hamas. Hamas has been launching rockets from safe hide-outs in Gaza which was vacated by Israel earlier. The rockets were being launched from the fences close to the border with Israel. There are forces out in the world to see that Israel is not safe. Once the Jews were dispersed all over the world. They had no place to live. When they were being hunted out, India was one among the few countries which offered asylum. So we had jewish settlements in Mumbai, Kochi and the like.

Israel was carved out for Jews by UN-led efforts. But certain elements have not taken kindly to the Jewish nation. Now, when Israel has invaded Gaza and has been killing Hamas perpetrators of terrorism, innocents getting killed in between, it seems Hamas is coming round to seeing reason at least for now. An attempt to monitor the Hamas from not getting armed further has been conceded.

Velupillai Prabhakaran has been offering the moon to the Tamils in Sri Lanka. His methods were terrorist. Now he is paying the price for it. The victims are Tamils in Sri Lanka. They have been laid in the lurch. People should understand that terrorists cannot be trusted.

The only displaced leader who has sworn against warfare is Dalai Lama who is in exile in Himachal Pradesh. An independent Tibet is out of the question. China would not even grant autonomy to Tibet. Dalai Lama is a refugee. All the same he has not taken to warfare. He will be know in the annals of history as a man of peace.

Terrorists responsible for this war

By O J George

Innocents are getting killed in Gaza. By now the count is 660 Palestinians killed and 2,700 injured. Women and children are there among the victims. Sad state of affairs indeed.

But the root-cause of all the mayhem is terrorism. Be it Hamas, Hisbullah, al-Qaeda, Lashkar, Jaish or LTTE, they are an eye-sore to civilised world. They will not want the word to live in peace. The reason could be Jehovah, Allah, Christ or someone else. The terrorists falsely believe that they are the saviours of these noble souls who do not need any saviour. Cry for you and your children, Christ told those wailing for him.

Pakistani terrorists launched an attack on India in Mumbai. They killed 180 people, including 36 Muslims. They don’t care. Jews, Americans, British and other foreigners were also done to death. If it is the Israeli style, India should have retaliated with a war on Pakistan. Thank God, it did not happen. Otherwise, thousands or even millions on both sides would have perished. Mind you, both the countries are nuclear powers. If a war is launched, after millions are decimated, the world will crave for a ceasefire. And that will occur. The net result would be the same, the terrorists would still continue to have their way.

True, blockade of support would help. LTTE terrorist Prabhakaran who killed Rajiv Gandhi is now sweating it out to live. After the US declared LTTE as a terrorist organisation, arms and funds seem to have been flowing to it at a lesser pace. No country should support terrorists, whatever be the cause they espouse.

The best way to deal with Pakistan would be to get a declaration from the world that it is a terrorist country. Sooner or later, the world will come to be convinced that Pakistan is the most terrorist-infested country in the world. All the other terrorist organisations in the world get support from those who made a haven in Pakistan. Ultimately, the US, the UK and other big powers will be forced to deal with Pakistan directly, for the terrorist activities there will only increase.

10,000 youngsters testing the art waters

By O J George

Asia’s biggest youngsters’ conclave of art competitions begins at Thiruvananthapuram today. About 10,000 youngsters from high schools, higher secondary schools, and vocational higher secondary schools are trying their hands for a prize in the competitions of tune, rhythm and festivities.

The schools youth festival of Kerala has entered the 49th year. Next year the mela would have its golden jubilee, even though there were breaks in 1972 and 1973.

The competitions would be held at 16 venues in 216 items.

This year the festival has uniqueness in combining the melas of high school, higher secondary and vocational higher secondary sections. Earlier, these were being held separately.

The district which fetches the highest number of points would fetch the gold cup.

The cultural pageant being taken out in the afternoon from University stadium to Putherikandam maidan would be a feast for the eyes.

The participants from northern districts like Kannur and Kasargod had reached last night itself.

Tactic everywhere will not work

By O J George

One can be master only when there are slaves or followers. One can indulge in tantra or tactics only when there are stupid people all around. The world has been thriving very well with a few people playing all the tricks on the masses and reaping benefits. The slaves were there to sweat it out and do the dirty work.

When people were armed with sticks and stones, somebody emerged with the gun, and the gunner was the leader. Later those who had more powerful weapons wielded more power and enslaved others. If more countries have nuclear bombs, there are more leaders. But what is the benefit of having a nuclear bomb, if the rival also has the same destructive weapon?

The futility of the weapons had been made clear by Jesus Christ 2000 years ago. Love is the most powerful weapon over all other ammunitions. The armoury would destroy mankind, but if people’s minds can be deweaponised, that would be the greatest weapon.

But that requires an attitude of renunciation. God renounced everything. But those who espouse the cause of God hold materialistic things dear to their heart from which God has escaped.

Priests and prelates trying to save God do not understand the fact that God does not need any saviour. Man needs Him, but wants Him on man’s terms. God is just not available on someone else’s terms.

The cruelty, the hatred, gargantuan selfishness and propensity to destroy others to the benefit of the self are all far away from God’s realm.

Acquisitions and mergers and covetousness are all emphemeral. Let humanity work for the benefit of all, without employing tactics. For the other man has understood the nuances of the tactics being directed against him. When everyone has attained wisdom, there will be no ignoramuses. No one can fool around anymore.

The war of nerves should end

By O J George

I feel the war of words between Pakistan and India should end. Pakistan would not act on the demands made by India to hand over horrible terrorists and abettors and perpetrators of heinous crimes on humanity, not only India, but also to the whole world.

There is no harm in enlisting the support of all sections in the international community to get Pakistan declared as a terrorist nation.

President Zardari does not enjoy the support of the real powers-that-be in Pakistan. US, UK and other countries are releasing gigantic sums of money to Pakistan for ending terrorism-related activities in Pakistan, but most of the funds are misutilised and no one can corner them.

The present policy of side-tracking the main issue of terrorism fomenting from Pakistan will not be good for eternity. At one time or other in future, I feel, US, UK and other countries will have to wage a war against terrorist elements within Pakistan. India should support their move then.

It should be clearly assessed how a nuclear-powered Pakistan would behave, if there is a war.

Make our borders impenetrable

By O J George

Make our borders on land, air and sea impenetrable. Pakistan is a namesake democratic country, for its mainstay is military power. US President George Bush himself was believed to have had a private talk with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in which Bush urged Singh not to take present Pak President seriously. Zardari may engage in loose talk, but don’t expect any cogent action from Pakistan on dismantling terrorist outfits there.

Instead of anticipating Pakistan to take action, we must insulate ourselves from terrorist acts. If there are traitors here, they would at least indirectly support these anti-national elements. We have to identify the traitors here first and destroy them.

If the borders can be insulated, terrorists flourishing in Pakistan will destroy Pakistan itself. For terrorists cannot sit idle. They want targets to strike. Let them strike targets there, not in India. For that we have to take stringent action here.

A hasty military strike against Pakistan will only weaken us. If we have to strike against Islamist terrorists, we have to accept assistance from those countries which can attack Pakistan. There is no harm in receiving assistance from US and Israel.

Every inch of land, sea and air should be scanned

By O.J.George

The latest is the boot President Bush got at the hands of a so-called journalist in Iraq. Terrorists masquerading as journalists is becoming a phenomenon. Killers of Rajiv Gandhi had used the camouflage of journalists. Sivarasan was watching the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, sitting among journalists in Sreeperumbudur.

Terrorists do not got the conventional way. Mumbai attacks, in the normal course, cannot be thought of. They have hoodwinked everyone and took the country to ransom.

It has become certain. Mere pronouncements would not do. Every inch of the land, sea, air should be scanned every moment. There are murderous people waiting outside to wreak havoc on mankind.

Whether laws, federal agency or what not are required, have no hesitation in going ahead.
There may be long talks about human rights, democratic principles and equality. These norms apply to human beings, not terrorists

Neethi and Nyaya should be ensured

By O J George

The 16-year-long investigations into the Sr Abhaya case seems to be heading to a conclusion. Even now there is allegation that the CBI is arriving at the wrong conclusion. Direct pieces of evidence have been destroyed, but the agency has been putting two and two together to get circumstantial evidence.

The church concerned is not happy with the goings-on. There is one way of appeasing them. The CBI should be handed over investigation into the controversial and suspicious deaths. The suicide of three school girls in Ambalapuzha, Kiliroor and Poovarany sex scandals etc should be probed with the same fervour as that shown in the Sr Abhaya case.


Sr Abhaya case investigation has climaxed only because of the court’s intervention. It must be noted that the CBI also had written off the case, but the court has not.

The situation in Kerala, or for that matter in India, that a media outcry is needed to undertake proper investigation of criminal cases is rather unencouraging about rule of law. In a civilised society, there should be automatic keen trial of criminal cases.

Let the church not feel that it is taken in isolation. Let all other cases be taken up urgently.

Technology can see through, but why infiltrations?

By O.J.George

The joy ride undertaken by Islamist terrorists into India, particularly Mumbai, and the ease with which they permeated the main centres and killed people ruthlessly defies comprehension.

Technology has grown to such proportions that if one eases himself in the toilet, that can be captured without his knowledge using satellite pictures, global positioning system, scanning, radar monitoring and what not.

Where were all the monitoring agencies in India when terrorists came as they pleased and did what they pleased? They struck all the strata of society. They killed billionaires cocooned in luxury hotels, they decimated Jews and they made mincemeant of ordinary people in the CST railway station and the streets. I have fond memories of my daily routine reporting work at Nariman Point, travelling from Thane to CST and from there to the reclamation area. The Gateway of India, the Taj, Trident/Oberoi, Nariman House, CST all present memories of my visits.

We speak about the brutality. But where is the protection? We make tall promises during all these calamities and then forget about the precautions. The policemen are generally engaged in making a pie from motorist and small-time traders, when they are supposed to guard the citizens.

Intelligence received by one agency would be put up as a file for information to others concerned. If at all other agencies see them, it would be after the attack.

Safety on land, sea and air should be ensured as the apple of the eye. Rhetorics or war cries would not be beneficial at all.

Unnecessary hullabaloo over condolence

By O.J.George

A little bit of caution, consideration and grace would have saved the situation arising from the controversy over the condolence expressed by Chief Minister V.S.Achuthanandan and Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan at the residence of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, the NSG commando who laid down his life in the Mumbai encounter against terrorists.

First of all a situation should not have been created for people to say that the state government did not condole the major’s death. I will not say that the Chief Minister was responsible. Someone in his office made a faux pas in not alerting him about what should be done. The Chief Minister was away in Delhi attending the politburo meeting. So was the Home Minister. Someone could have been sent to Bangalore to attend the solemn rituals. The district collector of a North Kerala district should have been entrusted with the task of taking necessary steps.

The furious retort of Sandeep’s father also should not be taken seriously. In Maharashtra, the wife of slain ATS chief flatly refused to receive any solatum from Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Emotional outbursts should be avoided, but if things fly out of hand, others should not add fuel to fire.

Even now, all parties should strive to settle the dust.

Terrorists have a field day

By O J George

India could capture a terrorist alive and it killed a few in the Mumbai attacks. Three top cops of the Maharashtra police were killed. A Malayali major gave up his life while trying to rescue the people trapped in the hotel.

The intensity of the attacks could be gauged from the fact that the fights continued for days. The National Security Guards did exemplary service, in addition to the police, fire force personnel and others. The post-terrorist attack action was commendable.

But we should be more concerned about the security situation in the country. We know the country has Ingtelligence Bureau, Research and Analysis Wing and Military Intelligence and what not. We have satellites hovering over the planet. Could we not get a single thread of information to avert the drastic incident?

One Nasir caught by Bangalore police and who was handed over to Ahamedabad police had revealed hints about terrorists launcing an operation through the sea route.

Alert. Terrorism is something requiring more than routine checks, scanning and smelling. Land, sea, air and all should be vetted carefully every moment for unseemly hints of attack. Indian boarders are porous. Concentrating on Kashmir alone is not enough.

Without arraigning the government, one has to remind the rulers that more steps are essential to keep our life safe.

Enigma of keeping faith the myriad ways

By O.J.George

Kerala presents intolerance of factions among Christians, which is most unfortunate, as all the ballyhoo is in the name of Christ who wanted to forgive even those who crucified him.

It appears the scuffles all originate in the name of keeping possession of properties. At present the main problem relates to the intolerance among Orthodox and patriarch factions. Both have the same origin, claiming St Thomas as the founder. Many other churches also claim to have St Thomas as their founder.

After going through years of court proceedings, some sort of an end was dictated by the apex court. Now the issues emanate from so-called execution of the apex court’s verdict.
Thrikkunnathu seminary in Aluva is a bone of contention as also many other churches. The disputed churches remain closed. Each faction wants to outwit the other.

The damage caused to three cupolas in Kottayam district, the theft of the sacred remains of Elias III patriarch from a cupola in Thrissur etc are the latest episodes.

The Orthodox faction has a grouse that the Communists-led state government is fostering the rival patriarch faction. The Orthodox faction organised a massive rally and convention in Kottayam on November 16 as a show of strength.

The telecast of scenes in a Jerusalem church recently was amusing. The Greek Orthodox and Armenian Orthodox priests in their holy communion robes were fighting it out over the possessory rights of the assumed burial place of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem. Priests were seen beating up rivals using censors used for spreading fragrance during holy qurbana.

The street fights over custody of properties has become ludicrous, as many entities are more interested in physical wealth, ignoring matters of faith.

In olden times also, masters were praying to God even as they enslaved human beings and inflicted brutalities on them.

Tricolour on the Moon

By O.J.George

India has achieved a fantastic space odyssey, its Moon Impact Probe, released from Chandrayaan-I satellite has just landed on Moon. The MIP is painted on all sides with the tricolour Indian flag.

It has joined the choicest club of nations which have their flags on the Moon.

Some outsiders used to take India as a country of snake-charmers and sanyasins. Now it has become party to those who virtually possess the Moon.

From now on the journey of our space efforts would be modulated to achieve better strides, voyages to mars and Jupiter. It has already decided to send a probe to study the Sun.

India had missed all the first three waves depicted by Alvin Toffler. It had no place in the industrial revolution. Now it will have a place in the virtual world, space world, nano technology and what not.

For one thing, during the Vedic period, Bharat was head and shoulders above other countries in various technologies. Think about the weapons used by the Vedic characters. Missiles and modern armaments could have been designed on the theory and practice of Vedic weapons.

Now the country is catching up with those had made first use of the wisdom contained in
Sanskrit works and Vedic practices.

Extremists have a field day in Kerala

By O.J.George

Recently four youths were shot dead by the military personnel in Kashmir on the border with Pakistan. I remember the authorities in Kerala were not initially prepared to concede the fact that these youths belonged to Kerala. After the intelligence wings zeroed in on the individuals, the authorities were showing signs of doing something to deal with extremist elements in Kerala.

The saddest part of the operations of the terrorists apparently was the traps laid on goondas and cornering them to do acts of extremism. I doubt whether the goons were informed about the intention of their being finally used for subversive activities. Anyhow, the extremist elements should be grabbed and the tendency should be nipped in the bud.

I heard comments from certain informed quarters on television channels about the duty of the government to do something about the unemployed youths. Even though people do not subscribe to the view that compulsory military attachment should be enforced, for fear of being dubbed autocratic, it is desirable that a large number unemployed youth be drafted to the military services. They can be pressed into service for all sorts of work during peace time. Mind you, there won’t be any more large-scale war in modern times, for the nuclear arsenal with China, India and Pakistan would dccimate the earth if there is a war. Constructive work can be drawn out from the youth who are being drafted into the military.

A large number of the youth can be taken in the police and para-military forces. An empty mind is the devil’s workshop. Our youth should not be left empty-handed. Otherwise, there would be a lot of undesirable activities on their part.

Of course, extremism, terrorism and subversive activities should be routed out. Therseshould be no leniency in dealing with them.

Politicisation of the police dangerous

By O.J.George

A dangerous trend has set in in the State of Kerala, where the police is being politicized. The other day the CPM held a study class for police people owing allegiance to its cause at the Kottayam district office of the party. It is alleged that the camp was meant to instill in the minds of the cops the measures they should take to help the party win as many seats as possible in the coming Lok Sabha elections. Files from the police department were carried in a police jeep to the party office.

The party has denied having conducted any study class. But mediapersons who had got wind of the goings-on were parked in the vicinity of the camp venue and they were ill-treated by interested parties.

Anyway it looks good that the police top-brass has ordered an inquiry into the affairs.

I have always been of the opinion that our police personnel are smart and efficient. They would be able to do the policing job extremely well. But their hands are tied by political bosses. Whether it is sex scandal, corruption cases or other criminal acts, they know how to deal with it, even though sometimes they go overboard. But they are hamstrung by political controls.

Extremists were hibernating in Kerala?

By O.J.George

For a few days now, Kerala is agog with reports of a few of its youth having been actively involved in extremist activities in Kashmir. The bodies of two youngsters were identified as that from Kerala. One was a Muslim youth and another a Christian-turned youth.

The parents were not at all in the know of things of these unemployed youngsters. They were under the impression, it seems, that the youth were in Bangalore doing some work.

Now the police authorities are hot on the heels of those who recruited youths like these. One Faizal has already admitted to the police during its interrogation that he himself had recruited 300 youths for extremist activities.

It seems the extremists were using poor, unemployed youth, most of them not much educated, from Kerala for activities elsewhere.

The hibernating units in Kerala should be found out. Terrorism should not be allowed to take hold of Kerala.

Squabbles between Patriarch and Orthodox factions
By O J George

The dispute over properties and parishes between Patriarch and Orthodox factions has been an eye-sore for the people. Each faction may have a point to make. But the unsavoury squabbles have been spilling over to the society at large.

Orthodox Church followers maintain that the Patriarch faction has no right over Thrikkunnath Seminary. But the Catholicos of the Patriarch faction was allowed to enter the seminary buildings, with the support of the Communists-led government in Kerala, according to the allegation of the Orthodox faction.

Now Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I of Antioch, the supreme head of the Jacobite faction(Patriarch sect), is touring Kerala as a State guest. The Orthodox faction appears to be peeved that the patriarch faithful are getting a lot of attention and State support.The other day, Orthodox faction’s Catholicos and a few bishops and laity barged into a cupola at Piravom, set up in the name of St Gregorios of Parumala and offered prayers.
The police used force on the laity of this section. The previous day the representatives of the LDF government had assured protection for the Orthodox faction.

Now it seems the Orthodox Church is keen on bringing another Patriarch, this time from Syria, to muster support and mobilise their flock. This would be a sort of show of strength.

To an outsider, the squabbles arise from property matters. Riches and wealth are gnawing at the faith of the people. The meek inherits the Earth, according to the Bible. Both the factions should come to an agreement and call a halt to the dispute. Live and let live should be the policy.

Think of full social security
By O J George
I am wholly against governments, allied institutions, MNCs and other private and public ventures and individuals escaping with the booty they get during the present times of opening up the economy. All entities reaping gargantuan size of profits should be made accountable and pro rata levies should be made to feed the
social security network.

I don’t consider the present schemes of employment guarantee construction work scheme, various rozgar yojana or updated schemes as taking care of the social security of the people who are without an income.

Mind you, those opposing globalisation, privatisation and other capitalistic measures, particularly the left, communist, socialist and similar political varieties, oppose the steps purely on ideological line without thinking about the devastating effect on the people these measures bring in, as neither the government, the planning commission or responsible bodies are talking about implementing full social security schemes.

It should be brought home to the people that in those countries where fully capitalistic or near capitalistic measures are in place, there is fool-proof social security network. A single institution takes care of all the jobless income-less people. Minimum survival facilities are provided for the full term when they are income-less. The department provides help to secure suitable employment. Those who are without income are given social security benefits.

Here no political party is taking up this issue. We should have a nation-wide social security network, taking care of all income-less people.

Shunting out is painful

By O J George

Can we perceive the audacity with which employers are sacking employees, in the name of liberalisation and privatization? Jet Airways is dispensing with the services of nearly 2000 personnel, saying it has not been flying profitable services. What a pity? Did they not think about the prospects of the company when they drafted the workers? Where were their internal and external auditors prospecting the functioning?

Earlier, we had seen merger of Jet Airways and another one. Now Jet is hobnobbing with Kingfisher. Don’t know whether the firing is the result of underhand negotiations.

One day a low-cost, no fringe airline will come up, offering the moon to the passengers. After some time, it will merge with the likes of Kingfisher, sucking massive profits.

When sacking employees, do any of the flamboyant employer and his household dispense with any kind of luxury?

And where is the so-called government? In no capitalistic, liberalised developed country, companies are allowed to get away with windfall profits. Here in India, which is opening up its markets and allowing companies to have a free go, no restriction is placed on them from eating away windfall profits. Mukesh and Anil Ambanis, Tatas, Birlas, and all sorts of mega institutions are eating away windfall profits at the expense of the poor man on the street. Not in US, UK, France, Germany, Japan and the like, such practices would be allowed.

Why not tax the companies, institutions, and quick-buck-making entities to service the social sector. This is too much. The nonsensical explanation is that nearly 2000 workers are axed to save the job of 1000 persons. What a mess of an economy we are living.