Opinion on "The Senate Committee's Report on the CIA's Use of Torture"

Ever since "The Senate Committee's Report on the CIA's Use of Torture" has come out in the public domain there are two extreme views that I see. Those who would be saying the reports stand that torture was not required and it was extremism and compromised on humanity etc. The other's who would characteristically say the report is wrong, and it was because of the torture that many lives were saved.

I believe the truth is perhaps somewhere in between. Till now I was avoiding to write on it, but now at-least there is one expert who thinks on the same lines although they have left some questions in their article. Obviously since it seems like an American author so I wouldn't get into the details of his biases.

Now coming back, before getting into the moral questions lets try and recall what had happened. In India it was approx 9 in the evening in India when America was attacked.

It was typically a situation that was 1. Not anticipated. 2. And no one had any clue. 3. The top management, in this case the bureaucrats and the politicians who were perhaps thinking they were back in the wild wild west, where everything is my-way or the highway. And hence what followed next was more of a logical conclusion

Stratfor has perhaps got the entire thing closest to reality that most people while are calm now, were jittery then. They correctly diagnosed the problem: "The use of torture was not part of a competent intelligence effort, but a response to a massive intelligence failure."

On torture and what went wrong with US was perhaps quoted by the report as: "The problem with torture — as with other exceptional measures — is that it is useful, at best, in extraordinary situations. The problem with all such techniques in the hands of bureaucracies is that the extraordinary in due course becomes the routine, and torture as a desperate stopgap measure becomes a routine part of the intelligence interrogator's tool kit."

As far as the moral dilemma is concerned. There is a time when you don't know anything, so you get people who deliver with perhaps dubious means and then you build capability and transfer to achieve things in the right way.

This could have sound counter-intuitive and extremely grey. But we need to accept, not everything in life is in black or white. Many things are out-rightly in between.

Modi. A hope for many.

Recently I came across an article where an NRI had written why he is gung-ho on India. Since I don’t have his permission to put up the entire thing, let me just put up the points on why he is so bullish:

Lets call the gentleman Mr A. So Mr A says, "There have been very few world leaders who have possessed a combination of Modi’s extraordinary vision, drive, experience, and charisma." The way he arrived at this conclusion was --

1. In the May 2014 elections, Narendra Modi won an unprecedented mandate and has completely transformed the landscape of Indian politics.
2. Narendra Modi is the first Prime Minister of India who has come to power at the national level after demonstrating proven leadership in one of the most economically vibrant states of India—Gujarat.
3. The State of Gujarat, where he was the Chief Minister (U.S. equivalent of Governor) for more than a decade, has seen unparalleled economic progress due to his success in rooting out corruption, enhancing infrastructure, and improving governance, thereby making Gujarat the most sought after state in India for not only foreign direct investment (FDI) but also for investment by mega Indian business houses such as Tatas and Ambanis.
4. Modi became the first person in India to run a Presidential-style campaign for the highest political office in the country.
5. No other leader has garnered as much support and warmth on foreign soil. More than two dozen U.S. Senators, Governors, Congressmen, and Congresswomen attended the event.
6. Mr Modi will focus on India’s three unique strengths -- (a) Democratic institutions. (b) Demographic dividend (c) Gigantic market place
7. Mr. Modi has also brought with him a clean brand of politics which has been uncommon in India. There are a large percentage of lawmakers in India who are in trouble with the law. Mr. Modi has consciously selected a trustworthy cabinet which does not include many of his own party’s stalwarts and old guard and he himself possesses an impeccable record.
8. On the centenary year of Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa, Mr. Modi has given a clarion call to all Indians living abroad to return to India and contribute to its economy
9. The Mission to Mars that India is proud of launching recently is a crown jewel in the country’s progress in science and technology. He quipped that the mission cost less than a quarter per mile to launch.

PM Modi has done a lot of good things (from a businessman's perspective). If I am running an MNC I think he is the best PM to have. But everything comes at a price. The only question is whether one is more interested in next 10 years or would like to look at it from a longer term perspective maybe 100 years or more and hence take steps while understanding the full consequence of their actions.

During the great depression Franklin D Roosevelt had written, "The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it; if it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something." His thinking was the government needs to try something to bring growth, and FDR understood that not everything will work. And he was prepared for it.

If look at it more closely, there were two factors that supported FDRs thinking, the international laws were not as complicated nor were they as enforceable as they are today, and one could always use their military strength to deal with an unfavorable outcome. Communication modes were still developing, and the country had more resources and less people.

But our PM Modi doesn't have that edge that FDR had.

Less talked about facts

1. Though Modi is not the sole culprit, but knowing him I wouldn't be surprised if he actually weakens the court structure. It was not strong earlier nor free of corruption, but now it will be easy for politicians to corrupt it or run it on their whims and fancies. This is a major flaw that we are about to introduce.

The government has introduced two bills in Parliament on the appointment of judges of the Supreme Court and high courts. One of these is a Constitution amendment bill, which proposes that the current system of consultation with the chief justice of India and other senior judges be replaced by recommendations from a new body called the judicial appointments commission (JAC). The other bill specifies the composition of the JAC and its functions. Together, these two bills may have enabled the dilution of some of the safeguards in the current system of appointments. 

The process of judges selecting their new colleagues is sought to be modified so that the executive also has a role to play. The Constitution is being amended so that the process of "consultation" with judges is replaced by "the recommendation of the judicial appointments commission". The Constitution amendment bill also removes the proviso that requires consultation with the CJI. It adds a new Article 124A, which states that Parliament may, by law, determine the composition of the JAC, the appointment, qualification and terms of service of its chairperson and members, its functions and the manner of selection of judges.

Read more on: 
http://www.prsindia.org/theprsblog/?p=2987
http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/case-not-closed/1164724/0

2. Secondly his coming in power will dilute the environment ministry and forest ministry and get all projects cleared at central level. But effective implementation in most cases will be done by the state government. Now the government can definitely come to the aid by allowing all development to take place on the area that comes under the jurisdiction of the central government forests. Two we don’t live in the 19th century where growth is only important, sustainability is also something that we need to keep an eye on.

Through a quick series of notifications, the Union environment ministry has eased rules for mining, roads, power and irrigation projects and other industrial sectors. It has diluted a host of regulations related to environment, forest and tribal rights. 

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar had earlier done away with the requirement of public hearing for coal mines below 16 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) wishing to expand output by up to 50 per cent. This has now been extended to mines above 16 mtpa, permitting them to mine up to five mtpa more without consulting affected people.

The need for consent from gram sabhas for prospecting in forests has also been done away with. This dilutes the Forest Rights Act, which requires the consent of tribals before forest land is diverted to industrial activity.

So if there is a new drawn support for naxalites then we will just have to accept the consequences.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/nda-eases-green-rules-to-push-investments-114080700031_1.html

http://business-humanrights.org/en/india-eased-industry-regulations-may-endanger-human-rights

I don’t say what he has done is wrong, perhaps it was right but in being pro-industry don’t ravage your own population. Visit the ground and solve problems on case to case basis, in such cases there is no one size fits all approach.

3. The current tactics of polarizing to win elections is setting up a poor precedent for the future. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-29828802

And hence it is important to see how he deals with the fringe organisations like RSS, VHP, Bajrangdal etc.

1. http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-11-09/righteous-hate-returns-to-india
2. http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/bhavnagar-model-muslim-buys-house-cant-move-in/

Gujarat’s new compulsory reading list for government primary and secondary students doesn’t just seek to educate students on “facts” about India’s culture, history and geography. It also has its own take on science, particularly landmark inventions. 

“…America wants to take the credit for invention of stem cell research, but the truth is that India’s Dr Balkrishna Ganpat Matapurkar has already got a patent for regenerating body parts…. You would be surprised to know that this research is not new and that Dr Matapurkar was inspired by the Mahabharata. Kunti had a bright son like the sun itself. When Gandhari, who had not been able to conceive for two years, learnt of this, she underwent an abortion. From her womb a huge mass of flesh came out. (Rishi) 

Dwaipayan Vyas was called. He observed this hard mass of flesh and then he preserved it in a cold tank with specific medicines. He then divided the mass of flesh into 100 parts and kept them separately in 100 tanks full of ghee for two years. After two years, 100 Kauravas were born of it. On reading this, he (Matapurkar) realised that stem cell was not his invention. This was found in India thousands of years ago.” — Page 92-93, Tejomay Bharat 

“We know that television was invented by a priest from Scotland called John Logie Baird in 1926. But we want to take you to an even older Doordarshan… Indian rishis using their yog vidya would attain divya drishti. There is no doubt that the invention of television goes back to this… In Mahabharata, Sanjaya sitting inside a palace in Hastinapur and using his divya shakti would give a live telecast of the battle of Mahabharata… to the blind Dhritarashtra”. — Page 64

And I am not sure how PM Modi will put the foundations of technological brilliance when we are about teach such stuff to our students. Most certainly I would like to see how the Indian Diaspora explain this to their children.

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/gujarat/science-lesson-from-gujarat-stem-cells-in-mahabharata-cars-in-veda/

4. His cabinet selection is poor too. Let me quote Reuters on it --

Attempted murder, waging war on the state, criminal intimidation and fraud are some of the charges on the rap sheets of ministers Prime Minister Narendra Modi appointed to the cabinet on Sunday, jarring with his pledge to clean up politics. 

Seven of 21 new ministers face prosecution, taking the total in the 66-member cabinet to almost one third, a higher proportion than before the weekend expansion. 

At least five people in the cabinet have been charged with serious offences such as rape and rioting.

http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/new-junior-minister-for-education-faces-charges-of-forging-his-marksheet-620584

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/police-unable-to-identify-union-minister-nihal-chands-address-to-deliver-summons/?SocialMedia

http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/11/10/india-politics-crime-idINKCN0IU1A920141110

Although the inclusion seems more political, because of what I hear from various journalist is that all powers have been centralized with the secretaries and all decisions are routed through PMO. And there is not many exceptions except for Finance Minister.

5. Things that are neither new nor surprising, but I don’t know why people talk about them.

• People of Indian Origin. If my memory serves right every new govt gives that call, especially if it’s an NDA government, good for NRI’s to take part in India’s growth story. It is standard road show. 
• Mars mission is not jewel in his crown, every government passes the rules, and scientists work on it. Maybe most people are not aware but ISRO makes profit also, as it launches number of satellite for different countries and companies.

“Globally, the space industry business turnover was $160 billion, while at Antrix it was $200 million,” said Dr.V S Hegde during July 2011 while taking over as chief of Antrixand; as quoted in a report in The Hindu newspaper.

There are so many things which run independently or go in their own routine it is best they are not given undue attention.

1. http://www.indiaspend.com/cover-story/but-indias-space-adventures-make-money-too-77331
2. http://tech.firstpost.com/news-analysis/why-the-outcry-over-isros-mars-mission-cost-is-stupid-215627.html
3. http://www.livemint.com/Industry/wVmPLdPA759oFCHMmZYjvK/ISRO-makes-40-million-profit-out-of-W2M-satellite.html

Not all hope is lost.

It seems PM Modi wants something good for the country as well. Like when he said he wants a moratorium to all hate and violence for next 10 years on 15th Aug speech.

He has also forced bureaucrats and colleagues refraining to go out for lunches with businessmen or meeting them outside office, hence making crony capitalism a bit difficult. Everyone has been advised to stay disciplined and focused. (http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/dear-lutyens-reporters-welcome-to-the-club-114111200894_1.html)

He has given promotion to a number of capable IAS, especially to all those who had not hesitated to take on the politicians in the previous government and off-late he seems to be giving chances to his critics, his choice for Chief Economic Advisor, although I am not sure if that will always the case.

The relationship and the groundwork that PM Dr Singh had done in his 10 years on foreign relationships is being properly utilised by PM Modi since he took over charge. All the roadshows and foreign trips reflect that he is trying to capitalise on it and perhaps saying the right things (minus the part when PM Modi said "may the power be with you" while on trip to USofA)

Summing up

Therefore, it is important to not only look at only the negatives or the positives or taking myopic view. What is necessary is to acknowledge all of it and show all facets so that if the leadership is making mistakes then it is able to correct the course but if it’s a systematic exploitation then the same is noticed at the earliest. To be blinded by any one side will surely lead to exploitation and create a bubble.

Mahatma Gandhi had said, “It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.” And Albert Einstein had said, "A true genius admits that he/she knows nothing." I am not even a percent as smart as these giants were. So I could be wrong about PM Modi. Nonetheless it is too early at this stage to not be careful, small signs of trouble have also surfaced along with hope. 

Change in working style – political reporters in India

I have started falling back on my idea of writing everyday. As said earlier, I was travelling, but then agree its more of an excuse. Perhaps I could have written. Just don't know how or when. 

Off late I have had the chance to read up on certain interesting pieces and also think through some of the problems. For example. 

There was an interesting article in Business Standard on how government reporters are now finding it difficult to get information from the Lutyens. (Click here.) The author then writes about how the flow of information is very stifling on the corporate side.

The one sentence from the article that perhaps can sum up the problem when corporate stifle reporters from carrying their job would be --

"When an entire group gives up probing on a certain company altogether that results in blow ups such as Satyam and NSEL scam."

Perhaps something similar can happen with the government as well if it starts creating choking the freedom of the press. Perhaps political reporters should take a leaf from the corporate reporters' book. Now political reporters should also start reading all documents and make noise for transparency in governance.

They should perhaps think of themselves as auditors who are looking for paper trails and mismatch in the stories or some hard facts. It will increase the work load but perhaps this may be the new way of working.

Sometimes the only way of doing an interesting thing or achieving even decent result is by slogging hard. Now the time has come for journalist to show if they are in the profession because they actually like it or if it was just a coincidence and they don't like to do hard work. 

Book Review -- Death of Dreams: A terrorist's tale by Aditya Sinha

There are many books on Kashmir. But nearly all books are written by people who have some kind of bias, ideological, national or political. This is the sole reason why when we see a certain tone of message being constantly repeated throughout the book. Facts are used to paint a black & white picture. The truth is far from it, as always!

Most individuals tend up grow in certain way. We are at an age where we are protected by parents to an age where we want freedom to hang out with friends and dream endlessly about forging the dreams into reality.

Death of dreams is perhaps one of the few books which catches the entire story of J&K from a Kashmiri's perspective. It’s about a boy who grew up around Srinagar. The story is the journey of a boy named Firdous's story was no different except that in trying to achieve his dream, he grew and understood how lack of leadership and politics for personal gains has made the dreams into nightmare.

It marks his entire journey of what led him to join the terrorist organisation? His discovery of short-sighted and selfish politicians in India. An ISI who in the name of caring about people of Kashmir have one single aim, make India Unstable. Irrespective of what they say openly, they have no intentions of looking into the benefit of the people.  How he got captured by the Indian Military and then the role of select officers of Indian military whose questions made him think of the choices he made.

It also highlights the different point of time when hurriyat had a mass following and when JKLF had a say in the state. The strengths and flaws of the organisations, and how they lost the plot.

This book has captured the atrocities that the people had to suffer at the hands of everyone including terrorists and the collateral damage at the hands of the army.

For anyone who has interest in the history of Jammu & Kashmir, Death of Dreams: A terrorist's tale by Aditya Sinha is a must read.

Democracy and Crony Capitalism

The story about the crackdown on the Occupy Wall Street is interesting. Of what I had read these demands were made first by Michael Moore.

The story seems a bit exaggerated, but then it can also be the truth. But there is an interesting point to study in terms of democracy. 'Does democracy exist or is it crony capitalism all the way?'

There would be about 3 steps to see it.  

Step one: Choose 10 countries which have functioning democracy for last 2-3 decades. (This will remove rogue states)

Step two: Establish which of the countries have placed maximum information online regarding level of transparency.

Make a grid column and check how each country fares

(1) On bio and financial info of its elected leaders available to the public

(2) Access to voting patterns of each representative at the democratic forum (Senate, Parliament etc.)

(3) Publicly if it’s possible to establish if the close relatives such as spouse, child, father, mother are related to which companies/conglomerates. Listed companies in India/US have to declare who all are on the board of the company and also about individuals/companies that hold more than 1 per cent of the company. 

Step three: The five countries with highest score on democratic transparency can be studied.

(1) Mark what questions were raised by a peoples representative?
(2) Was the question positive or negative for the company/sector/ business
(3) Establishing if the individual has financial interest to the company/sector/business
(4) Also, how a representative vote on laws affecting sectors of an economy against the individual's financial interest in that sector or on a specific company.

P.S.

1. A friend of mine had done a story in 2008 for Economic Times where he sifted through the question hours of Lok Sabha and came out as which national/regional party had questioned for which company/conglomerate. I don't remember if the questions were marked as positive and negative to check the biasness or not.

2. It seems like a lot of work and there will still be scope for error. (Perhaps using the capabilities of the software written in this article -- Palantir -- should make the work relatively possible.)

3. If you have ideas to improve the way in which one should do the story then feel free to share the ideas or if you come across a similar story do share that as well or if you plan to take up the study then feel free to ask for any assistance 




Continued to 

Rebuttal on Swaminathan A. Aiyar's recent column

Swaminathan Aiyar's latest column was "Gulf Oil: Declining US oil imports could push up Indian expenditure on Navy".

I am too lazy to summarize his points so you wil have to put in the effort of reading there. Sorry.

India's navy expense will go up but it will not be because of US shifting out of Gulf. I don't agree to his reasons. It will go up because of ambitions.

1. Its still a decade to 2020. For the simple idea just open any of such studies that were published in 2001 stating how the world would be in 2011. And check the original figures of 2011. You will get a clear idea of why such studies shouldn't be taken too seriously. One should read them but not make a hypothesis based on them.

2. Aiyer's argument that US will shift out of gulf and make ways for China is also not quite correct. US will muddle in the middle east for two reasons. First it will be there because the 'Israel Lobby' will make sure that US remain in close proximity of the country for emergency support. Second, US had no business in Vietnam and yet it fought the communist. The USofA is too used to playing police and making sure it has strike capabilities all over the world within few hours. And for this goal it will maintain its hold in middle east.

Recently to counter the growing presence of China in South China sea, the USofA decided that it will station marines in Australia. (Link).

Wild guess

The New York Times headline was screaming "Bin Laden Is Dead, Obama Says"  And all other headlines and news channels were making useless noise as always.

It seems no one is paying attention is that this operation was carried by a small group of trained people. What was not achieved by huge army with all modern technology was actually achieved by a small set of people. Making an important point that to kill or capture serious terrorist does not require a regular army combing through hostile ares, it only increases the over all collateral damage (Afghanistan) without giving any actual benefit. The effective strategy is to send few highly skilled people after the intended target. This is a old battle tactics used to take out snipers. Perhaps going forward there will be much discussion on the learning and observation from this result.

Though not sure, let me bet that when the hue and cry subsides, it will come to light that, ‘it was basically an assassination of Osama carried out by the CIA under the executive order of the president.’ that’s how they got him.

"Maoists butcher 74 Jawans"

On a hot Tuesday afternoon, (April 6, 2010), I went to the office pantry for lunch assuming it to be a normal day. But on entering I realised, that for a change, everyone was intensely watching the news channel.

The flash said, "Maoists butcher 74 Jawans". This was the breaking news that covered all the news channels, irrespective of the language -- english, hindi, bangla etc.

Since then I have been seeing many different opinion on the subject, in different style. From graphical images with timelines in print, to shouting journalist on TV, to serious tone of foreign print, debates on face book and columns and sarcastic blog -- http://thusspakehriday.blogspot.com/2010/04/smile-now-ms-roy.html -- (this was different to me).

There are few things that are difficult to understand seeing the various debate. Why don’t people try and move forward and look for a proper solution? Why get stuck to a single point of view and go around proving the other side is wrong? Why focus only on history and not look to future? Why look only at the future and not consider the history? And there are many other questions that we all have but lets not go there for now.

Factually, the thing none can deny is— a loss of human life is wrong.

We for the sake of simplicity have the habit of making things too simple and then not get anywhere. So below are given the different aspects and each is dealt separately. Because this issue is complex.

What is happening?

In the name of growth there is exploitation. Brands have failed in countries because they did not address the cultural factor. Similarly, industrial development without working on neither the sustainability front nor on understanding the culture of the place or working to bring the inclusive growth will not be real growth. it becomes exploitation.

To fight the exploitation there is extortion. There have been many reports that extortions are collected from the businesses/industrialist to run the naxalism. Coming to this point, how come naxalites don’t fight those who exploit nature in the form of cutting sandal trees? how is it that certain industries face the threat of naxal especially PSUs while others don't. It is common knowledge that coal and mining mafia are the biggest exploiters but how come they are not not under naxal threat, ever?

Politicians sharing the bed with Naxals. While Shibhu Soren was not keen in solving the naxals in Jharkand, as they had helped him win the elections. Many questions have been raised on Mamata’s covert support for the naxals -- remember the Rajdhani episode.

To deal with extortion, raging atrocities. While it is true, that there has been extortion at a local level also, where the naxals came and killed villagers for not supporting them but that does not justify the stand the government took by forming Salwa Judum who went about raping and killing (both covered in tehelka)

Settling scores in the garb of naxals. MCC, Ranvir Sena and PWG are treated as part of the naxals in the region of Bihar. Most of the killings done by these groups are not against the state as much as they are caste wars.

What will not solve the problem?

Bringing in military and air-force will not solve the problem. Because this is a different sort of warfare, this is not a conventional war where we are fighting a force that can easily be distinguished. Typical military can only deal with external threats better or with threats that do not involve the population from where the army is raised.

The other thing one must remember is, any approach where one expects the results to show up in matter of few weeks or months, will not work. The current generation of leaders would have seen this problem from their childhood or since their teens. Therefore, dealing with a brash mentality will not be easy. These people will not come to the table so fast. They have not seen peace long enough to believe in it.

What will work?

A strategy where all parties can be put on a similar platform be used. The local population should be given primacy; all the efforts of rehabilitating the tribal areas and securing them should be made. This is basically not an easy.

It be ensured that the local MP/MLA is present his/her area for min of 200 days a year (out of 365). Speeches and talks of leaders in the area are recorded, to ensure that if speeches are inflammatory then those politicians be remanded and disturbances are controlled. Choppers, para-military forces and technology should be used to provide them with cover and strength to deal with the naxals.

Any industrialisation in the area should include the tribals, other locals and special emphasis be laid on a company’s profit but the environmental and local population’s grievances.

Borders with Bangladesh and Nepal are manned as much as possible. Because banning ammunition is an important part to deal with them. If there is any logistics help from outside the border then that should be dealt with promptly. Similarly if ammunitions is traced to factories in India then loopholes should be plugged.

We must understand that a problem brewing for 40 years will not get solved in just 40 weeks. So lets not try and do that.

Desertion

Some time back, I was asked a question. "Why is it that when Muslims are beaten up in Israel or in some other country, then there is such hue and cry but the same is not reflected when China does it in Xinjiang’s?"

Well, to be frank, I don't have any straight answer. Although I tried reading and getting some answer somewhere. But there was no success. Based on personal observation there could be multiple factors or a certain combination of these factors.

First of all its not just Xinjiang, most of the countries where there is no freedom of press the report on carnage against the local population does not get limelight. How many countries with no freedom of press has done any reporting?

Then there is "presence factor" or "kinship factor". Allow me to explain with an example. The gulf countries have a sizeable population belonging to India. So even if something is not reported in the media for a few days the information will be transmitted through word of mouth. This may not generate public opinion at a very fast pace.

Similarly, while it is true that most countries claiming to represent the "Muslim Country" did nothing concrete, they did not even lodge a diplomatic protest or condemn it on the international front with the exception of "Turkey". The reason being, Xianjiang has a population which are partially turkic in regions and hence the public opinion of Turkey forced the government to react.

Also one needs to understand on how media covers. When BBC covered the wars in Bosnia or in Chechnya or when it covers Israel/Palestine, its their coverage that makes all the impact. Now in all of these places the reports said the fight is between XYZ and Muslims. If China's or any countries problem is not covered with the same intensity, the impact will not be the same, it mellows down. Add to it ignorance. How will there be any reaction.

There are geo-political mixed with a spice of economic reasons as well. For example, Iran and Pakistan cannot make any statements against China, since it is the Dragon state that protects the two in Security Council.

p.s. It would be a great pleasure if someone can point out other reasons that may have been overlooked

One reason which has not been pointed out or touched above is that of the drawback of the human nature i.e. pride, selfishness, envy, ignorance........

Bleak Possibility?

In the next couple of months there will be issues that will grab attention or will be missed. But under either of the circumstances it will have consequences that will go down in history as important events.

Within the South Asia region, one civil war has ended (Sri-Lanka) another one has started Pakistan operation in the border areas by the army and the counter attack they are facing. (attack on the military camp etc.)

The upcoming "operation green hunt" in India, if the army is called from its barrack then it will be a dangerous thing. Having the para-military is more than enough, bringing full army against its own civilian is a bad choice to make.

Afghanistan will be a boiling cauldron and this is will be a mess that everyone will remember. A half-baked strategy which involves only the military never works. And that needs to be worked through to accomplish the right results. (Unless the right result is just to make money even if it results in mounting body bags)

Water and food crisis are now present in the headlines although its kind of late reaction. The media reports leave the impression it will have effect on all countries and the world will be divided again in a different way.

This will transcend to a new breed of war that will be seen in near future. This will be the new age of war which will be fought through the Sovereign Wealth Funds and Cyber Warfare. New wave of cold-war would be better term to say. Don't know how many countries are looking at this seriously but it will have great consequences.

Obama style!!

Here starts one of the biggest dramas in the Indian politics, its General Election. And trust me there is nothing general about it. It’s unique in its scale because 1/5th of the world population participate in this circus of democracy.

It is supposed to be one even where huge amount of money is involved in very short span of time. Where in US it takes full two years for the election to happen and humongous amount of money is spent. In India nearly an amount on similar scale is spent in less than three months.

Then the division lines are just as clear here as any place else I guess. Political Parties always make promises and then they for get it when in power. Also a common feature is paying cash for votes through out the verticals. The wannabe member of parliament (MP) will pay cash to general people to vote boot him in the Lok Sabha. Then the party or person who wants to make the govt. will pay any MP ready to vote on a floor test so as to ensure that the govt. survives or gets power.

Well all of these are fairly old tricks for the old as well as the new dogs...

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In this current general elections what the Dark and the Light Horses are trying are a new phenomenon. Though i am sure they all will fail because they haven’t understood something very vital. This is not USofA and they are not Obama.

Let me make it more clear for simple understanding.

BJP is going all out on the usage of the internet. They have made a website, paid google on words like congress, sonia, rahul etc so that every time some one searches for this he/she will find that on the right side or on the top of the regular results there were be a sponsored result that would take you to LK Advani's website. Now in response even congress has bought those words too. SO you will get two sponsored links.

Now some of these strategies were used by Obama too. And here lies the problem; Obama was not half as famous 3 years before becoming the president. So he had to employee such tactics. Since 1990s Advani has been a key leader for the BJP. For many people he has been the defacto boss.

Now congress has bought the rights of Jai Ho song from slum dog and CPI will be making their own album the way Obama did! Well every one knows that CPI has some influence in only pockets and though there logics are quite strong but they lack the practical part and most importantly they two states they rule are just as famous for corruption as any other.

Lets check out the under/over dogs who have suddenly got into lime light and they have started envisioning themselves as Obama - Mayawati? The political pundits claim so!

Well she has achieved a feat by forming her own govt. in a state but national politics is extremely different ball game. Some how she is not able to justify to that so far. Besides every one know that when she comes to power, she shuts all other criminal because she doesn’t share the plunder openly. NCP too wants to become the PM and then it seems that Gowda is dreaming of a third front where he can claim the throne for himself.

One thing they all are forgetting is that Obama always talked of unifying the country irrespective of the colour, creed, believe, historic background etc. So is there any one who is looking to unify the country that has been divided by the rulers or wannabe rulers on any and every account possible? So far none has emerged on this particular yardstick.

These are the volatile moments, only time will tell who has got the right style or maybe none have it – in case there is hung parliament.