The Indo-US nuclear deal has come to a stage where both the parties plan to play a cat and mouse game. America wants a greater control on fuel supply while India strives to keep its sovereignty rigid.
To be pragmatic, India tends to gain more with such help. India balance itself from being pushed into a corner and there by restrict any third party influence on its nuclear domain as well as the foreign policy.
Ironically, the US Congress has passed the Hyde act by pushing its agenda through “cosmetic” changes than to seriously address the concerns in the joint agreement. The US congress has tossed a coin and does not care if the outcome is either heads or tails. One needs to remember it is the same US Congress that rejected NPT while they want India into a semi-NPT regime as a Non-weapons state.
I hope that the Indian Parliament pass a bill that protects our national interests on the nuclear knowhow. This will ensure that the future governments of India will not yield to the future residents of the white house.
The IAEA is a specialized agency that works under U.N. auspices. India wants to be a permanent member of the Security Council. In this context, will not reluctance to adhere IAEA principles to the fullest possible extent be contradictory?
The entire episode reminds me of the saying, "If you give a mouse a cookie he's gonna want a glass of milk". And it suits both the parties.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
Political mindset
Political (in)action plays a dirty and down rotten role in each and every aspect of an average Indian's life. Right from educational reservation to railway reservation, political interference has become a way of life. Political parties always put them first before anyone and do not shun the so called "unworthy" amongst them.
Very long ago did the central government come up with a plan to modernize metro airports. Chennai airport modernization is dangling up in the air and political interference is dragging its feet. And do not get me started on SEZs, Metro rail and water desalination plant projects.
The parliament and legislature is becoming a battle ground to prove who is the loudest! To my knowledge the Indian parliament is the most famous legislature in the world that keeps amending its constitution. A constitutional amendment is considered a tool to suppress judicial interference. Not long ago did the PM asked the judiciary not to cross the line. And the judiciary started the debate by mentioning that mild altercations between them is a good sign for a healthy democracy.
The constitution is a mere scrapbook for the legislature while the executive hides behind it. The judiciary considers the constitution as supreme and wants everyone to respect it in word and spirit.
Unfortunately the legislature with its money and muscle power has always projected itself as the most supreme. The executive unfortunately toes its line and the judiciary is a hapless branch of the government that tries to resolve disputes.
The legislature has the say on who gets to stay in the executive and also in the judiciary. Then why in the world did the PM ask judiciary to respect the thin demarcation.
All I can think of is that "there is a narrow line between sanity and insanity". And the legislature should know it better. Because they are the most powerful and it is an open secret.
Very long ago did the central government come up with a plan to modernize metro airports. Chennai airport modernization is dangling up in the air and political interference is dragging its feet. And do not get me started on SEZs, Metro rail and water desalination plant projects.
The parliament and legislature is becoming a battle ground to prove who is the loudest! To my knowledge the Indian parliament is the most famous legislature in the world that keeps amending its constitution. A constitutional amendment is considered a tool to suppress judicial interference. Not long ago did the PM asked the judiciary not to cross the line. And the judiciary started the debate by mentioning that mild altercations between them is a good sign for a healthy democracy.
The constitution is a mere scrapbook for the legislature while the executive hides behind it. The judiciary considers the constitution as supreme and wants everyone to respect it in word and spirit.
Unfortunately the legislature with its money and muscle power has always projected itself as the most supreme. The executive unfortunately toes its line and the judiciary is a hapless branch of the government that tries to resolve disputes.
The legislature has the say on who gets to stay in the executive and also in the judiciary. Then why in the world did the PM ask judiciary to respect the thin demarcation.
All I can think of is that "there is a narrow line between sanity and insanity". And the legislature should know it better. Because they are the most powerful and it is an open secret.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Mozhi
After a very long time I had the opportunity to watch a decent movie. Somehow, Jo's role did not impress me. Jo being a hearing & speech challenged person, I failed to appreciate the acting and I did not connect the dots. Somehow, I compared Mozhi with the movie Anjali, which depicted an event in an apartment complex. I connected Shamli with Jo. Janakaraj with the chinna pappa periya pappa guy and his wife with Pasi sathya. Jo's paati with Revathi. The hero with raghuvaran, Swarnamalya with Charanya. And lot more. It was fun for me. I am sure I have few takers on this.
I enjoyed the movie because it did not have the usual masala which is part and parcel of any Kollywood movies. But somehow there is no impact, not even a review of the story.
The last Tuesday I saw an episode in "Law and Order - Criminal Intent" which hit me like a freight train. The story line is subtle, people who could neither hear nor speak, do not want a chance to correct their inwardness.
All of a sudden it was surreal and it all made sense. I connected the artists with my cousin brother who is 10 and is born speech and hearing challenged. Nevertheless to mention that he gives a rats ass to his so called "impairment". Sometimes he feels lonely even in a crowd. We tried to cheer him which he did not appreciate. I haven't seen him cry. I haven't seen him without a notebook and a pen. I haven't seen him in a room that did not have a blaring TV. I haven't seen him down. When asked what he wanted the most for his birthday, he signaled a video game.
Each and every act in the series reminded me of him. I was worried about him and his future. Law and Order CI made sense but I still couldn't connect Jo's role with him. And I couldn't explain this to myself and I don't know why?
I enjoyed the movie because it did not have the usual masala which is part and parcel of any Kollywood movies. But somehow there is no impact, not even a review of the story.
The last Tuesday I saw an episode in "Law and Order - Criminal Intent" which hit me like a freight train. The story line is subtle, people who could neither hear nor speak, do not want a chance to correct their inwardness.
All of a sudden it was surreal and it all made sense. I connected the artists with my cousin brother who is 10 and is born speech and hearing challenged. Nevertheless to mention that he gives a rats ass to his so called "impairment". Sometimes he feels lonely even in a crowd. We tried to cheer him which he did not appreciate. I haven't seen him cry. I haven't seen him without a notebook and a pen. I haven't seen him in a room that did not have a blaring TV. I haven't seen him down. When asked what he wanted the most for his birthday, he signaled a video game.
Each and every act in the series reminded me of him. I was worried about him and his future. Law and Order CI made sense but I still couldn't connect Jo's role with him. And I couldn't explain this to myself and I don't know why?
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