Category Archives: General

WTO Bali Meeting – India firm on Agricultural Subsidy

06 Friday Dec 2013

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It seems that India will be allowed to have the agricultural subsidy stand to continue. A report in the Times of India is reproduced below:
BALI: After four days of intense negotiations, World Trade Organization members are set to accept the government’s demand on food security that will protect India and other developing countries from penalties for breaching the domestic support cap of 10% of value of production. In return, the government agreed to a new agreement on trade facilitation, the first since WTO was set up nearly two decades ago, that will ease controls at ports and airports.

The endorsement of the draft ministerial remains a formality as trade ministers are set to approve plan after almost 24 hours of behind the scenes dialogue.

Nelson Mandela – the legend who changed the destiny of S.Africa and inspired crores of people all over the world.

06 Friday Dec 2013

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Nelson Mandela is no more. He passed away in the night of 5th December 2013 at the ripe age of 95 at his home. He was sick for some time. The entire world is mourning for him. A large number of Heads of States and statesmen will be present at his funeral. Condolence messages are reaching in hundreds to the S.African Government and his relatives.
Who is this Nelson Mandela? Why the entire world is mourning on the death of this old man?

The democratic movement all over the world had observed “Nelson Mandela International Day” in honour of one of the greatest living legend whose 93rd birthday fell on 18th July 2011.
The history of South Africa for the last seven -eight decades is the historic struggle of Nelson Mandela and his comrades who fought against the British colonialism and the most heinous practice of apartheid. Nelson Mandela was in Robben Island prison for 27 years, denied of even the basis conveniences along with a number of leaders of the South African Congress.
The struggle for independence for South Africa has a different line from that of India. India continued the struggle on the basis of the non-violence line enunciated by Gandhiji. Gandhiji had started the same in South Africa when he was settled there as an Advocate. It continued till 1964 even after Gandhi had returned to India years ago. The attack on the agitators were so cruel and inhuman so that the SAC did not have any other choice but to adopt armed struggle against the colonial rulers. The SAC formed the military wing, and started armed struggle. The South African Communist Party was also with SAC in all the struggles. The British suppressed the same with all their military might. It was at that time that Nelson Mandela, the leader of SAC and others were put in inhuman prison in Robben Island. The struggle went on for decades. The entire world denounced the cruelty of the British. At last British Government was compelled to grant freedom and South Africa became an independent nation. Nelson Mandela was elected as its first President.
During my visit to Johannesburg to attend the Trade Union International conference I had the chance to meet the South African comrades and discuss about their struggle and the present situation. Nelson Mandela, even after he has retired from public life is considered as the force behind the nation and is almost worshipped. He is the Father of the S.Africa as Gandhiji is the Father of the Indian nation.He gave the nation its dignity and a position among the world nations.

“You can have all the wealth, all the riches in the world, but it would not mean anything without dignity, which is the most important thing in the world. Apartheid robbed our people of dignity and our biggest achievement is that, after 300 years of suppression, we have won dignity for the people.” so said Ahmad Kathrada, leader of SAC and co-prisoner of Nelson Mandela in Robben Island. And Nelson Mandela lead that struggle, which gave dignity and self respect to S.African people and the toiling masses all over the world.

Nelson Mandela was a legend while living and will continue as a legend after death also. My respectful homage and Red Salute to the Great Nelson Mandela!

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51 crore Aadhar issued

06 Friday Dec 2013

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The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is reported to have issued Aadhar cards to 51 crore people so far. It, in fact, means that US Intelligence has got the full confidential and vital details of 51 crore people of India. (Please see the post published yesterday on the matter).
The issue of Aadhar started in September 2010. At present 14 lakh cards are being issued every day. According to UIDAI about 75% people in many states are being covered.
Despite Supreme Court Orders that the Aadhar can not be taken as the authority for granting subsidies etc. the government is moving fast with the programme. The fact that the connection with the US company in which Pentagon has got much influence and share is also known to government.
The government should immediately stop the agreement with the US company which has got close connection with the Pentagon to ensure that the secret informations are not passed to US State Intelligence.

21 years after Demolition of Babri Masjid

05 Thursday Dec 2013

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One of the most heinous act in the country was enacted 21 years back in the city of Ayodhya by the RSS and Hindu communalists which resulted in a chain of reaction causing death of hundreds of people of both Hindu and Muslims through communal violence.
Yes, it was on 6th December 1992, that the Babri Masjid was demolished by the RSS karsevaks numbering more than one lakh mobilised in a pre-planned manner. It was in the presence of the top BJP leadership and the latter could have stopped the crime, but they were part of it. Both the central and state government also failed to stop it despite prior information.

Such incidents destroy communal harmony as also creates communal divide. Not only let us hope that such incidents are stopped in future but also make all out efforts to restore communal harmony in the country.

Left will raise crucial issues in the winter session of Parliament

05 Thursday Dec 2013

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Left parties would try to corner
the government by raising issues like price rise, growing
unemployment and corruption scandals in the winter session of
Parliament.

Left sources said their leaders have already submitted an
adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha to raise a discussion on
price rise to attack the government.

Exuding confidence that other opposition parties would
also join them in raising the demand for discussion on rising
inflationary graph, they said CPI(M), CPI, Forward Bloc and
RSP planned to corner the Congress-led coalition by raking up
the issue of hike in prices of essential commodities – ranging from onions to salt, besides petroleum products.

Another crucial item on the Left agenda is the report of
the Joint Parliamentary Committee on 2G spectrum scam, which,
these parties claim, was incomplete. By refusing to call Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P Chidambaram for questioning in connection with the probe, JPC chairman P C Chacko had omitted a crucial aspect of the inquiry into the 2G scam, the Left parties have maintained.

They are also likely to join other opposition parties in
raising corruption scandals like the CWG and coal scams, the
sources said.

The Left parties would also seek a discussion on the
ongoing Bali meeting of the WTO on food security issue, saying the interests of Indian farmers should not be compromised to benefit developed countries under any circumstances.

Accord on Iran – What is the impact on India

05 Thursday Dec 2013

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The Accord on Iran at the UN level is one of the welcome news at the international level. The issue of nuclear enrichment by Iran was made a big issue by the US and other imperialist countries and they wanted attack on Iran on some plea just like they have done in the case of Afghanistan and Iraq. Their effort to make attack on Syria could not fully succeed. And the main target was Iraq, which is the eye-sore for Israel and A.Arabia, the close allies of US.
In these circumstances, the agreement between Iraq and the five permanent members of the UN viz. US,Russia, China, France and Britain plus Germany, though for a temporary period is welcome. It may bring a turn about for a lasting agreement later.
This accord will benefit India to restore its oil purchase from Iran, which was reduced to 20% after the blockade on Iran oil by the US. It will also repair the relations between the two countries, which was adversely affected after India voted against Iran in the UN.

The Parliament Starts today

05 Thursday Dec 2013

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The Winter session of the Parliament starts today, 5th and will end on 20th December 2013. Many bills are proposed to be moved.
The results of the 5 state assembly elections will have its reverberation in the Parliament also.
The opposition has already demanded extension of the session for conducting the process effectively.
While posting this, the report has come that the Parliament has been postponed after obituary references. One more day less for the discussions.

Nelson Mandela – the real fighter

04 Wednesday Dec 2013

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Nelson Mandela, a living legend against apartheid and a fighter in his entire life and the first black President of S.Africa is struggling for his life. He was in hospital for about three months after which he was brought home continuing the treatment. Though his condition is deteriorating, his courageous struggle to live is even surprising his family members.
The entire world is wishing an early recovery for the 95 year Nelson Mandela!

Record voting in Delhi – Queue continues till 08.00 PM

04 Wednesday Dec 2013

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When myself and wife went for voting at 11.00 AM, there was no queue and the voting was over within minutes. I was actually doubtful what will be the % of voting in Delhi.
By afternoon the entire situation changed. Voters started coming and the queue started growing.
The time for the closure of the voting was 05.00 PM. But according to the Election Commission more than one lakh voters were waiting to vote. The Election Commission naturally issued direction that till all the persons in the queue voted, the voting will continue. Till 08.30 PM, the voting was going on.
This is a good trend for Delhi. Who will benefit is not the main question; it is that the voters have become more conscious of their rights.
This time Delhi has the highest record of voting in recent times. Is per the latest reports, there is a chance of reaching above 67%. It is wonderful. Congratulations to Delhi voters.

1984 Bhopal Gas Disaster – No one punished so far!

04 Wednesday Dec 2013

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It is 29 years since the world’s worst disaster, the leakage of gas from the Union Carbide Plant, happened on the night of 2-3 December 1984, which killed thousands of workers and maimed and injured much more. Cases were filed against Warren Anderson, Chairman of the Union Carbide, a MNC, and though he came to Bhopal to inspect the site of the accident, he was allowed to leave the country silently, with the tacit understanding between the state government and the Central Government. Not even a single person has been punished or jailed so far. Even the assistance given to the victims have been only very meager.

As in every year on the anniversary of the tragedy, this year also the victims and their organisations have observed the day as “Protest Day” and organised Demonstrations in Bhopal and also Delhi.

When the accused will be punished and the victims given justice?