Archive for September, 2009

The UN General Assembly

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

For the first time in my life, I got the chance to watch some world leaders delivering speeches in UN General Assembly. It was an opportunity that I cherished. It was a wonderful experience listening to Benjamin Netanyahu especially. Other speeches also like Hugo Chavez, Mahmoud Abbas, Muammar Gaddafi were very informative.

The world at the moment is reeling under tense times. The Economic Downturn is still around in some measures. Afghanistan and Iraq still remain far from stable. US and China interdependence is leading to increase in China’s illegitimate influence in African Oil rich nations and in turn strengthening China and increasing headache for India. The perennial headache of Pakistan still poses a grave threat to national security of India like 26/11 attacks in Mumbai and unstable governments in Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar contribute to the rapidly deteriorating stability of the region. Africa as usual is reeling under its heap of dictators and Europe is entangled with USA in Afghan-Iraq wars and Economic Downturn. Russia is still struggling with economy and instablity of the Caucasian region. Australia is dogged by racism and economic downturn as well as mining company dispute with China. South America has its share of problems with some Communist leaders always at conflict with USA and Swine Flue along with the Narcotic wars. Middle east remains the point of attraction though, with USA at war in two major countries, Israel-Palestine conflict and Iranian rebel heroics with Nuclear Energy, with a ripple of instability after elections in Iran has made the entire situation worse. This all made sure that the UN General Assembly was going to be one interesting meet and it fulfilled its promises.

Hugo Chavez in his characteristic speeches spilled venom about US policies. Maahmoud Ahmedinejad went full on with claiming the Holocaust as a lie and stressing that Iran will do what it wants to do. Then came the real interesting bit, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi broke all the speech records with 96-minutes speech while breaching the protocol and exposing his inability to understand the Global Questions. His funny suggestions included Independence to Kashmir and making it as a buffer region between India and Pakistan. One of his amazing inventions was that India is in some way responsible for deteriorating situation in Somalia.

But, Benjamin Netanyahu stole the show with his awesomely well drafted and astonishingly well punctuated and executed speech in English. He simply rocked with his composed stature. I personally do not agree to many of his views and for that matter many of Israel’s policies. But, if I were to select the best speech of the General Assembly it would be of Netanyahu (Though I didn’t listen to many speeches, I don’t think any other could beat this). He refuted Ahmadinejad’s claims of Holocaust denial with Paper proofs that he brought from Germany. He dismissed Iranian government by calling them Iranian Tyrants. He simply called the speech as shameless and also termed those who gave it a hearing as shameless. He slowly established Israel’s achievements and sufferings and how Israel was always mistreated by Arabs and then defended Israeli offensive against Palestinians. He refuted United Nations Human Rights Council’s report and called it biased. He compared the Gaza rockets to German bombings of World war. He was all over the place. He touched every point regarding Israel. It doesn’t matter he was right or wrong, he stood there in complete support of Israel’s policies, it didn’t matter if some policies were of the Government before him. Even the Palestinian bench gave his speech a hearing for almost 70% of the time then they walked off in protest.

In contrary Mahmoud Abbas’s speech though very informative and sounding truthful, lacked the fervour and it only showed the helplessness of the West Bank Palestinians without the support from their Extremist Gaza brothers.

I couldn’t hear Pakistani Speech, but no major news channel gave it any importance and thus probably it didn’t matter much. Also, no international media gave any big mention to S.M Krishna’s speech for India, but I happened to read its excerpts online. I read that he urged the World Community to help bring the 26/11 perpetrators to justice. If this is what he said, I must say this is ridiculous.

India calls itself emerging superpower and it couldn’t even stand up for itself on World Stage. There was one attack on USA and Afghanistan and Iraq are still burning. I am not comparing USA and India, but just look at the responses. USA didn’t have any proof, neither were they needed to show it to the World, they just did what they had to, to bring the perpetrators to justice. Here, we have for the first time in Mujahideen history, caught a Mujahideen alive, we have his testimony(though we have made a National Sensation out of him). We have all the call records, proofs that even FBI acknowledges, we have FBI giving a deposition in our court and still, we urge the International Community to help us. Why I mean, why can’t we be firm, since we have some strings of World economy moving on our terms. It just shows our inherent low self esteem. This would cost us dear in near future. Look at Israel, being such a small country in such a hostile neighbourhood, they still manage to hold their own. Though, some may claim they are protected by US, but even Pakistan is protected by US. Like Israel, Pakistan also has nuclear weapons (which it has proliferated to other hostile countries for money{Read more here}). Everyone can see, where is Pakistan and look where is Israel. That proves it doesn’t matter what you have, what matters is what you do with it. India has everything to make it big, it just falls short of doing.

P.S. : World’s 20 biggest Economic Powers met at G20 Pittsburgh summit, which had a lot of importance for India and it overall went well as India did well with holding its own. Bu, amusing was the next similar style event hosted by eternal rebel Hugo Chavez. He held a summit of important African and South American nations to discuss their prospects. Interestingly, Brasil attended also the G20. Though, I am all praises for Chavez for his this kind of initiative.

I Also saw Robert Mugabe’s interview with Chritiane Amanpour and was amused by his constant answer of “because of US Sanctions”, this made me remember Pakistan’s perennial answer of “because of India”.

Note : I saw all the speeches on TV. I am clarifying this just because, I read the post and it doesnt mention where I saw the Gen. Assembly. Though, I saw the Gen. Assembly for the first time in my life.

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A.Q. Khan, Pakistan and Lies

Friday, September 25th, 2009

The day before yesterday, in a sensational revelation, Mr. Simon Henderson, a journalist revealed a secret letter from A.Q. Khan, the infamous Pakistani Scientist cum Nuke agent, written to his wife. The letter reveals some sensational yet predictable facts about Pakistani Nuclear Proliferation Nexus. Pakistan’s lies are out in open.
The letter though written to his wife was made to reach Henderson by Mr. Khan himself, then fearing that someday he will be made a scapegoat; which he is eventually been made. The letter reveals how Pakistan bartered Uranium Enrichment secrets for Nuclear Bomb Blueprints with China. How it sold the Nuclear secrets to N.Korea and Iran on directions from several Pakistani leaders holding office at respective times, including the “Martyr”ed “Peace Ambassador” Benazir Bhutto and The man “In the line of Fire” Pervez Musharraf. The letter even has many entertaining details about A.Q. Khan’s conversations with Chinese scientists and others.
It also hoaxes the claims of Six Nuke tests by Pakistan, which was declared to gain upper hand on India as India had made five tests. World agencies have been long claiming to have recorded only two signals.
Thought the credibility of the letter will be denied by Pakistan and the support for that is also stated by Mr. Henderson, which is the agreement signed by A.Q. Khan with the Pakistani court before acquitting him of charges. (The details can be read in the link here.)
But all said and done, is this going to anyway lead to punishment of the guilty parties? The answer is an overwhelming No. USA cannot sacrifice its “War on Terror(Against US ONLY)” by punishing Pakistan. It also cannot hurt China, since it is China who is holding the US economy. And no other nation can excluding Russia would take on China and consequently Pakistan gets immunity. Russia will not interfere since it usually doesn’t interfere unless the calamity has a potential to reach its boundaries and moreover, Russian economy is hurt and needs support both from USA and China to rebuild it. The entire system of interlocks results into a dangerous stalemate, which does nothing but encourage Pakistan to continue its fraudulent activities, with pretending to fight Taliban and extorting money from hapless USA and spending it on Military strengthening for Holy War against India.
The biggest sufferer has been and will be India. India gets No or Zero support on its pleas for terror in India. Pakistanis and Pakistan bound terrorists have been clever enough to keep the distance between militant outfits working globally and their India bound franchise. That way, the India bound franchise does not face problems from USA and Global outfits have immunity from Pakistan government with fake wars here and there. The everyday claims of success are nothing but a hoax, since every accomplishment is accompanied by an announcement of requirement of funds for further “Fight against terror(Against USA ONLY)”.
India has to strengthen its inner power. We need to be united for that. That needs development and development in turn needs widespread education and political awareness. In a country where a candidate gets a vote because he or she is a fourth generation of some great leader, this seems a distant and an almost impossible dream. But, you know what, impossible is spelled – I m possible!

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Liberties and Duties!

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

Once again, there is a news which has compelled me to write. This news states IB(Intelligence Bureau) warning. Interestingly enough, this news was not given much of vehemence anywhere. IB has warned the government of usage of VoIP services in India by terrorists and thus have advised the government to place a tracking system. But since it is not possible to place a tracking system overnight. They have advised to temporarily shut the services down. This kind of tracking is existent in many countries and thus it seems completely practicable (some tech people I know do think otherwise).

But the major argument that began was, why to target the internet, while there are so many loopholes elsewhere? This question is wonderfully silly in itself. It is like asking why my passport is verified at the airport, while actual terrorists do pass by? Or why my address verification is necessary for passport, when Abu Salem gets so many fake passports?

The logic behind this is to seal as many loopholes as possible. There is no point in creating hullabaloo about personal freedom and freedom of internet(like one of my techie friend pointed out, that this is killing the very purpose of internet). I don’t know why, but nowadays by listening to Westerners and reading their books and watching their films, news etc. there is a new breed of liberals in India. This breed of liberals has their value systems borrowed from West. They are poetic in their views. Fair enough. You can have your own values. But dudes, value systems whatsoever they can be, should not be an hurdle in National Interests.

The basic problem with these liberals is they are lost in transition. They have convinced themselves of certain things. And they yell and shout at everything that they have been programmed themselves for. For instance, they would shout for freedom of expression when there is any talk of censorship, even in case of mindless coverage of 26/11. They would call Aamir Khan’s cheap publicity stunts at the time of “Fanaa” as his Social Sensitivity. And the list would go on. OK, I have nothing against asking for freedom or neither am I leftist (I mean Communist – not “Left-Liberal”). But guys, have you read our constitution? Out constitution not only states rights, but also our national duties. It is the combination of both that makes you an ideal citizen. Shouting day and night for freedoms but not being ready for any sacrifices isn’t the way forward. The Westerners whom you try to copy fulfill almost all their duties for their country and then they shout for their freedoms. They follow their basic civic roles before calling for silly freedoms such as freedom of being topless for women.

Arguing just for the sake of arguing isn’t a symbol of proactive citizen. Understand and then debate over it. Shutting down of services doesn’t mean loss of connectivity forever. Shouting in the name of Red Tapism is very easy, but understanding the grave threat is even easier. Dubbing IB as dumb, citing previous incidences isn’t going to reduce the threats. We have no right to put hundreds of lives at stake for our definitions of freedom. Saying that the internet is a thing that can be used by good as well as bad is poetic and not practical. By this logic, we should open our airports and allow anyone to go and come. Its sounds very close to Ganghiji’s logic that even present day democracies are mild form of Fascism because all the people do not support Government. These all are Utopian. We live in an almost dystopian world.

Wake up guys, no need to create a fuss. Let us do our duty and let the government do theirs. Anyhow, its too early for me to say anything. As after this news, I haven’t heard of any development. This can be realized or not, also cannot be stated. But I am with IB on this, even though, I would personally be affected. And one thing, if you do not do anything, please don’t teach or evaluate others. IB must have some reason to propose such a measure. Try to understand and for Nation’s sake be ready to adjust if such a measure is indeed taken.

Note : No offenses meant for any of the Left-Liberal or just Liberal guys. All the points stated are just my viewpoints. India indeed gives you freedom to be whatever you want to be. But remember, freedom can be enjoyed, only if India stands.

P.S. : A change in the title of the blog. My name is incomplete without my Father’s name.

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Hotel Jail Meridien

Friday, September 18th, 2009

This interesting news has struck me hard. Really hard. Criminals convicted in 1993 Mumbai Bomb Blasts had filed a case in Mumbai High Court against the Jail Administration for not providing them with Non Vegeterian food in Jail Canteen.

I was awestruck. But, after finishing reading this when I learnt that the Honourable Court had ruled in the favour of criminals and ordered the Jail Administration to revise their Menu, I almost fell off my chair.

What I perceived from the story was as follows.

In our Jails, different treatment is meted out to Foreigners. Reason : They are not habituated to Roti-Sabji and Dal-Chawal, as per a report submitted by Jail Nutritionists and thus the forigners are given different food. Now, on this basis, the Criminals are arguing, since they are not habituated to eating Vegeterian much they should be given the food as per their tastes. Fair enough.

What I fail to understand is, why are people sent to Jail in first place? Isn’t putting in Jail is supposed to be a punishment? Isn’t this punishment supposed to be some grave offenses, which do not come under category of spilling the food on carpet or pulling hair of classmates? What is the basic reason for confining someone under the law?

To deprive one of his own choices is the basic reason for putting in Jail, is what I think. When someone is forced to act on someone else’s directions, it is the biggest punishment of all. Jail is supposed to be that. Your movements are restricted. Your eating times are restricted. Sometimes, even your nature calls are put under supervision. Similarly, it has to apply to choice of food too. Why the hell on this earth do we give Foreigner Prisoners different food? I don’t understand the reason. But, here the Human Rights angle comes in to play. And I must say, this is entirely far-fetched assumption that Foreigners have a right to their tastes. Taste and Habit, by any normal standard cannot be counted as the basic Human Rights. Just because we discriminated for Foreigners, the Jail Administration is humiliated at the hands of Merciless Bomb Blast Convicts. Veg-Non Veg issue is laughable, but it raises serious questions about our system. Tell me, who is going to pay for these guys’ tastes? We are paying for this all. We the tax-payers pay for this. Imagine, them- the ones who killed many of us – demanding Mutton and Chicken paid by our money.

Going by this case, there will be one day, when the Jail inmates would also want to get married and ask for allowing wife to be with them for certain days a week, since they are not habituated to living without their wives.

Our entire system is known for its making mockery of everything serious. We give so many facilities to political leaders in prison, that he won’t even get on an official visit. We make a National Sensation out of Mass Killer Ajmal Amir Kasab. We make even death sentence equivalent to Rationing, by having 22 mercy pleas pending at President’s table and moreover, our ministers feel proud announcing it in front of nationwide media. This is just one more feather to our cap.

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Second Coming

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

No. I am not talking about the sensational “Apocalypse” and “Second Coming of Jesus”. I have just given title for my, mere mortal’s return to blogosphere. But my thinking of giving this name to my first blog post coincided with “nth Coming” of Hindu-Muslim tensions.
The incident happens to be from Miraj a small district in Maharashtra. One Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandal prepared a temporary welcome arch which depicted “Great Hindu King Shivaji Maharaj” killing erstwhile Mughal Knight Afzal Khan, who ironically had arranged for a meeting of peace with a hidden intention of trapping Shivaji and killing him. This history is well known and accepted across entire Maharashtra state. But seemingly, the overtly religious minds, who I don’t know why always seem to find national pride at fault with their religious beliefs, found this insulting. The story took a new turn here, as the elections are upcoming, the administrative bodies were quick to react to these ‘hurt sentiments’. Administration, which itself had granted permission, withdrew the permission and asked the organisers to remove the controversial art. I don’t know how, this completely factful depiction is insulting, whereas M.F.Hussain’s fictional depictions of “Hindu Gods and Godesses” is artistic. Anyways, the crux of the story lies further, as the organisers declined, “hurt sentiments’ started settling the score with attacking different “Ganesh Mandals” and damaging Ganesh statues. This was enough to ignite the already disturbed society. Quick rioting followed.
Further to this, there are curfews in different locations and this incident is accompanied by an incident in suburban Mumbai, where Ganesh Visarjan Palkhi was faced with stoning, while travelling from outside of a mosque. The reason given was it was disturbing people inside Mosques. I don’t know what the real reason was, but if this was the reason presented, then this is intolerence of its highest level.
I smell political hands in both these incidents though, simply because, election is so close. I don’t know how but this is really dangerous. Now there are reports of Masjids being attacked at some places. Looking at such consequences of a trivial matter shows the highest level of distrust, suspicion and intolerence among the citizens of our country. Putting up personal matters above national interests is making us crumble under most trivial of the circumstances. So imflammable is the situation that even few more of such incidences and we would break ourselves so much that enemies will just have to complete formalities of cremating us.
It’s difficult to understand the mentality of leaders of our nation. Really difficult. I won’t take sides, really I am trying hard. The only reason I am mentioning this on my personal blog is these incidents really shook me from within.
Some highlights – International Boxing Event is going on in Milan and all the boxers are staying in the same hotel as me. Indian team is in the next building. I have met with the coaches and yet to meet the entire team. Hope to meet them all this weekend.

Signing off for now.

I hope to keep up the momentum.

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Sorry! Not again!

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

Sorry guys for doing this over and over again. I cut all ties with my previous blog and started a new one. But the new one too did not last long. My mind was fluctuating like anything during past few months. I have went through a lot of thinking, thinking and thinking. Now, I guess I am opening up a bit. Some ideas seem clearer. I hope the gloom will vanish soon. So, here I am starting afresh. This time I won’t let down. The blog will not stop and no cutting ties this time around.

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