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EDITORIAL There is the imperative need of evolving joint strategy as regards tackling terrorism that afflicts both India & Israel. To be precise, Israel happens to be the country that has faced terrorism of worst type long before it hit this country. One tends to appreciate the manner in which a small country of just around 4 million people i.e. one third the population of Delhi has accepted ......more President K R Narayanan has asked Indian film makers to produce films that help contain violence while promoting social and cultural values. Cinema is a very powerful medium that has the capacity to ....more |
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Sri Lanka: Sympathy wave
reinstates Kumaratunga Hijacking : The Nepal
angle Punjab : A Village By Madhu Gurung |
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EDITORIAL There is the imperative need of evolving joint strategy as regards tackling terrorism that afflicts both India & Israel. To be precise, Israel happens to be the country that has faced terrorism of worst type long before it hit this country. One tends to appreciate the manner in which a small country of just around 4 million people i.e. one third the population of Delhi has accepted the challenge of those sponsoring terrorism and taken the fight right inside their territory. The success story has a long list of lessons that can be emulated by not only India but all those countries that are exposed to Pan-Islamic terrorism. It is to be seen that the first principle adopted by Israel is copy-book of what Mao Tse Tang enunciated in his famous book which reads thus, "Power grows out of the barrel of the gun". The second principle enunciated by the ideologue is to ‘Roar in the East but Strike in the West’. In layman's language it connotes element of surprise that should invariably be the prerogative of the country facing terrorism in its worst form. These two principles provide the launching pad of logging one success after another both in term of regular war as also for neutralising the guerrilla war let loose by many Pan-Islamic terrorists sponsored by some Gulf countries and Pakistan. In addition to what Mao Tse Tang enunciated, Israel has been quick to punish the enemy even if it means attacking bases in other sovereign countries. Lebanon which is the base of many guerrilla outfits notably Hizbullah has been the daily target of Israeli bombers as also artillery fire. Israel has not allowed them any respite for regrouping and attacking Israeli interests. This means taking the fight right into enemy's territory so that not only their training centres are destroyed but the countries that sponsor them or provide sanctuaries for terrorist activities are also punished. Yet another principle adopted by Israel is to capture vantage position and then go about talking from a position of strength. This is so in the case of Palestine. This also is the theme while negotiating with Syria where Israel occupies Golan heights captured during war with Gulf countries, including Egypt. They vacated Sinai desert in return for permanent peace with Egypt. It has clicked well for decades. It is a very sorry commentry on all the successive rulers at the centre and in the State which have frittered away the advantage gained in successive wars and surrendered the vital initiatives in the ongoing proxy war in J&K and insurgency in North eastern States. Punjab is an exception where the password was pro-active and single-minded pursuit which did bring the terrorism to an end although its sponsor is the same as those spearheading insurgency in Jammu & Kashmir and elsewhere. State sponsored terrorism is best countered by the victim-sponsored counter-insurgency. In J&K near normalcy was restored by 1995-96 precisely through counter-insurgency measures which in turn also reflect pro-active policy. Ever since all the initiatives thus gained have since been surrendered in terms of a very poor reactive policy which explains spurt in insurgency. It is apt to recall when American Cruise Missiles were fired on Osama bin Laden's terrorist training camps in Afghanistan, American policy makers were quick to warn India not to follow similar prescription for finishing the transborder terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir. Unfortunately, India obeyed. Again, during Kargil war, America warned India not to cross LoC or open other fronts to curtail Pak pressure in Kargil. Militarily, such counter attack was indispensable. But ruling clan as usual let the opportunity slip. In this context one also refers to the policy statement of Bill Clinton wherein he vows to hit hard the terrorist anywhere in the world as also the countries who sponsor or facilitate their terrorist acts. It is the same thing what Israel has been practising all these years. But both America and Israel do it for protecting their respective citizens and interests. It is precisely lack of this vision and clear perspective guided by inhibitive approach and pusillanimity that India faces the prospects of accelerated terrorism not only in J&K but all over the country because aim of Pakistan is not to annex Kashmir but to balkanise India, weaken it so much as to be browbeaten by miniscule nations. True, India succeeded in evicting Pak intruders from Kargil. But it was an eviction from our territory which is not enough to punish the enemy. To make any such exercise meaningful, it is essential to take the war right inside enemy's territory irrespective of the prospects of its escalation. You can't allow Pakistan which is one-seventh of the size of India population-wise and territory-wise to sponsor, accelerate and openly support terrorism let loose in J&K and other parts. In ultimate analysis, India must emulate historical lessons asto how big and small nations deal with terrorists and bandits on the pay roll of foreign countries. Like China sends such detractors to the noose, like Russia which has gone full-throttle to eliminate terrorists in Chechenya, like America which fired cruise missiles in Afghanistan, like Israel that earns universal acclaim as a very small nation creating mass fear amongst bigger nations that sponsor terrorism or make any attempt to contain Israel. India has to learn a lot from Israel. Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh during his ensuing visit to Israel must give concrete shape to some sort of Joint Strategy to combat terrorism that threatens both nations alike. The range and scope of such cooperation is unlimited. President K R Narayanan has asked Indian film makers to produce films that help contain violence while promoting social and cultural values. Cinema is a very powerful medium that has the capacity to check rapid debasement and preserve values cherished by this country. What he has mind is an advice to the film makers to avoid making films that tend to promote violence and the resultant evils. There is no denying the fact that terror, horror and violence has been the maximum box office earner during the decade. This trend was indeed sought to be reversed by some film makers when they produced films like Hum Aapke Hain Kaun or Dil Wale Dulhaniya Le Jainge. Barring these two, others who tried similar themes and ventures turned out to be box office disasters. Even a film like Taal could just scrape through without losses. Cinema is strictly a commercial venture and producers and financiers refuse to bet on value-based films. There was time when film with rich music ruled the roost as also having maximum number of songs like Dil Lagi, Barsaat, Awara, Anmol Ghari and Kismat. The tragedenes stole the show. Then it was the love-themes with heavy treat of music like Love in Tokyo. There was also the time when detective stories hogged the lime-light. And then it was the turn of admixture of love, violence, humour which remained popular themes and good box office hits like Johny Mera Naam. But by far the longest stint which shows no sign of abatement or change relates to films depicting mass violence and horror having a blend of terror. Unless cineviewers opt for soft, culture and value based films, there is very little prospect of violent films withdrawing so abjectly. It was low-tech violence earlier that has now got transformed into high-tech terror. It obviously affects the adolescent minds but it also conveys a message to the ruling clans which invariably are depicted in villainous role as masterminds of injustice, terror and goondaism. |
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Sri
Lanka: Sympathy wave reinstates Kumaratunga Undeterred by the bomb blasts and dastardly attempt on Chandrika Kumaratunga's life on the eve of Presidential elections, Sri Lanka went to polls with the hope that peace will return in the Island state in the new millennium. Despite threats and violence in many parts of Sri Lanka on the eve of elections, polling went ahead as per schedule and turn-out of more than 70 per cent is a tribute to the people's faith in democracy. Sri Lankans have given a clear mandate Kumaratunga for the second term to enable her to forge consensus on measures to end ethnic conflict that is acceptable to both, minority Tamils and majority Sinhalese. The core issues in the elections, as in the past, was ethnic conflict as Tamils have been fighting for more powers and regional autonomy. The militant organisation, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has been waging armed struggle for a separate homeland for Tamils which is not acceptable to majority Sinhalese. In November 1994, Kumaratunga was elected President on a mandate to resolve the ethnic crisis. She secured wide support of Tamils, but her efforts in five years did not produce concrete results. She ordered military action against LTTE strongholds. The army captured some areas including Jaffna peninsula but it added to the woes of Tamil people. Tamils faced several restrictions, they ran from one area to another as refugees and lost hope in Kumaratunga's ability to restore peace. On the other hand LTTE launched fresh attacks on the army and recaptured areas depriving President Kumaratunga of main plank that army opertion had been successful. In November, barely a few weeks before elections, LTTE launched fresh offensive code-named 'Operation Ceaseless Waves III' and captured from Oddusudan in the Eastern part of Mankulam, a crucial town on highway that links Northern Jaffna Peninsula to the rest of the island and several towns on Western flank of the Vanni. The Sri Lankan army was stunned at this sudden loss of territory gained through two years of sustained military campaign. Two Army offices, one Brigadier and one Major General, were suspended for the debacle. In the December 21 elections, 13 candidates, an all-time record, were in the fray, though main contest was between Chandrika Kumaratunga of People's Alliance and Ranil Wickremesinghe of opposition United National Party (UNP). Sri Lanka witnessed a bitter and acrimonius campaign. Kumaratunga had to face with the unenviable task of explaining her failure in ending ethnic conflict. The devolution proposals worked out by the People's Alliance Government were the most far-reaching peace-package offered by any Government so far, but Kumaratunga failed in working out consensus with main opposition UNP. She had only one vote majority in Parliament. She blamed UNP on one hand and LTTE on other hand for festering ethnic crisis and decided to seek fresh mandate with the hope of winning more seats so that her package get Parliamentary approval. Wickremesinghe's campaign largely concentrated on Kumaratunga's broken promises. To resolve the ethnic crisis, Wickremesinghe said he would neither set a deadline nor get involved in debate over the issue, but would take practical steps to end the troubles in the North. The steps, he said, would include involvement of LTTE in a negotiated settlement. UNP aimed at attracting Tamils who were disenchanted with the People's Alliance and allaying fears of separation among Sinhalese. Kumaratunga accused Wickremesinghe of conspiring with LTTE and said his proposals would lead to a division of Sri Lanka. Another factor in the elections which made Tamils indifferent towards Kumaratunga was the statement of LTTE chief V. Prabhakaran describing her as the 'worst enemy' of Tamil people. In his customary Heroes' Day address on November 27, he said we do not trust Chandrika and there was no alternative to a separate Eelam. Tamils were warned that if they went to vote, they will be killed. Violence is not a new phenomenon in Sri Lanka. LTTE has been resorting to savage methods. President R. Premadasa was assassinated by a suicide bomber on May 1, 1993. In 1998, Jaffna Mayor Sarojni Yogeswaran was killed by LTTE. The bid on life of Kumaratunga on December 19 when she ended her campaign was not a surprise. Government feared this type of attack and had made security arrangements, but still a human bomb reached near made and exploded. It was a miraculous escape for her. She escaped with a injury on her nose and addressed the nation from a hospital bed. The violent incident no doubt created sympathy for her and the projected neck-to-neck race with Wickremesinghe turned the scales heavily in her favour. Kumaratunga won the second-term with margin of more than 800,000 votes over her rival. Kumaratunga got 4.2 million votes whereas Wickremesinghe got 3.6 million out of the total 8.6 million votes. However, Kumaratunga's victory with 51.12 per cent votes is less impressive when compared to her 1994 victory with 62 per cent votes. The reason for loss of support is not difficult to cite. As predicted, Tamils in North have not favoured her in same strength as they did in 1994. District-wise analysis of votes indicates that Kumaratunga's victory is largely based on support from majority Sinhala - dominated areas. Barring Jaffna peninsula, which is under army control, Tamils have largely favoured Wickremesinghe. In Batticaloa, Kumaratunga secured 34.66 per cent of votes whereas Wickremesinghe got 61.19 per cent of votes. In Triomalee district, Wickremesinghe got 50.25 per cent of the votes whereas only 44.96 per cent favoured Kumaratunga. The only district in the North-east which polled more vote for Kumaratunga was Digamadulla. In Jaffna, Kumaratunga won 46 per cent votes whereas Wickremesinghe got 48 per cent in a neck-to-neck race. In Colombo also, in areas where Tamils live in large number Wickremesinghe was ahead of Kumaratunga. This indicates polarisation of votes on ethnic basis. Despite all this, Kumaratunga victory in Presidential poll is a landmark in political history of Sri Lanka. Inspite of attempt on her life, Kumaratunga has shown remarkable courage and statesmanship. On her assuming as President for the second-term, she has vowed to work for peace and asked Tamils to pursuade LTTE to join negotiations for sorting out problems. She has also invited Wickramsinghe to join hands in finding solution to the ethnic problems and in building Sri Lanka into a great nation. Let us hope that Kumaratunga will lose no time in resuming her efforts to bring peace in the strife-torn country and create confidence in both, the minorities as well as the majority, so that they join hands to brighten their and Sri Lanka's future. PTI Feature |
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Punjab : A Village Panchayat Fights Foeticide By Madhu Gurung Begowal, some 24 kms from bus-tling Ludhiana, the brown wa-ters of a canal crawl under a green canopy of trees. The splashing happy sounds of the water-wheel make music. The road ahead is lined with Ashoka trees and bushes of magenta hibiscus. The golden sunflower fields that lie beyond make you feel you have reached a picnic spot. Only, it's Begowal. Begowal is a village in Punjab that is making history because of the unique vision of its progressive panchayat. Like other villages in this prosperous state, Begowal boasts of large whitewashed pucca houses and well-stocked shops. But unlike the average village, Begowal's streets are brick-lined, bordered by covered drains, and remarkably clean. No cattle roam around here splattering dung. They are all safely confined in scientifically designed corrugated-roof sheds. The dung goes to cemented tanks, to be converted into gobar gas. A garbage disposal system managed by the panchayat keeps the village sanitary. In 1993 when Rajvinder Singh Mangat, then in his early 30s, was elected the sarpanch, he had dreams for his village.Money was not a major problem, since 150-odd villagers are earning dollar incomes abroad. The government contributed its share. Mangat worked tirelessly to build roads and drains, set up a milk cooperative and veterinary clinic, a modern dispensary and ambulance service and even an air-conditioned panchayat ghar. A landscaped garden is currently coming up in the children's park. Mangat's vision did not stop at brick and stone. He told villagers that change should not stop at the dish antennas on their roofs or the telephones in their homes. He was able to inspire people to take a hard look at negative traditional attitudes. He appealed to them to give girl children a fair deal. Defying all social norms of a patriarchal society, the panchayat urged village women not to undergo ultrasound and abort girl babies. Begowal is perhaps the only village in Punjab to adopt a traditional method to combat the growing menace of modern science which is creating a demographic upset. The state with the highest per capita income, ironically has one of the lowest six ratios in the country. Punjab's sex ratio in the 1991 Census was only 888 females per 1000 males, whereas the All India sex ratio was 929 girls per 1000 males. While ultrasound clinics are springing up all over Punjab to enable sex detection followed by female foeticide, Begowal is boldly swimming against the tide. The 5000 inhabitants of Begowal are an example of a community's quest for change. In 1998, when Mangat's five-year tenure ended, his sister-in-law Rajinder Kaur took over as sarpanch. As the first woman sarpanch of the village, Kaur, who is a matriculate, has the daunting task of carrying the village with her on Mangat's path. "We issue this appeal every time the villagers gather. I am a woman myself. I have a daughter and I think the time has come for us to change the attitude that girls are a burden to the family", says Kaur. Like in most parts of northern India, the traditional attitude towards women in Punjabi society has always been negative. Historically, in the many wars that Punjab fought against intruders, women were seen as a liability as they had to be protected. A son was treasured as he meant one more man to fight and one more man to plough the fields. Long after the daughter married and went away, the son stayed on to look after his parents. In a country where no system of social security and insurance exists, sons are a lifetime's insurance against old age. The green revolution of the 1960s brought with it prosperity but also created a consumer-hungry society. Girls became even more of a liability. Dowry grew into a major burden for parents of girls, who had to pay a man to be protector and provider for their daughter. Says Manmohan Sharma, general secretary Voluntary Health Association of Punjab (VHAP), "Suicide of farmers in Punjab is a reality. The cause is not so much crop failure but the inability to repay debts incurred for a daughter's marriage". The yearning to have a son is also due to the possibility of being able to exploit greener pastures abroad. The VHAP says that there are roughly 1200 ultrasound clinics in Punjab and most of them are not registered. Dowry is the major reason why parents selectively abort girl babies. The technique of amniocentesis in the 1980s became a way to escape the dowry trap. But after the government banned its use by passing the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prevention and Misuse) Act, doctors switched to the non-invasive ultrasound method. Demographers expect the sex ratio in Punjab to decline further. The Census 2000 would definitely record the inverse sex ratio trend. The militancy of the '80s further fuelled the need for sons who could be cast in the traditional martial mould. Today, cutting across caste barriers and education levels, the son is still considered the much desired their. Begowal's panchayat has a difficult task ahead of it. But grey-haired panchayat member Sukhbir Kaur is not deterred. "We want this to be like a social movement. It never works if you force people. I myself have two daughters and they are doing their college from Ludhiana." "I have two sons and a daughter," adds Manjeet Kaur who looks after her husband paralysed in a road accident. "I don't differentiate between them." The birth records at the village's two Anganwadi centres indicate there is little discrimination. In Ward, I, 16 births were recorded from January to April 1998, eight were boys and eight girls. From May to November 1998 there were 13 births, eight boys and five girls. Between December 1998 and February 1999, of the six children born, four were boys and two were girls. If the records are studied over a longer period, it becomes evident that the village sex ratio is fairly even. (Internationally, the sex ratio is 105 boys born to every 100 girls). In the playschool run by Anganwadi workers, in the 3-6 years category there were 25 children enrolled in ward I - 14 boys and 11 girls. In ward II there are 15 boys and 10 girls. Says Manjeet Kaur, the Anganwadi worker, "Our villagers send both boys and girls to school. People want even their girls to study and make something of their lives. After class 10 both sexes go to study in Dorahe or Ludhiana". Clearly, the panchayat's
appeal has had immediate, tangible results. The community
seems determined that the change is here to stay. Says
Rajvinder Kaur, "I don't know if you can call it a
pioneering effort. We are just trying to do long-denied
justice to the girl child". |
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