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EDITORIAL With winter fast approaching, it is time for acute power crisis. All types of alibis are being cooked up to justify massive curtailments. High-level meeting held in Srinagar proves the point that State against tends to pass the buck to Central benevolence. Unless it is forthcoming, the people are in for long dark hours, disruptions, low and fluctuating voltages. It is the usual stuff envisaged for the ensuing winter schedule as well. That hydel power generation falls down due to snows (all rivers in the State generating power are snow fed). ....more Hardly the ink dries on the recent hikes on petro products comes the news of the roll-back. Earlier it was Jayalalitha who held the Government to ransom by the day. This time it is Mamata who gets away with whatever she wants. This is not the first time that Vajpayee has acquiesced with the almost unacceptable and impractical demands of Mamata. Only a few days back she threatened withdrawal from NDA unless President's rule was imposed in W. Bengal or some districts declared disturbed areas. She knows too well that in clear minority in Rajya Sabha no such thing is possible ..more |
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Kashmir - The tomorrow never comes By Major Kulbir Singh Profiling women, health By Sujata Madhok By Maj Gen V K Madhok (Retd) Spectre of eco destruction haunts Vietnam By Radhakrishna Rao Create salubrious
atmosphere for By Chamel Singh |
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EDITORIAL With winter fast approaching, it is time for acute power crisis. All types of alibis are being cooked up to justify massive curtailments. High-level meeting held in Srinagar proves the point that State against tends to pass the buck to Central benevolence. Unless it is forthcoming, the people are in for long dark hours, disruptions, low and fluctuating voltages. It is the usual stuff envisaged for the ensuing winter schedule as well. That hydel power generation falls down due to snows (all rivers in the State generating power are snow fed). That power from northern grid is also in short supply. That receiving capacity in the State cannot accept more power even if it is available. That State won't purchase sufficient power because it has no money to buy it. That demand in winter increases due to use of heating gadgets and lengthy night hours (in summer air-conditioners are mentioned as villains besides heating up of the system not as much due to consumptions as due to inadequate transformer oil and non-availability of funds for instant repairs). Add to it one more jugglery of figures i.e. energy demand has increased during the year by whopping 100 MW! Last year it was 1265 MW whereas current year demand is 1360 MW ! It is also qualified by the rider that total transformation capability of the State is only 960 MW. Now let us see what the State was, is and likely to be with regard to the power scenario. Before the popular Government assumed helmsmanship of the State in Oct 1996, the total curtailment for Jammu region (at least capital city) was just an hour. On Sundays and holidays there was no curtailment at all. Each successive year of popular rule has added to the woes of the people both in scorching heat and severe wintry conditions. The deterioration assumed alarming proportions during last winter when curtailments went upto 12 hours daily with long spells of 6 hours each besides disruptions galore. The ongoing summer has also been worst possible with curtailments even in the most humids and sultry periods at minimum of four and half hours besides unscheduled cuts, collapsible towers and heated up transformers playing havoc. These figures for the last four years are the severest strictures on the powers that be for bringing the situation to present sorry pass. It is all self revealing how apathetic the Government and its functionaries have been. They have scant regard for peoples woes with least accountability and responsibility. At one stage even typical terminology was used like 'power or no power, you have to pay for it'. So the basic problem is unconcern and total lack of appreciation of peoples woes. This obviously stems from the widely prevalent notions that is relevant to the dictum, ''Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely''. Now the posers. What have you done to improve the system in terms of transformation capacity which falls short by almost 25% of the peak demand. Why have you not utilised the summer months to upgrade the systems to accept required power. Why have you deliberately failed to enhance capacity of the transformers to correspond to rising demand. As per your own figures demand has risen by hefty 100 MW in just one year. Have you done anything in anticipation and taken steps to meet the demand? The answer is a big 'No'. Why don't you fill up the transformers with rated quantity of transformer oil? Second poser is the pilferage. Now take the statistics of the national capital. East Delhi has as high as 60% 'leakage' while West Delhi logs 45%. Punjab and Haryana also are not immune from it. To that extent J&K is not that bad. Where it suffers is the revenue collection. The 'free' syndrome in vogue, the introduction of cheque payment which compounds the steps, the inaction against evaders and non-payees. If only collection system is streamlined the revenue could go up substantially. But who cares? The third poser is the usual alibi of funds crunch and directions to do the things within the budgeted parameters. Such is the magnitude of unconcern. It is not the job of consumer or the people to find funds. Beg, borrow or steal. It is no reason to deprive the people of their bonafide needs. No responsible and responsive Government with massive mandate would resort to such alibis. Many other States are in the red, much worse than J&K. But they have not curtailed the power supply on this count. This is simply ridiculous and totally unacceptable. The fourth poser is Centre's benevolence. This is the whipping rod used by the State rather too often. The Centre has been willing to supply as much power as needed during summer months. But you preferred to expose the people to indignities galore. If this is the only reason, Central Government must be immediately approached to allocate more power. Local MPs should prevail on the Central Government to do the needful. NC is part of the ruling apparatus at the Centre. If Mamata can get away with whatever she wants, there is no reason why Farooq who enjoys good equation with Prime Minister cannot get more power for the wretched people. But is your system ready to accept it? If not, better get cracking. It is to be remembered how people punish the incumbents who fail to be on the 'right' side of the people. Lastly, it is the threat perceptions and hostile environs that warrant full lights during dark hours. Nothing should be done to expose the hapless citizens to the whims of terrorists. Again, winter months are also crucial to the students. For heavens sake don't strain their eyesights. Both as a Doctor and as CM you owe it to student community. Above all it is indispensable that popular Government remains accountable and responsive enough to the woes of the people. It should mitigate their hardships rather than compound their woes. Misgovernance provides enough of fodder to the enemies and adversaries to fish in troubled waters of Jhelum and Chenab. Hardly the ink dries on the recent hikes on petro products comes the news of the roll-back. Earlier it was Jayalalitha who held the Government to ransom by the day. This time it is Mamata who gets away with whatever she wants. This is not the first time that Vajpayee has acquiesced with the almost unacceptable and impractical demands of Mamata. Only a few days back she threatened withdrawal from NDA unless President's rule was imposed in W. Bengal or some districts declared disturbed areas. She knows too well that in clear minority in Rajya Sabha no such thing is possible for the NDA Government because any such act has to be ratified by both houses of Parliament. Even Governor of Bengal does not see breakdown of Constitution in the State. Earlier to this Mamata had refused to join the Government unless she was given the Railway slot. Vajpayee conceded it because Nitish was sent to take up Bihar more purposefully. This time round the excuse is anti-people hikes in petro-products. The threat is to roll back totally or at least reduce the burden on the common man. Else, she withdraws from the NDA with her 8 MPs. Vajpayee again succumbs. This she does despite the fact that she was very much present in the consensual meeting which decided to go for the petro hikes. The fact is she wants to prove to the people of W. Bengal that she is the winner either way. If she walks out, she gets the support of Congress and others as electoral allies in the forthcoming assembly elections. If she remains on her terms with rolled back petrol prices, she convinces her electorate in W. Bengal how strong she is once it comes to fighting for peoples cause, much more than what Jyoti Basu can do. He can get you nothing. But she can do marvels! Former Prime Minister Chander Shekhar rightly describes weaknesses of the coalition Government at the Centre and hates the regional satraps ruling the roost through black-mailing tactics. In the process credibility of the Vajpayee Government is further reduced in public esteem. In fact, it is the BJP that shall have to pay heavy penalty for appeasing the regional satraps. |
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Kashmir - The tomorrow never comes By Major Kulbir Singh The situation isn't cosy at all, as the mercenaries ramble through the Valley in their nugatory overdrive, which has left the people dolefully playing last posts, day after day, for those who have died over the years. Pakistan is obdurate, while India is busy with its policy of ablution of militants first and this has resulted in a dangerous impasse. The tomorrow, the peaceful tomorrow which the people in the Valley have been watching with both patience and desperation just may not arrive early until and unless a miracle takes place. Change is inevitable, if not today then tomorrow, we all believe in this and so do the Kashmiris. The Kashmiris have been waiting and waiting but the tomorrow never comes. In hundred years none of us will be here to see as to what ultimately will happen. They have had enough... but the ordeal continues. Familiar paths, hedged between wild grassed, edged by green ponds, have begun to recede since they are used today by the dreadful bandits as security forces chase them. Cemented and tarmac roads lined by the magestic willows and slanted roof huts, choked with smoke, traffic and people are no more there. Today they are the beat of hidden unholy warriors ready to detonate. IED's and hurl grenades while the security forces convoy's go screaming to and fro. The villagers are cloaked with fear, the fear of the unknown trapped both boys. If they support one, the other gets them sooner or later. There are no rules of honour and shame now, but still they feel that something may just happen suddenly and everything will fall in its place. The songs which automatically used to echo once, today have no legitimate echo. No economic and social development. Why forget if Kashmir is ours, then people staying there are obviously ours. But its the Kashmiris who made the blunder and have to locate it in themselves and the life around them. Pakistan began this crude process and people in the Valley followed it blindly, but still they can return if they want to a peaceful tomorrow. Pakistan's madrassas are the recruiting ground for militants. Pampered and officially patronised during the 11 years regime of the late Zia-ul-Haq, the country has now over 2000 madrassas spread across Pakistan. Some of the religious schools are directly manned by Jehadi leaders, in most others recommend the potential terrorists to myriad militant organisations. There is no dearth of new recruits for these groups. The modus operandi is to recruit the future militants at an early age. At a Lashkar Madrassa in Karachi, children as young as eight are groomed for guerrilla war fare, and the ideology is simple. The destruction of Hindu India and renaissance of Islam, highly impossible and improbable but still they believe they can make it happen. With relentless backing from ISI, India has no other option but to fight and fight and when an opportunity arises talk and talk. Both cannot happen at the same time. Over and above this, the crude gauche behaviour of Gen. Musharraf has already created volatile antagonism. So far the Kashmiri people the real devil is in Pakistan not here. The first priority, the absolute priority in his battle is the military front, for we must realise that the enemy will not withdraw unless we force him to withdraw through fighting. Indeed there can be no hope of any political solution unless the enemy realises that we are capable of forcing him to withdraw through fighting. This is a war, with no time outs or half time. The demands on the ground are simply unending. The military wants quick answers, while the militants want delayed ones. What is moral, what is immoral in the game of death being played in Kashmir, the line dividing the two is thin. The military still exercises caution at their own peril, but there are no such rules for the militants. What is the military doing there? Obviously tackling the madrassa warriors who are coming in unceasing waves to destroy and devastate the Valley. The people have to support the saviours and not the destroyers. If they do not understand this, will the tomorrow they are looking forward to will never arrive. If it arrives, it will be no different to the day prior. Parvez Musharraf loves to talk on mixed metaphors, seeks peace while talking of war, while 'Hot pursuit' is the one which we have been talking off with the two countries not ready to shift their stance where does Kashmir stand. It is part and parcel of one, while the other says that the ongoing war is for freedom. The irony is that those killed in the process want to stay in their ancestral land and enjoy life as it unfolds. But can they? You all have the answer-period. |
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By Maj Gen V K Madhok (Retd) At a late one day workshop on Defence and Media, organised at Mumbai's Patrakar Bhavan on Feb 13, 99 an aspect which was rightly highlighted was the role of the media in maintaining and building up the morale of the armed forces. How it can be damaged and even destroyed by wrong of unfair reporting? Why is it so important for the defence services in particular and the society in general? Why a demoralised soldier, unit or an army cannot win battles even when it has the best possible weapons at its disposal? Morale is the spirit to fight and win. It is based on discipline, confidence and the knowledge that one is fighting for the right cause: That the society supports the soldier's actions; that the Government and the Politicians are not misusing the services for selfish gains. That the soldier's separated family at home is being looked after. That his aged parents are receiving due attention and his children are being admitted to schools and colleges without demands for huge donations. That the soldier will receive fair treatment in case he is wounded or after retirement, that he will not be left in the lurch to beg for a job? All this helps a soldier and the armed forces to develop the will to fight and win. And that, in essence is morale. Rightly said, an Army without high morale is useless. The media has a crucial role to play in avoiding damage to the soldier's morale by wrong or unfair reporting. There have been cases of brawls between the soldiers and police and soldiers and the civilians in the past. There is no surity that these will not be repeated in the future. Unfortunately, media's first reaction has invariably been to blame the soldier. And the most frequent and common charge levelled has been, that the soldier was intoxicated. And yet, time and again after inquiry, it was found that it was not so. That the soldiers reacted under provocation when their self-respect was touched. And they will do so in the future too, because the profession of arms is built on a code of conduct, tradition and self respect. If India's non complaining soldiery has been weathering nature's vagries in the most difficult of conditions at some of its borders, away from homes, during peace time, it is not because of free rations and the pay they receive but because of the traditions of their regiments and patriotism based on self respect. It is by no means the intention to suggest, that soldiers are always correct. But should they be found at fault, they just cannot escape immediate punishment. Accodingly, the media has to be fair. It has to avoid impulsive reporting based on one sided story of the aggrieved party. It must await the investigation reports and not rush to the columns with a biased message -- as has happened so often. The services have a well laid down procedure for investigation and inquiries. Accordingly, soldiers cannot go on making individual statements. They are answerable to their superiors, the Government and the courts. Accordingly, the statements must stand judicial scrutiny. The media in India has yet not taken its rightful place in its interaction with defence. For which, both sides must share the blame. To be able to act as a 'Facilitator' between the civil and the Defence the media has to do much more. Today defence is a highly specialised subject. The media cannot report on it by sitting in air-conditioned offices or merely by telephone enquiry. Most important aspect what the media must understand is the 'Psyche' of a soldiers, the abnormal conditions in which he must function. Also, that soldiering is a non-money making profesison and not a nine to five job. Besides, the media will need education. It must define as to what are India's national security challenges? What restructuring is necessary of the armed forces to meet future challenges? Above all, in a fast changing security environment in which the country is placed today, foreign power interests, lack of indigenisation, absence of foreign and defence policy goals, coupled with absence of well informed debates on security issues in the Parliament by our chosen representatives, media has a distinct role cut out for it. For which it would need to shift from more routine reporting to an interpretative and assertive role in the future. This may even involve taking up cudgels with the Government on behalf of defence with the Government or with the society. |
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Spectre of eco destruction haunts Vietnam By Radhakrishna Rao With an abnormally high population density of 223 persons per sq. km and forces of economic reformation and development gaining momentum, Vietnam, often hailed as 'Zoologist's Garden of Eden', is facing a serious threat to its environmental stability. Opening up of the country to the market economy and a thriving export enterprise are providing a big push to the pace of deforestation and resources exploitation in this once puritanical Communist State of South East Asia. In fact, more than four years back, Vietnamese Premier Vo Van Kiet had warned his countrymen that the process of deforestation and eco disruption is eating into the resources base of Vietnam, and if not reversed immediately, could prove disastrous to the country in the long run. Vietnam, which is home to 10% of world's mammal, bird and reptile varieties, is rich in biodiversity on account of its widely varying geographic setting and diverse topographic and climatic zones. A study by the World Conservation Union says that of the 7000 species of plants found in Vietnam, 40% are not known to occur anywhere else in the world. However over the years, a frenzied pace of deforestation has been driving many varieties of fauna and flora to the edge of extinction. No wonder, more than one-fourth of mammals and one-fifth of the amphibians and reptiles in Vietnam are now being treated as endangered varieties. In addition to deforestation, a flourishing illegal trade in threatened wildlife varieties is destroying the finely tuned eco-system of Vietnam which is preponderantly a rural-based agricultural country. For example, the use of the gall bile of bear in the traditional medical prepartions of Vietnam has made bear a highly threatened species. Similarly, international wildlife syndicates active in Vietnam are involved in smuggling rare and endangered animal varieties to Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea and Hong Kong. Liberalised foreign trade policy is also accelerating the process of destruction of the rich floral wealth of the country. For many rare and prized varieties of Orchids and Rhodendrons collected by tribals and ethnic minorities in the mountainous regions of the country are sent to many parts of the world through illegal channels. No wonder, as a result of growing human interference into the domain of nature, the forest cover of Vietnam has declined to an all time low of 24% from a high of 67% in 1943. An exploding human population, felling of trees to make room for farming and housing, widespread practice of shifting cultivation and a growing pressure on a rapidly dwindling fuelwood resources of the country are all conspiring to accelerate the pace of deforestation. In particular, the hilly regions and mountainous areas in Vietnam have paid a heavy prices for deforestation. Today most mountainous and hilly areas in Vietnam are only left with small green patches of forests as reminder of its onetime "green glory." As such, ecologists have also expressed concern that the disappearance of forests may also pose a threat to the biodiversity of Vietnam. The human migration and resettlement schemes launched by the Vietnamese Government have also caused widespread destruction of the resources base in the country. On another front, the ecosystem and human health in Vietnam continue to be under the grip of the chemical residues left behind by the dumping of the millions of tonnes of herbicides and chemical agents by the American forces at the height of Vietnam war in early 1970s. It has been revealed that more than 70 million litres of herbicides dumped by the US forces in Vietnam continue to affect the growth of forests in the country. Similarly, the dioxin residues left behind by the spraying of the deadly Agent Organge continues to remain in the food chain of the country. A high rate of reproductive abnormality prevalent in Vietnam is traced to the toxic chemical residues -- an ugly legacy of the Vietnam War. Many of the herbs and medicinal plants traditionally used by the Vietnamese as remedies for a variety of ailments have become an easy victims of biopiracy. Press reports say that sometime back a Singapore - based company had reportedly collected some herbs from Vietnam and patented several products from them. Of course, Vietnam had sometime back initiated an action plan aimed at protecting its biodiversity and prevent biopiracy. However the thrust on commercial varieties like Eucalyptus in the Vietnamese afforestation drive could prove to be the undoing of the Vietnamese 'greening drive.' All said and done, a
serious cash crunch, a lack of experience in afforesttion
and a need to give a thrust to industry and commerce as a
means to boost economy could only go to energiese the
process of ecological destruction in this one time green
paradise. |
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Create salubrious atmosphere for sports in J&K By Chamel Singh A strong antidote is required for the poison that is eating into vitals of sports in India and J&K in particular. Each one of us can make such antidote by creating such a congenial and healthy atmosphere for sports so that the crown of India becomes most beauteous than ever before and all of us feel proud when during the occasion of medal ceremonies at International events, Our Tricolour flutters atop. There is no dearth of talant in J&K but the need of the hour is to spot the talent and expose the right person for that particular game. Now the question arises --- Who will do it? Well, in my view following of us could make a success by contributing through different ways and means as suggested here under. 1. Aficionados : The sports lovers should come forward wholeheartedly and help with money/Sports Equipments and whatever may be necessary for sports for the deserving sportspersons of the State. They should sponsor sportsperson for participation in competitions at higher levels organise competitions at local levels. They should encourage the sportspersns and organisers. Heads of the locality : Heads of the locality should take interest in organising competitions. Heads of panchayats in villages should organise the competitions among the village coming under it. In this way, the best and the creamy layers will come forward to represent the State. Punjab state has produced so many Internationals because the panchayats are taking initiative. Sportspersons winning medals at various levels of competition are being honoured by their respective Panchayats. Administration Heads at each level should take personal interest to complete the chain of competitions. NGOs : Like social organisations, sportsloving and ex-sportspersons should frame organisations who could provide help to the younger sportsperson living in rural as well as urban areas. Provide them training and equipment and organise competitions for different games. Media : Media can play a pivotal role in improving the standard of sports. Media has not taken seriously the sports except Cricket & Tennis thus ignoring all other games. So people living in rural (far flung areas) are deprived of the awareness about other games so doordarshan should. 1) Telecast sports based programmes through serials documentaries etc. 2) Coverage of maximum number of sports events. 3) Telecast the Interviews of the former sportspersons. Government : Today, we are passing through and facing so many problems, most of them are related to disturbed youth. All the problems that are thratening the global peace and purposeful existence of mankind, can be effectively checked only by the pursuits such as sports. Games and sports shape individuals into good human beings and good citizens. Hence, if we direct their mind towards sports, the problems will be minimised. For this government should. * Allocate more funds for sports budget. * Make Physical Education Compulsory for all Schools including Govt Affiliated Schools and the sports activity of these schools be monitored by D Y S S officers. * Organise Inter-department competitions in various disciplines. * Provide infrastructural support like playgrounds etc. * No interference in selection of players at any level. N.I.S Trained Coaches : National Institute of sports was started in 1961. It has produced more than 12000 coaches upto 1999. Even then we could not produce sportsperson who could win medals in Asian games and Olympics. The N.I.S trained coaches should shoulder the responsibility of producing more sportspersons. They should reach each and every village to spot the talent and then train them. They should not ignore any of the sportsperson and ensure mass participation. Sports Associations : Most of the Associations of sports are not taking full interest in organising competitions. If ever the competitions are held it is known to few sportspersons living in Urban areas, thus the rural youth is ignored. The villagers are known for the well build bodies. They can produce better results, if are trained by the experts. 70 percent of India's population is living in villages, hardly some people get a chance to participate and whenever they people get a chance they do well. I got a chance to visit and watch services Cross-Country 1996-1997 at Pathankot. Out of 24 athletes representing Army, 11 were from J&K alone. Some of them had represented India in International Competitions. Department of youth services and sports : The Department of Youth Services and Sports is doing a commendable job for School going children & youth, by training and organising competitions right from lower most level i.e. Zone level onwards thus giving chance to each and every person to prove his/her mettle in the world of sports. It acts as a feeling agency by providing the talent to the trained coaches of the council, who in turn polish their talent. Every year so many students who are fully sponsored by the department represent the state in National School Games of India. But we are lacking somewhere as the results in Inter State competitions are not encouraging. Anyhow, the youth services and sports deptt has launched recently some good schemes. The Deptt is also catering the Non-School going youths by organising sports meets at remote places to create awareness among the masses about games/Sports. |
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