Daily Excelsior... Editorial

Straighten distorted priorities
Academic Pulse

By Prof. S K Bhalla
Sports, sex and sensuality as also politics, power and pelf seem to be the staple mental diet of the majority ....more

A Pak dream that may
be a nightmare

By Om Kachru
There is an anecdote about two strikingly dissimilar remarks relating to Pakistan....more

Teaching without
accountability

By Dr Vishiesh Verma
A phenomena of being absent in the class-rooms, when the teaching is going on, has become....more

The necessity of the
nuclear deterrent

By R N Raina
India has done well in releasing its Nuclear Doctrine for public debate, nationally........more

EDITORIAL

Stable Government

With National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah also deciding to join NDA and participate in governing apparatus at the centre, the next Government led by Vajpayee shall have the backing of over 300 MPs. Although Telugu Desam and DMK have not yet decided to join the Government, they have already sent their letters of support to the President. This means there is no hanky-panky business this time and all parties are bound to show political maturity in preference to personal priorities and egoistic dispensation. Both TDP and DMK have fought elections in alliance with BJP and speaks volumes about the mutual advantage gained at the husting. No Party or leader would like this advantage to fritter away. For the BJP, it is marking its presence in every nook and corner of the country barring Kerala. For other regional parties it is an alround gain. This mutual cooperation at the husting can do a lot of good to the nation with progressive policies and addressing to the priority problems and legislations that could not be pushed through during the last 17 months. If the nation moves forward, the States automatically move in tendem. Contrary happens to be true as well. So stability to take the country forward is the mandate of the people. The mandate is clearly for stable Government led by AB Vajpayee and rejection of those who are prone to plunge the country in elections almost annually.

As things stand, there are clear indications that all the parties would participate in governing apparatus. The highest priority is being accorded to rapid economic reforms so that the time lost in delaying the same is made good in the shortest possible time. A clear message is sought to be sent to the world that there is no going back on reforms in terms of liberalisation and opening up Indian markets to all sectors so that Foreign Direct Investment picks up fast. It may mentioned that China attracted 45 billion dollars FDI last year while India just around 3 billion Such diversion and distortion has to be corrected for more FDIs to flow which in turn would give tremendous boost to our economy. It is crucial for infrastructure and other development which in turn increases demand for raw materials and industrial goods. The second area to be addressed by the new Government is fiscal deficit. Some measures have to be initiated immediately to correct fiscal deficit so that it remains within manageable limits. Yashwant Sinha who is likely to continue as the Finance Minister in the new Government has already indicated such corrections need not entail additional imposts. Industry has unanimously sought continuation of Yashwant Sinha so that good work done by him gains further momentum. All supporting parties are progressive as far as economy of the country is concerned. You can't take the country forward by distributing poverty. You got to create growth and the resultant wealth so that benefits as well percolate to the grass root level.

Another pointer towards stability is that all constituents small or big are experienced hands with vast talent. Prime Minister thus has better flexibility in selecting the team that is fast on delivery to redeem joint electoral pledges. At this stage such alliance partners have no viable alternative to disturb stability of Vajpayee Government. Neither DMK nor Telugu Desam have let down Vajpayee Government even when there was no formal alliance. Now that there is tentative pre-electoral understanding and Vajpayee has been accepted as the undisputed leader to steer the nation forward, there is bound to be good stability to push through various programmes. For one thing none of the alliance partners can ever join hands with anything led by Congress. For another thing, Congress leadership itself is under challenge from within. Average Congressman and MP is disillusioned that Sonia's leadership has cut them in size which is all time low. So Congress is bound to remain busy sorting out its internal challenges to avoid any further split. To that extent Vajpayee can confidently push through his liberal and reformative approach and finish the tasks left due to inadequate support in the past.

True, many of the new partners are ambitious and each one of them would like to opt for coveted slots. But there are enough to accommodate them all and maintain cohesion of the team that works and delivers. Another stumbling block was the minority status in Rajya Sabha. In the new equation and next bi-annual elections, this is going to be favourable to the NDA. Even otherwise, nothing can prevent forward movement of important legislative measures with present majority in Lok Sabha.

Vajpayee thus gets head-on start in terms of figures and total support from all the alliance partners. It may not be wrong to say that even NCP led by Pawar should be more inclined towards NDA rather than join hands with Congress even for formation of Government in Maharashtra. Just off-the-cuff, Chander Babu Naidu and Dr Farooq Abdullah have excellent rapport. When NC of Muslim majority State opts to join cabinet, secular credentials of Telugu Desam are very safe under NDA Government. All this and much more are clear pointers that next Government led by Vajpayee would be not only stable but also fast on delivery.

Belated but welcome

Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah's strong action against All Party Hurriyat Conference has come rather late but all the same welcome. He vows to send all Hurriyat leaders to Jodhour jail so that they cannot disturb the peace and tranquility of the State as they have been doing all these years. It is evident that he gave them too much latitude which in turn provided them with a licence to indulge in all types of vicious propaganda and anti-national acts. He has simultaneously vowed to crush militancy with a heavy hand. He had expected that those opposed to his Government would conform to democratic norms. Instead, they have abused freedom of speech and movement to create disharmony and fear psychosis amongst the people by playing pro-active role on spreading militancy sponsored by Pakistan. This just cannot be allowed and he had decided to crush all such elements with iron hand. This is quite a welcome change as inaction and soft-pedalling was misconstrued as weakness of the State Government. They treated democracy and the rights that accrue from this very shabbily to the detriment of the people, the State and the nation. If only such action has been in place soonafter popular Government took over in October 1996, the situation would not have reached such a sorry pass. It thus augurs well for the State and its wretched people that Chief Minister decides to become tough with those who refuse to remain within contours of democratic dispensation. Another good decision relates to joining the Vajpayee Government rather than supporting it from outside. This is a very bold initiative that would take the State to the mainstream and enjoy the resultant benefits. This realisation is also late but all the same welcome. One expects that security forces performing their part of the job would henceforth have full political back up from ruling party led by Dr Farooq Abdullah.

Straighten distorted priorities
Academic Pulse

By Prof. S K Bhalla

Sports, sex and sensuality as also politics, power and pelf seem to be the staple mental diet of the majority of our folk thanks to an educational campaign of 21st century variety launched by our print and electronic media. At the break of the day people are fed on the informative news items about the 'Sanyas' of a cricketer, sex scandal of a VVIP/ a VIP and the bigger game plan of our unclean politicians who have come to occupy centrestage propped as they are on the crutches of the media. It is crystal clear that there is an unholy alliance between media and politicians and a few smaller than life personage have been successfully befooling the masses by putting forth their own brand of creed. The net result of all this has been that our nation was more interested in the recently concluded World Cup-99 as complained by the cine actress Puja Batra on the national hook-up and quite late woke up from slumber to empathize with Kargil martyrs. An upsurge of patriotism came and now there is a perceptible decline because we Indians partake some of the characteristics of a chameleon.

Education and environment the issues of utmost concern for the coming century are receding into the background. Rather we have environmental refugees as also thirty-five job-oriented basic schools modelled on Tolstoy Farm and established in 1939 by Mahatma Gandhi going to seed in West champaran district of Bihar owing to bureaucratic red-tape and callous indifference of the political class. If we are out to dismember a historic legacy of the father of the nation, the talk of any redeemption is a hollow talk. Gandhi was very much concerned about moral education but we are enamoured with values minus education because the dose of values is too heavy to be digested by weaklings. These days a few people are imbued with the spirit of 3 C's-character, courage and conviction. We have become pawns in the power game and more or less players of the chess board of directionless life. There are no crusaders for the revival of the nationalistic spirit but on the contrary an editor of a local daily is compelled to jot down an editorial entitled- 'Koi Hai'- an indication of state of hopelessness and helplessness. There is no will to work wonders and there is a crisis of genuine leadership- the omen of foreboding social, political and economic disaster. We are preparing ourselves for a bigger catastrophe because things apparently seem to be beyond our control as the ''Centre cannot hold''.

Population control and good education are not at all on the agenda of political parties because discussion on these subjects may lead to dwindling number of votes which we cannot afford. Call it family planning programme or family welfare programme, Literacy mission or Jotal Saksharta Mission- the situation is more or less the same. It is old wine in new bottles. You have to change the label but the product is the same. New groups or outfits are floated not for any sincere action but for the promotion of a nuisance as it has also its rewards. Befool the people, family and the entire race, make a quick buck, deliver a few false sermons and become moral leader of the society is a more hidden in the machinations of people. Don't tell the truth but peddle malicious gossip, do not be scrupulous but unscrupulously is the popular rhythm of life.

There appears to be no hope. The thinking persons are the most affected lot as the nerves of the brain wreck when one is compelled to ponder over these issues. Too much of democracy and politicking are the bane of our society.

We are in the process of evolution and to me the time is coming when there shall be complete slide down and with His grace on the ruins of this corrupt world His kingdom shall be built. God is smiling enigmatically on our misdeeds. We are complacement in our world of make belief. You cannot listen to His march but He marches slowly but solidly to restore order. Presently Ram Rajya appears to be mirage but ultimately the Ultimate shall win.

A Pak dream that may be a nightmare

By Om Kachru

There is an anecdote about two strikingly dissimilar remarks relating to Pakistan's dispute with India over Kashmir, which were heard on the eve of the resumption of talks between the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries. The remarks came from two distinguished representatives of our neighbour and deserve wider circulation than they may have received so far.

Pakistan, said the first VIP who held a prestigious post in a certain part of Asia, had the support of 47 countries in its stand on Kashmir. This impressive line-up, he added, was likely to rise further. Asked which additional supporters he had in mind, the VIP said: "When Pakistan breaks up into three parts, the total will be 50".

Even viewed as a cynical joke the regional tensions within Pakistan, the statement had a clear implication that his own country's worldwide offensive against India over Kashmir ignored the fact of internal conflicts threatening Pakistan's national integrity and future unity as one piece.

In other words, in the face of challenges to the central authority in Islamabad from the North-West Frontier Province, Baluchistan and Sindh, Pakistan's continuing help to Kashmir Muslims to fight for self-determination overlooks the struggle for autonomy at home We in India have enough trouble on our hands to discourage us from gloating over Pakistan's difficulties - such as they are - but the main point to note is that there is perhaps a view in that country on the ongoing "jehad" in Kashmir, which is different from the commonly known stand that the Muslims in the valley conform to Jinah's two-nation theory.

While the statement about three more Pakistans reflected anxiety and perhaps a degree of unfounded fear, the second VIP's remarks was intended to offer a seemingly friendly advice to India. "Whey does India insist on keeping Kashmir, when the Kashmiris don't wish to remain with India?" he asked. Assuming that his query was plainly naive and inoffensive, it should not go unanswerred, especially as some within our own country have been heard expressing doubts about the wisdom of "hanging on" to Kashmir at the cost of being blamed as oppressors and sinking money in a bottomless ocean.

Such questions are usually based on the premise that India is "hanging on" to Kashmir, because we treat the territory as some kind of real estate. The suggestion is absurd, in the first insance, because India did not acquire Kashmir through conquest and is, therefore, anxious to retain it as a piece of property. Kashmir has been a part of India for four decades, even as the former princely states of Hyderabad and Bhopal or the rest of the country have been. If every secessionist movement in India, or elsewhere in the world, were to have its way, where would all this lead to?

Why did we resist the agitations for the creation of Khalistan or the separatist rebellion in Nagaland? Was it only because we viewed the areas concerned as real estate and remained adamantly possessive? There was indeed a time when Tamil Nadu also was inclined to strike for independence. Happily, this southern state is still very much a part of India and is none the worse for it. It has established an identity of its own, irrespective of the political party that governs it. Far from having seceded, Tamil Nadu has succeeded in making itself effectively heard in Delhi and won its rightful place in the Union.

But Kashmir, insist the Pakistanis, is different. The valley's population is overwhelmingly (and now almost wholly) Muslim and, by virtue of being Muslim, residents of the territory should be left free to choose their future. The argument about religious majority is by itself the answer to the demand for secession. Have we already forgotten the agony of the partition of the subcontinent 52 years ago and its continuing aftermath? What about the 12 crore Muslims living in the various parts of India outside Kashmir? What satisfaction would they derive from fellow Muslims in Kashmir turning their backs on India? Would they be pleased to see the birth of a second Pakistan, assuming that the Kashmiri Muslims decide to set up an independent Islamic state of their own?

Most of us human beings take much of life for granted. The thought of a separate Islamic state of Kashmir adjoining India and Pakistan truly frightens me. My reason is not fear of invasion from such a state, but a worry about a further hostile assessment about the quality of the relationship between 12 crore Muslims and the rest of the country, not the Hindu community alone. With Islamic fundamentalism spreading its wings in Central Asia and beyond, would the still non-existent Islamic state of Kashmir not add to the forward march of the ardent followers of a powerful and combative faith? Would it also give Indian Muslims additional bargaining power for themselves?

Have the Muslims in India outside Kashmir made up their minds not to oppose their religious kinsmen in the Valley in the latter's pursuit of their destructive objective? Do they not see the folly of the secessionist movement in the Valley? This is not to suggest that the Muslims should be punished for maintaining a sinister collective silence on the subject, instead of forcefully opposing the separatists. But surely, the community as a whole has a national obligation or at least a responsibility to its own vast numbers.

India's objection to the Kashmiri slogan of self-determination goes beyond her despair over the crumbling structure of secularism so painfully and assiduously built by Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad and other architects of a nation of colourful diversity, united in its objective of civilised tolerance. The country's leaders are also naturally concerned about the question of national security involved in handing Kashmir over to a set-up that could become a new threat on its borders. Can the crucial problems of Islamic fundamentalism and strategic security be sorted out at one or even half-a-dozen meetings of officials of the two countries? The obvious answer is a big "no". CNF

The necessity of the nuclear deterrent

By R N Raina

India has done well in releasing its Nuclear Doctrine for public debate, nationally and internationally. This is the first such exercise by a Nuclear Power. An open and a vibrant democracy has nothing to hide. It has opted for debate with any body or any country across the Globe. We are a country with Free Media where debate forms the essence of public issues. Where criticism is appreciated. It is a lucid and a transparent dispensation.

The Doctrine mentions about the need and compulsion for the Minimum credible deterrent. Minimum to the extent necessary for National security. Also for financial viability. Credible to counter any surprise attack from the enemy. The deterrent has to be located in a safe and protective cover, inaccessible to the rivals' radars and other espionage system. It should be available when the necessity arises.

Two points are debatable. One the necessity of it. Two the command and control. As for command and control the button has been proposed to be placed under the PM's thumb. The necessity is rather a compulsion than choice. A poor country like India, which has basic liabilities in providing drinking water and electricity in rural areas would not normally afford it. But what to do with our Nuclear neighborhood. Hostile, and Hypocrite. A compulsion therefore.

Our Western neighbour is not trustworthy. It has thrown all canons of friendship and good neighbourliness to winds. Kargil is the latest evidence. It has been importing dis-assembled nuclear war heads clandestinely calling them ‘Nuts and bolts’. China sells it and North Korea does it too. Both clandestinely. Well, the modern reconnaissance renders all stealthy transactions as preposterous. USA knows it all through its sophisticated satellite imagery. But they would keep quiet to see the two neighbours engage. So that they avail of a mission to dis-engage them. Is it believable that US Super-intelligence, the CIA and its Remote sensing satellite capability failed to notice our Pokhran II in advance ? Modern sophistry in technological excellence has rendered all secrecy redundant.

US missile technology has been reported as ‘smuggled out’ without the knowledge of its scientists and techno-crates, as political hierarchy would have us believe. They landed "Path Finders" on moon and Mars and they talk of smuggling on Earth, from their secured stock piles. Common sense has it that it is a Great Bluff. These items they wanted to dispose of as they have been collecting piles of dust all these years. Also the capital is blocked which could be utilised on other enterprises. So it is Nuclear Trade in confidential conspiracy. To be blunt. It is Hypocricy of the Himalayan size across the seven seas.

So does China acquire. So does US sell and so does Pakistan purchase. It is all around us. Rather against us. At our gateway.

A permanent seat in the UN Security Council was vacated for China, when it displayed its Nuclear Power. Otherwise it was Taiwan in that seat. So, it is Nuclear - power which provides for representation in the world Forums. It is not the size of territory or numbers in population. India has both these. It is justifying its position in the Security Council. But who is going to grant it. US ? No, it is the Nuclear and Missile power alone.

Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, the architect of Indian Missile power rightly mentions in his autobiography, the ‘wings of fire’ on the launching of Agni I in May 1989; "We have survived pressure from everywhere to stop the whole thing. But we did it at last. It was one of the Greatest Moments of my life". He further states "after all strength respects strength".

What for did Pakistan acquire these Mass Destruction weapons ? To Black Mail India ? For Kashmir ? For its livid vengeance against its Great Neighbour. A small country, one seventh of the size of India, incapable of tackling its economic chaos, unable to control its military and ISI, engaged in narcotics and drugs to the glut; muzzling its media, spreading disinformation, has India and India alone its target.

So Indian Nuclear Doctrine would seem to be rightly in place. It is only a ‘Draft for universal debate’. For Deterrence For peace. For showing the importance of total disarmament. To give sharper edge to defective and incomprehensive treaties as CTBT and NPT. To save the world from scaring away by the selected few. To make the world a free and fearless place. Conniving with China and availing of Pak hospitality, in return for arms, they destroyed balance of power, by disintegrating USSR. Together they razed Afghanistan to rubble. Together they encouraged International Islamic Terrorism. Together they finished Saddam. They destroyed Yugoslavia. But see how majestically they unified Germany. For that was Christian Europe. And this is non Christian Asia.

Kashmir was a solved problem. Sheikh Abdullah, the Tallest Leader of his time, had settled it once for all. He snubbed Jinah right in 1947 when the latter came over to negotiate. The poor sick Jinnah could not cash his ‘Blank cheque’ and succumbed. It was in 1987 that some disgruntled elements raised their heads. Till 1989 it was only ‘hit and run’ and that too sporadically. Then Pakistan exploited the situation and USA stoked the fires. So Kashmir became a dispute. If USA leaves the leash today, Kashmir dispute gets resolved. A glimpse of this dispensation was visible in the recent Kargil misadventure.

So are they bullying India. Individually clandestinely. And collectively openly. Under these precarious circumstances, under threats of ‘Repeat Kargils’, what is the alternative ? What is the security ? It is the Nuclear Power. And the democratic way of debating it. A document worked out by experts and the intelligentsia, can it be faulted ? There seems no such scope. It does not violate any International law. It gives respectability to a country. It provides security to a population.

Imagine Pokhran II compelled USA to hold numerous parleys with India. Talbot and Jaswant Singh had a number of meetings spread over various spots in the world. Washington, New York, London, Bonu, New Delhi and Islamabad. All the places contributed to some respectability to India. Yes, it is a country that cannot be ignored. Yes, it is a billion people who are important. That is what APJ Abdul Kalam meant by saying "strength respects strength".

This doctrine will win us peace ultimately. It will win us friends among P-5 welcoming us to their club as they did to China. The UN Security seat will follow.